Sisters of St. Benedict St. Mary Monastery Rock Island, Illinois

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Sharing God’s SilenceOf course, during bad times we may not want to listen to anything at all. We may reject God and prayer entirely, at least for a time. In that case, the nothing we hear may come from our own heads.

“There are times I feel distant and don’t want to relate to God or anyone,” Sr. Marilyn says. “I may feel that way during a time of grief, for instance. But that doesn’t mean God is absent. I take Jesus’ words literally, in good times and bad. When I don’t hear anything, something is wrong with my hearing.”

Centering PrayerCorrecting such a “hearing problem” doesn’t require a trip to the doctor. In

We all crave signs from above from time to time. Whether we are looking for guidance, a cure, assistance with a problem or something as specific as a new job, we want God to Speak. We want Answers.

More often than not, of course, what we hear is nothing. Does that mean God is indifferent? Or that God has said No? How can we interpret this sometimes deafening silence? How can we find peace with it?

The Language of God“As St. John of the Cross said, Silence is God’s first language,” Sister Helen

Carey, OSB says. “We don’t have much silence in our culture. We’re always texting and playing music and watching videos. So we can’t enter into God’s silence and listen.”

That is, if we can’t immediately discern a response, we think we hear nothing. Sister Marilyn Ring, OSB offers an everyday example.

“A friend and I could sit together in utter silence and still be communicating,” she explains. “Silence wouldn’t mean we were saying nothing. We could be communicating support, companionship. We could be communicating our presence to one another.”

The Presence of GodTaking her example further, Sr. Marilyn

says we continue to feel one another’s presence after spending time together.

“We may not be able to see each other, but we can still feel each other’s presence because of what we shared,” she says. “I’m a firm believer in Jesus’ words, ‘I will always be with you.’ When we feel

God’s absence – when we feel God is communicating nothing – the problem is ours, not God’s.”

That is, when we think God has left us, we’ve got it backwards. We are the ones who have left God. God’s language is a loving, complete, deep communication.

What Does it Mean when God Says ... Nothing?

Summer 2011

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When we think God has left us, the Benedictines say we’ve got it backwards. We are the ones who have left God. Spend time in silent companionship with God to build awareness of God’s presence.

Sr. Marilyn Ring

Sr. Helen Carey

When God Says Nothing from page 1

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The Language of God

Sr. Phyllis McMurray OSB

LeTTeR from the Prioress

fact, learning to listen requires silence.

“I encourage people to practice Centering Prayer,” she says. “It gives us the opportunity to be in harmony with our total self, to relieve ourselves of stress. When we take 20 minutes to sit in silence, empty our minds of distracting thoughts and breathe deeply, we can be truly aware of God’s presence.”

She suggests trying it without fanfare: simply sit comfortably with eyes closed, say the Lord’s Prayer, then take up a simple word like Love or God. When distracting thoughts enter your mind, return gently to silence with your word.

“It’s quite all right if you don’t hear anything,” Sr. Marilyn says. “Sitting companionably with God allows God to work within you. It allows you to feel God’s presence.”

Sr. Helen agrees. “Silence is part of our faith,” she says, “and faith is a lot deeper than words. God wants us to go deeper than words. Silence reflects the depth of the One who is beyond in our Midst. We are called to open ourselves to that mystery.”

Rather, then, than focusing on what we don’t hear from God, the Sisters encourage us to be receptive to God’s presence in our hearts, in others, in the world around us.

“Maybe God’s silence means we are to look to ourselves,” Sr. Marilyn says. “Maybe we have all we need in our own God-filled hearts.”

In the end, silence will help us know.

My health journey these past few years has been difficult. After surgery and through cancer treatment, I was unable to pray in the way that was most comforting to me. Center-ing prayer has been my support through the years, yet I was unable to practice it. Attention to anything, including read-ing, watching television and even prayer, evaded me. All I could do was rest in the knowledge that God was and is present within me and around me. That I knew in the depths of my being. I am comfortable in silence and quiet. Comforted with the silent language of God, I felt very much at peace. It carried me through my illness. As a person of few words, I communicate more by listening than speaking. Silence is healing for everyone, both in the moment and over a lifetime.

Take a few moments every day in silence, witnessing the beauty of a sunrise, the sound of a late summer cricket, the fragrance of a soft rain. As the psalmist says, Be still and know that I am God.

Now here’s my update: Since I wrote to you in May, I have had a PET Scan which shows no suggestion of metastatic breast cancer. Now that is God speaking loud and clear. God has more work for me to do. And I am grateful.

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Lessons from a Well-Loved LifeAsk Sister Mary Jane Wallace to reminisce about her life as a Benedictine and she’ll bring scrapbooks, photos, typed notes and laugh-out-loud stories. Still a dynamo - at 82, Sr. Mary Jane has more energy than people half her age – she continues to teach piano to children and adults, write skits for community celebrations and work on a book about her ministries. And all of that is what she does in between retreat work and, of course, our daily Benedictine prayer schedule.

Sr. Mary Jane entered the Benedictine community in the manner of most women who became Sisters in the 40’s: Immediately upon graduation from high school she applied to and entered religious life. She loved it from the start.

“I have been blessed immensely in this life,” she says. “My mother died when I was two years old. I think she must have interceded for me and said, ‘Lord, take care of my little girl for me.’ I had so much love from my Sisters and my students. I’d recommend this life to anyone. It puzzles me why more women aren’t knocking at the door.”

If Sr. Mary Jane has anything to say about it, a few more will knock after reading about her experiences. Because, she says, her experiences were so rich. Here’s a sampling.

Becoming a Sister“Reception Day was exciting. We entered the church in bridal dresses and veils, and after the Gospel received our black habits. We left to change, and marched back into the church to the Sponsa Christi hymn. We also received our new names. Mine was Sister Mary David of

the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We were given the option to take our baptismal names back after Vatican II, so I did.”

Teaching“I loved every aspect of it. I loved the innocence and honesty of the young children. I remember the dad of a Kindergartner sharing a story from their dinner table. Tommy had thought about

what to get me for Christmas. “Oh Dad,” he said, “let’s get her a new dress. She wears that same black one every day!”

“One child asked me if I lived in heaven. ‘Not yet, but I hope to get there,’ I said.

“Another child asked me how many children I had. I told her I had 50, the combined number of my morning and afternoon students. My answer really didn’t change when she explained that she meant children of my own. My students were my kids, and I’m still in touch with many today!”

A Lesson to Share“Children will not remember what you taught them, but how you loved them. How you touched them with kindness.

They will fill you with love and hugs that you will keep all of your life.”

Religious Life Today“I’m glad I had the experience of wearing the habit … although I wouldn’t want to do so again. It had a real tendency to make other people feel that because we wore habits we were more holy. But this isn’t so. Remember, everyone has a

vocation. But your vocation isn’t about what you wear. It’s about who you are!”

Discerning Your Vocation“Believe it: you do have a vocation. Listen to your heart to know. A listening heart is happy and full of peace and in sync with God.

“We all have a fear of the unknown. Don’t let fear drive you. You must have faith and trust. I have had the experience of Benedictine life for 64

years. Take a chance and see!”

Finally…“Have a sense of humor. I grew up with it. My grandpa was always being asked to tell a story. Here’s one of my favorites.

“Every week this unmarried lady would come into the church and pray before the statue of the Blessed Mother holding Jesus, ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God, should I marry Tommy Todd?’ One day a couple of altar boys hid behind the altar and answered, ‘No! No!’ The lady said, ‘You be quiet, Baby Jesus. I’m talking to your mother!’

“Learn to laugh. Learn to trust. Say, ‘God show me the way.’ And then really pay attention.”

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A New Way of Life: Living the RuleKathy Negaard was not entirely new to Benedictinism when she visited St. Mary Mon-astery a year ago. Growing up, the family had visited three aunts who belonged to St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn., and 20 years ago she had attended a retreat at the monastery in Nauvoo. But this time Kathy was seeking something deeper and more lasting. She was seeking the Spirit.

“I had heard Fr. Mike Schaab (a fre-quent guest of the monastery) speak on the Holy Spirit, so I asked him for more information,” Kathy says. “He sent me here.”

People find their way to the monastery via different routes. Some come to explore a religious vocation, some to re-treat from the world and its busyness for a while. Some come to satisfy curiosity, some to seek spiritual guidance. Some, like Kathy, come at the suggestion of a friend or mentor. And some, like Kathy, come to pursue learning about and living the Rule of Benedict.

Benedictine OblatesOblates are married and single women and men who associate themselves with a Bene-dictine community. Their purpose is to deepen their spirituality by learning about and ap-plying the ancient wisdom of St. Benedict to their lives. They seek to live the Benedictine values of prayer, work, hospitality, peace, stewardship and simplicity, to name a few. They come together to study, share and provide support. They come together to seek God.

Kathy says she knew from the moment she arrived she was where she needed to be.

“Sister Ruth (Ksycki) got me involved in the Ob-late program which I just love,” she says. “I love integrating the Benedictine values into my life. It’s really been wonderful.”

Oblate Director Sr. Ruth says the Oblate program is not so much a “program” as a way of life.

“Those who look into becoming Oblates are looking for some way to deepen their spiri-tual life,” she says. “Maybe they are at a time in their life when they have more need to ponder the big questions. Maybe an event has brought them to wonder where their path is leading them. Maybe they feel called toward something new but are unsure of what it is.”

Deepening the Spiritual Life TogetherBecoming an Oblate means undertaking a personal and private spiritual journey with others. That is, although the journey is quite particular to each Oblate, it is in community with the monastics and Oblates affiliated with the sponsoring monastery. Monthly gather-

Kathy Negaard attended last October’s Oblate Retreat Day and “loved it.”

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ings, regular communications and ongoing assignments provide structure to the Oblate way of life.

“We begin our meetings with Lectio Divina,” Sr. Ruth says. “It’s a way of listening to Scripture that is not a discussion or Bible study. Some will offer their thoughts and some will remain quiet. Many people are not sure about this at first, but they come to love it.”

They come to love – and be transformed by - the quiet, for one thing. Sr. Ruth says one Oblate began returning home so calmed and at peace following her Oblate meetings that her husband began accompanying her to find out what they were all about. He and his wife will make their first Obla-tion soon.

“Being with the group fills one with energy, peace, connec-tion,” Sr. Ruth says. “Something happens.”

Kathy agrees. “My spiritual journey has always been pri-marily about service,” she says. “I knew I needed some-thing more, and church alone wasn’t providing it. Being involved with the Oblates has been wonderful.”

After Lectio Divina, the group discusses the reading mate-rial they’ve tackled. For Kathy’s informal group of new Oblates, organized to help educate them on Benedictine thought, that has meant Sister Joan Chittister’s Wisdom Distilled from the Daily. Sr. Ruth says Oblate discussions are deep and nourishing.

Hospitality and Other Values“One of our key values is hospitality,” she says. “Recently in a discussion we noted that hospitality encompasses more than just welcoming guests. It also means welcoming God into our life and becoming aware that God welcomes us.

It means being open to people who are different from us. It’s a way of feeling at home with oneself and others.”

Discussion topics run the gamut, from work and leisure to humility and obedience. Oblates don’t always see the virtue in Benedictine values at the beginning of their study, and that is particularly true of obedience. But when they begin to explore the meaning of the Latin root word, obaudire, they begin to understand.

“Obaudire means to listen, or to heed,” Sr. Ruth says. “When we explore obedience in that context it becomes a virtue. We really listen to the needs of those around us, and seek to act in a way that is supportive of all. It’s not blind obedience, but an act of mindful listening in which we remain open to others.”

Gift to the WorldThe journey of a Benedictine Oblate traverses more than an interior path. It also spreads outward, becoming a gift to the world, in hospitality, in listening, in service to others.

“Our Oblate groups don’t take on service projects per se,” Sr. Ruth says. “But wherever Oblates are serving, they bring that Benedictine sensibility with them as gift. They take what they learn here to their community, their work, their church.”

For Kathy’s part, service now also means volunteering this summer in the St. Mary Monastery library. “It’s been won-derful to spend extra time with the community,” she says. “The Spirit is really here. What a blessing.”

For more information about the Benedictine Sisters’ Oblate Program, contact Sr. Ruth Ksycki at oblates@smmsisters.org or (309) 283 -2106.

Sr. Katherine Cleary visits with Oblate Toni Wilken at the annual Oblate Retreat Day last October. Oblate Retreat Day includes spirituality presentations, sharing and a meal.

Few people like change, especially when it’s foisted upon us. From losing a job to losing a loved one, change can be difficult at best and torturous at worst. No matter what the change, though, some people seem to cope with it better than others. Some seem even, eventually, to embrace it. Such people have something to teach us.

Raised on a quiet farm in Eastern Europe, 14-year-old Jozefa Seskar had spent her entire childhood caring for gentle farm animals, playing with her sisters and being teased by her brothers. All that changed in the spring of 1941. Within a month of one another, her parents fell ill and died. Then, World War II reached Slovenian soil and foreign soldiers began tearing the country apart. Eventually – with one brother now a prisoner of war and the other in a German concentration camp – the family was herded into an Austrian refugee camp. There, Jozefa learned that one of her beloved brothers had also died.

Although Jozefa grieved deeply for her unimaginable loss, she also looked forward to better times.

“At the camp, I made friends and learned how to sew,” Sr. Jozefa says. “In 1949, the Sisters of St. Benedict sponsored me to come to Nauvoo (where the Sisters then lived). The Sisters seemed so happy, I decided to enter. After I made final profession, I never woke up crying for my brother again. I have pretty good health and I can still laugh. Life is good!”

Sr. Jozefa smiles and shrugs when asked why she was able to overcome her grief and move on with her life. She defers to Sister Sheila McGrath, a former hospital chaplain with experience running grief support groups. Sr. Sheila says for one thing, we must face the pain of our loss or of any change, wanted or unwanted.

A Field of Burrs“Facing substantial change is like facing a field of burrs,” Sr. Sheila says. “You can refuse to cross it by staying so busy you don’t have time to think about it. That’s avoidance, and it will come out some way, often in anger.

“Next, you can begin crossing the field and stop, and remain stuck in the middle because the burrs hurt more when you move. This often results in depression.

“The only healthy choice is to keep moving,” Sr. Sheila says. “Yes, it hurts. The burrs stick and scratch. But when you get to the other side, you often discover you have grown and learned a lot. You feel renewed.”

Change and the Call to Co-CreateIn fact, the act of growth and creation requires change throughout nature: A caterpillar becomes an exquisite butterfly; an acorn becomes a mighty oak tree; a helpless baby becomes a functioning adult. Every hour of every day we change, whether we are standing on the sidelines, stuck in burrs or moving forward through the field. But some changes are more difficult than others.

“Any time you have a major change it can be very traumatic,” Sister Marlene Miller says. “An example for this community was when we moved from Nauvoo to Rock Island. It had been home for 100-plus years. But it became clear that moving was necessary to our continued growth.”

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Change Got You Down? How to Survive, Accept and even Embrace it

Sr. Jozefa Seskar

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In fact, the Benedictine Sisters’ vow of conversion (a willingness to accept and embrace God’s plan) helped them discern their path. Having closed their academy – falling enrollment had followed the downward trend of boarding schools nationwide and was clearly no longer sustainable – they recognized a pressing need for even more change. After much discussion, they chose to leave Nauvoo in pursuit of a larger population of Catholics to whom they might minister.

“Our elder Sisters had the best attitude,” Sr. Marlene says. “They said, Change is going to happen, so we might as well go with it graciously and with good humor. Part of our vow of conversion is to embrace change as it comes. This theme permeates The Rule. We can’t be in balance without accepting change. Think about it. People who are angry or bitter about change are out of balance. As our elders say, Change is going to happen anyway. Why make ourselves miserable about it?”

As to why change must happen, Sr. Marlene returns to the idea of creation. “We are in the act of co-creation with God,” she

says. “Creation means change and growth. As a community and as individuals, we have changed and grown in this experience in Rock Island. We’ve had wonderful opportunities and made great new friends. Our move began as a traumatic experience, but became a great blessing.”

Handling Minor Changes

Of course, change is relative. Losing a loved one, facing a terminal disease or experiencing a life-changing accident all qualify as traumatic and horribly unjust. But smaller changes dog us daily, and may in fact undermine our good cheer in a subversive way.

How often, for example, do we look in the mirror and nod happily at our graying hair? How lightly do we let go of possessions? Of ideas? Of plans?

“Teachers all know what it’s like to have lesson plans turned upside down,” Sr. Marlene points out. “Some teachers are good at improvising and some get upset. Or a family has vacation plans that get put on hold by an illness. You have to accept it to gain peace of mind. Say, We’ll do it next week or next year. Embrace the now and move on.”

In the end, all change leads ultimately to the final change, death. That, too, must be accepted on the road to God. It is, as Sr. Marlene says, the point of our lives.

“Change leads us to participate with and go to God,” she says. “Whether it’s minor or major change, we must learn to accept and embrace it. Jesus’ whole life showed us how to do that. We are called to do it as well.”

Finally, we are called to transformation: to become the beautiful butterfly, the mighty oak, the functioning and wise adult. As Sr. Jozefa modeled from her temporary home in the refugee camp, we are called to help create who we are meant to be. And there’s no way to do so but by moving forward.

Sr. Sheila McGrath, left, visits former col-league Harriet Olson at the latter’s retire-ment home. Sr. Sheila says moving into a home can be a difficult change for many. Her advice? “Put one foot in front of the other. You’ll get through it and feel stron-ger for it in the end.”

Look to the mighty oak or the delicate butterfly for help understanding the importance of change!

Sr. Marlene Miller

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Monastery NotesChallenges and Joys of Becoming a SisterJackie Walsh became Sister Jackie at the age of 53 on June 11. She had worked, lived and studied at St. Mary Monastery for three years before receiving her Benedictine pin. The jour-ney to Sisterhood with the Benedictine commu-nity isn’t easy. Besides giving up her home and private possessions, Sr. Jackie had to get used to living with - and praying with, dining with and enjoying leisure time with - 50 other women. Accustomed to living an independent life, she had to learn interdependence.

How would you describe your last 3 years?They have been challenging but deeply re-warding. I’ve grown through my studies, but maybe even more from the experiences I’ve had through everyday living, sharing, praying and talking with the other Sisters here. It’s truly been a life-changing, transforming process. The wonderful part of it is…it doesn’t stop now that I’ve made my First Profession. In many ways, the journey is just beginning!

Give an example of a challenging or stressful time.Studying and writing papers in preparation for my First Profession was challenging. Of course I had a full course load in college, but I’m a different student now. I work and have responsibilities that I didn’t have when I was in college. I pray every morning for the graces needed to meet the day’s challenges and God continues to bless me with the support and encouragement of my Sisters.

Give an example of a good time.Five of us often play cards during community recreation gatherings. Two sisters in the group are 90 plus, two of us 50 plus, and one is in her 40s. Though we represent three different generations, we laugh, tease each other and have a wonderful time together!

How hard was it to give up your home and your routine?I was comfortable with this community from the first day I ever visited. I didn’t really act like the introvert that I am. It was so warm and open and loving that it gave me the confidence to be myself.

That said, I enjoyed my home and the space and privacy it afforded me. I was very sad the night before I moved; I remember crying as I scrubbed the kitchen floor! After spending some extra time in prayer, I came to realize it was a tremendous gift entrusted to me for a given period of time. That period was up, I was thankful for the time I’d enjoyed the house, but it was time to move on.

The most difficult transition for me was being away from the regular time I spent with my church, friends and biological families. I was afraid of losing touch with friends and of young nieces and nephews forgetting their Aunt Jackie.

As usual, when I let go and trust God, things work out as they should. I’m very happy with the path I’ve chosen. My experiences with God and my Sisters continue to blossom and unfold. My friends keep in touch and come to see me. I visit my family two or three times each year. Between those visits, my sisters do a great job of making sure their children know who I am.

What’s next?Only God knows what the future holds. For now, I’ll continue serving at Benet House, our retreat center. Strengthening existing rela-tionships and developing new ones goes without saying. Studying and papers are sure to be a part of my ongoing formation. My life is in the hands of those entrusted with our spiritual development and leadership. Together, with God’s help, we’ll discern what direction my life’s journey will take given the gifts and talents I possess.

Sr. Jackie Walsh holds out her hands to receive a blessing from her new Benedic-tine community during her First Monastic Profession in June.

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Sister Stefanie Weisgram, OSB, sorts through books at St. Mary Monastery as if they were old friends. Lots and lots of old friends. A librarian from St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn., Sr. Stefanie manages the collections at two libraries (College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University). Today, however, she is helping winnow out a collection that has outgrown its shelves. It’s a job she handles with relish and efficiency.

As most Benedictine Sisters, Sr. Stefanie has worn many hats throughout her career, including high school teacher. But when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 39 years ago, she decided to pursue a ministry that would allow her to sit more. Happily, it also allowed her to indulge her passion for books.

“I grew up loving books and libraries,” she says. “My grandma helped build the public library in her small town, and Mom be-came a librarian. So it runs in my family.”

Sr. Stefanie’s mother became a librarian after developing MS, just as her daughter. “My mom helped me accept my own con-dition,” she says. “She kept on trucking, so I did too. I hope that my experience is equally helpful to others.”

No doubt it has been. Sr. Stefanie offers her wisdom, optimism and enthusiasm generously and humbly to all who stop by. Even when she’s working with rapt attention in the stacks. “The Sisters here have a wonderful library,” she says. “Just wonderful. The breadth of it amazes me. I love seeing so many Sisters’ names on the cards. They obviously have a great desire for spiritual growth.”

Weeding out the old, unused volumes has been the goal of this summer visit. “Clearing out old books that no longer speak to us is im-portant,” Sr. Stefanie says. “They’ve had their time. Now it’s time to make room for new books, new voices.”

Seated on a squat aluminum stool on rubber casters, Sr. Stefanie rolls from section to section. Its squeaking springs punctuate her aahs, hmms and ah ohs. “The have such wonderful books here,” she says. “Oh, wonderful.”

It’s 11:40 a.m. and the bells have begun to ring. Sr. Stefanie puts her book down and stands up. “I’d love to stay and work right now, but God calls,” she says, smiling and nodding. After Noonday Prayer, lunch and a rest, she’ll return to the books, her second calling.

Making Room for “New Voices”

The library of St. Mary Monastery is enjoying some loving attention from Sr. Stefanie Weisgram, “on loan” from St. Benedict’s Monastery.

Doing Nothing ... experiencing EverythingRetreat: a time of silence and reflection, prayer and rest. A time when we can watch Sister Helen’s velvety pink petunias bob in the warm breeze ... listen to the chickadees chatter as they flit from branch to branch ... smell a tangle of scents rising off the lake: a time to sit and do precisely nothing.

But nothing means something profound during retreat, which was held here during June of this year. It means opening ourselves to God and God’s work within us. We had help from a wonderful retreat director. Abbot John Klassen, OSB, from St. John’s Abbey, held conferences - presented every morning and after-noon - derived from the parables. One was on Matthew 25: 14-30; about the master and the tenants, where the master gave each of three slaves money to invest in his absence. When he returned, he was glad to receive additional funds from the first two slaves, who had invested wisely. The third slave had buried the money in the ground and had no additional funds to give. For this, he was chastised and thrown into darkness. The master says, “For everyone who has, more shall be given. For those who have not, even that shall be taken away.”

Abbot John says he was troubled by the parable until he thought, maybe the lesson is oppo-site of what we’ve always assumed. Maybe the master is just a greedy man for whom the last

slave refused to exploit anyone for the sake of making more money for an already-wealthy man. Perhaps it is profoundly consistent with Jesus’ message!

Retreat makes room for such insights to dawn in our hearts and minds. If you have time this fall to make a formal retreat, check out our autumn offerings at www.smmsisters.org and join us! If not, try taking a few minutes every day to enter into silence. Although you’ll feel as if you’re doing nothing, you will open yourself to God and God’s work. You’ll give yourself the potential to experience new insights, new peace and a deepening spirituality that leads to everything.

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The Class of 1975 enjoyed their reunion here in June. Pictured, l-r, front row: Stephanie Moore Chipman, Deb Castrey King, Cathy McDonald Lechner, Carol McDonald McCless; back row: Darlene Moore Conklin, Patty Sbarboro Beck, and Marcia Daws McRoberts. Sandy Dunn Farrington also attended but was not present for the picture.

SMA News1945 Sister Hilary Mullany OSF was honored by the U.S. Franciscan Federation for exemplifying how contemporay Franciscan life reflects the Gospel of St. John.

1958 Bonnie Preuss Viviano enjoyed spending her 70th birthday with Elana, Martha, Rosita and Annabelle Tolong and Rosemary Boylan Woolley.

1960 Suzanne VanHootegem Thompson says the Class of 1960 had a great 50th reunion last September in Nauvoo with 27 class members attending.

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1961 Kathy Tilka Lopez works as a Home Health Nurse in Indiana. She attended her husband’s reunion at Bishop Noll, but was sorry to miss her own. Email her at kalot1_1999@yahoo.com.

1977 Wendy Moser Rae had a busy spring orga-nizing recitals for the 80 dancers in her small school.

1986 Jolie Brenner McCallan and family lived in New Zealand for two years after husband retired from the Air Force.

1987 Cathy Ostendorf elliott graduated from Elmhurst College with a degree in history. She and her husband have an 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter.

1988 elena Rico Ruiz has three beautiful children.

1995 Carmen Rico de Hernandes has two beautiful children.

1998 Anna Leah Rick received the Steen Recognition Award for her work with Mexican Migrant children. She thanks her SMA teachers who helped support her own edu-cational and growth opportunities, paving the way for the work she does today. Eloísa Alcocer, ‘97 sent this photo from Puerto Vallarta of lluvia

González, Mercy Lafuente, Gaby Orendain, Ceci Nieto, Nena Ayala, Tily Campa, Eloísa Alcocer

Reunion Announcements

Class of 1986 ReunionSept. 23-25, 2011

Class of 1976-1982 Reunion

Oct. 7-9, 2011

Class of 1965 ReunionMay 4-6, 2012

Class of 1952 ReunionJune 30- July 1, 2012

Class of 1962 ReunionSeptember 14-16, 2012

Class of 1959 ReunionOct. 19-21, 2012

Visit www.smmsisters.org/

blog3/wordpressfor more Reunion info!

onnectingCPoint

Summer 2011

Published three times a year by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL 61201

Phone: 309-283-2100Fax: 309-283-2200

editorSusan Flansburg

sflansburgpr@smmsisters.orgwww.smmsisters.org

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In Memoriam ...Father of Jessie Kenny Facer ‘96, died in May 2011.

Mary Louise VanHootegem, mother of Suzanne VanHootegem Thompson ‘60, died July 10, 2011.

Marty Beckman ‘66, sister of Mary Ann Murphy ‘64, died April 11, 2011.

Kimberly McCabe, daughter of Norma Hecks Stamm ‘56, died in May 2011.

Colleen McCollom ‘54, sister of Mary Kay McCollom Devine ‘56, died June 26. 2011.

Noreen McDermott Haiston ‘52, died May 31, 2011.

Father of Melanie Stieren Chancellor ‘81, died in Dec. 2010.

Anita Stablein Lomax ‘46, died in Feb. 2011.

“I loved the prayer life from the start,” she says. “It has always meant a lot to me. The Sisters were kind and understanding, which was a reflection of their hospitality. And their hospitality was a reflection of their prayer life. I have been very satisfied with my choice.”

Although things have changed over the years – the community is about half the size it once was, the corporate ministry is no longer education but retreats, and home is now in Rock Island – some things have never changed.

“In all my years here, we’re just as happy as ever,” Sr. Martina says. “We’re here to help each other stay on the path to God. My goal has always been to seek God, to be with God. That can only be achieved for me through this journey in Benedictine life. The support of my Sisters is a big thing. I’m very grateful for this community and this life.”

Missing the Rosaries from back cover

The Class of 1961 enjoyed a fun reunion over the weekend of July 15-17. Shown, l-r: Maria Te-resa Celis, Jane Panther, Marina Montez, Sr. Marlene Miller, Connie Fliege, Nancy Hamilton. Present but not in photo: Sr. Janet Cassidy, Nancy Supan, Mary Pat Toellen.

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Missing the Rosaries but Benedictine Habit Otherwise a Good Fit

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An early morning visitor to the monastery might well be greeted by Sister Martina Brinkschroeder any day of the week as she steps out to bring in the newspapers. It’s one of her daily duties now, along with unlocking the doors, putting on the coffee and, of course, a faithful prayer ministry. It’s a quiet life, she admits, but one she relishes … especially after nearly 50 years in the classroom.

Sr. Martina entered the Benedictine community almost 70 years ago, at the age of 18. It wasn’t her first or even her second choice. She had admired the long rosaries swinging from the waists of her early teachers, the Notre Dame Sisters, enough to want to join their community … at least as a first grader. Later, nearing young adulthood, she considered becoming a Carmelite Sister. That, too, went by the wayside when her dad suggested she reconsider: her “outdoor” nature, he intimated, might not be a good fit for a cloistered community.

By the time Sr. Martina was old enough to join somewhere, she had noticed the Benedictine Sisters at Mass. They looked perfect.

“I’d see the Sisters walking to Mass and could just tell something about them,” she says. “They seemed like a happy group. My dad liked them a lot. He used to do carpentry for them. And my mother was thrilled. Not only was I becoming a Sister, I was becoming a Benedictine Sister. She had been raised, after her own mother had died, by the mother of one of the Benedictine Sisters.”

Sr. Martina entered in 1940 and never looked back.Continued on page 11

Sr. Martina Brinkschroeder, left, takes a break with Sr. Mi-chelle Rheinlander.

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