Summer 2006

From the Prioress
Anne Shepard, OSB

During the graduation ceremony for the class of 2006 at Benedictine College, I had the opportunity to introduce a talented woman, Janice Curls Parker, who received an Honorary Doctor of Pedagogy degree. Janice has an interesting story. Raised in the black Catholic community in the Diocese of Kansas City - Saint Joseph, she attended St. Monica Elementary School and Lillis High School. For her freshman year in college, she attended Mount St. Scholastica. Given the political and financial situation of the early 60s, Janice’s father could not send her back to the Mount. Instead she went to Donnelly and then on to the University of Missouri - Kansas City to finish her undergraduate degree. Sisters in our community influenced her for at least six years in her early formation.

To quote from my introduction of Janice:
The day I met Janice Parker, she had returned to the Mount and had just finished making a retreat. I told her that I was going to be in Chicago the next day, so she invited me to the private career school that she and her husband own, the Taylor Business Institute, where she also serves as president. In busy downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue, I knocked on the door of the institute. Taylor Business Institute’s mission is to teach and train adults who would be typically characterized as at risk. The school seeks to empower a diverse, undeserved population through the acquisition of general education, professional skills, and technical degrees.

As she took me around, I was so impressed with the diversity of staff and the depth of the programs offered to the working class minority and international immigrant population. At least fifteen different countries of origin, mostly first generation, were represented on her professional staff. In her commentary on the purpose and vision of the school, I could hear the values flowing from the Rule of St. Benedict. Decisions were made with the input from counsel of those affected. Young and old had a voice. Hospitality to the poor was obvious. Guests were received as Christ. While never dreaming of owning the school, she did so as a huge leap of faith and after much prayerful discernment.

I cannot tell you how proud the sisters are of Janice. What is music to our ears and brings warmth to our hearts is listening to stories of how our friends live out Benedictine values in concrete ways, sometimes without even knowing it. Thank you, Janice and you, readers, for carrying on the legacy of Saints Benedict and Scholastica.

The pages of this issue of Threshold are filled with unwritten stories of alumnae and alumni of our schools, as well as other friends, relatives and acquaintances who have made a financial contribution to us. Each sister is grateful to you for helping us stay active in ministry whether it is in Catholic education, spirituality, counseling, administration, health care, hospice work, and more. Your gifts have allowed us to be present to the people of God, especially those who would not otherwise have a chance.

Your gifts for the retirement fund have made possible needed improvements in Dooley Center. We will be sending you information on the date and time for the blessing for the Dooley Center renovation . Hopefully, many of you will be able to come.

To all of you, be assured of our gratitude, love and prayers.

S. Anne Shepard, OSB