YANKTON BENEDICTINES...medical needs of a patient in the Benedictine Center lobby. S. Pat Heirigs’...

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YANKTON BENEDICTINES Volume XLVI, No. 2 Summer/Fall 2015 Since November 29, 2014, religious men and women worldwide have responded to Pope Francis’ letter to re-examine their life as religious and to reflect on the origins of their communities and the teachings of their respective founders and foundresses. In his message, Pope Francis stated three aims for the Year of Consecrated Life: to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and to embrace the future with hope. The Benedictines of Sacred Heart Monastery are grateful for the legacy of St. Benedict, who in 480 wrote his rule for monastic living. In the Rule, Benedict gives ample reference to Sacred Scripture to guide monastics in pursuing the teachings of Jesus in their daily lives. Benedict’s Rule first spread throughout Europe, and then was taken by missionary monks and sisters to the rest of the world. It was, as Pope Francis said in the Apostolic Letter to All Consecrated People, “like a seed which becomes a tree, each institute grew and stretched out its branches.” In 1874, five sisters from Maria Rickenbach, Switzerland, came to Maryville, Missouri. Out of this mission grew the beginning of Sacred Heart Monastery in 1880. Bishop Martin Marty OSB, the Vicar Apostolic of Dakota Territory, soon visited the young community and asked the Sisters to assist him in ministering to the Native American people at Fort Yates on the Standing Rock Reservation in present day North and South Dakota. After moving their headquarters to Zell, Yankton, and Vermillion, they permanently settled on a hill west of the city of Yankton in Dakota territory. Despite their extreme poverty and language barriers, the sisters responded diligently to the ministry of spreading the gospel. Years later, when Mother Jerome Schmitt became the fifth prioress in 1932, the community numbered over 200 Sisters. During her tenure Mount Marty College was founded and the present Bishop Marty Chapel was built. The dedicated services of the sisters, living and dead, who served in the fields of education, health care, domestic or clerical work have benefited thousands of children and adults in the U.S. and South America. Pope Francis states, “to tell our story is to praise and thank God.” In that spirit of gratitude, the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery celebrated their heritage and history with an Open House last March 15, where individuals and families were invited to visit our monastic home and learn about the Yankton Benedictines and their history. Tours were conducted through Marty House (the original residence of the first Bishop of the Dakotas, Martin Marty), the Sisters’ dining room, chapel (see photo in banner above) and gathering space. The tours culminated in the Chapter Room where Sisters and guests (continued on page 2) Sacred Heart Monastery Celebrates Year of Consecrated Life CHARISM We are Bene- dictine women of Yankton, South Dakota, sharing our gift of seek- ing God through our prayer, work, study and com- munity life. MISSION Rooted in our rural heritage and growing in relationship with God and one an- other in monastic community, we live a life of pray- er, work and lec- tio by which we serve God and God’s people in our time and place. CORE VALUES Christians fol- low Christ by bringing to life the values of the Gospel. We have gathered clusters of these values into these three: Awareness of God Community Hospitality This choir window in Bishop Marty Chapel memorializes the early Sisters ministry to the Native Americans.

Transcript of YANKTON BENEDICTINES...medical needs of a patient in the Benedictine Center lobby. S. Pat Heirigs’...

Page 1: YANKTON BENEDICTINES...medical needs of a patient in the Benedictine Center lobby. S. Pat Heirigs’ short story “The Red Barn” will be published in a book featuring a living history

YANKTON BENEDICTINES

Volume XLVI, No. 2 Summer/Fall 2015

Since November 29, 2014, religious men and

women worldwide have responded to Pope

Francis’ letter to re-examine their life as religious

and to reflect on the origins of their communities

and the teachings of their respective founders and

foundresses. In his message, Pope Francis stated

three aims for the Year of Consecrated Life: to

look to the past with gratitude, to live the present

with passion and to embrace the future with hope.

The Benedictines of Sacred Heart Monastery

are grateful for the legacy of St. Benedict, who in

480 wrote his rule for monastic living. In the Rule,

Benedict gives ample reference to Sacred Scripture

to guide monastics in pursuing the teachings of

Jesus in their daily lives. Benedict’s Rule first

spread throughout Europe, and then was taken by

missionary monks and sisters to the rest of the

world. It was, as Pope Francis said in the

Apostolic Letter to All Consecrated People, “like a

seed which becomes a tree, each institute grew and

stretched out its branches.”

In 1874, five sisters from Maria Rickenbach,

Switzerland, came to Maryville, Missouri. Out of

this mission grew the beginning of Sacred Heart

Monastery in 1880. Bishop Martin Marty OSB,

the Vicar Apostolic of Dakota Territory, soon

visited the young community and asked the Sisters

to assist him in ministering to the Native American

people at Fort Yates on the Standing Rock

Reservation in present day North and South

Dakota. After moving their headquarters to Zell,

Yankton, and Vermillion, they permanently settled

on a hill west of the city of Yankton in Dakota

territory. Despite their extreme poverty and

language barriers, the sisters responded diligently

to the ministry of spreading the gospel.

Years later, when Mother Jerome Schmitt

became the fifth prioress in 1932, the community

numbered over 200 Sisters. During her tenure

Mount Marty College was founded and the present

Bishop Marty Chapel was built. The dedicated

services of the sisters, living and dead, who served

in the fields of

education, health care,

domestic or clerical

work have benefited

thousands of children

and adults in the U.S.

and South America.

Pope Francis states,

“to tell our story is to

praise and thank God.”

In that spirit of

gratitude, the

Benedictine Sisters of

Sacred Heart Monastery

celebrated their heritage

and history with an

Open House last March

15, where individuals

and families were invited

to visit our monastic

home and learn about the

Yankton Benedictines

and their history. Tours

were conducted through

Marty House (the original residence of

the first Bishop of the Dakotas, Martin Marty), the

Sisters’ dining room, chapel (see photo in banner

above) and gathering space. The tours culminated

in the Chapter Room where Sisters and guests

(continued on page 2)

Sacred Heart Monastery Celebrates Year of Consecrated Life

CHARISM

We are Bene-

dictine women of

Yankton, South

Dakota, sharing

our gift of seek-

ing God through

our prayer, work,

study and com-

munity life.

MISSION

Rooted in our

rural heritage

and growing in

relationship with

God and one an-

other in monastic

community, we

live a life of pray-

er, work and lec-

tio by which we

serve God and

God’s people in

our time and

place.

CORE VALUES

Christians fol-

low Christ by

bringing to life

the values of the

Gospel. We have

gathered clusters

of these values

into these three:

Awareness of

God

Community

Hospitality

This choir window in

Bishop Marty Chapel

memorializes the early

Sisters ministry to the

Native Americans.

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Prioress

2011—2017

Reflections from the Prioress — S. Penny Bingham OSB

Dear Friends,

We continue to celebrate this Year of Consecrated Life, as noted in our lead

story, looking to the past with gratitude, living the present with passion, and

embracing the future with hope, as encouraged by Pope Francis. We also join in

celebrating with our Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese as it ends a year of

remembering its 125th anniversary. Many of our Sisters were able to be part of the

final Legacy event in Sioux Falls in August, as we remembered and celebrated the

legacy of faith that we share and which has been shaped by our Benedictine

community.

Remembering is such an important part of our lives, especially of our lives as

Catholic Christians. Like the people of the Old Testament, we are encouraged to

remember God’s deeds and actions; Scripture helps us recall God’s saving deeds

among the Hebrew people and in the early Church; our sacraments help us remember and experience,

tangibly, God’s presence at work in our lives today. All of creation reminds us that our loving God

accompanies us and attends to our every need. As you browse through this issue, as you live each day of

late summer into autumn, may you remember what our God has promised: “I have loved you with an

ever-lasting love. I am with you always.” Know too that we Sisters remember you in our prayer; thank you

for remembering us in yours.

S. Penny

(continued from page 1) could spend time visiting over

refreshments.

In living the present with passion, the sisters

continue to share the fruits of their prayer and

community life in loving service to others. In addition to

professional ministries, many volunteer works are

gratefully done by the Sisters. This may be tutoring

students who live with a disability, helping to prepare

meals for the annual Thanksgiving dinner served in the

city of Yankton, or simply extending hospitality to

people of all races and cultures by offering a listening

heart. This fall the Sisters are planning to emphasize

their service to the local community in Yankton by

undertaking special projects to benefit the Yankton

Homeless Shelter, the River City Domestic Violence

Center, and assisting the residents at the Yankton Care

as they move to their new rooms at Majestic Bluff.

Trust in the Lord is vital to embracing the future

with hope. Basing that hope in God, the Sisters

continue their faithfulness to prayer and will be inviting

YOU to join us at a Mass in February 2016 to celebrate

the conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life. More

information will be forthcoming in the Winter issue.

Life in today’s world presents challenges, not only

to lay people living in the mainstream of society, but

also to religious women, who must adapt their monastic

lives to meet current needs. Pope Francis calls us “to

practice the virtue of hope, the fruit of our faith in the

Lord of History who continues to tell us, ‘Be not

afraid…for I am with you.’ (Jer.1:8).”

Silent Personal Retreats You are always welcome to come for

personal retreats and spiritual direction! Contact us to arrange a time to fit your schedule.

Wednesday Scripture Study Groups Starting September 23, 2015

The Gospel of Luke 10:00 – 11:45 a.m.

The Way of Peace and Justice 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Visio Divina—Praying with your Eyes Saturday, October 31, 2015

Advent Retreat Saturday, December 5, 2015

Spiritual Enrichment Opportunities at the

BENEDICTINE PEACE CENTER

Information on costs and registration at

www.yanktonbenedictines.org/center

Or contact us at 605-668-6292

E-mail [email protected]

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NEWS NOTES

Congratulations to Ss. Eileen Neville and Thecla

Holzbauer who were each nominated for Volunteer of

the Year at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital and Majestic

Bluffs. Both Sisters were additionally nominated for the

Hazel Hani Volunteer at ASHH. Congratulations to

both! S. Joyce Feterl participated in the Mitchell IMPACT

LIVES Food Pack event held at the Corn Palace on

April 18.

S. Madonna Schmidt recently

received a WOW recognition

for going above and beyond in

her volunteer work at Avera

Sacred Heart. Specifically, the

recognition was for her “quick

and caring reaction” to the

medical needs of a patient in the

Benedictine Center lobby.

S. Pat Heirigs’ short story “The Red Barn” will be

published in a book featuring a living history of

southern South Dakota. The book will be published

before Christmas from Hometown Memories, publishers

of Regional History Books, in Hickory, NC. This book

contains a collection of true stories about people, places,

things, and events that you won’t find in regular history

books. Some of us will recognize the “good, old days.”

Ss. Barbara Kowalkowski, Eileen O’Connor,

Patricia Ann Toscano and Phyllis Hunhoff

participated in the NRVC (National Religious Vocation

Conference) held at St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN

on June 22–23. The topic of discussion was sharing

“Best Practices” for the development of meaningful

opportunities for those seeking religious life. One

Yankton Benedictine, S. Eileen O’Connor, became the

new Co-Coordinator of the five state region at the

conference.

On Saturday, June 27, S. Kathleen Courtney facilitated

a retreat with S. Ann Marie Petrylka OSM at Schuyler

entitled Contemplative Awareness: A Spiritual Quest.

Ss. Sharon Ann Haas, Peggy Venteicher, Marietta

Kerkvliet, Doris Oberembt, Pat Heirigs, Norma

Norton, Marita Kolbeck and Postulant Terry

Lafferty attended the Monastic Institute at St. John’s

Abbey, June 29 – July 2, on the topic of evangelization.

S. Bonita Gacnik attended the Biennial Conference/

Meeting of the North American Association of

Benedictine Oblate Directors at Subiaco Abbey,

Subiaco, AR, July 10–15. The focus was “Benedictine

Spirituality: From Theory to Practice.” At the

conference, she was re-elected to a second term as

president. Congratulations, S. Bonita.

At the Banquet, Thursday, July 23, the Yankton Church

Women United Committee awarded S. Eileen O’

Connor the 2015 Human Rights Award.

Congratulations S. Eileen!

Vocation News Residential Volunteer News Video

Events Blog

3

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The blog has changed

locations on our website,

same great material

http://yanktonbenedictines.org/blog

S. Jeanne Ranek attended the Association of Benedictine

Retreat Centers Conference in Cullman, AL from August

26-30.

Did you know you can find us on current social media

sites? Access to all information for them can be found on

our website. Want to learn more now on your mobile

device? Download a free app (QR code reader or Barcode

Reader) and scan each icon below.

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Jubilee Celebrations of 25 & 50 Years on July 11, 2015

Three sisters celebrated their jubilees of profession this summer in the

Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel. During the liturgy, in the presence of

community and family, they renewed their religious vows. Sisters

Marielle and Janice celebrated their golden jubilees, and Sister Maribeth

celebrated her silver jubilee. Last spring’s issue featured these women.

Our website hosts these stories at http://yanktonbenedictines.org/news/.

Below are the stories of those sisters celebrating 60, 75, and 80 years of

monastic life.

These Jubilarians glow when they tell their stories of God’s goodness in happy memories and graces received. Diamond Jubilarians were honored at a private ceremony on July 31. Rejoice with them and with Sacred Heart Monastery as you read their stories.

60 Years – S. Marita Kolbeck is the seventh of eleven children

born on a farm near Salem, SD, to

Joseph and Clara Kolbeck. Her

Catholic education at St. Mary’s

School in Salem began in the sixth

grade after previous boarding at the

South Dakota School for the Deaf

in Sioux Falls. S. Marita remembers

it was her first encounter with nuns

and she was awestruck by the black

habits worn by the Bernadine

Sisters who were her teachers at that time. After

graduation from St. Mary’s High School in Salem in 1952,

S. Marita attended Mount Marty College for one year.

S. Marita entered Sacred Heart Monastery on

August 20, 1953. After professing monastic vows on June

29, 1955, S. Marita worked in the registrar’s office and the

college bookstore at Mount Marty for 12 years. She

graduated from St. Mary’s Junior College in Minneapolis

in 1969 as a certified occupational therapy assistant. She

set up that program at St. Thomas More Hospital annex in

Canon City, CO, before moving on to the education of

deaf students. Additional missions included deaf ministry

in Sioux Falls, SD, and Milwaukee, WI, and Fairbault,

MN; pastoral care in O’Neill, NE, and special needs

religious education programs in Sioux Falls, SD.

She moved back to Sacred Heart Monastery in

June, 2009 where she currently assists in the Gift Shop,

the Peace Center and as administrative assistant editing the

monastery’s Employee Newsletter. S. Marita writes,

“Looking back on 60 years of Benedictine living, I feel I

have grown so much and had the benefit of many

educational opportunities and travels. I treasure the time

spent touring the Holy Land in 1992 and the Rome

monastic experience in 1998. So many wonderful people

have touched my life and for all that I can only render

praise and thanks to God – the giver of all that is good and

true.”

60 Years – S. Jane McGowen begins her story by crediting her

family’s love and goodness to

each other as the primary

influencing factor in her decision

to choose religious life. Her

parents, James and Rose

McGowen were of Irish descent

and described as very devout

Catholics. After graduating from

Holy Trinity High School,

Hartington, NE, Jane entered

Sacred Heart Monastery in August, 1953. She professed

her monastic vows on June 29, 1955, and began her

nursing career at Sacred Heart School of Nursing and

Sacred Heart School of X-ray Technology in Yankton. S.

Jane earned her BS in Radiology at St. Louis University

and MS in Radiologic Science at the University of

Cincinnati.

She enjoyed her years of working as a nurse, a

health care educator and as a radiologic technologist in

hospital positions in CO, MO, IA, VA and SD. Looking

back on her experiences, Jane writes, “I have come to

believe that the professionals, especially those of religion

and medicine, have an awesome influence and

responsibility toward mankind.”

S. Jane writes, “My past Jubilees of profession as

a Yankton Benedictine Sister have been by far the happiest

days of my life!” Today, while reflecting on 60 years of

Benedictine living, she is grateful as she celebrates another

jubilee and for the enrichments she received in her

religious life. She cherishes a special love for Avera

Sacred Heart Hospital, and whenever she is able, she goes

there to assist with some clerical work. She adds, “I

believe one good example is worth 10,000 words.” In her

autobiography S. Jane writes, “All things work unto good

for those who love God.”

Shining Like Diamonds . . .

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75 Years – S. Laeticia Kilzer was raised on a farm, south of Bentley, ND, with her twin

brother Edmund. Her parents, Frank and Klara Kilzer, and

11 siblings. S. Laeticia entered Sacred Heart Convent on

August 29, 1938, and made

monastic profession in 1940. Her

many years of ministry were in

education where she taught at all

levels from elementary to college,

including 33 years of teaching

chemistry at Mount Marty College.

She held a BA degree from the

College of St. Benedict in MN, a

MA in chemistry from the

University of South Dakota, and a

Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame.

Summers were spent in chemical research, and in 1972-73

she took a sabbatical year in Bonn, Germany, doing

research in an environmental laboratory.

At age 95, celebrating her 75th Jubilee, S. Laeticia

states, “Catholic faith and practice, family and education

were important values in our family and all of those things

drew me to Benedictine life. The support of close

community ties, shared prayer, life and fun times together,

an excellent education and the opportunity to serve many

students as a teacher for decades, all made mine a very

good life. There were some hard things in my monastic

life too, but everyone has hard things, and none of them

killed me; I learned and grew through all of them. I have

kind and loving care from the sisters and the people who

work in our care center, and I am so grateful for it all and

for everyone in my life.”

75 Years – S. Jeanette Klimisch starts her life story by telling of herself and her twin, S.

Jane. They were the youngest of eight children born to

Anton and Martha Klimisch, raised on the family farm

north of Yankton in the Sigel parish. Entering Mount

Marty Academy introduced young Jeanette to new

educational challenges and to the Benedictine Sisters. She

was surprised and delighted when she discovered her twin

sister and another classmate discerned independently the

same vocation! S. Jeanette entered Sacred Heart

Monastery in 1938 and made monastic profession on June

24, 1940.

Her teaching career began

at Mount Marty High School where

she taught a variety of courses. She

also served as Mother Jerome

Schmitt’s personal secretary. Her

specialty was in teaching speech,

theatre, and music and she enjoyed

directing the many plays, musicals

and pageants at Mount Marty

College and Sacred Heart

Monastery. S. Jeanette earned a BA degree from St. Mary-

of-the-Woods in IN and her Master’s degree in Speech

and Drama at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Additional ministries included being Sub-prioress,

Academic Dean of Mount Marty College; serving on the

SD Health and Education Facilities Board, the Monastery

Council and other hospital Boards of Trustees; and

teaching at Mount Marty College until 1992 when she

received the title Professor Emeritus. In retirement she

developed an oral history resource center at the monastery

and enjoyed drawing and painting as hobbies. S. Jeanette

feels strongly that hope for the future is anchored in living

together as a “bonded community” devoted to prayer.

Reflecting on her 75th Jubilee of monastic living, S.

Jeanette states, “I’m grateful for the years of my

faithfulness to God and God’s faithfulness to me these

many years!”

80 Years – S. Leonette Hoesing was born the second of ten children to Fred and Elizabeth

Hoesing on a farm two miles north of Menominee, NE.

Looking back, S. Leonette recalls that at the end of her

sophomore year at Mount Marty

Academy, S. Cyrilla asked the

students at the end of a test,

“What do you plan to do when

you leave here?” S. Leonette said,

“It was funny. I had never thought

of it before, but at that moment I

knew I had to say I wanted to be a

Sister. From that moment on the

thought never left me.” She

entered Sacred Heart Convent on

September 4, 1933 and made profession on June 24, 1935.

Through the years S. Leonette earned degrees

from Mount Marty College, the Gregorian Institute of

America, Seattle University and licensure as a Social

Service Associate from the state of SD. S. Leonette taught

elementary grades for 11 years in Tabor and Ipswich, SD,

and Lincoln, NE, before she was called back to the

motherhouse to serve in positions as formation director,

assistant to the prioress, choir director, personnel director

and oblate director.

She served as prioress of St. Mary’s Priory,

Victoria, British Columbia, at the request of the Holy See,

and received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal of honor

from the Vatican. Additional mission work included

parish ministry in Grand Island, NE, and in Yankton,

Tyndall and Springfield, SD. She also served at South

Dakota Social Services and at Sister James Nursing

Home. She continued volunteering at Sister James

Nursing Home and Sacred Heart Hospital until 2005.

Her spirit of volunteerism went with her into

retirement at the monastery. S. Leonette writes, “In

celebrating my jubilee, I am grateful to be a Benedictine

and have the support of my community and to be able to

pray the divine office. It’s a wonderful life, I can’t think of

a life more rewarding. I’m grateful to my parents and my

family for everything I have received. To celebrate 80

years is a real joy and gift.”

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Sacred Heart Monastery Theology Institute presents:

Presenter: Dianne Bergant, CSA

Care of the Earth: A Biblical ViewCare of the Earth: A Biblical ViewCare of the Earth: A Biblical View

Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si’ (On Care For Our Common Home) stirred religious and political

interest even before its May 2015 publication, and continues to generate much discussion. The 2015-16

Theology Institutes will offer insight into matters of care for creation and human

responsibility in such care, featuring biblical views on October 10, 2015 and

perspectives from moral theology on April 9, 2016.

The Fall Theology

Institute will feature

Sr. Dianne Bergant,

Professor Emerita of

Old Testament Studies

at Catholic

Theological Union in

Chicago. Among her

numerous publications

are The Earth Is the

Lord’s: The Bible,

Ecology, and Worship, and her commentary Genesis: In the Beginning, both

published by Liturgical Press.

Saturday, October 10, 2015 9 am—Noon

Sacred Heart Monastery Chapter Room

All Are Welcome — No Admission Fee

Registration Requested for Planning Purposes

Email: [email protected]

Or call 605-668-6000

Ready for a new Experience?

“Are you a single female? No

dependents? Desire an exciting

adventure while discovering

direction and focus in your life?

Open to making a difference

while doing something you

enjoy? 21 or older? Yes?...

Sacred Heart Monastery’s offers

a Residential Volunteer Program!

For details visit

yanktonbenedictines.org (bottom

link under “Who we are”) or call

605-668-6229!”

Providing single women with the

opportunity to enhance their lives

by sharing in the life, prayer and

ministries of our Monastery.

Residential Volunteer Application form can be

found at: http://tinyurl.com/ngo4c3v!

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. . . and I will

give you rest.

Come to me

my daughter . .

S. Yvonne Duppong OSB, 94, died on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Sacred Heart Monastery.

Eleanora was born on September 6, 1920, the second child of twelve to Anton and Anna (Wert)

Duppong of Glen Ullin, North Dakota. She attended Sacred Heart School in Glen Ullin and

Curlew Country School. After completing grade school, she was employed in domestic work at

Sacred Heart Rectory in Glen Ullin.

Eleanora entered Sacred Heart Monastery in November 1942. She was invested as a novice

on June 23, 1943, and received the name Yvonne. She made first profession on June 24, 1944

and made final profession on June 24, 1947.

S. Yvonne spent several years in the Ecclesiastical Vestment Department, and as assistant

housekeeper for the chaplains at Sacred Heart Monastery. She was assigned to the Bishop’s

residence in Sioux Falls from 1950-52 and from 1960-62. In 1969,while she was in Victoria,

British Columbia, she became convinced of her call to work with the elderly and handicapped. In May 1972, she

received a degree in Sociology from Mount Marty College. She began ministry to the elderly in Canon City, Colorado

and later at Madonna Care Center, Lincoln, Nebraska. After receiving clinical pastoral education in Bismarck, North

Dakota in 1983, she began pastoral care ministry. From 1984 to 1989, she ministered in Albion, Nebraska, and then

continued pastoral ministry in Mandan, North Dakota. She retired to the monastery in Yankton in 1992 and worked in

the Care Center as Activities Director until 1997.

S. Yvonne, a talkative, helpful person, was generous with her time. She enjoyed receiving cards and letters,

reviewing them often and praying for others. She was interested in people and devoted to her family and her hometown

of Glen Ullin. S. Yvonne believed that those who had gone before her in this life were spiritually and intuitively present

and connected with her forever.

S. Yvonne is survived by her Benedictine community and her siblings: Emma Braun, Catherine Fox, Teresa Clark,

Mary Graeme, Esther Karch, and Clarence Duppong, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents

and brothers: Carl, Albert, and Edwin, and her sisters: Eva Schirado and Helen Duppong.

A wake service was held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, and the Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday,

July 2, at 10:30 a.m., both in Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel. Burial was in the monastery cemetery.

S. Stephanie Weber OSB, 87, died on Friday, June 26, 2015, at Sacred Heart Monastery.

Marie Josephine Weber was born September 3, 1927, the fourth child to Stephen and Frances

Weber of Salem, South Dakota. She attended St. Mary’s grade and high school in Salem. She

entered Sacred Heart Monastery on August 19, 1945, was invested as a novice on June 23,

1946, and received the name Stephanie. Her first profession was June 24, 1947, with her final

profession on June 24, 1950. S. Stephanie spent time ministering as an elementary and high

school teacher and school administrator. She served in the communities of Zell, South Dakota;

Glen Ullin, North Dakota; York, Lincoln, and Hartington, Nebraska. She was Postulant

Mistress for the monastery from 1956-58. In 1959, she earned a Master’s degree in Education

from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. After a life changing retreat in Pecos, New

Mexico in 1973, she began a new phase in her life. She became very active with the Omaha

Sisters’ Council, Search, Cursillo and the diocesan renewal program while ministering in Hartington, Nebraska. She was

an assistant director of the Newman Center at USD from 1979-83. In 1984, she earned a Master’s degree in Theology

from Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio. She worked at Sacred Heart Parish, Yankton from 1984-88, and as an

instructor at Mount Marty College until 1991. She also had roles at the monastery working as Vocation director, baker,

and seamstress.

S. Stephanie was a prayerful woman who saw God’s hand working throughout her life. She was very active in the

Charismatic Renewal Movement, the Yahweh-Shalom prayer group in the Yankton area, as well as in Church Women

United.

S. Stephanie is survived by her Benedictine community, her sisters: Bernette Westhoff, S. Rosemary, Theresa Weber,

Joyce Kappenman, and Phyllis Zwart and her brother, Steve, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death

by her parents and siblings: Peter, Philip, Loretta Engesser, and Leona Vogel.

Page 8: YANKTON BENEDICTINES...medical needs of a patient in the Benedictine Center lobby. S. Pat Heirigs’ short story “The Red Barn” will be published in a book featuring a living history

Advisors, Writers, Photographers: Ss. Barbara

Kowalkowski, Clarice Korger, Francine

Streff, Marita Kolbeck, Mary Jo Polak,

Mary Kay Panowicz, Penny Bingham and

Virginia Pieper.

YANKTON BENEDICTINES

Sacred Heart Monastery

1005 West 8th Street

Yankton, SD 57078

http://www.yanktonbenedictines.org

Change Service Requested

This publication is circulated free of charge three times a year to families, friends and

benefactors of the Benedictine Sisters of Yankton, SD

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID POS

Aug. 24 — Resume Fall/Winter Prayer

Schedule

Sept. 4-6 — Vocation Discernment

Retreat

Sept. 13 — Bishop Swain for Mass and

Brunch

Sept. 14-17 — Spiritual Direction

Residency

Oct. 2 - 4 — Oblate Retreat

Oct. 13 -15 — Spiritual Direction

Reunion Retreat

Oct. 24 — Holiday Fair ______________________________

We invite you to join us for:

MORNING PRAYER

Monday—Friday @ 6:30 a.m.

Saturday & Sunday @ 8:30 a.m.

EVENING PRAYER

Monday—Friday @ 5:15 p.m.

Sunday @ 5:00 p.m.

EUCHARIST

Monday—Friday @ 6:55 a.m.

Sunday @10:00 a.m.

Eucharistic Adoration, 2-4 p.m.

First Sunday of each month.

Updates can be found at:

yanktonbenedictines.org/event-calendar/

UPCOMING EVENTS

Editor: Raelynn Coldwell

[email protected]

If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts

(Ps 94 [95]:8)

8