Current Events

Summer 2007

Monastery Sisters Sing for Mass at Prison

Srs. Stephanie, Angeline Andrea, Eileen O, Julie, Barbara McT, Bonita, and Patricia Ann sang for the Sioux Falls State Prison Mass on September 1st.
 

Firefighters Get Help from Monastery

The Yankton Volunteer Firefighters are pictured here Wednesday with the sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery.  The firefighters received a grant from the sisters for an ATV with firefighting capabilities.  The unit is stationed at the new Lewis & Clark Fire Station and will be utilized throughout the Yankton Fire Protection Area.

Big Friend-Little Friend

Sisters Kathy Burt (third from left in the 2nd to last row with the blue hat) and Eileen O'Conner (wearing a white hat in the center of the 2nd to last row) participated with their 'little friends' in the 8th Annual Campout at Pierson Day Camp July 27th and 28th. 

Sisters Reach Out Through Prison Ministry

Yankton Benedictines currently involved in prison ministry include (l. to r.) Ss. Aidan Bourke, Cynthia Binder, Consuelo Chavez, Denette Leifeld, Kathleen Hickenbotham, Eileen O’Connor, Martin Mergen, Kathleen Crowley, Wilma Lyle and Mary Carole Curran.  Not pictured is S. Thecla Holzbauer.

 No member of the monastery has spent more time in jail or court than S. Consuelo Chavez.  As an inmate?  No, but as a translator for those who are in need of a Spanish interpreter with law enforcement or the courts. As a result, S. Consuelo is on a first name basis with nearly every law officer in the area.

  The  monastery’s expanded involvement in prison ministry began in the 1980’s when Sisters tutored some of the inmates at the SD Trustee Unit in Yankton.  Many of these men needed assistance with reading and math or were working toward their GED.

  Since then, this ministry has expanded to  include many different activities ranging from education to retreats at the state correctional facilities in Sioux Falls and Springfield, city and county jails and the Federal Prison Camp in Yankton. 

 April Oblations

 
(left to right) S. Jennifer Kehrwald OSB, Prioress; Oblate Kathy Hansz; S. Bonita Gacnik OSB, Director of the On-Line Oblate Program; Oblate Novice Dot Blaha of Yankton, and S. Joelle Bauer OSB, Director of the Sacred Heart Monastery Oblate Program.

Dot Blaha of Yankton became an Oblate Novice at Sacred Heart Monastery on Sunday, April 15, and Kathy Hansz of Michigan made her Final Oblation during the ceremony. S. Jennifer Kehrwald, prioress of the monastery, presided at the oblation ceremony.

  Oblates are lay men and women who wish to live the Rule of St. Benedict to the extent possible in their everyday lives. Oblates are affiliated with a specific Benedictine monastery or abbey.

  Blaha is a member of the Yankton Chapter of Sacred Heart Monastery Oblates and Hansz is part of an on-line chapter which spans the world.

   Anyone interested in learning more about the Sacred Heart Monastery Oblate Program can contact Oblate Director, S. Joelle Bauer at 605-668-6009 or jbauer@mtmc.edu. Contact S. Bonita Gacnik at bgacnik@mtmc.edu for information about the On-Line Program.

S. Andree Travels to India with Medical Mission Group

   S. Andree Mechtenberg and her sister, Jeanne, joined seven others from Nebraska and South Dakota on a medical mission trip to India as part of the Dalit Freedom Network (DFN).

   As a Benedictine woman this experience “has raised my awareness of the abundance we are blest with, being grateful for this abundance and when possible sharing it with others.  It has also increased my gratefulness for being able to live my Christian faith after living in a country where Christians are a small minority.”

 Sisters Receive Special Recognitions

 
S. Kevin Irwin was named the recipient of this year’s Father Guy Gau Award, given by the Sioux Falls Diocese’s Catholic Family Services to someone who continues Fr. Guy’s spirit of ministry.  Of her many years of ministry, especially notable is Sister Kevin’s 30+ years given to Beginning Experience and those experiencing loss due to separation, divorce, or death of a spouse.

At the May 12th Mount Marty College Graduation, S. Marie Kranz, Ph.D. received an honorary doctorate in tribute for her many years of service to students at Mount Marty and to many beyond the campus.  S. Marie taught in the MMC  Learning Center. For many years S. Marie was especially attentive and helpful to the international students on campus.

Community Celebrates with Nine Jubilarians

 This year Sacred Heart Monastery rejoices with nine sisters who mark 50, 60 or 70 years of monastic profession. It is a time for remembering with gratitude their commitment and dedication and for celebrating the unique gift that each sister is to the community and to those whose lives she touches in any way. The five Golden Jubilarians will celebrate on July 14, and the Diamond Jubilee will be a private community celebration in August.

50 YEARS

 Aidan Bourke OSB says, “My call to religious life was strengthened by my family, the experience I had at Mount Marty College and my contact with the Benedictine Sister faculty at St. Joseph’s Elementary and High School in York, NE, and at Mount Marty College.”  S. Aidan is the daughter of the late Thomas and Antoinette Bourke.

   Her ministry has included elementary education, staff positions at Mt. Marty College, Yankton, and at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, and serving as prioress of Sacred Heart Monastery from 1981-1989.

  Reflecting on her jubilee S. Aidan says, “My Benedictine Sisters, family and friends as well as the prayer life of the community have been my support over the years.  My fifty years as a Benedictine Sister have greatly enriched my life and for all these blessings, I am grateful.”

“I was attracted to the Benedictine life by my teachers who mentored joy, prayerfulness, and quality life,” says S. Kathleen Courtney OSB, youngest daughter of the late Clarence and Margaret Courtney of rural Yankton County. “I felt God calling me to serve the church through this particular community and its ministries.”

   S. Kathleen Courtney attended Mt. Marty High School and joined Sacred Heart Monastery on November 27, 1955.  Her ministry has included elementary and art education, long term care activities, and a variety of retreats.

  Of her jubilee, S. Kathleen reflects, “Jubilee time offers me a chance to continue to celebrate life – to savor the balance of prayer, work, exercise, creativity, love and stewardship of the earth that the Rule of Benedict invites me to.  My heart is filled with gratitude for my family, community, friends, students and retreatants who have blessed and enriched my life.”

      S. Kathleen Crowley OSB says that “My parents were most likely the biggest influence in my vocation because of their strong faith that they instilled in all of us.”

S. Kathleen is a native of Lachine, Quebec, Canada and daughter of the late Frank and Jane Crowley.

   “When I had major lung surgery as a senior nursing student, I began to seriously consider religious life. Being a nurse also influenced my wanting to help others and go into a life of service.”

   S. Kathleen has ministered in many areas of health care and served as Assistant Prioress at Sacred Heart Monastery from 1997-2005.

   Of the past fifty years, she says, “My experiences as a Benedictine Sister have strengthened my belief in community living. Serving others has strengthened my love of people and my belief that each person has the ability to grow and change.”

“A desire to be a missionary and to serve God’s people in His time and place is what drew me to community,” says S. Thecla Holzbauer OSB.  She is a native of Wagner and   daughter of the late Lawrence and Ida Holzbauer.

   During the past fifty years, S. Thecla has ministered in education at the elementary and college level, food service and dietetics.

   “When I reflect on my jubilee,” S. Thecla says, “I can only be grateful to the One I came to serve. Jesus was always there to help me – I just needed to ask for the help.  Even at times I may have thought I was alone, but Jesus was always there at my side and for this I am very grateful. Thank you for all you have done for and with me, Jesus.”

“My family was a great influence in my vocation where we daily lived our faith and our proud Irish Catholic background,” says
S. Margretta Doyle OSB.  S. Margretta is the daughter of the late John and Irene Doyle of Lennox, SD, and sister of Msgr. James Doyle.

   S. Margretta’s ministries have included elementary education and parish ministry with many of those years at St. Michael’s and St. Mary Parishes in Sioux Falls.

   Of her jubilee she writes, “This Benedictine way of life has been a beautiful way of life for me.  I know that God has called me to share my life, my faith, and my love with people of all ages, and it has been a great joy.  I am humbled and grateful to my family, my Sisters and to my many friends who have loved and supported me through the years.”

 60 YEARS

Aberdeen native, S. Ann Kessler OSB admits that “I really came to Yankton to prove that I didn’t have a Benedictine vocation, only to discover that this was obviously where God wanted me.”  Daughter of the late George and Elizabeth Kessler, she spent her grade school days in St. Mary’s Parish.  Because the family residence changed, she later attended Sacred Heart Church.

   During her sixty years of ministry in elementary, secondary, college and university classrooms, forty of which were at Mount Marty College, S. Ann also authored a Benedictine history book, and numerous articles on church and monastic history.

   Reflecting on this jubilee, S. Ann stated “I am convinced that my touching the lives of over four thousand students was enhanced immeasurably by my membership in a monastic community dedicated to ministry to others and daily prayer together.  I firmly believe that this way of life is God’s will for me.”

S. Elmera Keiser OSB credits “growing up in a good Catholic family, learning early to love prayer, and God’s persistent call to follow Him in religious life” as major reasons why she entered Sacred Heart Monastery.  S. Elmera is a native of Constance, NE and   daughter of the late Stephen and Mary Keiser.

   She taught for eight years in rural schools before joining the monastery and then for over forty years in elementary schools staffed by the Yankton Benedictines.

   S. Elmera says, “I came to the monastery to know, love and serve God as I daily hear His call to work and pray for the salvation of souls. I celebrate this jubilee with deep gratitude to God for calling me daily to grow in my awareness of His presence in my life in a loving relationship with Him, and to continue to seek God in prayer, scripture and liturgy.”

“The deep faith of my parents, their prayers and those of Benedictine, Franciscan and diocesan priest relatives were a source of grace for me to follow the call to give my life to God,” says S. Stephanie Weber OSB.  Daughter of the late Stephen and Frances Weber, S. Stephanie is a native of Salem, SD.

   It was Msgr. Bernard Weber, the pastor of St. Mary’s in Salem, who introduced S. Stephanie to the Yankton Benedictines.

    S. Stephanie has ministered primarily in education and parish ministry. She has also served in several monastery-based ministries.

   As she reflects on her Diamond Jubilee, S. Stephanie says, “My life during these sixty years has been a time of constant growing, especially in the love of God, and being fully supported by my Benedictine community.  I have stayed in community because I love the Benedictine way of life.”

  70 YEARS

   Celebrating seventy years of monastic profession is S. Rachel Brossart OSB.  She is a native of Aberdeen and daughter of the late Michael and Magdelene Brossart. 

 S. Rachel says that “the faith of my parents and the example of the Benedictine Sisters who taught me at St. Mary’s were very influential in my vocation.  I came to the monastery to give my life to the Lord and the Church.”

   For over forty years, S. Rachel taught at the elementary level and then served as monastery sacristan, a ministry she appreciated because of its close relationship to the Eucharist.

  S. Rachel says that prayer and community life have supported her faithfulness to her call. “These past seventy years have gone so fast, but they have been a labor of love that has been life-giving and enjoyable as I have had the opportunity to be of service to others in many ways and in many places.”

Sisters Awarded Doctoral Degrees

   S. Kathryn Burt, Ph.D., and S. Erin Colgan J.D.,
congratulate each other on the completion of their doctoral degrees.

  Two Yankton Benedictines recently completed their doctoral degrees.  S. Erin Colgan earned a Juris Doctorate degree from St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, MN.  At her  Commencement Ceremony she was recognized for over 200 hours of community service while in law school. She is currently spending the summer reviewing for her bar exam later this year.

   S. Kathryn Burt completed her Ph.D. in nursing from Catholic University in Washington, DC in May.  At the Commencement Ceremony she was named recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Doctoral Studies.  Beginning in August, S. Kathy will be a full-time faculty member in the nursing department at Mount Marty College.

NEWS NOTES

   SISTER RENEE GREGOIRE marked her 100th birthday in March with greetings from the community and her family.

  SISTER JACQUELYN ERNSTER presented a paper entitled “Love of Learning:  The American Benedictine Women’s Experience” at a theological symposium at  Mount Angel Abbey, Mt. Angel, OR.  She also talked to the seminarians on religious  women in the Church at the Rector’s Conference.

   SISTER MARIELLE FRIGGE gave the S. Wilma Lyle Endowed Chair Lecture at Mount Marty College.  Her talk was entitled “Schola Meets Schooling:  Monastic education and Scholastic Education.”

   SISTER LEONETTE HOESING was nominated for the Hazel Hani Award presented at Avera Sacred Heart’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in Yankton.

   SISTER MADONNA SCHMITT was featured in the MMC student newspaper, The Moderator, paying tribute to her for her service as advisor to the MMC Ambassadors.   She was also received recognition at the Mount Marty College May Graduation for her service in this area.

   SISTER BONITA GACNIK co-presented a paper “Poincare’s Half Plane Model and the Characteristic Axiom,” a topic from Non-Euclidean Geometry, at the regional conference of the Mathematical Association of America in March.

   SISTER PHYLLIS HUNHOFF has been invited to speak at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln Inaugural Servant Symposium in  September.  Her topic will be on healing.

Community Enjoys a Taste of Native Tanzanian Cuisine

 
   Helping to prepare the Tanzanian Dinner on May 13 were (l. to r.) Sisters Paula Ngagani, Katharina Mtitu, Auxilia Hokororo, Mary Ludovick Msaki and Ponsiana Macha. Sisters Paula, Katharina and Auxilia are full-time students at Mount Marty College and Sisters Mary Ludovick and Ponsiana were on sabbatical following many years in leadership positions in their community

 
S. Thecla Holzbauer and Gary Gates cut and prepare the goat meat to be used in the stew for the Tanzanian Dinner.  The goat was procured from a local producer.

   Goat stew, spiced kale, mango, papaya, and rice with coconut milk were some of the Tanzanian delicacies enjoyed by the community at an ethnic meal on May 13th. The Sisters from Tanzania who are in residence at the monastery assisted in the menu planning, food preparation and décor complete with native music and dance.  Ss. Mary Ludovick and Ponsiana left in late May to visit others from their community who are in the United States and will be returning to Tanzania in late August.

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