Threshold Winter 2007

"Care of the sick must rank above all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ"
(RB 36:1)

by Mary Teresa Morris, OSB

St. Benedict presents pertinent instructions for those who combine monastic life with healthcare ministry. He devotes an entire chapter to care of the sick within the monastic community. However, just as monasteries have always had guests, they have always been involved at some level with the care of the sick outside of the community. Hildegard of Bingen was as well known as an herbalist and physician as for her spiritual gifts.

Atchison Benedictines continue in this tradition, even though a healthcare entity such as a hospital has never been a formal ministry for the Mount. Most of the sisters who work in health care have ministered within the monastic community and in the community at large, sometimes at the same time. Some became healthcare professionals as second or even third careers while others came to the monastic community with those occupations.

The monastic in healthcare struggles to maintain equilibrium between commitment to the monastic way of life and to professional practice. Each sister uses the same criteria in selecting a ministry: the “fit” between the requirements of the position and of community life. Since community is always paramount, choices must be made in terms of healthcare positions that are compatible with community life, not unlike the decisions other sisters must make regarding schedule or amount of night work involved. Healthcare can be a bit more problematic because patients’ needs are 24/7 and, therefore, many positions involve shift work or on-call responsibilities.

Bringing One’s Gifts

Sister Mary Rardin came to community upon completion of her family practice residency. Prior to that, she had served three years as a U.S. Navy physician. She is board certified in family practice and has ministered in private practice, at the University of Kansas, and currently as part of a team of physicians who supply medical care to towns in rural Kansas on a rotational basis. She says, “St. Benedict emphasized the importance of listening to the Word of God spoken to us in so many ways, especially through other people. My concern is for each individual that I treat, regardless of social status, educational level, insurance status or appearance. I attempt to really listen despite current pressures to decrease the time for this important diagnostic and therapeutic tool.”

Sister Mary Teresa Morris was already an RN when she came to the Mount. Since students from St. Margaret’s School of Nursing attended Donnelly College for basic science courses, this association played a pivotal role in her decision to enter religious life. She also now has a Master of Public Health degree. After working in many areas of nursing, including as director of nursing for Dooley Center, she has been in home health nursing for 15 years. “In home health, I try to convey the value of ‘never giving a hollow greeting of peace.’ I am in the patient’s home, their world, their circumstances and, by offering the hospitality of acceptance, I am gifted with being able to care for the suffering Christ.”

Sister Barbara Langel came to community as an occupational therapist who had practiced for ten years in clinical settings in Nebraska. After a hiatus for initial formation, she is working for a hospital-based home health agency in Kansas City.
She assists persons to regain independence in personal care and has had additional training in therapies for hand problems. “I think I bring a calmness to my relationship with my clients, a calmness that I receive from centering prayer. I also bring a sense of stewardship as I creatively seek to meet my clients’ functional needs with less cost to them, as many devices are not covered by insurance.”

Finding New Gifts

Sister Mary Rae Schrick loved her five years of elementary teaching, but Mother Alfred asked her to go to nurse’s training because of community needs. She served as infirmary nurse and as school nurse for Mount St. Scholastica College and Academy from 1960-72 before getting a B.S. in medicine. Since then, she has served both the monastic community and the communities of Atchison, Nortonville and Effingham as a physician assistant in the practice of Dr. Wayne Wallace. She has also served on the Atchison Hospital board of directors. “I try to bring to my ministry St. Benedict’s words to serve the sick as Christ. My primary responsibility is for the health and dignity of all human beings,” she says.

Sister Sylvia Kenkel also started her monastic life as an elementary teacher. In 1969, Dooley Center was in the planning stages. Mother Mary Austin asked her to become a licensed practical nurse and she has worked in Dooley ever since.
She also spent several summers as camp nurse for the Cerebral Palsy Ranch near Wichita. One of her campers, Beth, has become a life-long friend and frequent visitor. Sister Sylvia is well known for her artistic creativity. Whenever a giant card needs to be sent to express thanks or other good wishes, it is Sister Sylvia who comes up with the unique design. “I treasure those I serve and the gifts of life. We are all one community in different stages, ages and abilities, and we all live together.”

Sister Oanh Pham escaped from Viet Nam, leaving her family behind, and by several graced circumstances found the Mount and her own monastic vocation. She graduated from nursing school, undaunted by the complexities of mastering both the curriculum and the English language. She now works at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Pictured at left: Sister Laura Haug rolls up her sleeve for the annual ritual of community flu shots administered by Sister Oanh Pham, R.N.

Sister Carolyn Rohde came to the Mount with a degree in sociology, and ministered in senior services and emergency assistance before becoming a nurse. She has worked in several specialties, but has always had an interest in cancer patients. After working in an oncologist’s office, she is now at a large outpatient oncology clinic. “Recognizing each patient as Christ makes me realize how vulnerable they are. They come to our clinic in their most frightening time. Like Christ, they too are carrying their cross.”

In a very real way, these sisters bring the spirit of the Rule and the Mount community to every patient encounter. Patients are prayed for, both individually and communally. They ask to be remembered to former teachers, or express sorrow upon the death of a sister. Patients who have died are entered into our November remembrances and the Book of the Names of the Dead that is in the chapel during that month.

Applying Benedictine values to one’s healthcare profession leads to an approach to patient care that shows careful stewardship of the patient’s resources, and is welcoming, being totally present to the person and accepting of the situation/circumstances in which the patient lives.