The clarion call of her mother, Elli Feeney, to her 12 children to “come home now” for supper prepared Sister Ruth Feeney to listen carefully for the call of “another voice.” Elli called out the name of each of her children to come back home from wherever they were, to be present and eat the nourishing food she had prepared for them. The voice of the Creator Parent came through the family life of sharing and often hardship but was anchored by the parish church and attentive pastor in their small Wisconsin village.

As the third sibling but the eldest daughter, S. Ruth was her family’s “big sister.” This “big sister” position has influenced her always! She followed that divine call to Saint Bede Monastery in Eau Claire, Wis., which led her on to become an elementary school teacher, parish religious educator, listener and guide to many as a member of the monastery’s formation and leadership teams, as house coordinator and secretary, and wherever was needed—even successful coordinator of eldercare units.

S. Ruth’s academic preparation includes a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., and master’s degrees from both Saint Meinrad School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, Ind., and Loyola University in Chicago, Ill. She also earned a certificate in spiritual direction at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

S. Ruth’s usually quiet, observing nature can be roused to speak up firmly when the need arises. This is noted in the true story that as a very young “big sister,” she mounted a kitchen chair to watch as the struggling babysitter put a clean diaper on her baby brother. S. Ruth corrected the ill-fitting piece herself, including the hard-to-close safety pins—and the hapless babysitter later became S. Ruth’s monastic superior!

A certain “can do” aura accompanies S. Ruth at all times. Supported by her early-to-bed and very-early-to-rise regimen and her rapid step to the next task, she is always ready to confront a problem or listen yet again to the story. Yet, in her own quiet time, she is reflective and often prone to record her prayers and thoughts in touching poetry. Often asked if she has ever thought of publishing her notebooks full of poetry, S. Ruth only smiles and changes the subject.

With a deep reverence for the movement of the Spirit sent by God, S. Ruth reads and reflects often and is a constant at monastic liturgies. She loves a good laugh even when it is at herself. Her deep concern for the well-being of others leads her to tell this story about herself: The school principal was so concerned that whatever she was giving up for Lent made her so crabby that she was kindly advised not to take on giving up her coffee as a Lenten penance!

The years have gone by quickly, but one never outgrows the need for a big sister!

Profile written by Judy Kramer, OSB