Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are a critical link in enhancing the care and services provided to sisters and our community. Thank you for considering sharing your time and talents with us and enriching lives.
Volunteering at Saint Benedict’s Monastery
The sisters welcome volunteers to assist with monastery services. Here are some of the opportunities available at Saint Benedict’s Monastery:
- Whitby Gift Shop: Sales assistant
- Haehn Museum: Host or hostess, research assistant, tour guide, cataloguer, data collector, etc.
- Archive department: Archive assistant
- Special events: Registration, dining room service, parking cars, etc.
- E-Z-GO (golf cart) driver
- Lawn and garden partners – individuals or families
- Mailing assembler
- Office assistant/receptionist
- Computer assistant
- Writer and/or photographer
- Other skills and talents you wish to share
At this time, Saint Benedict’s Monastery has a special need for:
- Receptionist in the Gathering Place (flexible days/hours)
- Archive department: Archive assistant
- E-Z-GO driver
- Lawn and garden partners – individuals or families
- Whitby Gift Shop: Office assistant
For more information about how to become a volunteer at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, contact:
Jean Schwartz, OSB
Volunteer Coordinator
(320) 363-7105
jschwartz@csbsju.edu
Volunteering at Saint Scholastica Convent
Welcome and thank you for sharing your God-given gifts with the sisters who live at Saint Scholastica Convent, our retirement and assisted living center in St. Cloud, Minn. We recognize that volunteers are a critical link in enhancing the care and services provided along with staff and the 70 sisters who call Saint Scholastica home. Our hope is that you benefit from the friendships and wisdom of the sisters.
Volunteers who have spent time at Saint Scholastica Convent have left quite an impact on the sisters they serve. Child visitors are welcome and encouraged, but must be accompanied by an adult. 7th – 12th graders may volunteer without an adult. Here are some of the opportunities available at Saint Scholastica Convent:
- Companion: Visit indoors or outdoors, read to sisters, play games, play music
- Pet therapy assistant
- Plants/gardens/grounds caretaker
- Sacristy caretaker
- Meal and clean-up assistant
- Sewer/mender
- Office assistant/receptionist
- Van driver or assistant for medical appointments
- Assist sisters in wheelchairs and those using walkers/canes going to PT, OT, foot or hair care appointments inside the convent
At this time, Saint Scholastica Convent has a special need for:
- Receptionist (answering phone calls, welcoming guests, giving messages): Sundays from 1–3 p.m., 3–5 p.m., or 5–7:30 p.m.; Fridays from 5–7:30 p.m.; or Saturdays from 5–7:30 p.m.
- Dining room assistance (serve beverages, assist where you see a need): 12–1 p.m. or 5–6 p.m. (meals are included)
We still welcome help with:
- Sister Companions: Visit or read to a sister for an hour on a weekly or biweekly basis
- Drivers: Take sisters to doctor or other appointments (you will be reimbursed mileage)
- Memory Loss Unit: Saint Scholastica Convent is seeking caring individuals who are interested in working with retired sisters who have memory loss. We’re looking for individuals who possess calm, peaceful attitudes, have the ability to be patient and understanding and are comfortable with one-on-one visiting, along with leading activities for small groups of 5–12 sisters.
For more information about becoming a volunteer at Saint Scholastica Convent, contact:
Marina Schlangen, OSB
Volunteer Coordinator
(320) 251-2225
mschlangen@csbsju.edu
Saint Scholastica Convent is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health as a Comprehensive Home Care services to sisters based on their individual need.
Outside Volunteer Organizations
Volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) also frequent the monastery and convent. If you’re already part of RSVP, you can request to spend your time with the sisters.
The United Way of Central Minnesota also provides volunteers to us, so if you are currently volunteering through one of their programs, you can request to join us, as well.
