Home @ the Dome

With a gesture of prayer and total giving and receiving, the jubilarians chant. Our community celebrated with five of our sisters today as they observed special anniversaries of their monastic profession. We are grateful for Sisters Helen Maurer, Benita Biever, and Dolorita Libs, who observed the 70th anniversary of their monastic profession, and Sisters Victoria Pohl and Benedicta Clauss, who marked their 60th anniversary. These sisters have given a combined total of 330 years of service, ministering in Indiana, Louisiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Italy, and Guatemala.

With a gesture of prayer and total giving and receiving, Sisters Helen Maurer, Benita Biever, Dolorita Libs, Victoria Pohl, and Benedicta Clauss chant “Receive me, O Lord, according to your word and I shall live, and do not fail me in my hope.”

Sisters Benita Biever, Benedicta Clauss, Dolorita Libs, Victoria Pohl, and Helen Maurer pose for a group photo.

The jubilarians

Sisters from Our Lady of Grace join their classmates in celebrating their 60th anniversary

Sisters from Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana, (daughterhouse of the Ferdinand monastery) join their classmates in celebrating their 60th anniversary. Sisters Juanita Maschino, Bernadine Ludwig, Victoria Pohl, Benedicta Clauss, and Mildred Wannemuehler.

At the jubilee dinner, the jubilarians shared memories of their monastic life and received congratulations from community members.

October 24

Tony Cube, national manager for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Justice for Immigrants campaign visited the monastery today. As part of our community's Ongoing Formation program, our Social Justice Committee sponsored a presentation by Tony Cube, national manager for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope Campaign. Cube addressed issues about comprehensive immigration reform, myths and facts about immigration, and the Catholic Church's teachings related to immigration. In addition to his presentation at the monastery, Cube spoke at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, the Catholic Center in Evansville, and at Guadalupe Center in Huntingburg. Visit the Justice for Immigrants web site for more information about immigration issues.

Approximately 130 sisters attended the presentation by Tony Cube.

Sister Anna Corrine takes advantage of the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the program.

Sister Anna Corrine O'Connor, theology teacher at Presentation Academy in Louisville, takes advantage of the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the program.

Monastery archivist Sister Mary Dominic Frederick thanks Cube for his presentation.

Sister Mary Dominic thanks Mr Cube for his presentation.

Sisters Mary Carmen and Mary Carmel hurried to catch the end of the Forest Park/Mater Dei football sectional.

After the program, Sisters Mary Carmen and Mary Carmel Spayd, avid sports fans, hurried to a radio they brought to the meeting room to catch the end of the football sectional game between Mater Dei, Evansville, and Forest Park, Ferdinand. The twin sisters had divided loyalties because both are loyal supporters of each school. Sister Mary Carmel served as principal and teacher at Mater Dei for many years, and Sister Mary Carmen served as principal and teacher at Forest Park (which was St. Ferdinand High School at the time) and as a teacher at Mater Dei.

October 18

Oblate group Today was a special day for our Benedictine community and for our Oblate community. Two persons made their commitment as Benedictine Oblates after completing a year of candidacy, and four others were enrolled as Oblate candidates to begin a year of preparation to become a professed Oblate. Oblates of St. Benedict are men and women from all walks of life who associate with a Benedictine community in order to enrich their own spiritual lives, using the Rule of Benedict as a guide.

Front row, Oblates Carolyn and Gary Adler
Back row, Oblate candidates Linda and Victor Begle and Charles and Judy Luebbehusen

Gary Adler reads his Oblation document before the assembly of sisters and Oblates.

After reading her Oblation, Carolyn Adler signs the document as Sister Donna Marie Herr, her sister companion for her year of candidacy, and Prioress Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau witness to her commitment as an Oblate.

After presenting each candidate with a copy of the Rule of Benedict and a Study Lessons booklet, Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau encourages the candidates to use these documents as guides for incorporating Benedictine values and spirituality in their daily lives.

Unable to attend the Oblate ceremony on Sunday, Pauletta (Adler) Jeter, from Texas, was enrolled as a candidate in a private ceremony at the monastery on October 12. In photo, Oblate Olivia Adler (Pauletta’s grandmother from Evansville), Pauletta, Oblate team member Sister Mary Victor Kercher, and Sister Mary Beth Maier, sister companion to Pauletta.

Sister Mary Beth Maier places a Benedictine medal on Pauletta during the ceremony.

October 11

Bob and Charmaine Verkamp light a candle in remembrance of Sister Mary Aquin Verkamp. At Evening Prayer today we remembered and celebrated our four sisters who died in the past year — Sister Carla Mitchell (October 27, 2008), Sister Mary Aquin Verkamp (January 15, 2009), Sister Bernette Wildeman (February 19, 2009), and Sister Angela Sasse (May 19, 2009). Family members of these sisters joined us for the ceremony and dinner.

Bob and Charmaine Verkamp, assisted by Sister Betty Drewes, light a candle in remembrance of Sister Mary Aquin Verkamp, Bob's sister.

October 3

Sister Patricia attends the brunch with her mother. Two groups of people very special to the sisters visited the monastery today. We invited our monastery angels and partners (special categories of donors) to join us for Morning Prayer, Mass, and brunch in appreciation for their financial support to the Sisters of St. Benedict. A group of Academy alumnae also joined with us in celebrating a memorial Mass for one of their classmates, followed by a breakfast and program of remembrance.

Sister Patricia McGuire attends the donor brunch with her 97-year-old mother, who is a partner of the Sisters of St. Benedict.

Sister Barbara Lynn shares stories of sisters in various ministries and explains how donors' contributions help support the sisters' mission and ministries.

Sister Barbara Lynn Schmitz, director of Mission Advancement, shares stories of sisters in various ministries and explains how the donors' contributions help support the sisters’ mission and ministries.

Alumnae who came to remember and celebrate their friend and classmate Theresa Donis, ’98 pose for a photo before leaving.

October 2

Sister Rebecca gets acquainted with three brothers before going outside. This evening we hosted our annual employee picnic in appreciation for all our dedicated co-workers and the work they do for us. Employees and their families joined us for an evening of food, games, and prizes. After the meal, a few of the sisters provided and supervised games for the children while the parents played Bingo or Euchre.

Sister Rebecca Mathauer gets acquainted with three brothers from one of the families before going outside for the children’s games.