We Celebrate - MountOsb · We Celebrate 150 years of ... She wrote frequently to the Ludwig Mission Society of Bavaria for financial assistance. ... Her happy and forceful personality

Threshold Winter 2013 • 1

Threshold

Volume 12 Number 2 Winter 2013

A publication of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica

We Celebrate1 5 0 y e a r s o f b l e s s i n g s

Our 150th anniversary is over and now we are in year 151. You will read in these pages that we completed the events of our sesquicentennial year, a year abounding with such wonderful celebra-tions with you, our special friends, coworkers and relatives.

Thank you to all who contributed to Night of Dreams, our annual fund raiser. We appreciated your support by way of financial contributions, at-tendance, and prayer as we increased the funding for our special ministries. We are deliberate about the care we give to the residents in Dooley Center and so grateful for the professional and compas-sionate staff who insist on receiving top notch evaluations as just one way of assuring excellent patient care. We applaud the staff of our sisters and volunteers at Keeler Women’s Center where St. Benedict’s insistence on listening with the ear of our heart is lived in every offering. In Atchison we continue to expand the offerings of our Sophia Center, a center of spiritual renewal for people of all ages and faith traditions.

One of the exercises we did on the weekend which concluded our 150th year was to reflect on the most significant event of the year for us personally. It was hard for me to choose just one. However, among the many that stand out for me was hosting our five vowed members of Mount St. Scholastica who reside in Brazil. The native Brazilians took three weeks to be with us this summer in July; one of them, Sister Joselaine, stayed on with us for a semester to learn conversational English. These sisters are such tremendous witnesses to Benedic-tine hospitality and hard work. Teachers of teach-ers, teachers of high school students and catechists, teachers of music to the three parishes and 33 base communities that serve the entire Catholic popu-lation of Mineiros, these five are the only women religious in their city of over 70,000.

We look to the future knowing that we will be more reliant on technology than ever before. We

will find ways to do short video clips to communi-cate with women who are considering religious life and to share our stories. We will provide ongoing formation via the internet and hand-held devices. As we move forward, we also will find newer ways of organic gardening and growing our own pro-duce and foods. We are in the midst of joining the efforts of the Green Belt Movement internationally by designing ed-ucational mate-rials that can be used to further the efforts of ecological sus-tainability.

A new member of one of the boards on which I serve said he joined because of the tradition that Benedictines have had over the years in con-tributing signifi-cantly to Western civilization. We are confident that our focus on monastic prayer, on vital community in the mon-astery and workplace, and on ministries that serve with purpose and justice has us contributing our part in strengthening the civic culture and serving our Church.

May God send many blessings to you and those you love each day of 2014.

We applaud the staff of our sisters and volunteers at Keeler Women’s Center where St. Benedict’s insistence on listening with the ear of our heart is lived in every offering.

2 • Mount St. Scholastica

From the Prioress

Dear friends,

With Grateful Heartsthe close of our 150th clebration

Table of Contents


T h r e s h o l d

Volu m e 1 2 • Nu mb e r 2 • Wi nt e r 2 0 1 3

Threshold is a publication of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica for families, friends and benefactors of the sisters. All reproduction rights reserved.

Editor: Barbara Ann Mayer, OSBdEsigN Editor: J.D. Benning

CommuNiCatioNs CoordiNators: Anne Shepard, OSB and Helen Mueting, OSB

Mount St. Scholastica 801 South Eighth Street Phone: 913-360-6200 Atchison, KS 66002 Fax: 913-360-6190

Cover photo: Wanjira Mathai waters the tree planted on the Mount campus in honor of her mother, Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, a Mount St. Scholastica College alumna.

Visit our website at www.mountosb.org Contact the editor by e-mail at [email protected] To subscribe /unsubscribe, contact the circulation manager: Mary Margaret Kean, OSB ([email protected])

4 . . . Remembering our Past Prioresses7 . . . . . . Oblates - A Litany of Thanks8 . . . . . . . . . . . . Golden Jubilarians11 . Joy of Sisters - A Brazilian’s Perspective

12 . . . Keeler Women’s Center Turns 1013 . . . . . . . . . . . . Monastery Notes14 . . . . . . . . . Pilgrims Visit Europe15 . Sisters Celebrate with KC Friends16 . . . . . . . . . . . .Pioneering Sisters17 . . .Panel Recounts Atchison History17 . . . . . . . . . 2013 Employee Picnic18 . . . . . . . .B.C. Students Close 150th

19 . . . . . . . . . 2013 Night of Dreams20 . . . . . Judith Valente’s Atchison Blue21 . . . . Sisters Return to First Mission22 . .Souljourner’s Spirituality Program27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Obituaries

I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had to energize my faith life, the Lit-urgy of the Hours, the Rule of St. Benedict, and my 71 years in this place. “I shall never stop thanking God, with constant words of praise.” - S. Mary EthEl BurlEy

Through joy and suffering, through abun-dance and scarcity, through health and sickness, through growing numbers and diminishment, we have been grateful. I am especially grateful to be a member of this community. We are women, each called

by God, united by vows and formed by the daily monastic rhythm. I am grateful to be kneaded like dough by each of you, and to be a small part of the Body of Christ here in Atchison, Kansas.

- S. SuSan holMES

Giving thanks for blessings

During our 150th anniversary year, some of the sisters have been asked to give gratitude talks at our community meetings. The following are excerpts from their talks. (Continued on page 25.)

I am thankful for the many gifts that have been given to me as a member of this com-munity, especially my three months work-ing with Catholic Relief Services in Cambo-dia, my time in Haiti with Frank and Helen Flanner, my Rome Renewal experience, my

five months working in a clinic in Tanzania, and my golden jubilee celebration. - S. Mary raE Schrick

I have no words to describe what being a member of this community has been for me the last 56 years. I have enjoyed won-derful liturgical celebrations, had great living groups, lots of good and challeng-ing jobs, lasting friendships, and much support. I know I could not have had a happier life. - S. irEnE nowEll


Mary Ann Kremmeter was born in New Ulm, Bavaria and immigrated to the Unit-ed States with her brother, who settled in St. Mary’s, Penn. She entered the Benedic-tine community at St. Mary’s in 1854 and made her profession of vows in 1857. When it was decided that sisters should go to St. Cloud, Minn., Sister Evangelista was one of the four chosen to depart. Although she believed much good could be done in this primitive land, the people were not supportive of the sisters, so a decision was made to leave St. Cloud and have one group go to St. Joseph, Minn., and another to Atchi-son, Kan. Benedictine monks had settled in Atchison and were anxious to have sisters come to educate the children and young women. Sister Evangelista was named the superior for the venture, and she was accompanied by Sister Gregoria Moser and five other sisters, one of whom was a novice. Seven sisters arrived on Nov. 11, 1863, and

opened an academy by Dec. 21. They received their first candidate in the community on Dec. 27.

During her tenure as prioress there is not much known, but letters portray her as an “indefatigable seeker of ways to advance the community.” She wrote frequently to the Ludwig Mission Society of Bavaria for financial assistance. Under her leadership, the community grew from 7 to 70, and the Price Villa mansion was purchased for a convent and academy. In 1884, to accommodate the growing school and community, she built a second building, St. Scho-lastica Hall (which was later razed). She also began missions outside Atchison – Seneca, St. Benedict’s near Seneca, Wathena, and Hanover.

Giving thanks for the prioresses o f the past

Barbara Moser was born in Carrolltown, Penn., in 1847. She asked to transfer from the school in St. Mary’s, Penn., to the Academy in Atchison because her sister, Sister Gregoria Moser, had been among the pioneer sisters in Atchison. As a postulant, she was sometimes sent to buy groceries since the sisters themselves were cloistered. She was a teacher of German and needlework in the Academy. Although still quite young, she was appointed novice mistress and later chosen to represent the superior during Mother Evangelista’s time of failing health.

Rememberingour spiritual

Mother Evangelista Kremmeter

Mother Theresa Moser

prioress 1863-1884

prioress 1884-1897


Mother Aloysia Northmanprioress 1897-1924

Most of the letters written by Mother Theresa dealt with financial matters such as paying off the debt the sisters had incurred through the purchase of buildings and property. There is little known about her time as prioress, but one account reveals her concern for the poor. When a family came to the sisters for food, she suggested that a table be set for them under a linden tree, and then she herself prepared pancakes for everyone. She also spearheaded an effort to send money to the needy Benedictine Sisters in Italy. Her compassion was evident when four young sisters died of tuberculosis early in her term. She frequently gave her bed to the one in a dying condition. In 1892 she restored the Divine Office which had been discontinued due to the pressing duties of teaching and household work of the community. During her tenure, the Benedictine commu-nity continued to grow in membership and also in the number of parochial schools staffed by the sisters.

• O u r S p i r i t u a l l e a d e r S •

Johanna Dooley was born in Good Intent, Kan., and was a graduate of the Mount Academy. Most of her religious life was spent as a teacher and principal of what was known as St. Louis College, an elementary school in Atchison. She drove the commu-nity’s first car, taking the sisters to and from school. Her happy and forceful personality was well known to the people of Atchison. Mother Lucy saw the recently completed Administration Building develop into an ac-credited four-year college. During her tenure, the sisters bought the Woodhouse home, naming it Marywood, and built St. Catherine’s residence hall. In 1940, Bishop Edwin

O’Hara asked the Benedictines to staff the new Lillis High School in Kansas City, Mo.; and in 1949, they established Donnelly College, a two-year community college, in Kansas City, Kan. Mother Lucy sent sisters to California in 1943 and to Mexico City in 1944. She was a wise administrator, but is re-membered even more for her kindness and joy. She was widely esteemed as the “great Mother Lucy.” She died in 1951.

Lena Northman was born in St. Louis, Mo. As a child not yet 11 years old, she came to the Academy and joined the Benedictine Sisters a few months before her 13th birthday. She was a talented student and later a gifted musician and teacher. In 1881, she was appointed principal of the Academy, a position she held until she was elected prioress in 1897. Mother Aloysia, a woman of keen judgment and great foresight, built the monastery and choir chapel in 1900. During her tenure, the community added 58 additional schools to their ministry and grew to more than 300 members. She also erected the Administration Building that would house the college and academy classrooms and dormitories. Under her leadership, sisters were sent to universities to earn higher degrees to assure quality education for young women in northeast Kansas and beyond. When the Federation of St. Scholastica uniting many Benedictine commu-nities in the U.S. was approved by Rome, she was elected the first president.

Mother Lucy Dooleyprioress 1924-1950

Angela Schirmer was born in Newark, New Jersey, and graduated from the Benedictine Academy in Newark. After entering the Benedictine community in 1939, she became a prima-ry teacher at St. Benedict Grade School in Kansas City, Kan. She taught primary grades and later college for 26 years before her election as prioress.Her term as prioress was a period of great change following the Second Vatican Council. During that period, the community began praying the Divine Office in English, experimented with mission coordinators rather than superiors, and began wearing modified habits. With concern for the elderly, she built Dooley Center for the community’s retirement needs. She

was known as an effective administrator, a good listener, and a warm, compassionate friend.After serving as prioress for ten years, she founded the Office of Services for the Aging in the archdiocese. For 16 years she directed programs to educate and assist the elderly of Northeast Kansas. When she became ill with cancer in 1991, she endured her suffering courageously and died peacefully on July 23, 1992. Before her death, she wrote in her column in The Leaven: “At whatever stage you are in life, now is the time to prepare for suffering by developing a closeness to your God and an appreciation of the relationships of family and friends in your everyday life.”

Mother Mary Austin Schirmer


• O u r S p i r i t u a l l e a d e r S •

Born in Greenleaf, Kan., Agnes Schroll attended the Mount Academy and then entered the Benedictine sisters in Atchison. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Mount St. Scholastica College and received her master’s degree from the Catholic University of America. After earning her doctorate in history from Columbia University, Sister Alfred became head of the history department at Mount St. Scholastica College and later dean of the college. During her time as prioress, the community and the college grew rapidly and more space was necessary. Under her leadership, Kremmeter Hall, a residence hall; Riccardi Center, a student union; and Feeney Memorial Library were built. Marian Hall, a novitiate building,

was also erected during her administration. In addition, she initiated the establishment of a new Benedictine founda-tion in California in 1952 and laid the groundwork for Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs. Mother Alfred served as president of the Federation of St. Scholastica and worked for the good of Benedictine commu-nities in the U.S. She was among the first prioresses to make a pilgrimage to Rome and sacred places in Europe in 1950.

Marcella Hemmen was born in Belgium, Wis., and later her family moved to a farming community near Wichita. After entering the Mount community, she became a teacher, prin-cipal and mission superior. She earned a master of science degree from Kansas State Uni-versity and pursued graduate studies in administration at Kansas State Teachers College.Prior to her election as prioress, Sister Celeste was an instructor at Mount St. Scholastica College and Academy. In 1961, she organized the new St. Bernadette’s School in Ray-town, Mo., with an enrollment of 360 children. When she was elected prioress in 1962, there were 552 professed sisters and 36 sisters in triennial profession. The sisters taught in 74 schools in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. Unfortunately, Mother Celeste became ill and died before finishing her six-year term.

Mother Celeste Hemmen

prioress 1950-1962

prioress 1962-1966

prioress 1966-1976

Mother Alfred Scholl

“This is really no ordinary day…” Sister Anne began in her welcoming words to those in the oblate program as the community gathered in the choir chapel on Octo-ber 5. This was Oblate Renewal Day, the day chosen to celebrate with the oblates the community history of 150 years. She spelled out her welcome in a litany of thanks to the oblates for living Benedictine values. At the end, Katherine Krause (at right) present-ed a gift to the communi-ty: an elegant book with expressions of gratitude from the oblates. The book begins: “As wit-nesses to the holy expres-sions of love and faith-fulness revealed through the lives and ministries of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, we, as oblates of this community, share the following words as an offering of gratitude and praise to God, who began this good work more than 150 years ago and sustains it today as an active presence of redemption in the world.” “… thank you for being a prayerful presence… I often sit in my home at 6:30 in the morning and know you are praying. I often pray with you.” - Myrline WinklerKatherine Krause wrote that she felt quite suddenly “found.” She adds, “as if somehow I had been making my way here [to the Mount] all my life… Oh, sisters, you may not always see it, but your prayers do change the world; they changed mine.”“As a child, I grew up with Benedictine blood, having many relatives in the community in my hometown. So it seemed most natural to me to become an oblate of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison…Growing up in the shadow of a monastery was only a hint of the richness that I would experience here with you in the community of Mount St. Scholastica.” - JanE BruMMEl “My call to the oblate community…at Mount St. Scholas-tica was without a doubt God’s grace working to guide me in a new way to ‘do life differently’- living in the love of God. While stillness has been the inner pathway to peace, the loving sisters have been the receptive physical presence of Christ on my journey…God’s loving grace is evident at the Mount…” -Sharon highBErgEr

“You are the reason I am still a Catholic today. At a time when darkness had descended over the local church, the Mount has been a ‘light on the hill’ for me. Hospitality, openness, charity, compassion, intelligence, and steadfast love abide and abound at the Mount. Patience and hu-mility are the challenges you place before me…A school of the Lord’s service is what I, the Church, the world need today, and you unceasingly offer it to all.” -Dick BruMMEl

“I am proud my great-great-grandfather, Lambert Hal-ling, lantern in hand, was one of the men who protected the Benedictine Sisters upon their arrival in Atchison in 1863. His long-ago act of devotion and kindness has been repaid a thousandfold by generations of sisters who have taught (and prayed for) many members of my family, in-cluding me!...you have offered me companionship on the journey, a spiritual home base, and an example of how to live as a faithful, thoughtful, grateful, and lighthearted disciple of Christ at a time of great change in the Church and the world.” - JEnnifEr halling

“I am 101 now, and still learning about St. Benedict and his patience and humility.” - aDElaiDE Murphy (who was first an oblate in South Dakota, where she lived 94 years before moving to St. Joseph, Mo.)“Just as the first sisters were greeted by townsmen hold-ing lanterns 150 years ago to light the way, you in turn have been lighting the spiritual paths of so many with the light of Christ. Thank you for being such a constant source of light and love for me.” - rEBEcca taylor

Therefore, we intend to extablish a school for the Lord’s service.

p r O l O g u e tO t h e r u l e

Oblate Renewal Day – A Litany of Thanks | by Thomasita Homan, OSB

Oblate Edie Snethen places flowers at the grave of Sister Julia Wilkinson.


Sister Fran Cross, a native of Avondale, Mo., gradu-ated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1953. After working for an insurance company for nine years, she joined the Catholic Church and later entered Mount St. Scholastica monastery. She professed mo-nastic vows in 1963, the Mount’s centennial year. Her ministries have included bookkeeper, registrar, swimming instructor, aerobic dance instructor, and data processing clerk. While working on a degree in HPER (health, physical education and recreation), she taught swimming at the Mount Academy and worked as bookkeeper. After graduating from Bene-dictine College in 1980, she taught exercise classes for senior citizens and aerobic dance classes for the YMCA and other businesses in Atchison. Because of a bicycle accident and back injury, she had to discon-tinue her exercise activities. In 1985, she began working at Donnelly College as assistant to the registrar. In 2000, she became reg-istrar at Donnelly and retired in 2010. She currently works in the Development Office at the monastery. “Each position I have held has been interesting and life-giving,” Sister Fran said. “I am grateful for the chance to become a part of this community and for being able to live this life for over 50 years.”


GoldenJubilarians

The f ive golden jubilarians, Sisters Fran Cross, Rosann Eckart , Angela Ostermann, Ann Diettrich, and Barbara McCracken, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on July 7, at which they were recognized with gratitude for their l ives of prayer, act ive involvement in community l i fe , and their enthusiastic and t ireless work for the sisters and those whom they serve.

They made their f irst vows in 1963, the centennial year of Mount St. Scholastica.

C e l e b r a t i n g 5 0 y e a r s

Sister Fran Cross


o f M o n a s t i c L i f e

Sister Rosann Eckart grew up on a farm near Wamego, Kansas, with ten siblings, some of whom still live in the area. She was taught by the Benedic-tine Sisters in Wamego and at the Mount Academy. After high school, she worked as a dental assistant for three years before entering Mount St. Scholastica monastery. She earned her BS in Education from Mount St. Scholastica College and later received a master’s in education from LaVerne University in California and a master’s in educational administration from Benedictine College. Sister Rosann taught elementary school for 41 years in Kansas and Missouri. Twelve of those years were as principal at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Seneca and St. Joseph School in Nortonville. “I am grateful for having taught all the grades except first because it gave me a wide variety of experience with all levels and subjects,” Sister Rosann said. “I also appreciated partic-ipating in the Rome Experience to better understand my Benedictine roots and being able to visit my relatives in Germany.”Although she is no longer teaching, it is difficult to call her retired. She is a member of the maintenance staff at the monastery, assisting in construction, repairs, and groundskeeping. She was also recently appointed archivist for the community, spending afternoons sorting, searching, filing, and organizing the large archives. A local celebration for Sister Rosann was held at St. Bernard’s Church in Wamego on Sunday, August 18, with Mass followed by a reception.

Sister Rosann Eckart Sister Ann Diettrich

Sister Ann Diettrich grew up in Evanston, Ill., and attended St. Scholastica’s Academy in Chicago. She received a scholarship to Mount St. Scholastica Col-lege and earned a B.S. in education. Later she earned a master’s in early childhood from National College of Education in Evanston.Sister Ann was a primary teacher for many years in parish schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan. Later she worked at Catholic Charities Com-munity Service Center, Donnelly College Early Childhood Center, and St. Luke’s Lutheran Family Care Center. She has also shared her Benedictine her-itage with the Kansas City, Kan. oblates for the past 19 years. “I am most grateful for having the honor of being di-rector of the Kansas City, Kan. oblate group,” Sister Ann said. “I came to appreciate others beliefs and traditions in faith because of these experiences.” After taking four units of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) from Bethany Medical Center, she began doing church ministry. For the past 18 years, she has been director of Our Lady of Unity’s ministry of care program, which includes St. John the Evangelist and Sacred Heart parishes in Kansas City, Kan. “As I celebrate my golden jubilee, I am thankful for all who have been my companions along the way,” Sister Ann said.


Nurtured in a Catholic family and growing up in Wymore, Nebr., Sister Barbara McCracken attended public schools until coming to Mount St. Scholastica College. After earning a degree in the social sciences, she entered the Mount community. She began teach-ing at the elementary and secondary level in Colora-do, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. After earning a master’s degree in behavioral and social psychology at the University of Tulsa, she became an instructor at Donnelly College. In the 1980s, Sister Barbara was on the staff at Shalom Catholic Worker House, a 24-bed shelter for homeless men in Kansas City, Kan., providing hospitality and peace education. She also taught the Catholic position on peace and non-violence in local parishes. She later served as consultant for the Peace and Justice Office of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan., from 1990-2003. Sister Barbara is currently serving as associate direc-tor of Keeler Women’s Center in Kansas City, Kan., which provides programs and services for inner city women. She also holds weekly classes with the women in the Wyandotte County Adult Detention Center.She is grateful for the blessings her monastic vo-cation have brought. “One for which I am perhaps most thankful would be the wonderful people who have crossed my path,” she said. “I feel especially blessed for having met so many very holy people. Some of these are sisters; others would be consid-ered the very least among us.”

Sister Barbara McCracken Sister Angela Ostermann

Sister Angela Ostermann is a native of Brunswick, Mo. After graduating from Brunswick High School in 1961, she attended Mount St. Scholastica College earning a B.S. in home economics. Shortly after her graduation, she entered the Mount community. After teaching high school home economics briefly, she began a master’s program in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Kansas and KU Medical Center. “When I entered the convent, I did not expect to be further educated as a dietitian, but wanted to do whatever the community needed,” Sister Angela said. What the commu-nity needed, she discovered, was someone with exactly her talents. At the monastery, she became food service director and also lecturer in home economics at Mount St. Scholasti-ca College and later Benedictine College.For several years she worked with new members of the community. She was trained in religious formation work and was director of initial formation from 1989-94. She re-turned as director of food service and was also responsible for clinical dietetics in Dooley Center. Sister Angela is thankful for her 50 years of prayer and service. “There have been many changes over the years, but the importance of serving one another in community has not changed. The monastic table is sacred, as evidenced by Benedict’s care in providing for meals and how they should be served. I have tried to live wholistically including the daily rhythm of prayer and work, as well as physical well-being through nutrition and exercise. The various opportunities of living and serving others have greatly enriched my life.”Sister Angela was honored at a Mass on Sunday, August 11, at St. Boniface Church in Brunswick.

C e l e b r a t i n g 5 0 y e a r s o f M o n a s t i c L i f eGolden Jubilarians

After many long hours of traveling, five sisters from Mineiros, Brazil, Sisters Eliene Gouvea, Maria das Gracas Silva Morais, Giselia Morais, Ironide Nunes and I, finally arrived at Mount St. Scholastica on July 1. The warm em-braces from the sisters who welcomed us at the airport made us feel totally at home from the first moment we arrived.As the days passed by, the Mount community became larger with the arrival of sisters from its daughter houses – St. Lucy’s Priory, California; Benet Hill Monastery, Col-orado; as well as the granddaughter house, Monasterio Pan de Vida, Torreon, Mexico. (Monasterio de San Benito in Mexico City was not able to be present.) Now the com-munity was becoming greater in number, greater in joy and greater in thanksgiving. It was more than just a com-munity moment. It was a family moment, like a mother who gathers her children.As usual, the liturgies were beautiful, but a surprise at Morning Praise left us Brazilians astonished. We heard the usual invitation of the prioress to pray the Our Fa-ther, but this time we heard “Rezemos ao Senhor.” All the sisters were praying the “Our Father” in Portuguese and they were doing it well. We could not believe what our eyes and ears were seeing and hearing. Certainly God was pleased to receive the praises of his daughters from different parts of America gathered together in gratitude, with one voice, one mind and one heart. This visit became a significant time for us because it gave us the opportunity not only to know one another, but to know our history and where we had come from. Now we not only know more about the Mount but also about the history of her daughter houses as well as their cur-rent ministries. The more we heard about the beginning of each foundation, the more gratitude grew in our hearts for this Mount community that had faced so many chal-lenges and obstacles to create each one of these commu-nities.Each of the daughter houses brought special gifts as a sign of gratitude, and Sister Anne Shepard presented each of them with a framed medallion of St. Scholastica. On the last evening, in addition to a special banquet, there was another surprise. A group called “4’s Compa-ny,” from Kansas City, delighted the sisters with songs and humorous antics that made many sisters laugh until they cried.

During the week, Psalm 33 kept coming to mind: “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell togeth-er in unity!” Like Peter, I thought, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” These were moments that strengthened our bonds and renewed our monastic values. Thank you, Mount sisters, for permitting us to be part of your histo-ry; you are an important part of our history. Each one of the communities present is the fruit of your love, service and generosity. You have nourished us with your prayers, love and labor. United to you, with grateful hearts, we lift our voices and raise our hands in thanksgiving to God for the 150 years of faithfulness of this community of Mount St. Scholastica

Perspectiva de um BrasileiroA Brazi l ian’s perspect ive

Daughter houses bring joy to the Mount – by Joselaine Ferreira, OSB


Twenty-six sisters joined us for festivities in July: 18 from Benet Hill in Colorado; two from Torreon, Mexico; one from St. Lucy’s, Glendora, Calif.; and five from Mineiros, Brazil.

Sisters Michelle and Patricia Henry from Mexico present gifts to Sister Anne Shepard after a pre-sentation on the history of the Torreon community.


When the Mount community discerned its future direc-tion ten years ago, the sisters voted to use their resourc-es to help women and to support a spirituality center. Keeler Women’s Center was established under the lead-ership of Sister Carol Ann Petersen and since 2003 has enriched the lives of thousands of women in the Greater Kansas City area. Each year it has grown and involved hundreds of volunteers and partnered with numerous agencies to empower women through a variety of ser-vices and programs.

On July 12, over 500 people gathered at the Reardon Convention Center in Kansas City, Kan., to celebrate the contribution the center has made. Guest speaker for the event was Wanjira Mathai, daughter of Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, who was a graduate of Mount St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine Col-lege). Wanjira Mathai (above) is carrying on the work of the Green Belt Movement that her mother began and leading the development of the Wangari Maathai Insti-tute for Peace and Environmental Studies at the Univer-sity of Nairobi.

Wanjira spoke of the Green Belt Movement and how the planting of trees in Kenya was planting seeds of hope. She also provided a glimpse of the empowerment work-shops offered at the Maathai Institute. “We gather 100 women and men for a three-day seminar,”she said.“The

first day we ask them what challenges they face in their communities. The second day we ask them what is the source of these challenges. The third day we ask them what actions can they take to address these challenges. At the end we plant trees of hope. We help them recog-nize the power within them to make life better.”

Wanjira recalled two of her mother’s sayings:“Nothing will give you greater satisfaction than service to others” and “The burden is on us who know.” She urged her listeners to give their time, talent, and money to places like Keeler Women’s Center.

After her address, a video of the services at Keeler was shown. Entitled “An Enduring Vision: A Tribute to the Keeler Women’s Center’s 10 Years of Empowering Wom-en,” it featured first hand testimonies of women served at the center and how their lives have been changed.

The closing prayer was a performance by the Keeler Theatre Group celebrating women’s gifts and strengths.

Keeler Women’s Center serves about 350 women and 35 men each month through literacy and Easy English classes, counseling, job skills, spiritual direction, self-es-teem groups, and other programs. Over 100 volunteers give of their time and talent to provide these services.

Keeler Women’s Center marks 10th anniversary

“…never lose hope in God’s mercy.”

rule Of Benedict: chapter 4

Over 500 guests attended the celebration at Reardon Center. Pictured here are (left to right): Sisters Jan Futrell, Maria das Gracas Silva Morais, Elena Hernandez, Lou Whipple, Joselaine Ferriera, and Giselia Morais.


Monastery NotesSister Dorothy Wolters, who has been human resource director in the monastery for the past seven years, retired in September. She was in charge of the employee handbook, job descriptions, employee benefits and payroll, recordkeeping, scheduling in-service days, overseeing supervisors, workers’ compensation, and individual employee requests and needs. She found that listening and serving the needs of employees the most rewarding part of her ministry. The one in this position is the “face of the community to them,” she said.

Sister Marilyn Schieber has been pastoral associate at Christ the King parish in Kansas City, Kan., for the past 18 years. This ministry included funeral and liturgy planning, organizing the RCIA program, baptismal preparation, visiting the sick, presiding at wake services, and responding to requests from the needy. She viewed her ministry as “walking with people” on their journey of faith. She has been appointed as the new human resource director at the monastery.

Sister Kathleen Flanagan, who earned her master’s degree in library science in 2001, has been teaching library skills and sharing her love of reading and literature in public schools in Kansas City, Kan., for the past 15 years. Now the librarian for the monastery library, she will oversee the transition from the card catalogue to an on-line catalogue.

Sister Deborah Peters, English professor at Benedictine College, retired in May after 37 years. She spent 55 years in education at grade, high school and college levels. “Those years brought me into contact with many wonderful colleagues who by their kindness and professional expertise raised the bar for me,” she said. “Also each of my students enriched my life. I loved teaching.” She will assist in the monastery library.

Sister Elaine Gregory, who has been pastoral care director at LaVerna Village in Savannah, Mo., for the past 12 years, has been appointed pastoral care assistant in Dooley Center. Previously she was an educator for 53 years, 15 as a missionary in Brazil. “I look forward to continuing my ministry to the aging in our own Dooley Center,” Sister Elaine said. “To accompany the elderly, being an instrument in bringing joy, hope, and peace, and to help them know their value to the world is a great honor.”

Sister Irene Nowell, who has directed the schola at the monastery for 20 years, retired from that position in December. She continues to teach on-line classes in Scripture for St. John’s University in Collegeville and gives retreats and writes articles and books on biblical topics.

Sister Elizabeth Carrillo, who has been working at Keeler Women’s Center in Kansas City, Kan., will be the new schola director at the monastery and temporary liturgist while Sister Susan Barber pursues further studies.

Li t u r g i c a L Pi o n e e r

An article entitled “Globalization and Education: A Benedictine Response,” written by Sister Mary Collins, was recently translated into Hungarian and published in the Yearbook of the Hungarian Benedictine Alumni Association. The article originated from a talk given at the International Benedictine Education Conference in Morristown, N.J. in 2004. It was published on the IBEC website in English, French, and German. Sister Mary was also one of the contributors to two videos celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy produced by Liturgy Training Publications in 2013.

“There were some moments on the pilgrimage that were seemingly only understood with the heart … hearing our sisters sing their “Suscipe” in the Church of St. Scholastica … seeing Pope Francis smile at the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square … climbing the hill to Subiaco … meeting Mother Franziska at St. Walburg and realizing that Eichstätt is home for all of us who have been taught and loved by the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica. I’d go again in a heartbeat. I have used so much of what I learned on the pilgrimage in my classes. Hardly a day goes by without me referencing the trip in some way.”

- BonniE haghirian

The June European pilgrims with Mother Franziska Kloos, abbess of St. Walburg in Eichstatt, Germany.

A fresco of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica at Norcia, Italy.


“Whenever someone asks us what we liked best about the pilgrimage, we al-ways answer, EVERYTHING: walking the steps of St. Benedict; actually being in Norcia; visiting the tombs of the saints; seeing the wonders of the Vati-can; being a part of the papal audience and seeing Pope Francis; riding the subway with Sister Judith; finding our way around Rome at night; gelato; our wonderful bus driver and great tour guide; Mass at St. Boniface in Munich; having a chance to stand at Dachau and weep; going with the sisters to St. Walburg and especially being with the sisters and all the other pilgrims on this holy journey.”

- Dick anD MyrlinE winklEr

Pilgrims See Pope Francis and Benedictine SitesThe second Benedictine pilgrimage of the sesquicentennial left in June with 10 sisters and 12 other pilgrims. They were led by Sister Judith Sutera, who did the presentations, and Sister Mary Rardin, who organized and coordi-nated the logistics for both pilgrimages. The itinerary was essentially the same as that of the October group (see Win-ter 2012 Threshold), except for one very notable difference. The charismatic presence of the newly elected Pope Francis has led to record numbers of people packing papal audiences and an overwhelming enthusiasm among them. The tour included sites in Rome, Monte Cassino, Subiaco, Norcia and Assisi, followed by travel to Germany, where the group visited Augsburg, Munich, Eichstätt and Dachau.

“The most memorable and outstanding part of the pilgrim-age was the people. Each person embodied the love of Christ, and were a living example of the Rule of Benedict.”

- rEnEE nEff-clark

My best memory of all will be when we were leaving after seeing the pope. There was such a huge crowd and we were a big group. Sister Molly and I held hands so we wouldn’t lose each other trying to get out of there. Right now, I can feel her hand in mine. I knew I would be safe with her no matter what. She really became and is my “sister.”

- clauDia MckinSEy

Sisters Sylvia Kenkel (second from right) and Agnes Honz (right) greet guests before the Mass.

Sister Martha Schweiger, (right) along with Sisters Sharon Hamsa (center) and Elizabeth Carrillo, welcomes friends.


The 150th celebration in Kansas City on Sept. 15 brought together many friends, relatives, and former students at St. Pius X School in Mission, Kan. Father Ken Kelly (be-low), the pastor, gave a warm welcome to the sisters and about 400 people who attended the Mass and reception. Father Pat Rush, pastor of Visitation parish in Kansas City, Mo., was the homilist.

“We were honored that the Benedictine Sisters at the Mount decided on St. Pius to hold their 150th Anniversary celebration,” Father Kelly said. “The Benedictine sisters made Catholic education possible and served our chil-dren faithfully at Pius from our beginnings in 1955 to the mid-1990s. For their exam-ple of prayer, simplicity, and practical help to the needy, we thank them.”

Bob Wagner, who had been CCD coordinator at St. Pius X for 23 years, enjoyed seeing many of the sisters he knew. He said that he and his wife, Anna Marie, had been “Benedictinized.” He attended Lillis High School and Donnelly College, and his wife had Benedictines at Guardian Angels and Lillis. They still visit Sister Laetitia

Chavez and Sister Helen Buening and also visited Sister Rosaria (Schaefer) before she died. “I have good memories of the sisters at St. Pius,” he said. “Sister Karen (Heideman) and Sister Martha (Schweiger) helped me a lot. When I took over the second grade from Sister Angelica (Heiney), she showed me how to prepare the kids for First Communion and Confession. I loved teaching religion. The kids were very respectful and eager to learn.”Lou Ann Wagner, secretary at St. Pius X, was impressed by the beautiful liturgy. She was also excited to see her 2nd grade teacher, Sister Delores Dolezal. “When she came to my station for Communion, I wanted to stop and hug her,” she said. “She was my all-time favorite teacher.” Her mother, Marilyn Quinn, who was the school secretary for over 35 years, also attended the celebration.Dolores Spini, a volunteer at St. Pius X, loved the Of-fertory ritual and music at the Mass. She recalled her Benedictine teachers at St. Anthony’s in Kansas City, Kan.:Sisters Placida (principal), Everelda, Clementine, and Philomene. She said her three children attended St. Pius X School in the 70s.At the reception, people received musicCDs by the Mount sisters and coloring books of the life of St. Scho-lastica.

Kansas City Friends Celebrate with the Sisters

The following is an excerpt from Rich Dickason’s presentation about the impact of the Benedictine Sisters in Atchison. The history of the sisters in Atchison is an amazing story from their first days and continuous struggles to grow and prosper. Over these 150 years all have come to rec-ognize, appreciate, and admire the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica.The sisters faced tremendous financial struggles and disease/health issues (tuberculosis, small pox, pneumo-nia) in the pioneer frontier of Kansas. The sisters were constantly asking for money to establish their school for girls and the ultimate goal of founding a monastery on the hill south of town. Price Villa was purchased for $20,000 in 1877, with an initial gift of $5000, which allowed the sisters to relocate and secure a loan at a 7% interest rate…In 1900, Mother Aloysia (Northman) asked Bishop Fink’s permission to build a new building, the main monastery, costing $65,000. The bishop replied, “Where would you get $65,000? I will not let you run into debt to get out of it only in purgatory.” Mother wrote back, “You misunderstood me. I need $30,000 now; of debt we can pay interest plus principle of $1,000 a year.” The bishop gave the prioress approval with a touch of hu-mor: “Well, if you can pay for it honesty, without having to go to purgatory for it, you may go ahead...”

It is quite remark-able that seven sisters in their early 20s and 30s (five shown at left), landed on the banks of the Missouri River in Atchison in 1863, and that they would build a monastery, a college, and staff numerous schools in Kansas, Mis-souri, Nebraska and Iowa, which

at one time equaled 490 sisters teaching over 8500 students in their education ministry. An article, from a 1936 Atchison Globe, indicated that the economic impact (savings to taxpayers) was $524,000 a year, which is equal to $8,655,000 in today’s dollars. Your expansion and branching out to establish monasteries in Califor-nia, Colorado, Mexico City, and Brazil, exemplifies your desire to expand your ministries to those in need…The sisters’ first mission was to educate our grade school, high school and college students and then ex-tended to students working to obtain their GED with Happy Hearts. Their service continued to expand with involvement in: Doves (Domestic Violence Emergen-cy Services); All Faith Counseling Center, the Hunger Coalition; the Salvation Army; the Heritage Conference Center; Donnelly College; and Keeler Women’s Center…In my 40 years of working with the sisters, I have worked with five prioresses, Sister Mary Austin Schirmer, Sister Noreen Hurter, Sister Mary Agnes Patterson, Sister Mary Collins, and Sister Anne Shepard, and have been equally impressed with their business acumen, their courage, their humility, and their devotion to the sisters in their care…

I h a v e w o r k e d w i t h f i v e p r i o r e s s e s . . . a n d h a v e b e e n e q u a l l y i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e i r b u s i n e s s a c u m e n , t h e i r c o u r a g e , t h e i r h u m i l i t y , a n d t h e i r d e v o t i o n t o t h e s i s t e r s i n t h e i r c a r e .

The last four prioresses: (Standing, l to r) Sisters Mary Agnes Patterson, Noreen Hurter, and Mary Collins; (seated) Sister Anne Shepard.


Pioneering SistersThe Benedictine Sisters’ contributions to Atchison’s history

by Rich Dickason

The Mount community honored lay employees at the annual picnic held this year at the Atchison Heritage Conference Center on June 7. The employees’ families and former employees who had served five years or more were invited.Nine employees received special certificates and gifts for years of service: San Jones (25 years); Amie Houchlei, Bill Stevens, and Laurie Kloepper (20 years); Stacy Garoutte and Marcia Snow-McCoy (15 years); and Kathy Rockey, Pam Gilliland, and Debora Gonzales (5 years). All employees attending received a navy blue blazer with a Mount St. Scholastica logo to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Mount community.

Three former employees received special recog-nition: Mary Margaret Intfen (in her 90’s) as the oldest former employee present; Vivian Jones from Denver, Colo., as coming the farthest distance; and Gracie Cluke as the “orneriest” employee. Cluke, who was at the Mount 25 years, worked with the postulants in the kitchen and also in the laundry. She would predict which of the young women would leave and who would stay. “I had a near perfect record,” she said. “I only missed by one (which was Sister Constance Krstolic, the current subprioress).”Sister Anne Shepard called the employees a blessing for the sisters and thanked them for their dedicated service.

About 300 Attend Employee Picnic

Debora Gonzales receives an award from Sister Dorothy Wolters, director of human resources.

Gracie Cluke worked for Mount St. Scholastica for over 25 years.


Over 200 Benedictine sisters and monks, college students and facul-ty, and a very good representation of townspeople eagerly listened to the panel discussion “Atchison 1863: Sisters, Citizens and Civil War.” This was one of the sesquicentennial events that was partially funded by the Kansas Humanities grant proposed and coordinated by Sister Janelle Maes.The speakers provided a vivid picture of early Atchison. Chris Taylor of the Atchison Historical Society introduced the speakers and added a few historical notes of his own about early Atchison. Sister Judith Sutera described the first year of the sisters, noting the controversy about their acceptance, quoting memoirs and newspaper articles.

Father Marion Charboneau described the Civil War in Kansas and the first years of the city, a nine-year-old boom town of 5000 in the year the sisters came. His presentation was followed by one from Patricia Boldridge (at left), a local African-American histori-an. From its beginnings, Atchison was home to blacks and whites, and Boldridge told stories about the interactions of the sisters with black citizens. Rich Dickason, local banker and civic leader, shared observations about the sisters’ skills in management and their important role in the Atchison community. The listeners had many questions and interesting stories of their own. A high point was the acknowledgement of special members of the audience. There were two de-scendants of the storekeeper who assisted the sisters, two of a man who had carried a lantern that first night, and one of an early Kansas governor, still carrying on the tradition of friendship between the sisters and citizens.

Panel Recounts Atchison History from 1863-2013by Judith Sutera, OSB

On the night of November 11, 1863, when the sisters ar-rived in Atchison, men with lanterns patrolled through the night to protect the sisters after threats to burn down their house on 2nd and Division Street. On November 11, 2013, lanterns again swung at 2nd and Division, now home of Benedictine College (at right), as students and faculty, monks and townspeo-ple honored the presence of the sisters with a lantern procession across town.At the monastery, the more than 60 walkers were welcomed by the sisters as they placed their lanterns around the altar and joined in singing compline, the sisters’ night prayer. Afterwards, there were fresh pecan rolls and hot chocolate in the dining room (and rides home!). Dave Trotter, director of mission and ministry at B.C., organized the event because he felt it was appropriately symbolic. The college is honoring the sisters in this year’s college theme “Be the Light” by using a lantern logo for some of their activities this year.As the walkers left with their lanterns, it was a fitting reminder that the sisters have been blessed by all their supporters and move forward with others in friend-ship and faith. A short video about the event is on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=irlJnp2Q0PkPhoto at right: Sister Marcia Ziska, OSB serves her homemade pecan rolls to the procession participants.

The End of the JourneyStudents help Sisters close out 150th celebration with Lantern procession

by Judith Sutera, OSB • Photos by Rox Stec



t h E S E v E n t E E n t h a n n u a l

N i g h t o f D r e a m s

A crowd of over 600 was attracted to the 2013 Night of Dreams on November 17. This year’s event, the 17th dating back to 1997, marked the closing of Mount St. Scholastica’s sesquicentennial year. The audience was drawn from Virginia to California, from Minnesota to Brazil to celebrate and support the ministries of the sisters of the Mount. Symbolic of the breadth of these ministries was Sister Anne Shepherd’s welcome to the crowd in Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Swahili and English, the languages of the community of the Mount.

The evening was emceed by Kelly Eckerman KMBC 9 News anchor and reporter. The silent auction featured many hand-made crafts of the sisters as well as donat-ed gifts and services. A first this year was a collection of “things Benedictine” which included items produced by local monasteries of Benedictine women and men as well as communities from the broader Benedictine fam-ily of Cistercians and Trappists, some from as far away as Norway. In all there were more than 250 items up for bid. At the oral auction of 20 items led, as always, by the Nigro Brothers were vacation trips, sides of beef and pork, a beautiful mirrored bench handmade by Sis-ter Elaine Fischer and much more.

Bob and Donece Henke of Salisbury, Mo. won the grand prize drawing and a new car from Roll-ing Hills Auto Plaza in St. Joseph, Mo. Our annual Fund-a-Need raised $46,825 to support all of the Mount’s ministries, including our foun-dation in Mineiros, Goias, Brazil.

We are most grateful for all our friends and family members who come to support our ministries, such as Keeler Women’s Center, Sophia Retreat Center, Happy Hearts Learning Center, Family Literacy, All Faiths Counseling Center, and our African sister students. We cleared over $260,000 to fund our programs.

Bob and Donece Henke, and their daughter, Christi, were thrilled about winning the 2014 Toyota in the drawing. With them is Mike Williams (right) from Rolling Hills Auto Plaza

by Dick Brummel, Obl. SB

Emcee Kelly Eckerman and Sister Anne Shepard rally the crowds.

Prior Jeremy Heppler, OSB with Paul & Becky Miller

Ann Lemming, Mary Reickart, and Sister Mary Rardin


Judith Valente, nationally known journalist, spoke of her journey with the Mount Benedictines at the Fellin Lecture at Benedictine College in September. She became acquainted with the community when she gave a poetry workshop here in 2007. She found the sisters very much in touch with the world as well as their own humanity. She also found nourishment in their prayer, silence, and contemplative spirit.

In her book, Atchison Blue, Valente shares some of her experiences with the Mount community as she began to spend more time with the sisters. One of her most pro-found encounters was being with Sister Phyllis Dye as she was dying. She was able to confront her own fear of death as she saw the sisters keep vigil with Sister Phyllis as she peacefully slipped into eternity.

Sister Lillian Harrington, one of the elders of the commu-nity renowned for her storytelling, shared stories with Valente that she used to begin the chapters of her book. When Valente asked her if she feared death, Sister Lillian said, “I don’t think about dying, I think about living.”

Valente’s talk was self-revelatory. She admitted her own struggles with a hot-headed temperament, a driven work ethic, and relationships with her step-daughters and producer. She found solace in the way sisters were able to disagree and forgive each other, laugh at one another’s foibles, and begin each day with praise and thanksgiv-ing. She believes that the prayer of the sisters helps to keep the world from disaster.

“I used to think of monasteries as hopeless throwbacks to the past, a case of ‘let the last sister standing turn out the lights,’” she said. “Now I see them as windows to the future, a future we desperately need in our society ‒ one that stresses consensus over competition, simplicity over consumption, service over self-aggrandizement, qui-etude over constant chatter, community over individual gain.”

Valente wanted to learn how to live a more meaningful life and she discovered much about how to do that at the Mount. She learned about “conversatio morum” (conver-sion of life), a vow Benedictines make. Sister Thomasita Homan told her it meant “a turning toward God” which is the work of a lifetime.

Valente recently became a Benedictine oblate in order to integrate what she has learned into her daily life. She expressed gratitude to all the sisters who have touched her life, and she encouraged her audience to come to the Mount and experience the Benedictine way of life.

Atchison Blue is available at the monastery gift shop and from Sorin Books, the pub-lisher.

“Listen carefully to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.” - prOlOgue tO the rule

Judith Valente writes book about her spir i tual journey

Sister Anne presents Judith Valente with a sesquicentennial St. Scholastica Medal.

Judith Valente signs a book for Father Duane Roy, OSB.

On October 13, over sixty sisters from the Mount traveled to Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Seneca, Kansas, the site of the sisters’ first mission outside of Atchison, to celebrate our 150th anniversary with the people of that region. This was an opportunity for the sis-ters to thank the many people with whom they had worked and to share with family and friends their gratitude for the many blessings of more than 130 years of presence in that region.“’How Can I Keep from Singing’ is exactly how I felt about the celebration of 150 years of the Benedictine Sis-ters’ presence in Kansas,” said Marsha Korber, referring to the song used as a prelude to the Eucharistic celebra-tion. “The Mass and reception were full of joy and inspi-

ration. The extra attention given to the gospel and offertory, along with the special music, reflections, and decorations truly made my heart sing with warmth and spirit as we celebrated the service the sisters have given to our communities. I am blessed and grateful to have the sisters be part of my life.”

Janice Haverkamp also spoke of her experience of the celebration. “I have been blessed to have been taught by the Benedictine Sisters for twelve years and then later to have my younger sister join the convent. Because of this, I have on occasion attended daily Mass and the larger celebrations in the lives of the sisters at the convent which are always inspiring, but felt truly privileged to have the sisters come to our parish church for one of their sesquicentennial celebrations. It was wonderful that you celebrated in the area where many of the sisters came from and where many more have lived and taught in our schools.”For the sisters, the day was a time to express grati-tude for all that the people in rural Nemaha/Marshall Counties have taught them. As Sister Anne Shepard reflected, “You great people of the land have taught us to overcome obstacles. Your lives and your creativity, your faith and determination have inspired us over the years . . . Most importantly, it is your faith in God that is the most remarkable. You keep trusting even when the crops or seasons are bad. You pray for and with one an-other at key times in your lives, celebrating at the altar for weddings, anniversaries and other major occasions.”About three hundred people attended the Eucharistic celebration and the reception afterwards.

Sister Esther Fangman and her twin brother Lester get together at the reception.

Jerry Rottinghaus greets Sisters Dorothy Heideman and Amelia Nowatzke.


Returning to Give Thanks at First Mission by Helen Mueting, OSB

Father Arul Carasala, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul parish, and Sister Anne Shepard led the pro-cession out after the Mass.


Seeds of the Souljourners program were sown in 1994 when Bishop Bill Smalley, Episcopal bishop in Topeka, and several colleagues came to the Mount to talk to Sis-ter Johnette Putnam and the Sophia Center staff about a training program for spiritual directors. The next year Margaret Guenther, an Episcopal priest, began working with the Sophia staff. Over the next four years they visited area parishes to introduce the idea of a program for spiri-tual directors. In 1998, they conducted their first week-long intensive residency.Souljourners has evolved into an ecumenical three-year program. “The first two years emphasize spiritual renewal, community and prayer,” said Sister Micaela Randolph (at bottom left with student Angela Rapp and Sr. Mary Pat Johnson, SCL), director of Souljourners since 2006. “Second year students begin practicing spiritual direction, writing a verbatim and coming for individual supervision once a month. There are two week-long residencies that provide a deeper community experience.“Every month the participants write a reflection paper on how the program has impacted their spiritual journey,” she explained. “They are also required to read and reflect on five spiritual books every year, and each Souljourner meets with an advisor for a half hour each month. Small group work focuses on skill building, role playing, contemplative prayer and discernment.”Various presenters provide a wealth of information and inspiration throughout the program. Among the presenters are Sisters Esther Fangman, Janelle Maes, Judith Sutera, Irene Nowell, and Therese Elias. Topics cover listening

skills, ethics in spiritual direction, morality, depth psychol-ogy, various kinds of spirituality, and world religions. Participants include nurses, hospital chaplains, pastors, counselors, RCIA directors, and pastoral care workers. “They appreciate being surrounded by our praying Bene-dictine community,” Sister Micaela said. “The program gives us an opportunity to share our Benedictine hospitali-ty, community and prayer.” “I deeply appreciated the contemplative model of spiritual guidance that informed the design and implementation of the three years of my experience in Souljourners,” said Rob Carr, a 2012 graduate. “This model has come to rest in my bones and serves me well not only as a spiritual director but in my work as a pastor.”Sister Micaela is assisted by Sisters Marcia Ziska, Mary Elizabeth Schweiger, Evelyn Gregory, and Mary Pat Johnson, SCL, and Mary Kay Whittaker. Margaret Guenther was part of the staff for 15 years. The students range in age from 40 to 70. There are about 12 new students a year with 30-35 students in the three-year cycle. People hear about the program through word of mouth, the Sophia Center web site, and inquiry sessions. One hundred sixteen students have graduated since the beginning of the pro-gram. “These graduates are now making a difference in people’s lives,” the director said. “Souljourners has been a transformative experience and the change it has brought to my spiritual journey cannot be overestimated,” said Myrna Craig, a 2011 graduate. “Because I now am a spiritual director or companion, what I have to offer my directees is simply myself as a vessel through which the Spirit moves and guides.” Kathy Quinn, a third year participant, feels the program has prepared her well for her journey as a spiritual director. “Now in my practicum year, I look back in amazement at how the process brought forth insights, experiences, and a true realization of God’s love,” she said.

On the path of God’s Commandments...

the SOuljOurnerS Spirituality prOgram

New Souljourners Sue Robb (left) and Joan Mertens in a small group discussion.

Last March we had back-to-back events that combined and tested the hospitality mettle of our community. I’m referring to Father Michael Santa’s funeral Saturday morning and Abbot James’ blessing Sun-day afternoon. Over 1,000 visitors and guests attended the two events.According to most reports, the community came through with flying colors, as most Benedictine communities do. Last evening, in preparing for this homi-ly for the Solemnity of St. Benedict, I ran across an article on hospitality by Kathleen Norris in The Benedictine Handbook.I was curious to read what she had to say about this most Benedictine characteristic. At the outset, Norris admits that monastic hospitality opened the doors of Christian faith to her.She writes:“Hospitality is a tool that keeps us focused, not on ourselves, but on ‘the divine presence that is everywhere.’ The stranger at our door may bring new dan-gers and temptations or be an angel in disguise.”It is remarkable that in the Rule, which is otherwise so humane and flexible, there is no leeway regarding hospitality. ‘All guests are to be welcomed as Christ.’

No wiggle room, no way out, no chance to respond to a visitor’s demand by saying, in an exasperated tone, ‘Can’t you see we’re trying to run a monastery here?’”In her book Seeking God, Esther de Waal reminds us that monastic hospitality has two simple ends: “Did they see Christ in us? Did we see Christ in them?”Norris concludes: “To Benedict, the mun-dane hospitality we offer others has a di-vine purpose, and he uses a judgment text in Matthew to underscore this point: ‘All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say, ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’”Christ will recognize us in the new cre-ation, as he has already encountered us in this one. The Incarnation is God’s hospi-tality to us, a means of welcoming us not only as friends but as family. We in turn are called to be fully present to one another now, and to live our lives keeping in mind St. Paul’s admonition to “Welcome one another…just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”Thank you, St. Benedict, for your emphasis on the importance of hospitality in the life of any monastery.

“All Guests are to be welcomed as Christ.” rule Of Benedict: chapter 53

Hospitality at the heart of Benedictine lifea homily by Father Blaine Schultz, OSB

Sister Paula Howard’s story of the past 50 years of the history of Mount St. Scholastica

“This history tells one story of monastic transformation from a fortress to a fountain.It begins with opening windows to fresh ideas and searching deeper into the roots of monastic identity. It continues through winds of change, weathering storms with-in and without. It endures through adversity, tough decisions, pruning, and nurtur-ing. It concludes with hope for a monastic spring that draws the water of inspiration from the enduring springs of the Spirit and scatters new life in a series of circles for-ever widening through the prayer and labor of the community.” Sister Paula Howard

available at Lulu.com - $20 + s/hor locally at Monastery Gift Shop (no mail orders)

Monastic Springs

Hospitality was para-mount for St. Benedict. In his Rule he dedicates an entire chapter to the treatment of guests. As Benedictines we are told to welcome everyone “as Christ” – seeking Christ in all we meet and serve.



thE chriStian call to prayEr: rEDiScovEring thE angEluSEleanor Suther, OSBJanuary 11, 2014 (Sat., 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

a gEtaway for SElf-rEnEwalLinda Zahner, OSBJanuary 14, 2014 (Tues., 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

lEctio DivinaMicaela Randolph, OSBJanuary 21-22, 2014 (Tues., 10:00 a.m. - Wed., 2:00 p.m.)

color, DEpth anD MovEMEnt of prayEr through artSam ErwinFebruary 18, 2014 (Tues., 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

Julian of norwich: a MyStical hEartanchorESS, Spiritual DirEctor, MySticSheila Carroll, OSBMarch 8, 2014 (Sat., 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

a gEtaway for SElf-rEnEwalLinda Zahner, OSBMarch 12, 2014 (Wed., 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

prEciouS in goD’S Sight!HEALING TOXIC SHAME • THE GIFT OF prayEr anD Spiritual coMpanionShipMaureen Conroy, RSMMarch 21, 2014 ( Fri., 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

EXpEriEncing goD’S loving prESEncE:thE hEaling powEr of Spiritual EXPERIENCE • THE GIFTS OF SAVORING AND Spiritual DirEctionMaureen Conroy, RSMMarch 21-23, 2015 (Fri., 7:00 p.m. - Sun., 12:30 p.m.)

kEEping vigil with thE worD of goD: a SilEnt rEtrEatMacrina Wiederkehr, OSBMarch 28-30, 2014 (Fri., 7:00 p.m. - Sun., 2:00 p.m.)

Sophia Center 2014 retreat programs

MiniStEring to BoDy, MinD, & SpiritLinda Zahner, OSBApril 2, 2014 (Wed., 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.)

a lEntEn JournEy with JESuSSister Marie Ballmann, OSBApril 10, 2014 (Thurs., 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

triDuuM rEtrEatStaffApril 17-20, 2014 (Thur., 4:30 p.m. - Sun., 1:00 p.m.)

EnnEagraM workShopTherese Elias, OSBApril 25-27, 2014 (Fri., 7:00 p.m. - Sun., 4:00 p.m.)

living thE fullnESS of our BaptiSMal coMMitMEntBenedicta Boland, OSBMay 2-3, 2014 (Fri., 7:00 p.m. - Sat., 3:30 p.m.)

a gEtaway for SElf-rEnEwalLinda Zahner, OSBMay 3, 2014 (Tues., 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

gourD prayEr Bowl workShopMelissa Letts, OSBMay 17, 2014 (Sat., 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

lEtting go of ShaMEMarie Ballmann, OSBJuly 12, 2014 (Sat., 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

SEvEnth annual inStitutE for BEnEDictinE oBlatESKathleen Norris, Obl.SBJuly 17-20, 2014 (Thurs., 6:00 p.m. - Sun., 12:30 p.m.)

Individual retreats, accommodations for group retreats, spiritual direction, monastic mentoring and massage/reflexology are available by contacting Sophia Center.

Phone: (913) 360-6173Fax: (913) [email protected]/sophia.html


Sophia Center 2014 retreat programs

I’ve been blessed to live with Benedictine women from other countries, Africa, South Ko-rea, and Mexico. I’m grateful that I was part of the living group at Peace House (in Kan-sas City, Mo.) when we offered hospitality to women and children who were struggling to survive. I’m also grateful that we were part of the sanctuary movement offering a safe place for Aida, a woman from El Salvador. In the 1980’s and 90’s, we were involved in many peace and justice activities at Peace House. - S. Maria hEpplEr

I am grateful I became a teacher. I entered the convent in June and in August four of the seven postulants were sent out to teach. Each week I met with my mentor, who instruct-ed me how to make lesson plans and how to use them; how to check the children’s comprehension, their use of phonics and math facts; how to keep discipline and to give encouragement daily. I taught first and second grades all my teaching life and prepared the children for the sacraments of Eucharist and Penance. - S. EunicE BallMann

Blessings were abundant throughout my years of teaching every day and every year in St. Joe, Maryville, Salisbury, Kansas City (both Kansas and Missouri), Lenexa, Ks., and Tecumseh, Neb. Many of these children and families have stayed in contact with invitations to graduations, ordinations, marriages, announcements of the birth of their children and requests for prayers. For this I am truly grateful. - S. Mary ann DicE

It was from my grandmother that I learned the true meaning of selflessness. It was she who devoted her relatively young life to raising me, my brothers, and my father as well, after the untimely death of my mother at age 28. It was my grandmother, a Methodist, who raised us as Catholics because that is what she knew my mother had promised to do when she married my dad, a Catholic. - S. Sharon Murray

I have a grateful heart for my Benedictine roots, for being introduced to the Benedictine way of life at St. Scholastica High School in Chicago, where I became an oblate and where I earned a scholarship to the Mount. I’m also thankful for the honor of working with the Kansas City, Ks. oblates for 25 years. They were my extended family and some are still very much a part of my life. - S. ann DiEttrich

I am grateful for my educational opportunities and for my teaching experiences. Obtaining my master’s in theology opened me to a deeper understanding of Vatican II and prepared me for the 25 years I was a director of religious education and pastoral associate in parish-es. I’ve been using my canon law degree for 14 years. Presently I’m part of Souljourners, another wonderful opportunity for spiritual formation. - S. rita killackEy

Giving thanks for blessingsDuring our 150th anniversary year, some of the sisters have been asked to give gratitude talks at our community meetings. The follow-ing are excerpts from their talks

The Mount Legacy Society recognizes donors who have remembered the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica as beneficiary of a planned gift. It is a privilege and honor for the sisters to be named as a beneficiary in your gift planning. Thank you for considering such a gift. For information, you are invited to contact: Sister Mary Agnes Patterson, Director of Development, at 913-360-6215 or [email protected]

The following donors are new to The Mount Legacy Society since our last Threshold:

Barbara C. Berg • Susan & Steve Evans • Joseph & Pat Owens


This past year has been truly beautiful. Our sesquicentennial celebrations were wonderful opportunities to see people and to thank them for being part of our lives and our history. I was so happy to visit with a couple of our former employees, now in their 90’s, who came to our employee picnic last summer. Another highlight for me was visiting the kindergarten class at the Atchison Catholic Elementary School, now called St. Benedict Catholic School. They were eager to tell us all they knew about various topics, including St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. It was great fun.

Our successful Night of Dreams officially closed our 150th anniversary year. With your generous help we raised significant funds to put to service for the good of the people we serve in our various ministries. Through your generosity all year you helped us meet the on-going expenses of our community. God continues to bless us with wonderful friends, relatives, and benefactors like you. Please know we are most grateful.

Our prayers are our best way to thank you. You can contact me at 913-360-6215 or by e-mail [email protected] to request prayers.

God bless each of you,

Mary Agnes Patterson, OSBDirector of Development

With grateful hearts

Sister Mary Agnes Patterson and Martha O’Keefe

The M o u n t L e g a c y S o c ie t ye s t a b l i s h e d i n t w o - t h o u s a n d s e v e n


Sister Devota received an appropriate name at her profession in 1938. She was a woman of great devotion to God, community and family. She spent her early years in public schools in Tonganoxie and Bonner Springs. Perhaps it was her devotion to her faith that brought her to Mount St. Scholastica Academy for her senior year of high school and to enter the monastery the following year.

She showed her devotion to education and to the needs of children in an elementary and high school teaching career that spanned five states and 70 years. A founding member of the Benet Hill community in Colorado, a daughter house of the Mount, she served there for fifteen years before she transferred back to Atchison in 1980. She was librarian at Maur Hill Prep School, was on staff at Benedictine College library, and continued that service in the monastery library as technical services assistant.

During the years of the Mount Community Center, she directed the gift and book shop. There she demonstrated her devotion to the core monastic value of hospitality, meeting and greeting everyone with great warmth and cheer. The warmth was an outgrowth of her devotion to monastic life, in which she showed the same good cheer and loving concern for all, and devoted herself wholeheartedly to prayer and the love of God.

Sister Florentine’s earliest years were shaped by tragedy. Sent on an errand as a child, she returned to witness a fire that was to claim the life of her mother and sister. This, no doubt, contributed to the strength of character and determination that were to be hallmarks of her life. During World War II, she left her beloved native Louisiana to go to California as a riveter, putting wings on airplanes. She returned to join the Benedictine sisters in Covington, La., where she taught second graders for 22 years. She was best remembered there, however, for her years as kitchen manager and baker at the monastery.

In 1988, she had to leave her beloved Louisiana again when the sisters decided that their monastery must be closed. Like several other of her sisters, she chose to transfer to Atchison, and faced this with her characteristic firm resolve to move forward through her loss. She again took up the task of baking with the same whole-hearted, methodical and generous service she had always shown. In this seemingly obscure and simple role in a monastery, she touched the lives of many, not just those who ate the delicious breads and exceptional cinnamon rolls, but those who had the challenge and the privilege of assisting her. The opinions and insights she shared while her strong hands kneaded the dough were appreciated by novices, volunteers, and even Kathleen Norris, who included an essay about her baking experience in the book The Cloister Walk.

Into Eternal RestSister Devota Klamet, OSB

April 21, 1918 - June 24, 2013

Sister Florentine Motichek, OSB July 19, 1921 - September 1, 2013


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We CelebrateSesquicentennial song by Diana Seago, OSB

The wisdom of your s imple l ives drew women far and widefrom Eastern shores and prair ie f ie lds and God would be their guide .

You planted seeds o f Christ ’s own love in hearts that yearned for moreand bade them seek peace a l l their l ives ‘ t i l they stood at heaven’s door.

Together st i l l with grate ful hearts we seek the face o f God.Your spir i t l ives in each of us ; we walk the path you trod.

We s ing God’s praise in work and prayer, our bonds are ever strong.The lanterns of our hearts a f ire with love our whole l i fe long.

Documents

We Celebrate - MountOsb · We Celebrate 150 years of ... She wrote frequently to the Ludwig Mission Society of Bavaria for financial assistance. ... Her happy and forceful personality