Stepping Stone Ministries, a new nonprofit organization in Bismarck, ND, will provide transitional care for individuals experiencing homelessness who are too ill to return to the streets or shelters but no longer require or qualify for acute care. Sister Idelle Badt, a member of Annunciation Monastery, is one of the founders and serves as the CEO. Martha Reichert is the other founder and the executive director.
Open houses were held September 27 – 29 to show their new space to area providers and partners, donors, Sisters and oblates of Annunciation Monastery, and the general public. Stepping Stone Ministries hope to start receiving clients the week of October 6.
Martha Reichert, Executive Director, and Sister Idelle Badt, CEO. of Stepping Stone Ministries Ribbon cutting in front of the Stepping Stone Ministries building with representatives from the Bismarck/Mandan Chamber, Stepping Stone Ministries board members, and Annunciation Monastery L to R: Sister JoAnn Krebsbach, Oblate Jeannine Saabye, Sister Patricia Schap, and Sister Kathleen Del Monte (St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth) at the open house
The Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, the leadership and associates of St. Alexius, and the Bismarck/Mandan community celebrated the 140th anniversary of St. Alexius Hospital on May 6, 2025. A Mass of Thanksgiving was held at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary with Bishop David Kagan, Bishop of Bismarck, presiding. A celebration at the medical center followed with comments from representatives of CommonSpirit Health and the City of Bismarck.
Sisters from St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN founded St. Alexius Hospital, the first hospital between Seattle and St. Paul, in 1885. Abbot Alexis of St. John’s Abbey assisted the sisters in purchasing a hotel to become the hospital building. They were the first Benedictine Sisters to work in healthcare ministry. Sponsorship of the hospital was given to Annunciation Monastery when they were established as an independent community in 1947. Benedictine Sisters have served at St. Alexius since its founding. Two Sisters currently serve at St. Alexius and several sisters volunteer at the hospital.
Sisters of Annunciation Monastery and guests at the Mass of ThanksgivingSister Nicole Kunze, Prioress, reading at the MassSister Nancy Miller, Director of Mission, speaking at the celebration
Bishop Felton with the Canonical Stewards of Duluth Benedictine Ministries and the leaders of the sponsored ministries.
September 28, 2023 the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota celebrated the transfer of sponsorship to their new Ministerial Public Juridic Person, Duluth Benedictine Ministries with Eucharist and a luncheon.
Since the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital in 1888 and the College of St. Scholastica in 1912, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery have been sponsoring Catholic Health Care and Catholic Education. Over all these years the ministries have undergone many changes, but one thing has remained, the unwavering and steadfast support of the Sisters. Just like the pioneering Sisters who started these ministries of health care and education over a century ago, the Sisters today continue to be pioneers and leaders in what it means to be sponsors of Catholic health care and education.
Sponsorship within the Catholic Church is defined as “a formal relationship between an authorized Catholic organization and a legally formed health system, hospital, nursing home, college (or other institution) entered into for the sake of promoting and sustaining Christ’s health or education ministry to people in need.”
In creating Duluth Benedictine Ministries and transferring the sponsorship of their ministries, namely The College of St. Scholastica, the Catholic entities of Essentia Health, Benedictine, St. Mary’s Health and St. Francis Regional Medical Center to this newly approved Public Juric Ministerial Person, the Sisters are ensuring that their mission and their ministers continue.
The Mass, that was celebrated by the Very Reverend Daniel Felton, Bishop of Duluth, was attended by the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, leaders from Duluth Benedictine Ministries, the sponsored ministries and others involved with the work of the Sisters. Within the Eucharistic Celebration, there was a transfer of sponsorship ritual and the commissioning of leader. The transfer of sponsorship that was officially recognized by the Vatican December 8, 2022.
That in all things, God may be glorified!
RB 57.9
Pins that were blessed by Bishop Felton and presented to the leadership of the DBM and the sponsored ministries.
Sister Jonathan was adorned with corsages, a tiara, and a sash for her 100th birthday celebration. She is pictured with her niece, Kirstene Herda.
Sister Jonathan Herda, a member of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph. MN, celebrated her 100th birthday on February 21, 2023.
Sister Jonathan grew up on a family farm in Lonsdale, MN, and made her first profession in 1944 and her perpetual profession in 1947.
After first profession, Sister Jonathan became a registered X-ray technician and served in that capacity in various locations, including St. Cloud, MN, and Ogden, UT. In the 1970s, she switched to Clinical Pastoral Education and became a certified hospital chaplain, serving in Tacoma and Spokane, WA, and Bismarck, ND. In more recent years, she has vigiled with sisters of her own community in their final days.
In 2019, on her 75th jubilee of profession, Sister Jonathan said, “My mission is to bring the love of Jesus to whomever I meet, wherever I am sent.”
“My mission is to bring the love of Jesus to whomever I meet, wherever I am sent.”
From the top left, clockwise: The Sisters of Saint Benedict’s Monastery bless Sister Karen Rose after her election as prioress. Sister Nicole Kunze pins a corsage on Sister Karen Rose at the rite of acceptance of election. Sister Karen Rose with the facilitators of the discernment process: Sister Kimberly Porter, left and Sister Lynn McKenzie right.
Sister Karen Rose will serve as the eighteenth prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN. Sister Karen was elected for a six-year term on Saturday, February 25, following a discernment process. The rite of installation will take place on Sunday, June 4. Sister Karen will succeed Sister Susan Rudolph.
Sister Karen was born in Nantwich, England, She studied philosophy and theology at Oxford University and earned a doctorate in nursing at Manchester University. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery as a postulant in 2007, made her first profession in 2009, and perpetual profession in 2012. She is currently the director of the monastery’s Office of Mission Advancement.
The discernment process was facilitated by Sister Kimberly Porter, a member of St. Walburg Monastery, Covington, KY, and Sister Lynn McKenzie, a member of Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL, and president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica. Sister Nicole Kunze, vice-president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict presided at the canonical election.
Saint Benedict’s Monastery was founded in 1857 and currently has 157 members.
The Sisters of Saint Benedict Monastery, Taipei, Taiwan received a second novice who has taken the name Sister Gratia. She was received on December 7, 2018 joining Sister Benedicta in the novitiate. Both women are originally from Vietnam.
The BENEDICTINES in EAST AFRICA and OCEANIA (BEAO) gathered at Saint Benedict Monastery in Taipei, Taiwan November 26-30, 2018. Representatives from monasteries of this geographical area gathered to discuss topics related to monastic life and their monasteries in this region. Abbot Primate Gregory Polan participated as well as Brother Nicholas Koss of Wimmer Priory in Taiwan, a good friend of the Sisters of Taipei.
The Prioress of the monastic community is spiritual leader, guide and planner. Each monastery elects a prioress through a discernment process and also determines the length and number of terms. Three monasteries of the Federation had elections this year.
Saint Benedict Monastery in Taipei, Taiwan.
Sr Emmanuel Hsiang & Sr Kerry O’Reilly, Federation President
The Sisters met in discernment February 24 and 25 facilitated by Sister Kerry O’Reilly, President of the Federation, and Sister Josue Behnen of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN. The canonical election was held February 26, 2016 and SISTER EMMANUEL HSIANG was elected to a second 6-year term. She was blessed by the community, oblates and friends. It was particularly festive with the presence of their Junior Sister, Sister Maria Sung, from their mission house. The community celebrated with a festive meal and entertainment by the newest members of the community.
When visiting Taiwan the flight connects in Tokyo, Japan so a visit to the Sisters at Saint Benedict’sMonastery, Muroran, Japan was in order!
St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL
Sr. Sandra Brunenn (Photo courtesy of St. Mary Monastery)
also had a re-election on April 3, 2016. SISTER SANDRA BRUNENN was elected by her community to serve a second term of four years. The Benedictine way is to take time for discernment – creating an atmosphere within the house and within the community members of quiet and deep listening. Who is God calling to leadership at this time? What are community members hearing? What can they share about the Sisters raised up for consideration for leadership? A Formal election takes place only after the community seems to develop a broad consensus.
Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, ND
Sr Nicole Kunze (Photo courtesy of Annunciation Monastery)
Following two re-elections, Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, ND elected SISTER NICOLE KUNZE to a first term of 4 years on April 9. A community begins thinking about the future long before the election as it prepares Direction Statements. The Sisters ask themselves what is our hope for the future and where is our energy for that future? Where would we like to be four years from now? As they discuss that and formulate general statements it becomes a basis for what kind of skills and gifts would be help move the statements to reality.
Conference of Benedictine Prioresses
The position of prioress is challenging and can be overwhelming even as it has rewards. Benedictine Prioresses from around the country meet once a year for sharing and support and quiet time together. This year’s gathering was held in January at Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana.
Gathering of Professed Benedictines 55 and Under
Gathering of Professed Benedictines 55 and Under (Photo courtesy of Yankton Benedictines)
One privilege of a Federation President is getting to know many Sisters from other Federations. The Sisters from all the Federations and Congregation 55 years old and Under meet every three years and 2016 was one of those years. The presidents are invited to attend and share thoughts. It is a privilege. The energy was high as Sisters recalled formation gatherings they shared, as the theme of Collaboration was explored by Sister Aileen Bankemper of St. Walburga Monastery, and time was given to explore Indianapolis, IN where our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, is located.
Federation / Congregation Leaders at the 55 and Under Gathering: back: Sister Kerry O’Reilly (St. Benedict), Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie (St. Scholastica); front: Sister Joella Kidwell, (St. Gertrude), Sister Pia Portman, (Missionary Benedictines) (Photo: Federation of St. Scholastica)
. Both women are originally from Vietnam.
Monastic Congregation of St. Benedict 