Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities available at Saint Benedict’s Monastery include:
- Receptionist in the Gathering Place (flexible days/hours)
- Archive assistant in the monastery Archives
- Special events assistant with duties to include assisting with registration, dining room service, parking cars, etc.
- E-Z-GO (golf cart) driver to transport our sisters around the monastery campus
- Lawn and garden partners
- Mailing assembler for bulk mailings
- Office assistant/receptionist for areas in need
- Computer assistant for areas in need
To learn more about volunteering at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, contact:
Jean Schwartz, OSB
Volunteer Coordinator
(320) 363-7105
jschwartz@csbsju.edu
Volunteer opportunities available at Saint Scholastica Convent include:
- Serving as a companion to sisters through one-on-one visiting, reading, playing games, and playing music
- Pet therapy
- Plants/gardens/grounds caretaker
- Pouring beverages and helping clean up at meals
- Sewer/mender
- Receptionist
- Driving sisters to their medical appointments and assisting them
- Assisting sisters in wheelchairs and those using walkers and canes to attend appointments inside our home
- Visit one-on-one with sisters with 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. Child visitors are welcome and encouraged but must be accompanied by an adult. 7th–12th graders may volunteer without an adult.
At this time, Saint Scholastica Convent has a special need for drivers to take sisters to medical appointments and assist them with whatever they need. You will be reimbursed for mileage.
To learn more about volunteering at Saint Scholastica Convent, contact:
Marina Schlangen, OSB
Volunteer Coordinator
(320) 251-2225
mschlangen@csbsju.edu
Outside Volunteer Organizations
Volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the United Way of Central Minnesota frequent the monastery and convent. If you are volunteering through one of these programs, you can request to join us.
Volunteer Spotlights
April is National Volunteer Month! This April, we’re proud to highlight the incredible volunteers who give their time, energy, and compassion to our community. We couldn’t do it without you!
Kathy Frank
“In my volunteer roles with the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, I have the honor of getting to know many of the sisters and volunteers on a more personal basis. Since retiring five years ago, I’ve held several roles including garden partner, EZ-GO driver, office assistant, 3G Camp helper and driver for both Saint Benedict’s Monastery and Saint Scholastica Convent. Being a member of the Volunteer Advisory Board is also an honor as our ideas/suggestions are welcome. I am also an usher for Sunday Mass.
These roles have provided an opportunity for me to work side by side with many of the sisters. It is truly a blessing to have friends who share the same spiritual beliefs and who also follow the Rule of Benedict. Some of the volunteers and I have become oblates of Saint Benedict’s Monastery which has also provided an opportunity for meaningful relationships.”
Lois Lawson
“The Benedictine monastery has been part of my life since early childhood. Living just four blocks away, I played on the monastery grounds and went to St. Joseph Elementary School until our family moved to St. Cloud when I was in fourth grade. Living in St. Cloud, I attended Cathedral High School and volunteered and worked at the St. Cloud Hospital. Candy striping and working at the hospital kept me in touch with many of the sisters until I moved to the Twin Cities to complete my college degree and start my family. When my husband and I returned to the area in 2005, reconnecting with Saint Benedict’s Monastery happened very naturally. My volunteer path has included doing mailings, evening receptionist at Saint Scholastica Convent and currently as a seamstress. Soon, I was sewing/mending for both the monastery and convent until SSC projects were enough to keep me busy. “
Danny Gust
“Sister Michon Lanners, my wife’s aunt, invited me to volunteer following my retirement in 2014. After Sister Jean Schwartz, the monastery’s volunteer coordinator, gave me a grand tour of the campus, I began working with Sisters Margaret Wurm and Sister Philip Zimmer on the grounds, as well as Sister Elizabeth Theis in the flower garden.
I truly enjoy working outdoors; gardening and yard work are a perfect fit for me. I feel like I am doing God’s work when I spend time with the sisters, helping to keep the grounds and gardens looking their best. All the sisters are so kind, and it is a pleasure to contribute however I can.
In the spring, I help prepare the flower garden for planting, lay rugs on the walking paths, and sow the seeds and plant seedlings. This is followed by plenty of weeding as we watch the plants grow. It is a beautiful experience when everything starts blooming. The flowers and grounds bring so much joy to everyone who shares in the wonders of the Lord’s creation. Volunteering at the monastery every week is a wonderful way to give the gift of time.”
Karla Becker
“After retirement, I looked for volunteer opportunities and was offered a role as an evening receptionist at Saint Scholastica Convent. The responsibilities include managing phone calls, transferring as needed, miscellaneous light clerical and recording duties and facilitating the end-of-day shut down.
From the very beginning, I was welcomed warmly into this community of amazing women who have dedicated their lives to helping others and religious service. Each have such remarkable and varied backgrounds, and each are so appreciative of the time donated by volunteers. I quickly came to realize what makes the convent so special and that I give far less than I receive: the many “thank yous” with smiles that light their faces, witnessing the camaraderie and concern for one another, listening to their joyful voices in song during Evening Prayer, the many blessings and commitments to prayer requests for my own family and friends that bring tears to my eyes and warms my heart, and so much more. I love my Friday evenings at the convent and am forever blessed.”
Tom Wolterman
“After attending Sunday Mass at the monastery a few times, it was amazing and very evident how hospitable and welcoming the sisters are. The next thing you know, I had an appointment with Sister Jean Schwartz, the monastery’s volunteer coordinator, and soon was driving the EZ-GO.
While waiting for the phone to ring, Sisters Jean, Dorothy Manuel and Philip Zimmer soon found other things to keep me busy. I record monastery car usage. During the growing season, I help Sister Elizabeth Theis weed and harvest her flowers and vegetables. S. Dorothy asked for assistance in her rose garden. Together we prune and protect her roses while controlling the beetles, and I also keep the birdfeeders full outside of Marmion Hall. My last duty is to bring copies of The Record, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University’s student newspaper, from Mary Hall to the monastery.
It’s so easy and rewarding to volunteer at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. The sisters are very appreciative and quick to say, ‘Thank you.’ Plus, ‘payment’ in cookies, bars and prayers are greatly appreciated. Another EZ-GO driver said it best: ‘I think I would pay the sisters to let me volunteer.’ I agree!”
