|
Welcome to our
Home@theDome. We'll keep you posted on the ordinary and extraordinary
happenings in our monastery on the hill.
—Sister Paulette Seng
 Happy Halloween from our little friends. Employees brought their children and grandchildren to the monastery on Monday evening for our "trick or treat" party.
|
 Jubilee! With grateful and joyful hearts, we celebrated six special jubilarians today. Those sisters represent a total of 415 years of ministry to society, the Church, and our community.
Sister Carla Mitchell sings the Suscipe as she commemorates 85 years of commitment to her monastic profession.
Sister Carla became the first Sister of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, and likely the first Benedictine sister in the United States, to reach that anniversary of profession. |
 |
Sisters LaVerne Scheller, Mary Clare Scheessele, Sharon Hoehn, Bernette Wildeman, and Carla Mitchell renew their monastic vows. Sister Mercedes Emmert was not able to participate in the ceremony because of poor health. |
 |
 |
Sister Laverne reflects on her 60 years of commitment. |
Sister Bernette shares her thoughts on her 75 years of monastic profession. Archabbot Justin DuVall, from Saint Meinrad Archabbey, presided at the jubilee Mass. |
 |
Sister Mary Clare, with her older sister, Sister Mary Kenneth, at her left, speaks of her 60 years of profession. |
Sister Diane Fischer expresses her appreciation to Sister Bernette.
|
|
 |
Sister Brenda Engleman congratulates Sister Carla. |
| Sister Judy Dewig expresses her love and gratitude to Sister Sharon for her 60 years of fidelity to her monastic profession. |
|
 |
Sister Mercedes enjoys reading one of her jubilee cards with Sister Agnes Weinzapfel. Sister Mercedes celebrated her 75th anniversary of profession. |
 In a ceremony at the monastery today, eight lay women committed themselves to a special affiliation with our Benedictine community as Oblates of St. Benedict or Oblate candidates. Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau, prioress, officiated at the ceremony. Oblates of St. Benedict are men and women in all walks of life who associate with a Benedictine religious community in order to enrich their own spiritual lives, using the Rule of Benedict as a guide.
Front row, June Berg, Denise Leinenbach, and Kathy Knust became professed Oblates of St. Benedict in today’s ceremony. Sisters Carlita Koch, Leona Schlachter, and Sylvia Gehlhausen served as sister companions to these women the past year as they prepared to become Oblates.
Back row, Ellen Stanton, Theresa Bauer, Carolyn Kohler, Mary Lou Bassler, and Mary Thale became Oblate candidates. Sister companions to support these candidates in the coming year of preparation are Sisters Maura Beckman, Theresita Schenk, Jane Will, Louise Laroche, and Eileen Reckelhoff. |
 |
Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau blesses Benedictine medals which she gave to the Oblate candidates. They also received a copy of the Rule of St. Benedict and a book of lessons to study during the year. |
 In a special ritual at Evening Prayer, we honored the memory of our sisters who passed away during the last three years. As the name of a deceased sister was called, family representatives lit a candle in memory of that sister, who continues to reflect the Light of Christ to us. After the Vespers of Remembrance, family members joined us for our evening meal, and we continued to share memories of our departed sisters.
Sister Michelle Mohr assists members of the Trimble family as they light a candle in memory of their sister, Sister Mary Joyce Trimble. |
 |
Sister Mary Claude Croteau helps Sister Mary Charlotte Kavanaugh light a candle for her sister, Sister Bernice Kavanaugh. |
| Members of Sister Blandina Wendholt's family light the candle of remembrance for her. |
 |
 With great joy and solemnity, we celebrated with Sister Rebecca Ann Mathauer as she made her perpetual monastic profession in our monastery church today.
Sister Rebecca Ann signs her profession document on the altar as Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau, left, prioress of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, and the Most Rev. Gerald A. Gettelfinger, bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, give official witness to the signing. Sister Ann Francis Hillenbrand, right, was Sister Rebecca Ann's formation director.
Click here to read the reflection given by Sister Dolores Folz. |
 |
| To begin the Rite of Profession, Prioress Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau asks Sister Rebecca Ann: Are you resolved with the help of God to undertake a life of stability, obedience, and fidelity to the monastic life and to persevere in it forever? Are you resolved to live in the love of God and of your neighbor by living the Gospel wholeheartedly and keeping the Rule of this Benedictine community? Are you resolved with the help of the Holy Spirit to embrace the charism and mission of this monastic community? After Sister Rebecca Ann responded with her “yes,” all in the assembly sang the “Come Holy Spirit” hymn. |
 |
| While Sister Rebecca Ann lies prostrate before the community, humbly submitting to Christ’s call to her, the sisters chant a litany, praying for strength for her to persevere in her commitment. |
| Sister Rebecca Ann professes her monastic vows of stability, obedience, and fidelity to the monastic way of life. |
 |
 |
After making her profession, Sister Rebecca Ann signs the document and places it on the altar, signifying the offering of herself, her total commitment. |
| “Receive me, O Lord, according to your Word and I shall live, and do not fail me in my hope.” Sister Rebecca Ann sings the “Suscipe” three times, and the entire community repeats the plea each time. |
 |
 |
As the Church's representative, the Most Rev. Gerald A. Gettelfinger blesses Sister Rebecca Ann.
|
| "Sister Rebecca Ann, receive your ring as a sign of fidelity to God and to your profession. May you faithfully adhere to Christ and persevere in your commitment to this monastic community." |
 |
|
Nourish Your Spirit Online
