Mount Hosts Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat

From June 23 to July 13, 2024, the Mount hosted a Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat (BSWR) for two sisters preparing to make their final profession: Sister Marena Hoogland from Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, North Dakota, and Sister Siena Fisk from St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sisters Marcia Ziska from the Mount and Kathy Persson from St. Benedict’s Monastery in Bristow, Virginia, were the directors. Mount sisters who gave talks included Sisters Molly Brockwell, Elizabeth Carrillo, Bridget Dickason, Suzanne Fitzmaurice, Patricia Gamgort, Loretta McGuire, Cecilia Olson, Micaela Randolph, Anne Shepard, and Marcia Ziska. Sister Patricia Seipel taught the meditative artistic practice of Zentangle.©

A highlight of the retreat was the opportunity to join a number of Mount sisters in participating in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage procession, vespers, adoration, and Mass on June 25-26 in Atchison. The retreatants also accompanied Mount Sisters Elizabeth Carrillo, Suzanne Fitzmaurice, and Helga Leija as they traveled to Yankton, South Dakota, for a “55 and Under” meeting of Benedictine sisters from across the country, which took place July 5-8.