Spring/Summer 2010

Focusing Our Vision






Sister Anne welcomes members of the board of Santa Marta: Paul Martin, Nancy Mellard, Anne Mercer, and Father Tom Tank







Dear Friends,

Ten years ago the sisters began a planning process that we called Vision 2010. We thought we were being so forward-looking as we revisited our mission, wrote our vision, and decided on concrete strategies to implement the vision and mission. It worked. Internally and externally we have changed dramatically.

In this issue you will read about the renovation of St. Cecilia’s. While we dare not list all of those responsible for the gorgeous, tasteful and monastic touches, we do need to thank Sister Elaine Fischer for partnering with the architects to design much of the interior and landscaping. Sister Jo Ann Fellin worked tirelessly to orchestrate the decorations on the first two floors and Sister Micaela Randolph the third floor. Countless other sisters pitched in to create a building that honored the intent of the designers while adding a modern touch. The outcome is a classy, traditional building that stands out on our campus, able to house our retreatants and guests. Thank you for the donations that have made the renovations possible
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In July, I will travel to our mission in Brazil to bless their renovation; the next issue of Threshold will show pictures of that project. The work there was an outcome of much planning and dreaming by our Brazilian sisters, and a sign to them that we literally and figuratively are investing in their future. Sister Eliene, the superior at Mineiros, is with us for the month of June. During her first visit to the United States, she will experience as much of the Mount as she possibly can. The timing of her presence will enable her to attend our Federation of St. Scholastica gathering that we are hosting. Additionally, Sister Joselaine, the youngest professed in Brazil, will have the opportunity to study the Rule of Benedict in Rome in January and February. This is the first time the intensive classes will be taught in Portuguese, so we thought it an opportune time to send one of our sisters to study with the monastic experts. Thank you for the support of our Brazilian monastery.

In April, we had two artists with us for a week. John Matt Dorn, a photographer from the East Coast, shot over 1,000 pictures of us. He is eager to return for our sesquicentennial in 2013 to display his pictures but we expect to be receiving a taste of his artistry soon. Judy Valente, renowned poet and journalist, presented to us a program with Dorn’s photography and her poetry. Donnelly students and the public in Kansas City were also treated to this impressive presentation. Thank you, Judy and John. Also in April, we were privileged to host Archbishop Naumann for a community Mass and reception. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to have some personal time with him and for him to meet our Oklahoma sisters and see our building renovations.

In March and in May, the advisory boards of Villa St. Francis and Santa Marta, care facilities in the greater Kansas City area, held planning meetings in Dooley Center. Impressed by our status of one of the U.S. News and World Report “best nursing homes,” they came to learn from us and to see firsthand the ingredients of our rating. Both archdiocesan facilities are well run and excellent themselves. Hopefully, we will read someday soon that they too achieved the #1 rating. While the care is never perfect, we do strive for topnotch attention for the sisters who have set the pace for the rest of us. Thank you for all the donations we receive to support the retired sisters, our monastic elders.

Keeler Women’s Center in Kansas City, Kansas, enjoys a fine reputation for assisting women and men who seek jobs, interviewing skills, counseling, spiritual direction, basic literacy, parenting skills, and help with health care, addiction, financial management, nutrition, to name but a few. Hundreds of volunteer hours of professionals who believe in the holistic approach to helping people improve their lives make the Keeler Center what it is today. The sisters who serve there pursue all avenues possible to network with others and improve lives. Thank you for your support of the Keeler Women’s Center.

Sophia Center grows in numbers and in offerings, and will be able to house more retreatants. St. Catherine’s and Marywood were completed two years ago and now St. Cecilia’s is ready for occupancy. The men and women who come for retreat, Catholics and other faiths, come to find a quiet space to pray alone and with us. They challenge us to deepen our Benedictine spirituality since we must grow in holiness ourselves if we invite others to do so. Thank you for coming to Sophia and your support of our retreat center.

Internally, we have scripture discussions, book clubs, a Thursday evening poetry sharing, a Sunday a month for contemplative silence, multi-cultural selections for hymns in our liturgies, again to name a few. Thank you for lending support to our monastery.

We are looking to the next ten years, aiming for a vision that is clearer yet. We want to continue to respond to the needs of the people around us. Our younger sisters traveled door to door in our neighborhood to see that our neighbors had fire alarms. We will find other ways to serve the citizens near our home. We will expand offerings in the two centers mentioned above. We will continue to hold all of you in prayer.

Sister Anne Shepard, OSB
Prioress


Our Mission: To steward the Benedictine charism and share our living tradition.

Our Vision: Our monastic profession will root us in community life, prayer and ministry to God’s people.Our ministry will flow out of our monastic living and focus on empowering women, particularly the young, the poor and those most in need, through education and the sharing of our Benedictine culture and spirituality.