Eight Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery celebrated their diamond jubilees of monastic profession at a private community ceremony on July 28th. Marking 60 years of monastic profession were Ss. Kevin Irwin, Angeline Keating, Aurea Medina and Bennett Fasbender. Seventy years of profession were celebrated by Ss. Wilma Lyle and Christine Knoll. S. Verena Kaiser celebrated 75 years of profession, and S. DeChantal Garcia reached a milestone of 80 years of monastic profession.
S. KEVIN IRWIN OSB – 60th Jubilee
S. Kevin Irwin OSB grew up on a farm near Rockham, SD. St. May’s Church, Zell is her home parish. After graduation from Mount Marty High School, she joined Sacred Heart Monastery in 1947.
She says, “The constant in my life these 60 years has been in knowing that God loves me, and God’s invitation to me has been St. Benedict’s admonition to seek God at all times.”
S. Kevin has ministered in education at Mount Marty College, parish ministry at Sacred Heart Parish, and counseling at Mount Marty, Catholic Family Services and Benedictine Family Services. For 30 years she has coordinated a Support Group for divorced, separated & widowed in the Yankton area.
“In reviewing these 60 years, I am overwhelmed with awe and than God, my family and religious community for the many blessings I have received.”
S. ANGELINE KEATING OSB – 60th Jubilee
S. Angeline Keating’s life with the Yankton Benedictines began when she was born at Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton. She continued her Benedictine connections as a student at Sacred Heart School and Mount Marty High School. She then joined Sacred Heart Monastery in 1947.
Her life of service included teaching on various levels, administrative positions including at Mount Marty College and Sacred Heart Monastery, twenty-five years as an addiction counselor and currently in the monastery library.
S. Angeline says she entered Sacred Heart Monastery because she believed early on that this was what God wanted her to do. She has never questioned this during these 60 years. God always sent someone to give her the support she needed in difficult times. Her diamond jubilee is just one more occasion to celebrated God’s goodness to her.
S. AUREA MEDINA OSB – 60th Jubilee
S. Aurea Medina OSB is a native of La Jara, CO. She learned about the Yankton Benedictines through a mailed vocation pamphlet. She entered the monastery in 1947. S. Aurea is one of seven women religious in her family.
Her ministry included many years in health care and pastoral care with several years in Guatemala serving the native population in remote villages and then in home health and pastoral care at St. Thomas More Hospital and Progressive Care Center in Canon City, CO and most recently in pastoral care at Avera St. Benedict Health Center in Parkston. She says that “I marvel at the opportunities and privileges that I have received to minister to the sick and poor who have deeply touched my life.”
Of her vocation she says, “I value the gift of my Benedictine vocation with its joys and challenges. I am grateful to my Benedictine community who journeyed with me sharing their wisdom, prayers, love and support.”
S. BENNETT FASBENDER OSB – 60th Jubilee
S. Bennett Fasbender OSB is a native of White, SD. She attributes the faith of her parents, her attendance at Mount Marty High School, and the encouragement of her pastor, Msgr. Trautner, as major influences in her entering Sacred Heart Monastery following her graduation from Mount Marty High School in 1947.
S. Bennett’s ministry included many years in education including at Constance, NE and Mount Marty College, serving as formation director and as sub-prioress.
She says that “the sense of community” was one thing that attracted her to the Benedictine way of life. Reflecting on her 60 years of professed life, S. Bennett has “a deep appreciation for the growth and renewal I have experienced in my life. My life with Christ has deepened and so has my relationships with other people.”
S. CHRISTINE KNOLL OSB – 70th Jubilee
S. Christine Knoll OSB was born near Hague, ND. She attended a one-room country school until she was 15 then stayed at home to help on the farm. Through her brother, Tony, who worked at Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND, she became acquainted with the Yankton Benedictines. She entered Sacred Heart Monastery in August, 1937.
Her ministry included many years as a baker and a cook on several missions in the Dakotas and Wisconsin.
As she reflects on her years as a Benedictine Sister, S. Christine says that “I am glad that I consecrated my life to God. I found God in my busy schedule. I put all my life in God’s hands.”
S. Christine is now part of the Powerhouse of Prayer in the Monastery Care Center.
S. WILMA LYLE OSB – 70th Jubilee
S. Wilma Lyle OSB was born near Beresford, SD. She attended rural school and graduated from Mount Marty High School in 1937. As a young child she felt called to religious life and this intensified during high school. Answering that call she entered Sacred Heart Monastery in 1937.
Her ministries included education including Mount Marty College, parish ministry, serving as Prioress of the community (1973 – 1981) and as a missionary to San Pedro Carcha, Guatemala. She has continued to use her knowledge of Spanish to assist local Spanish-speaking immigrants.
Of her life as a Benedictine, she says, “I am convinced that God called and continues to call me and give me the grace to live as a monastic woman. The foundations of life in monastic community – prayer, work, and time for meaningful leisure – help keep me focused on living what I professed 70 years ago.”
S. VERENA KAISER OSB – 75th Jubilee
S. Verena Kaiser OSB was born in Yankton a few blocks from the monastery. She attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Mount Marty Academy. She entered Sacred Heart Monastery in February, 1932 and made first profession in 1934.
Her ministries included elementary education in Nebraska and South Dakota, administration, archivist and museum curator. A trip to the Holy Land was a highlight of which she writes, “I trust that entering the heavenly Jerusalem will far surpass that of going to the earthly Jerusalem or anything else that I have done.”
Looking back on the past 70 years, S. Verena writes, “I realize that life has been good to me for which I thank my God sincerely. I have felt His hand guiding and supporting me at all times.”
S. DECHANTAL GARCIA OSB – 80th Jubilee
S. DeChantal Garcia OSB was born near Gardner, CO. She became acquainted with the Yankton Benedictines during elementary school. “The beautiful sacrificial spirit shown by these Sisters instilled in me a desire to become a Sister like them.”
She entered Sacred Heart Monastery in 1924, attended Mount Marty High School, and became a novice following her high school graduation in 1928.
Her ministry included many years in elementary education and mission work in Bogota, Columbia, South America and San Pedro Carcha, Guatemala, Central America. After retiring from teaching, she did pastoral ministry in Pueblo and Canon City, CO.
Reflecting on her 80 years of profession, S. DeChantal says, “My great desire as a religious has been to know and love God with all my heart.” |
