The Benedictine Sisters of Yankton, SD

Monastic Weaver Sees Life in Her Art

Art and nature have always been a part of my life. Respecting the land and honoring our agricultural heritage were values impressed on us as we grew up on our family farm near Salem, SD. As my sister, brothers, and I worked and played on the farm, we learned lessons from the example of our parents and relatives. As my brothers and their families carry on our agricultural tradition, we share holidays and special events, which allow my expanding family to keep in touch.

Bible stories, basic art techniques and a love of learning were some of the influences passed on by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery during my elementary and high school education at St. Mary’s, Salem. My B.A. in Education received from Mount Marty College in Yankton, gave me an up-close view of the sisters as they taught and as they worshiped. Although it would be a number of years before I would come to the monastery, the seeds were nurtured during that time.

I love being a teacher. From second grade to junior high, to K-6 art and computer, with Elderhostel and community education thrown in, each year has offered its own challenges and rewards. I have learned as much as my students and hopefully have made their learning fun and challenging. I have a strong belief in Catholic education; and have taught 25 years in Catholic schools. It’s great to see many of my former students involved in Catholic education as parents or as instructors.

This summer I crossed paths with a former student whose son was being taught by another former student. One of my students was just ordained and another has become a principal of a Catholic high school. Just as the Benedictine Sisters touched my life years ago, so now I, a Benedictine, take that responsibility very seriously. Seeking God personally and helping my students to see God at work around them and in them is an important part of my life. This spring a friend, whose mother was very sick, stopped by for a visit during my second grade art class. He asked the students if they would keep his mom in prayer. To his amazement, they all bowed their heads and began a “Hail Mary.”

While my grandfather babysat for us, he told us stories and drew pictures. I think those were the early seeds of my art appreciation, which eventually led me to draw and pursue other art disciplines. I now spend summers at the monastery weaving rugs. I began weaving 25 years ago. I’ve woven hundreds of rugs during that time and have met the hundreds of owners. It’s great to take recycled material, design a pattern and create a useable work of art and then hear about where people will use the rugs. I feel as though I’m sharing a piece of myself with each rug I weave. I’ve also designed wall hangings. It’s fun to meet people, explore colors and ideas with them as I sketch their wall hanging. It’s great when they send pictures of the wall hanging in their homes. My art: weaving, calligraphy and watercolor painting are often how I pray. My art allows me to quiet myself and center in on creation or just pray quietly as I work. Sister Leonarda, one of my art instructors, always started a work of art with a prayer. That’s a tradition I hold and pass on to my students.