Mother Benedicta Riepp Award

2007 - Connie Zierden

Connie Zierden reflects many of Mother Benedicta Riepp’s qualities, but one is missing—Benedicta died at age 37 and Connie turned 100 in December 2007. She has been an exemplar of Benedictine life for 82 years. Her love of learning and teaching was apparent at Saint Benedict’s Academy and the College of Saint Benedict, where she was loved, respected and admired for her professionalism and guidance for years, while supervising student teachers, principals and peers noted her positive impact on young, future teachers.

No alumna from 1935-1966 can forget the pageant Connie choreographed. It had a strong, formative role, giving students an understanding of the Benedictine heritage while, at the same time, igniting in them a love of learning and culture.

Connie’s ministry of ongoing service extended far beyond volunteer work for the Sisters; she reached out to the broader community, including time spent with Dorothy Day. For the Sisters of Saint Benedict, she was a lifelong press agent, spreading the Good News in many a milieu, in both the 20th and 21st centuries. Connie’s humble life mirrors genuine holiness grounded in respect, service and hospitality.

2007 - Ann Cofell

Ann Cofell, a 1977 graduate of the College of Saint Benedict, has chosen to devote her entire professional life as a lawyer to helping the voiceless; those discriminated against, those who experience poverty, abuse and neglect, especially women and children.

Benedicta Riepp and the early Sisters acted courageously on behalf of those without homes, money, education, health care and opportunity, also directed especially to women and children. It is not difficult to see how Benedicta’s life parallels Ann’s. As Jeremy Lane, Executive Director of Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, presented the award to Ann, he stated, “The practice of law as exemplified by Ann is a healing ministry. It is a powerful way to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, bring healing to the sick, comfort the dying. Ann’s work life at St. Cloud Legal Services has involved all of those things.”

Ann is a shining example of living the Gospel and the best of Catholic social teaching. The Sisters are also justifiably proud of the fact that she is an alumna of both Saint Benedict’s High School and the College of Saint Benedict.