Here’ s the Scoop!
Enjoy reflections from four sisters living at Saint Scholastica Convent (SSC), our retirement center in St. Cloud, Minn., about the many ways they minister to their fellow sisters. Reflections from sisters living at Saint Benedict’s Monastery are found on pages 16-17.
Lucy Revering, OSB
“My ministries are considered a ‘little part’ of our entire community, yet my ‘little part’ is vast. Spanning 64 years of service, each of these ‘small parts’ lead up to a meaningful whole.
For 20 years, I mainly ministered in cooking and environmental services, serving up to 150 people at meals and teaching the many skills immigrants needed. I was also ‘called’ to help in health services, physical therapy and being on-call for 12 years. Being on-call is a very special ministry. Benedict tells us to ‘rise without delay’ (Rule of Benedict 22:6). I forget myself and respond immediately — no comments or questions!
For six years, I have served in transportation, scheduling rides, driving sisters to appointments and servicing vehicles. I also arrange budgets for the sisters in ministry and try very intentionally not to miss our primary ministry, Liturgy of the Hours.
Whether helping immigrants, listening to clients at their bedsides or handling transportation and budgets, I am modeling our Benedictine motto, ‘Ora et Labora’ (prayer and work), and so I pray, thank you, God, for helping me to continue to be a worthy Benedictine minister as I journey the path to glory.”
Marius Hiltner, OSB
“I began taking piano lessons in fourth grade, along with my twin brother. Our teacher, Sister Wilma Escher, was the parish organist, and I also took lessons with Sister Urban Gertken at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. S. Wilma took my friend and me to the CSB Pageant, and that made such an impression on me that I wanted to be at Saint Ben’s.
Shortly after my novitiate, I was sent out on mission where I really played. I was also parish organist for one year at the St. Joseph Parish and taught middle school for 59 years.
I still play organ at Liturgy of the Hours on a regular basis. Music enriches the liturgy, and the music of the organ is so valuable at LOH and Mass. I’m grateful that I can still make a meaningful contribution to the sisters, even at 90+ years old.”
Bernadette Weber, OSB
“I became involved in ministry with the sisters at SSC during the COVID pandemic in 2020. The sisters were all confined to their rooms. Help was needed, so I volunteered to help.
I carried meal trays to their rooms. During that time, we sisters who were helping stayed in the Guest Quarters. After COVID was over and sisters resumed normal life, I asked to stay at SSC. I then helped serve meals on the Memory Unit of Louise Hall, assisted the sisters at Eucharist and prayers, took sisters with memory impairments outdoors for walks, played Scrabble with sisters, and reminisced with them. The sisters were very grateful and appreciative.
I was also assigned to manage the SSC Gift Shop. The sisters enjoy browsing through items in the Gift Shop and especially admire the beauty of items made by sisters. The Gift Shop offers them the opportunity to shop for gifts for family and friends without leaving their home. They bring their guests to shop and love visiting.
I have learned that all of us need and enjoy meaningful relationships with God, with others and with nature. To be available and to assist with these encounters is a gift and a privilege. Being with the sisters helps me to get to know them and to recognize the contributions they have made to the Church, the world and in our community.
Community life is a precious vocation. The stage of retirement offers the best of it — being with one another and accepting our real selves makes life pleasant.”
Marlene Meierhofer, OSB
“Tuesday afternoon is a special time for the sisters living in Louise South and East halls. This area of our retirement center is for sisters with various levels of declining health and those needing easy access to the nurses’ station. We gather in Louise Hall Lounge for a session I teach called ‘Community Updates.’ It’s a time to hear about events at SSC or Saint Benedict’s Monastery. There is always so much happening at both places!
The sisters are kept up to date regarding communications from the prioress, monastery department activities and special events, and they are always invited to share their responses. Hearing their comments is always interesting and insightful — they are especially interested in agenda items for upcoming community meetings and readily offer their opinions on decisions that need to be made.
Our sessions always include hearing about people in need of our prayers. We then spend time praying together for them. Sometimes, we prepare for liturgical feasts or seasons. Often, memories are shared of the ways these events were celebrated in the past. Former Schola members present in the group help us sing songs related to the occasion.
As the sisters gather on Tuesday afternoons, it is obvious there is great interest in community events. Frequently, we end the session by expressing gratitude to God for calling us to be members of this, our beloved community!”
This article was featured on pages 30-31 in the fall 2026 issue of Call.
