Community News

As Carlette Gentle, SCN, enters a room with her youthful smile and extroverted presence, many are surprised to learn she is a “nun.” In high school classrooms, as she talks about vocation, she is often asked by the students if she watches television, or about her wardrobe and other inquiries about her that differ from their ideas of religious life. Sister Carlette happily answers each query, ready to educate and inspire.

The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) invites young adults ages 18 and older to a monthly online evening prayer on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST) via Zoom. Dates for evening prayer in the first quarter of 2023 are January 24, February 28 and March 28. More information and registration for the Zoom links is available at ssnd.org/events/.

The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) is hosting an online “Joyful & Alive Conversation” Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST, 6 p.m. MST, 5 p.m. PST) via Zoom. Single women ages 18-45 interested in how to discover God’s invitation for their life and/or who are curious about religious life are invited to attend and bring questions. More information and registration for the Zoom link is available at ssnd.org/events/1-19-23/.

Franciscan Sisters Offer Virtual Retreat: Praying in Eternity - Past, Present and Future
Single Catholic Women 20-35 are invited to join Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s Zoom Retreat on December 30th. Focus on Gratitude for 2022 and Discerning Your Calling in 2023.

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

If you are a Dominican University New York student or alumni, chances are you know Sr. Barbara McEneany, OP.

Sr. Barbara, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, has ministered at DUNY for over 30 years in the school’s Campus Ministry and has been a regular presence in all aspects of University Life.

About this story
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Communications Team visited Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center and Food Pantry in Chicago with Kristin Peters, FSPA, pictured above. She volunteers offering supportive presence at both the center and pantry and introduced FSPA to the organization. “I’m trying to be in relationship with the people in the neighborhood; I like being part of that. It is in building relationships that we build trust.”

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a pivotal moment in one’s life.

Reaching this milestone often signifies maturity and marks the ability to take responsibility for one’s faith journey. To achieve this milestone, one often must complete a service project and a substantial amount of studying.

Join ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) and the international community for 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The United Nations 16 days of activism begins on 25th November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the anniversary of the brutal assassination of Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal, three activists in the Dominican Republic in 1960.

Sr. Terry Rickard, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, joined the Hearts Afire Podcast to discuss her recent trip to the Holy Land. Watch and listen here.

 YouTube - https://buff.ly/3TBqCpK
 Apple – https://buff.ly/3OaBY2V
 Spotify – https://buff.ly/3Gncmyc
 Audible – https://buff.ly/3xLUs1c

By Katie Mahon, Communications Manager

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, where many of us will enjoy delicious meals with loved ones, it is important to remember, pray, and donate time, attention, and resources to those in need.

One way you can do that is by observing Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

From November 12th – 20th, people throughout the country will raise awareness about the problems of hunger and homelessness by participating in educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events. (1)

Journey with the sisters of Saint Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., during the four weeks of Advent. Each week, we will share a recorded reflection from a sister via email and on our website and social media channels.

If you sign up for the email series, you’ll receive an email at 7 p.m. on the Saturdays of November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 17. We have chosen this specific time because it’s the same time a reflection will be given in the Oratory during our Saturday Vigil.

Join the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, for a weekend Discernment Retreat - from 5:00 pm on October 28 through 1:00 pm (Central Time) on October 30. Women between the ages of 30 and 55 are welcome to share in the prayer, work and meals, while getting to know the community.

The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) is hosting an online “Joyful & Alive Conversation” Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST). Single women ages 18-45 interested in how to discover God’s will for their life and/or who are curious about religious life are invited to attend and bring questions. More information and registration for the Zoom link is available at ssnd.org/events/10-20-22/.  

 Linger Over Breakfast-Kansas City

From Trauma to Transformation with Journey to New Life

Saturday, October 29, 2022, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

with Rose McLarney, CSJ, Founder & Board Member, and Susie Roling, Director of Operations

Avila University, Whitfield Center

Our friends from Journey to New Life will share how we can join—in action—in healing both ours and our neighbors’ lives.

The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) invites young adults ages 18 and older to a monthly online evening prayer on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST) via Zoom. The remaining dates for evening prayer during 2022 will be September 27, October 25, November 22 and December 20. More information and registration for the Zoom links is available at ssnd.org/events/.  

The Religious Formation Conference (RFC) in Chicago is looking for a Program Recruiter for its Compromiso de Vida program. This is a paid, contractual ministerial position beginning November 1, 2022, and concluding June 30, 2023. The position is remote and can be done from anywhere in the U.S.A. 

Everyone’s favorite fall tradition is back in-person! Uncorked! returns to St. Louis and Kansas City. Enjoy wine, hors d’ oeuvres, dessert and live entertainment. Learn pairings and tasting from expert sommeliers. A special highlight for Kansas City guests – Kansas City whiskeys, and performances with St. Therese Little Flower Gospel Choir.

All the fun is brought to you by Muehlebach Funeral Care, St. Joseph Medical Center and Ward on Wine. Tickets are $40.

After five years in the making, “Hope and Firm Faith: The Story of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph,” is available for purchase.

This book brings to life the amazing women who have served God’s people since arriving at Maple Mount, Ky., in 1874. Readers will learn how the Ursuline Sisters operated Mount Saint Joseph Academy for more than 100 years, and also opened Brescia College – now University – in Owensboro, Ky. The Ursuline Sisters opened countless elementary and high schools in Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri and other states, as far away as New Mexico.

Congratulations to our 2022 Angeline Award Recipients!

Congratulations to Carmen de la Cuba Laurel of Carmen de la Legua, Peru, and Joy Green of Cumberland, Maryland, our two Angeline Award winners. This year’s nominees were exemplary and made our nominations committee job very challenging. We chose two women for 2022 only, as we have not given the award out since 2018. Carmen and Joy will be celebrated at a Mass at the Motherhouse on October 23.

Sister Nancy Bauer (pictured left) of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., was installed as president of the Monastic Congregation of Saint Benedict, formerly the Federation of Saint Benedict, on Sunday, July 24. She will serve for a six-year term. She follows Sister Kerry O’Reilly, also of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, who served as president for the past seven years.

The Monastic Congregation of Saint Benedict is an international monastic congregation of 10 Benedictine women's monasteries.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Shillong Province celebrated the 150 years of the foundation of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) on 6 August 2022 at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong. Marking this beautiful event 16 Sisters made their Perpetual Profession offering their life as permanent members of the Institute. The Eucharistic celebration on this twin celebration was presided over by Most Rev.

Sister Hélène Mercier is celebrating 25 years of monastic life at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. The public is invited to join us in celebrating this milestone on Sunday, July 31. Eucharist will take place at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel, and there will be a reception from 2–4 p.m. in the Gathering Place. If you are unable to join us in person, the celebration will be livestreamed on our website. Visit the liturgy page and scroll to the “Community Celebrations” section at the bottom of the page.

Single women are invited to attend a weekend of self-discovery and vocation discernment at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. During two separate Come and Be Discernment Retreats, participants will learn and discover some of the Benedictine and Christian values that shape the monastic community, listen to personal reflections to help them understand if God is calling them to explore religious life, and learn about the sisters whose prayer and lifestyles are rooted in faith.

Five Sisters of the Precious Blood recently celebrated milestone anniversaries of entrance into the Congregation:

Sister Mary Garascia 60 years
Sister Carolyn Hoying 60 years
Sister Nancy Kinross 60 years
Sister Marie Kopin 60 years
Sister Rosemary Laux 80 years

All the Sisters were recognized at a Mass and banquet July 3 at Salem Heights, the Congregation’s central house in Dayton.

Sister Ephrem Hollermann recently published a new book titled Like a Mustard Seed: A History of the First Benedictine Women’s Monastery in North America. It is available for purchase in Whitby Gift Shop at Saint Benedict's Monastery's Art and Heritage Place or online.