Sister Mary Ellen Auffert, OSB

Sister Mary Ellen Auffert, 90, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kans., died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. The vigil service will be Sunday, November 3, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Monday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m.

Sister Mary Ellen was born on March 21, 1934, in Parnell, Missouri, one of four children and only daughter of John and Rachel Hovenkotter Auffert. She entered the Benedictine Sisters in Atchison in 1954, and taught elementary grades for 13 years. She earned a degree in elementary education from Mount St. Scholastica College in 1964. She became a missionary in Mineiros, Goias, Brazil, and did pastoral and catechetical ministry there from 1967-1975. After she returned to Atchison, she did library work and campus ministry at Benedictine College, and food service at the monastery. Sister Mary Ellen returned to Brazil in 1983 and helped with hospital and bookstore ministry for three years. She returned to care for her parents, and later did pro-life ministry and founded Pro-Life Religious International to give aid to those working in pro-life activities. She also did pastoral ministry in Seneca, Kan., for a period before becoming principal of the elementary school in Tecumseh, Neb., in 2004. In all, she was blessed with nearly seventy years of devoted monastic profession.

Sister Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents John and Rachel Auffert and her brothers, Leo and Charles. She is survived by her brother Philip, numerous nieces, nephews and her monastic family. Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home (www.arensbergpruett.com) is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica or made online at the Mount’s web site (www.mountosb.org).

Reflection for the Funeral Vigil

by Sister Barbara Conroy

I would like to welcome all of our guests tonight, especially Philip, Sr. Mary Ellen’s brother, and all of her nieces and nephews. Please know of our sympathy and prayers as you grieve the loss of Sr. Mary Ellen. I would also like to thank Sr. Marilyn Schieber and Sr. Elaine Gregory who faithfully visited Sr. Mary Ellen daily when she was a resident of Dooley Center. 

In John’s gospel, Jesus reminds us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This line encompasses Sr. Mary Ellen’s life. She lived a life in which she gave her whole being to prayer, family, community, and dignity of life.

Psalm 85:9 reads,

“I listen to God speaking: “I, the Lord, speak peace, peace to faithful people who turn their hearts to me.”

Sr. Mary Ellen prayed the psalms daily, and she had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She had a deep faith that was formed by reading the Scriptures and listening to different podcasts that dealt with social teachings. She was always open to a deep conversation and enjoyed hearing other viewpoints even if they differed from hers. Sr. Mary Ellen lived what she believed. Sitting beside her during her final minutes of life on this earth, you could hear her pray to God asking for patience and a feeling of peace. 

Sr. Mary Ellen had a great love for her family. Often, we would sit and visit about our brothers. She loved going home and being on the farm. She enjoyed getting phone calls from her nieces and nephews, and the love she had for her brother Philip was obvious. A few weeks ago, when he and Lynette came down to visit Sr. Mary Ellen, I pushed Philip into Sr. Mary Ellen’s room in Dooley Center, and immediately her arms reached out. She said, “Philip!” And the tears began to flow. Sr. Mary Ellen is now home with her parents and her two brothers. 

Sr. Mary Ellen was a quiet but faithful Benedictine. She put her whole self into teaching the Catholic faith to those of all ages. She witnessed God’s love to those in the states as well as the people in Brazil. Her collection of books and religious items important to her, and she was always willing to spread her faith through sharing a religious article. To be able to witness God’s love filled her heart with gratitude.

Sr. Mary Ellen was strong in her beliefs and unwavering. She stood up for what she believed and was a force to reckon with when it came to making sure everyone was treated with dignity. Sr. Mary Ellen found great happiness in the work she did with Pro-Life Religious International. She was strong and determined to fight at any cost.

The last four years have been a challenge to Sr. Mary Ellen because of the pandemic and health issues. Despite that, she continued to turn her heart to God, who now speaks peace to her in her eternal home with her Redeemer, Jesus Christ. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.