S. Penny Bingham OSB was installed as the 13th prioress of Sacred Heart Monastery during the Eucharistic liturgy on Saturday, June 4.  S. Joella Kidwell, president of the Federation of St. Gertrude, conducted the installation ceremony. S. Penny succeeds S. Jennifer Kehrwald who completed her 6-year term of office.  As Prioress, S. Penny is the spiritual and corporate leader of the Yankton Benedictines.  She is a native of Lake Andes and most recently served as the sub-prioress of the community.

   At the Installation Mass, S. Jeanne Weber OSB was commissioned as sub-prioress, and S. Mary Kay Panowicz OSB was commissioned as procurator (treasurer/business manager).  S. Jeanne has been the Director of Liturgy and part of the Initial Formation Team. S. Mary Kay was the Public Relations Coordinator and a liturgical space consultant and artist.  

  The election took place on Saturday, April 2 following three days of prayer, discussion and discernment.  S. Joella Kidwell OSB, President of the Federation of St. Gertrude, presided at the election. S. Mary Catherine Wenstrup OSB, Villa Hills, KY and S. Kathy McNany OSB, Baltimore, MD were facilitators for the discernment process.

   The Prioress is the spiritual and corporate leader of the 109 sisters who belong to Sacred Heart Monastery.  One of the responsibilities of the new prioress will be to lead the community in achieving its Direction Statements of viability, vitality and sustainability set earlier in the year.

   Of her election, S. Penny says, “Being called to be prioress by my Sisters is humbling, challenging and exciting!  With God’s grace and our Sisters’ generous sharing of talents, we will work together to be a viable, vital, and sustainable presence in our world – a presence that generates hope.”

   S. Penny, daughter of the late Leonard and Rita Bingham, was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Pickstown, SD. She graduated from Andes Central High School and Mount Marty College.  Following two years of teaching in Iowa, she entered Sacred Heart Monastery in 1975. She made first profession in 1977 and final profession in 1983.  She is currently sub-prioress of the community.  Prior to serving in this capacity, she worked in parish ministry in Centerville and Beresford, SD after completing a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN.  She also taught elementary students at St. Patrick’s School in Lincoln, NE and Little Flower School in Sioux Falls, and ministered to the elderly at the monastery in various capacities.