“Those who sing pray twice.” Fifth century St. Augustine’s words reveal the importance hymns and hymnals have in our prayer experience and the strong connection between us and God made possible through song. Hymns and hymnals are actually theological texts and the use of them enriches our liturgical experience. In her presentation, “Singing Our Faith, Singing Our Theology,” Sister Delores Dufner, OSB, invites us to consider how hymns are chosen for worship. Her talk is on October 5, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, and is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Monastery Dining Room, located just below Sacred Heart Chapel. A reception will follow.

Lois LeVasseur Liners of Watertown, Wisconsin received the 2008 Mother Benedicta Riepp Award, recognizing her lifelong service as a professional social worker and volunteer in areas of education and health. The award was presented during the worship service at Sacred Heart Chapel at the annual Donor Appreciation Event on August 22, 2008. The Benedicta Riepp Award is given annually to recognize a woman who embodies Benedictine and Gospel values in everyday life. For more information on Lois and the award, click link below.

The Sisters' annual event to honor the current year's donors was a great hit. Rain clouds threatened throughout the day, but by 4 p.m. the monastery was bustling with guests under sunny skies. Over 600 guests participated, assisted by 65 volunteers. The crowd was entertained by 10 members of the fluctuating Central Minnesota Musicians Unorganized Organization, including Sister Margaret Mandernach on electric bass and harmonium, and Sister Ellen Cotone on accordion.

Sister Etienne (Mary) Flaherty, OSB
St. Joseph
August 18, 1922 – August 28, 2008

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008, at the Sacred Heart Chapel, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, for Sister Etienne Flaherty, who died on Thursday, August 28, 2008, at St. Cloud Hospital. Burial will be in the monastery cemetery. Friends may call at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, on Friday, August 29, from 1-6 p.m. or for a Vigil Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. Visitation continues at 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral on Saturday, August 30, at 11 a.m.

Painting and Mixed Media by Nina Holiday-Lynch is the third of four gallery shows hosted by the Whitby Gift Shop and Gallery at The Art and Heritage Place at Saint Benedict’s Monastery for 2008. The exhibit opened on Sunday, September 7, 2008, with an introduction of the artist at 2 p.m. that day. The exhibition continues through Sunday, October 19, 2008.

People from every period of history have words and art forms praising God. A new exhibit delves into this discourse with a unique, visual study. “Insight and Access into the Divine: Experiencing the Holy through the Visual,” opens March 9, 2008, at the Art and Heritage Place, Haehn Museum, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn.