Contributing to the Life of Community in Varied Ways

Whether nursing or directing liturgy or assisting in formation, S. Jeanne Weber finds monastic life incredibly meaningful. “Though I loved the work I did in Lincoln in home health and hospice, I longed to be here at the monastery,” she said, “contributing in a fuller way to the life of the community.” Both of her present ministries—liturgy director and assistant formation director—enable her to make that kind of contribution.

A 1979 baccalaureate graduate in nursing from Mount Marty College and a 1998 Master of Arts graduate in liturgical studies from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN, S. Jeanne has ministered in both areas. She worked as a staff nurse for 11 years at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, St. Thomas More Hospital, Canon City, CO, and Heartland Home Health and Hospice, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Lincoln, NE; and was the monastery infirmarian for four years before assuming her present ministries in 1998.

What brought her to the monastery? “I got to know our sisters very early in life,” she says, “through my three aunts in the community, and through the sisters I had as grade school teachers.” She adds, “Religious life was and is highly valued in my family, and my parents encouraged us through prayer and example.” What keeps her here? A bone-deep conviction that I am called to God in this monastic community. Monastic is who and how God made me to be.”

As liturgy director, S. Jeanne coordinates the process of liturgy planning, assigns and prepares liturgical ministers, educates the community about liturgical matters, and chairs the liturgy committee, which set the overall direction for community liturgy.

As assistant formation director, she teaches and mentors the women who enter the monastery through their first year in community. 

St. Benedict said that we should "prefer nothing whatever to the work of God."  "work of God" is his phrase for the Liturgy of the Hours, our morning, noon, and evening prayer.