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Jubilarians

The Sisters of Saint Benedict’s Monastery are celebrating the golden jubilee of three Sisters who professed their first vows in 1962, Sister Elaine Scroeder, Sister Stephanie Wiesgram and Sister Lucy Revering.

The golden jubilee celebration will take place on Sunday, July 15, 2012, 10:30 a.m. A reception for the jubilarians will be held that day from 2-4 p.m.

We have 14 Sisters celebrating their diamond jubilee of 60 years of profession and 2 Sisters celebrating 75 years of monastic life with the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict. The diamond jubilarians will be celebrated with a Eucharist in Sacred Heart Chapel on Saturday, April 21, followed by a private luncheon for the monastic community. Photos from this reception will be posted on our Facebook page. To see photos from earlier jubilarian celebrations click here. 

Celebrating 60 years of service: Sisters Clara (Cabrini) Antony, Colette (Darlene) Primus, Emmanuel (Audrey) Renner, Gen (Kevyn) Maiers, Herman (Stella) Tschida, Ingrid (Janet) Anderson, Juliana (Rita) Lauer, Kathryn (Blanche) Casper, Loraine (Betty Mae) Bischof, Mary Frances (Catherine) Gebhard, Monica (Gloria) Mai, Myrtle Schmitz, Philip (Elizabeth) Zimmer and Rachel (Mary) Krippner.

Marking 75 years of service are Sisters Marold (Leona) Kornovich and Mary George (Hedwig) Ortmann.

Click on the links below for profiles of previous jubilarians. Also, there is a comment box below where you can leave well-wishes for the Sisters celebrating jubilees this year!

• 60th: Clara (Clara Ann) Antony, OSB
  

  Sister Clara’s description of herself as a child presents glimpses into her caring personality. She says, “As a child I knew I was dearly loved and cared for. My five siblings were in school and I wanted to be with them, but then I was so lonesome for Mom and Dad that I cried and cried. I even received a piece of candy in my lunch bucket if I stayed in school!”

  Though S. Clara was shy as a child, her work in school and community administration, travel to El Salvador, living with Mexican Sisters and spiritual direction certification have given her experiences that fill her mind, heart and words.

  Generosity of heart and gentle humor are other facets of S. Clara. She recalls telling Jesus on Profession Day: “I will go anywhere You send me, except the city of St. Cloud; it’s too big for this small farm girl. And yes, that’s the first place I was sent!”

  Her list of other missions includes Tenancingo, in Central America, where she fell in love with the little children and working with young adults in our Shared Vision Program. She is more convinced that there is no dichotomy between the supernatural and all aspects of nature’s richness. Her capacity for loyal friendship, her ability to listen and her love of openness and truth, feed her and those of us who love her. When I asked her what she would like engraved on her tombstone or in our minds, she said: “That I was here; that I tried;
  and that every day nature has enriched my life.”

  
  Written by Reneé Domeier, OSB

• 60th: Colette (Darlene) Primus, OSB
  

  Sister Colette was born in Melrose, Minn., as the last of nine children to Clotilda Wander Primus and Anthony Primus. She attended Saint Boniface Parochial School taught by Benedictine Sisters, and then arrived at Saint Benedict’s High School. She received her BA from the College of Saint Benedict.

  
  In 1953 S. Colette went to teach at Saint Peter’s School in St. Cloud, and then in Hutchinson. She spent the next three decades as a teacher or principal in Urbank, Albany, St. Augusta, Lastrup and Hutchinson until 1994, and enjoyed wonderfully dedicated parents, teachers and students.

  
  In 1971, S. Colette received an MS degree in information media from St. Cloud State College. She then served elementary schools in the St. Cloud Diocese in library management, a big part of which was cataloguing books.

  
  S. Colette’s fulfillment comes from being a part of the Benedictine community’s ministry, serving God’s people in the field of education. Since moving out of education, she has been given another Benedictine endeavor, namely, to share beauty and handcrafts through our two gift shops: Whitby Gift Shop and Gallery at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and Scholastica Gift Shop at our retirement home in St. Cloud.

  
  S. Colette remarked that she is grateful to continue giving support to couples and families through her work with St. Cloud National Marriage Encounter as a board and team participant.
• 60th: Emmanual (Audrey) Renner, OSB
  

  Sister Emmanuel is a woman of books and ideas. Growing up on Leech Lake in Walker, Minn., the Renner home was located across the street from the town’s Carnegie Library. There, Audrey developed the habit, like her mother, of reading good books every day.

  After college, Audrey spent a year working with Merle Nolde in Washington, DC, at the National Catholic Welfare Conference before deciding (on New Year’s Eve at Times Square) that she would join the monastery.

  After a brief stint teaching high school history, S. Emmanuel dedicated most of her life to the College of Saint Benedict. She loved teaching European history, and served as College President from 1979–86. She was instrumental in designing the system for storing college records, making the history of the college accessible for years to come.

  Perhaps her most cherished activity was mentoring future leaders in the Kellogg National Fellowship Program. She visited the young people at their work, coaching them to venture into new activities enhancing their already significant contributions to society.

  S. Emmanuel describes herself as appreciating reflecting on the meaning of events in life as she discovers insights into opportunities that have been hers. She cherishes being present to her many friends and colleagues.

  Written by Colman O'Connell, OSB

   

• 60th: Gen (Kevyn) Maiers, OSB
  

  Sister Gen Maiers was born in Stewart, Minnesota, in 1933, the “last of the first dozen” of Grace and Henry Maiers’ 17 children. Life in that noisy, loving farm family taught Gen many lessons she brought with her into Benedictine community life—work, play, and pray together; be yourself; have ideas and opinions and express them—sometimes vehemently. Most of all, her parents taught her lessons of honesty, integrity and generosity. At the Maiers’ long table, there was always room for an unexpected guest.

  
  Gen and her sister Brenda came to Saint Benedict’s High School and entered the monastery together, attracted by the Sisters’ chanting of the Divine Office and by the promise that, in community, she and her Sisters would search for God in the people and events around them. S. Gen wanted to teach seventh and eighth grade—her favorite age—and did so for several years. Then, recognizing her boundless energy, educational vision and leadership ability, the community asked her to become a principal. For 39 years she taught or administered schools in the St. Cloud area, earning her PhD in educational administration in 1984.

  
  S. Gen became Development Director for Saint Benedict’s Monastery in 1994. That’s one job she didn’t want, but she has come to love and appreciate the many friends who believe in us and who are essential partners in the work our community does. The real work of development, she says, is their faith and the faith of the Sisters.
  
  Written by Mara Faulkner, OSB
• 60th: Herman (Stella) Tschida, OSB
  

  Born at home, I was the fourth oldest of the six children of Herman and Mary Tschida, who are fondly remembered as devout Catholics and dedicated parents. We six siblings grew up knowing both love and hard work. I was no stranger to milking cows, gathering eggs and working in the fields. I recall a life of shared meals, chores, recreation and prayer, fostering a closeness that thrives between my siblings and me to this day.

  
  Although our address was Freeport, we belonged to Saint Rosa Parish. Every Saturday morning saw us scrubbed and ready to receive religious instruction from the pastor and his housekeeper in the parish church. School consisted of one room, one teacher and 40 children of assorted ages. Upon completion of the eighth grade, I came to Saint Benedict’s Monastery to work in the kitchen. Two years later I was asked to go to Utah to work with the Sisters in the kitchen at the new hospital in Ogden. After four years, I responded to God’s promptings and came back to join Saint Benedict’s Monastery as a Sister.
   

  Ever consistent, my entire religious life has been spent in one kitchen or another, from Saint Raphael’s in St. Cloud to Saint Paul’s in Anaconda, Mont. I also cooked for the Sisters in assorted small parishes before I returned to Saint Raphael’s, where I cooked or managed the kitchen for 17 years until its closing in 1999.

  
  I am now retired at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, still dabbling in making candy and other goodies for family and friends. It is a joy when my brother and some of his friends come to play old-time music for the Sisters. I thank God for the full life I have had.
• 60th: Ingrid (Janet) Anderson, OSB
  

   

  Sister Ingrid (Janet) Anderson grew up in rural South Dakota, the second of three children. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery while attending the College of Saint Benedict.

  
  After completing her doctorate in nutrition and biochemistry, S. Ingrid taught food and nutrition courses at the College of Saint Benedict. This was, to S. Ingrid, a perfect assignment. She has an intense interest in the health and welfare of individuals and populations. Sharing this with students and assisting them in preparing for work was a pleasure as well as a calling.

  
  S. Ingrid was aware of the power of direct experience in student learning. Laboratory work, group projects, research and experiences beyond the classroom were important to her. She and Sister Baulu Kuan, OSB, led student groups to Mexico and Guatemala in the ’70s. When China opened in 1979, these two led groups of alums and friends of the College to a number of sites in China.

  S. Ingrid has served in her professional association as President of the Minnesota Dietetic Association, second as Delegate to the American Dietetic Association and coordinator of the House of Delegates. At CSB, S. Ingrid was chair of the Department of Home and Community Service and later Vice President of Student Development.

  
  Today S. Ingrid serves her community as Director of Art and Heritage Place and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the College. She thanks God for the great gift of the call to serve in the Benedictine life.

  
  Written by Kathleen Kalinowski, OSB
• 60th: Juliana (Rita) Lauer, OSB
  

  Sister Juliana was the seventh of 12 children in the Leo and Mary Altoff Lauer family of Eden Valley, Minn. S. Juliana appreciated the excellent teaching she received from the Benedictine Sisters at her parochial school and, even as a young child, she was influenced to consider religious life by her two aunts who were Sisters and an uncle who was a priest. S. Juliana knew by the time she was in the sixth grade that becoming a Sister was what she was meant to do. In 1950, she arrived as a 17-year-old, at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and made her first profession in 1952.

  Health care has been S. Juliana’s field of work since she entered the monastery community, beginning at Saint Raphael’s Nursing Home. She received her licensed practical nursing certificate in 1957 and then pursued her registered nurse degree. S. Juliana worked for Catholic Charities before taking the role she considered a privilege: Coordinator of Community Health Service for the Sisters. She brings her expertise and compassion to her work, and has enhanced the quality of health care in the community, as Sisters deal with small and large medical needs.

  
  S. Juliana treasures the elderly Sisters who have given so much and are so grateful for their lives. Living at the motherhouse is something this Jubilarian considers a blessing because there are so many opportunities for enrichment and growth as she continues to be challenged by everyday life.

  Written by Jocile Robinson, OSB
• 60th: Kathryn (Blanche) Casper, OSB
  

  If one is shaped by the geography in which one grows up, Kathryn was shaped by living in a small town in Minnesota’s Red River Valley. Breckenridge is surrounded by rivers and one cannot enter or leave the town without crossing a bridge. Driving in the Valley, one observes the horizon for miles and miles. Without being aware of it at the time, the open spaces shaped Kathryn’s love of the big picture, and bridges for her have meant crossing over into something familiar yet new. 

  Creating bridges between people and seeing the big picture were what drew her to ministry with a variety of people. She was shaped by two ministries in particular: working for Catholic Charities, in ministry to divorced, separated, remarried and widowed persons, broadened her horizons and taught her so much about the human journey. The same is true of her ministry at the Spirituality Center. Her life has been enriched over and over by the people who have blessed her in countless ways.

  Serving as Initial Formation Director in our community for ten years afforded her opportunity to delve more deeply into the Rule of Benedict and the rich monastic tradition. She considers this a great blessing and is grateful.

  Finally, when asked why she entered the monastery, Kathryn likes to reply that for her the more important question is why she stayed in the monastery rather than why she entered. In reply, she can only say that this unexpected life to which she was called is a great grace and blessing.

  Written by Hélène Mercier, OSB
• 60th: Loraine (Betty Mae) Bischof, OSB
  

  As the oldest girl in a family of nine children, Betty Mae soon learned to be of service to others. As a young woman she worked in food service at St. Cloud Hospital. She had not given the religious life any consideration until she got to to know Sisters Hildebrand Eickhoff and Generose Bickler and realized that Sisters, too, had fun. She, then, started to think about it. She attended Mass and prayers with the Sisters and was drawn to the Benedictine way of life.

  
  St. Benedict in the Rule tells the abbot that he should be extremely careful that the sick suffer no neglect. He says, “Let them be served by an attendant who is God-fearing, attentive and concerned.” The novice mistress and prioress must have seen these qualities in S. Loraine. After the novitiate, S. Loraine was assigned to Saint Raphael’s Home to minister in health care. She showed such dedication to the care of the sick and elderly that she was sent to Rochester to complete her LPN program. After that she served at St. Joseph’s Home, Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague and at St. Cloud Hospital for 23 years.

  
  S. Loraine also spent seven years serving children at the orphanage in Taiwan. She, again, heeded the words of St. Benedict that the young be treated with kindly consideration.

  
  Since 1999 she has been of service to the elderly Sisters at Saint Scholastica Convent. She does foot care and other health related tasks besides being purchaser for the Sisters.

  Written by Bernadette Weber, OSB

• 60th: Mary Frances (Catherine) Gebhard, OSB
  

  For some a fall in a shower room could be life-threatening; for someone else, live-giving. In the case of Sister Mary Frances Gebhard, her fall and recovery was the first step toward retirement. Her 2010 plan: “One step at a time” from Wisconsin to Minnesota and Saint Scholastica Convent.

  On the way, S. Mary Frances made a stopover at Saint Benedict’s Monastery to become better acquainted with the community. She had received her initial training for her nursing career at St. Cloud School of Nursing, and then, while working in Wisconsin, she added specializations in anesthesia and dialysis.

  Guidance and counseling degrees added valuable assistance when a former convent was converted into a care center for Sisters with special needs. S. Mary Frances initiated and coordinated this project.

  Participation in peace and justice activities has been a fervent interest of hers. She served with such groups as JONAH, Women in Black and Benedictines for Peace.

  
  Working to promote justice encouraged her to grow personally in the knowledge and love of God, and to experience community in many different, enriching ways. These steps on the path to retirement “have enlarged my life,” she states.

  Written by Lorayne Andre, OSB
• 60th: Monica (Gloria) Mai, OSB
  

  Celebrating 60 years of monastic profession is one of many milestones in the life of Sister Monica Mai. Her years of dedication to the Benedictine way have included significant transitions, the latest being her move to Saint Benedict’s Monastery from Saint Bede Monastery in Eau Claire.

  
  A lifelong resident of Eau Claire, S. Monica’s latest place of service was the pastoral care department of Sacred Heart Hospital, a position she held for the past 15 years. She readily affirms that this ministry grew out of her Benedictine background. As the Rule of Benedict counsels, she learned to listen “with the ear of her heart.” She was able to journey with people, rejoicing with them when they were healed, supporting them in prayer and presence when they faced difficult situations. She was there for families experiencing critical situations and tragic losses.

  
  Prior to her work at the hospital, S. Monica played a variety of roles. She was prioress of Saint Bede Monastery for 12 years, as well as vice president of the Federation of Saint Benedict. She actually began monastic life as a teacher, first in grade school and later in the Business Department of Regis High School. At the same time, she served her community as the corporate treasurer. For Sister Monica it has been a blessed and very full sixty years!

  
  Written by Margaret Michaud, OSB
• 60th: Myrtle Schmitz, OSB
  

  Sister Myrtle Schmitz, daughter of Alex and Angela Schmitz, grew up on a farm near Dundas, Minn. Her parish was St. Lawrence in Faribault. She attended a one-room school in Rice County and went to Bethlehem Academy for high school.

  She was drawn to Saint Benedict’s Monastery because of the prayer hours the Sisters had together and also their sense of community. She earned a BA from the College of Saint Benedict and taught grades three to six for 23 years.

  In 1975 she returned to Saint Benedict’s Monastery to begin a new career as secretary for Sister Linda Kulzer, the community’s first Personnel Director. S. Linda describes S. Myrtle as a very devoted and versatile person, able to take on all the work assigned to her.

  Later she became secretary to the Subprioress. S. Myrtle has continued to faithfully serve the Sisters, working in the office and the mail room. Over the years she has been willing to take on supportive jobs in community life such as roles in the Liturgy of the Hours and helping with driving. She considers her opportunity to be part of a guided tour of the Holy Land as one of the highlights of her life.

  
  Art, music and the appreciation of both are some of the things that bring her joy. She took great pride and pleasure in introducing these to her school children and then watching what they would create.
  
  Written by Linda Kulzer, OSB
• 60th: Philip (Elizabeth) Zimmer, OSB
  

  Sister Philip can be found here, there or anywhere around the monastery. Where she spies a need, she’s off to help. She is generous in her commitments, and that applies to her first love: God.

  
  S. Philip loves the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours; she loves her religious community, her family and friends. She is faithful to all. In a family of 14 children and one of the youngest, she shared varied responsibilities and found her niche in service.

  
  Fidelity to Benedictine living all these years has fit her like the proverbial “hand to glove.” She was an elementary educator for 50 years. Being drawn to native American cultures, Sister Philip was prompted to volunteer her educational talents to St. Mary’s Mission School on the Red Lake Reservation for her final 17 years of teaching. Sister Philip enjoyed activities such as building props for school plays, repairing things around the convent, participating in parish and community events. Call her handy if you wish. She can be an all-around repair person and grounds keeper.

                 
  Her good humor and easy pace create a sense that “all is well.” She cherishes the beauty of flora and fauna, is an avid reader, loves a dip in a lake, goes fishing or swishing across the snow on her skies. For S. Philip, all is connected: “That in all things, God may be glorified.”
  
  Written by Owen Lindblad, OSB
• 60th: Rachel (Mary) Krippner, OSB
  

  Sister Rachel Krippner sees that she was being led by God throughout her life, especially in her
  60 years as a Benedictine Sister. This path began in her childhood while living with a younger sister, brother and faith-filled parents. Her parochial school education, along with her friendship with Sister Seraphia Seitz, carried her further along this journey. S. Rachel’s love of the Eucharist developed early in her youth; by eighth grade she was attending Mass daily.

  
  Life in rural St. Augusta was challenging but, through her careful planning and hard work, Rachel was able to attend Cathedral High School in St. Cloud. Her passage from that high school to Saint Benedict’s Monastery was a short, significant step in her life.

  
  Every day of her 43 years as an elementary school teacher brought S. Rachel challenges and joys. She considers it a blessing that her journey has taken her in a complete circle—ending her career in Freeport, Minn., the same school in which she started teaching.

  
  S. Rachel has served 16 years as sacristan at Saint Scholastica Convent; she rejoices that she is living in an environment conducive to listening and responding to the Divine. She says it has been a happy and joyous 60 years of thanking God daily for choosing her to be a Benedictine Sister.

  
  Written by Alard Zimmer, OSB

• 75th: Marold (Leona) Kornovich, OSB
  

  Gilman, Minn., boasts that 53% of the population is from Polish ancestry. No mention is made of the jewel born and raised there whom we know as Sister Marold Kornovich. From that town, with a population of 224, S. Marold hailed as a TV star in 1954. Father Edward Ramacher asked S. Marold and Sister Arlyn Hann to co-host the “Christ in the Home” series consisting of 52, 15-minute TV programs airing every Sunday. Both Sisters were teachers at St. Augustine’s School in St. Cloud. They formed the ideas, wrote the scripts, rounded up families, chose students, practiced with them and got all the props. Filming was done in the basement of Holy Angels’ Church. The payment for their service was a trip to Europe. S. Marold loved traveling as much as she loved teaching. She was often asked to decorate for large and small events and make banners including painting the coat of arms of the Diocese of St. Cloud and for Bishop Peter Bartholome.
  
  While visiting her aunt, Sister Gwendolyn Pattock, at Annunciation Monastery in Bismark, N.D., she became acquainted with the art of quilling. Since then, this art has been her pastime and her work as a monastic artisan.
  
  Another of S. Marold’s passions is singing. There was always singing in her home as she grew up; her dad played the harmonica, her sister Mary played the piano and Leona sang. She loved playing the organ, directing choirs, being in the schola at Saint Benedict’s Monastery; she now enjoys singing in the choir and being a cantor at the Liturgy of the Hours at Saint Scholastica Convent. She is very grateful that she is so healthy and independent. This summer she loved to walk outside and spend time sitting near the bell tower reading. Before Sister Susanne Helmin died, the two of them enjoyed singing Polish songs together. Leaving from a visit with her mom, they’d say to each other in Polish, “Remain in God.” Now, our Polish jewel teaches each of us daily how to “Remain in God.”

  Written by Marlene Meierhofer, OSB
• 75th: Mary George (Hedwig) Ortmann, OSB
  

  Sister Mary George Ortman was called Hedwig or Hattie, before she became a member of Saint Benedict’s Monastery. In April we’ll celebrate her 95 years of life and 75 years as a religious.

  S. Mary George’s ministry is prayer for the prioress, for vocations and for the Ojibwe people of Minnesota. Her smiling presence is also a ministry. She is often one of several Sisters gathered for the rosary each day; one can hear her responding to the “Hail Mary.”

  During her more active years, S. Mary George was an elementary grade teacher, especially for grades 2, 3 or 4. She appreciated being able
  to prepare children and adults, for the reception of the sacraments.

  Her ministry of 45 years at the Little Flower Mission in Onamia, Minn., included a great variety of services—Head Start, Title I, staff trainer, cook, Green Thumb program for adults, pastoral assistant and administrator of the Mission, caring for the people’s needs of both body and spirit. In her work with the young, she tried creative ways to make learning more enjoyable, such as storytelling using props. When asked if her ministry was difficult, she said: “I have never thought much of anything being difficult. When you are working out of love for Him, it is love. What more could you ask for?” She was glad to be able to use her gifts.

  
  Written by Stephen Kurpiers, OSB

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