Summer 2008

New Look — Same Warm Welcome
by Marcia Ziska, OSB

Last summer and fall, in the wake of the dust and ashes of the Administration Building, two other campus buildings well known to many, were giving birth to new life from within. Marywood’s newly renovated space has been greeting overnight guests and retreatants since late August, 2007. St. Catherine’s project began in October and the house was re-opened for guests in early February, 2008.
Marywood, the former Mangelsdorf mansion, has had numerous uses over the years. In the 40s, 50s, and early 60s, it was a residential hall for junior and senior college women. It housed a student counseling center under Sister Madonna Gampper’s direction, chaplain’s office for Father Kieran McInerny, and gathering place for small group liturgies in the late 60s and early 70s. From the mid 70s to June, 2007, over twenty Benedictine sisters resided there at different times for small group living.

In those thirty-plus years, the Victorian-style atmosphere provided meals for many guests of the sisters, Wassail parties for Kappa Mu Epsilon math honor society students, overnight hospitality and various celebrations for family and friends of the sisters making Marywood their home. College students, prayer partners, and college staff were always welcome.

When the need arose for additional retreatant housing, Marywood, with its stained glass and leaded windows and beautiful, dark woodwork was the #1 choice. The living and dining room were converted back into sleeping quarters and the opened French doors separating the rooms were once again closed.

This gave Sophia Center a total of seven extra bedrooms with eleven beds. The renovation included new windows, central air conditioning, three new bathrooms, and a new furnace to make for a warm pleasant environment for our guests.
Two sisters, Sisters Mary Rae Schrick and Alberta Hermann, moved into Marywood to provide Benedictine hospitality to retreatants seeking solitude and contemplative space.

From the living room at Marywood

The kitchen at Marywood

The St. Catherine’s building next door had a similar history of being home to college women, with two single beds, two small desks, and a dresser in each room. After Northman and Hemmen Halls were built, St. Catherine’s became a residence to sisters on the college faculty. Like Marywood, it was “home” to sisters who lived for many years in a small group outside the monastery. In 2003, with the anticipation of the Administration Building closing, six sisters were asked to move so that retreat housing could be made available in St. Catherine’s. These sisters bid farewell to a host of memories, but their generous move more than doubled the retreat housing by providing fifteen bedrooms for Sophia guests.

The rooms in both Marywood and St. Catherine’s are now simply furnished with bed, chair, dresser, desk and lamp. They are decorated with curtains, bedspreads and wall hangings. A number of oblates and friends of the community donated items or “adopted” a room to furnish and decorate.

To honor our Benedictine heritage, each room is dedicated to a deceased sister who had resided in the house, or to one of the seven deceased prioresses. The prioresses’ plaques have recently been moved to adorn the seven bedrooms at Marywood.

Renovations at St. Catherine’s consisted of sealing and water-proofing the foundation, new thermal-pane windows, central air-conditioning, new showers and bathrooms, wall-to-wall carpet, and a handicapped accessible bathroom and entry into the building. There is a small kitchenette inside the front door and a small sitting room on each of the first and second floors.

One of the visiting areas at St. Catherine's

A newly remodeled bedroom at St. Catherine's

A pleasant surprise, to even the Sophia Center staff, occurred midway into the project when Sister Elaine Fischer asked about gutting the basement of St. Catherine’s. An entirely new area was planned and the lower floor is now home to five additional bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a living room.

A patio and decorative stone privacy wall are yet to appear off the living room. In addition, new landscaping with flowers and bushes will greet retreat guests when weather and time permits. The simplicity of the renovation nourishes the souls of those seeking quiet and solitude. This new space allows all Sophia guests to return to the hustle and bustle of their busy world with renewed energy and enthusiasm for their ministry.

We are proud of the accomplishments in Marywood and St. Catherine’s this past year. Our overnight lodging capacity is now 27 bedrooms with 34 beds. Our guests have all responded positively to the changes.