Benedictinism is a Call to Ministry

We sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery have incorporated this idea into our mission statement, which concludes with the words: “We live a life of prayer, work and lectio (reflection) by which we serve God and God’s people in our time and place.”

 Ministry of Pastoral Care ®

Prayer is always at the heart of our ministry and ministry enhances our prayer. Prayer and service are as central to us today as they were in St. Benedict’s first communities in the fifth century.

    Ministry of Education ¯
Some of our ways of serving have changed  over the  123  years  since  Sacred Heart Monastery’s founding in 1880, but our core mission remains the same. Our founding sisters ministered primarily in education, service to Native Americans, and healthcare.

Today  we   sisters  still   serve  in these areas. But  in addition   we  serve  in parish  ministry, Newman Centers, college education, retreat work, outreach to the needy, service on the diocesan level and in social services.
 

Yankton Outreach --  Sisters preparing turkeys for the Yankton Community  Thanksgiving Dinner.  ®

Like the early monastics, we too shift our ministries as new needs emerge. Also like them, we are called to listen to the Spirit’s call to the unknown future, to be open to the contemporary with its vast range of human needs and its hunger for God. Like them, too, we co-minister with our lay colleagues, and we welcome new members to join us in this “school of the Lord’s service.”

 

Sisters assisted South Dakota Public Television
during Winterfest 2002 membership drive