“I Promise Stability, Fidelity and Obedience…”

S. Carol Jean VanDenHemel made  perpetual profession as a member of Sacred Heart Monastery, on Sunday, August 3, during the 2:00 p.m. Eucharistic celebration.

She is pictured here as she and S. Jacquelyn Ernster sign her profession formula. Her theme was “I alone know the designs I have for you--designs for a future   of hope” (Jer 29:11).

About her celebration, she said, “I am celebrating profession in response to God’s love and my community’s caring support.”

By professing stability S. Carol Jean promised to seek God in the monastery until death. By professing fidelity to the monastic way of life she promised to seek God by embracing the pattern of monastic living inspired by the Rule of Benedict. By professing obedience she committed herself to listen attentively and to respond eagerly to the will of God as revealed in Scripture, the Rule of Benedict, the prioress, the community, the events of human history, the call of the Church, the cry of the oppressed, and in herself.

Sister Carol Jean is the daughter of Jim and Shirley VanDenHemel of Woonsocket, the oldest of three daughters. She attended public grade and high school in her home town.

After a year at Mount Marty College, she completed her undergraduate studies at Northern State University, Aberdeen, in December 1997, with a major in English and minors in speech and theater.

She entered the monastery in January 1998, and made her first profession August 5, 1999.

Sister Carol Jean will begin her fourth year as junior and senior high school English teacher at O’Gorman High School, Sioux Falls, in the fall. She has also been involved in debate and a variety of high school youth group activities. Prior to this she taught 7^th and 8^th grade religion at Cedar Catholic High School, Hartington, NE.

Her hobbies include reading, walking and quilting.

Her vision of God is that of a grand Quilter, the one who sees the pattern and design. “I have come to see our Benedictine community as a patchwork quilt,” she says.

“I am overjoyed to be witnessing my faith in God’s plan of hope for me in this Benedictine family.”