extracted text

Property of the Cen er

Sisterso 'Benetfict
NE\VSLETTER
Winter 1996, Vol. 7: Issue 1

IN JESUS
THE CARPENTER
OF NAZARETH

GOD
Entersthe Most
Intimateand
Personal
Part
of Ourselves

--Meister Eckhart

M'!)' we each be blessing for the other!
Sisters of Benedict
Red Plains Monastery

Fl[RST CA'Pl[1CALCAMPAKGN lC'NDER\l'AY!!
A most stimulating phase in
the community life of the Sisters of
Red Plains Monastery has begun!
The first-ever Capital Campaign has
been initiated, and funds realized
from the Campaign will enable the
Sisters to complete the Monastery's
expansion and construction projects.
The goal for the Campaign
is $530,000 with some $320,000
already pledged or paid to the Sisters for the Campaign, according to
Sister Marie Ballmann, Prioress.
"The well-spring of love and
generosity of our many friends
seems to be ceaseless and at times,
overwhelming," Sister Marie noted,
"and our reliance on God's favor has
sustained us throughout these past
several months.
We're only
$210,000 from our goal now-just
a bit more effort and we'll be there!
We invite any contribution, large or
small, to assist us in the Campaign.
Please contact us by telephone or

letter for further information."
Many projects have already
been completed, including the renovation of a third residence adjacent
to Lucy's Retreat. Five sisters now
reside there, and the modifications,
though modest, have allowed the
residence to become a comfortable
and accessible home.
Lucy's Guest House has undergone some restyling as well. The
home serves as the primary facility
for guest retreatants as well as the
residence of two Sisters. The fundamental changes include the construction of new bedrooms and spiritual direction rooms.
Many of the projects center
in the main house. A new kitchen
and dining room are used daily by
the entire community. In addition,
the present business/development
office will become a Community
room when the garage conversion
to accommodate the office and a

pantry storage is completed.
Sister Marie added, "Our
beautiful new chapel which is attached to the main house is near
completion, too. It will be a place
of spiritual respite for many guests
and retreatants as well as the location of the Community's twice-daily
Liturgy of the Hours."
One noteworthy feature of
the chapel is the incorporation of
several red bricks from St. Joseph's
Convent in Guthrie, Oklahoma,the
original Benedictine motherhouse,
established in 1892. "A majorityof
the Sisters entered into Benedictine
life in Guthrie, and so these bricks
are symbolic of our continuity with
that original foundation and with our
Oklahoma heritage," Marie concluded.

---------------------------------------I am pleased to help the Sisters of Benedict continue being a Gospel presence in the lives of others. I/we wish to
pledge to Red Plains Monastery the sum of$ _______
of which $_______
is paid herewith or
by pledge payments.
Pledge payments will be made as follows: $_______
on.______
_
$_______
on______
_
$_______

on______

_

Name______________________________________

_

Address____________________________________

_

City__________

State_____

Zip______

Phone( ___

)________

Signature/Date

Please indicate how you wish your name(s) to appear on the Sisters of Benedict permanent donor records:

Please make checks payable to Sisters of Benedict
Address: 728 Richland Road, S. W, Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078-9324
(405) 373-4565
Page 2

_

r

WE HAVE

A NEW ADDRESS!!!

Not only did we move, the Post Office has assigned a
new address to our Monastery. Please change your records
to reflect:
SISTERS OF BENEDICT
RED PLAINS MONASTERY
728 RICHLAND ROAD, S.W.
PIEDMONT, OKLAHOMA 73078-9324
(405) 373-4565

July 26th dawned, and enthusiasm prevailed. Red Plains
Monastery was on the move! With eagerness, six Sisters secured
the remaining boxes· and relocated themselves some twenty miles
west of Oklahoma City to join other members of their Community
at 728 Richland Road - the united location of Red Plains Monastery.
Numerous volunteers in numerous vehicles expedited the transition,
and by nightfall, evening prayers resonated with additional strength
as voices praised God for enabling the Sisters to be "at home, all
together."

Old makes way for new as favorite tree is
relinquished for chapel space.

.91.s
you view these pages, with its many photographs

by Sister Miriam Schnoebelen, celebrate with the
Sisters their move to their expanded living spaces in the Monastery on Oklahoma's red prairie!

Loyal volunteer Merle Arens faithfully
maintains grounds.

Marilynn Burget, co-member, applies
professional touch at Sisters' new residence.
Page 3

By John M. Nichols, Esq.

"Bless the work of our hands, 0 Lord," becomes
constant prayer of chapel carpenter, Bob Powers
and Tom Temple, general contractor.

I
SPARK
I Like a new bride

Of the many methods to make charitable gifts to a tax exempt, charitable organization like the Sisters of Benedict, one of the most powerful and
tax efficient methods is through the Charitable Remainder Trust. The combination of substantial tax incentives plus the possibility of improved lifetime
income can be very attractive to a charitably inclined donor. In addition, the
value of the assets given away can often be made to "reappear" in the hands
of the donor's heirs through the use of a wealth replacement insurance policy.
A Charitable Remainder Trust is usually funded by the donor with
low earnings assets or assets that have appreciated in value over the years
such as common stock, mutual fund shares, collectibles or real estate. The
assets placed in the Trust are held, sold and administered by a designated
trustee who will typically pay the donor (and/or spouse) an annual payment
for life, based on the value of the assets placed in trust. Upon the death of the
income recipient(s), the remainder of the assets in the trust are paid over to the
charitable organization.
There are two basic types of Charitable Remainder Trusts, being the
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust and the Charitable Remainder Unitrust.
The selection of the type of trust, assets used for funding, trustee and other
features of the trust are details best left to the donor and his or her professional
advisors.
Where an interest in this type of funding exists to benefit the Sisters
of Benedict, substantial assitance in facilitating this gifting technique can be
provided. Inquiries can be directed to the Red Plains Monastery Development office at (405) 525-4565 or sent to Sister Marie Ballmann, O.S.B., Prioress, 728 Richland Road, S.W., Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078.

I glow in the light of first love
and energetically embrace you.

11

In time the glow fades a little,
I hope that it is within my reach
to eventually find the true flames.
In despair, aloneness and agony
I fall into the abyss of the darkness
and death of my spirit.
As the first dawn appears
You give me your fire
which was always near
And like the phoenix I rise,
I truly fly in the glow,
reborn with the light and
Passion of the One Spirit.
Lydia Karen Bishop, October 1996
Written and given as a gift to
the Benedictine Sisters of Red Plains Monastery
Piedmont, Oklahoma

Page4

Changing landscapes may be viewed through
chapel's expansive windows.

e,eCeriter

F, .i ert , o'.'

A MOVEABLEFEAST
By Rev. David Monahan
Priest of Archdiocese of OKC

What does one write of the Red Plains
Monastery's Sisters of Benedict?
The first and most obvious reality about them
is they are women of faith. Their faith includes an
explicit orientation of their lives to follow the path of
Jesus, the Lord, all the way into the heart of the mystery of I Am Who Am. In their peculiar passage of
faith they have jettisoned marriage and personal property to move more freely behind Him. Their faith
has motivated them to cling together in a common
life, a moveable feast of laughter and tears. As they
journey truly onward and upward, their faith has compelled them to spend their precious talents-teaching, spiritual guidance, expertise in public worship,
artistic expression, counseling, catechizing and pastoral care-on that larger group of walkers all around
them. Their fellow walkers also have the red dust of
Oklahoma on their shoes.
And so, the years are flying by. Even as their
steps are growing shorter, the next generation of Sisters of Benedict begins.
Being stouthearted women of faith, the Sisters of Benedict continue on their journey as Sara and
Abraham on theirs. The Red Plains Sisters' spiritual
progeny is in God's creating hands and the Sisters
will leave it there.
God bless these gallant women who follow
the Lord for our sakes.

Embracing arms of central crucifix are focal
point in new chapel.

+ Gratitude+ Acknowledgment
+ Thankfulness
+ Appreciation
+ Indebtedness
+
to all our volunteers for hours of help with

+ Luncheon+ Auction+ GarageSale+ Maintenance
+ BulkMailing+
and to our in-kind donors for assistance with

+ Professional
Services+ Supplies
+ Repairs+ Household
Items+ Furniture
+ Meals+ Tickets+
and to our friends who lift us up with

+ Cards+ Letters+ Prayers+ Laughter
+ PhoneCalls+ Gifts+ Donations
+ Scholarships
+
and to our God, who blesses and makes everything good.

+ Gratitude+ Acknowledgment
+ Thankfulness
+ Appreciation
+ Indebtedness
+
Page 5

OUR DONORS

•

SEPTEMBER 1995 - NOVEMBER 1996

We are grateful to all our donors listed below. We also want to give special thanks to our very many faithful friends in 1996, who
donated money at the time of our spring luncheon, with its silent auction and special drawing, and then at our fall garage sale!!!

JL
Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Wichita, KS
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Congregation of St. Agnes, Wisconsin
Stephen & Anne Marie Anthony
Bobbie Antrim
Martha Zoe Archer
Joyce & Olen Ardery
Joyce & Merle Arens
Salvatore Azzarella

'B
Jerome & Emily Ballmann
Eleanor & Mervin Barnes
Rev. Cletus Bash
Sherry & William Beasley
Robert P. Bellinghausen
Benedictine Sisters, Atchison, KS
Benedictine Sisters, Baltimore, MD
Benedictine Sisters, Bristow, VA
Benedictine Sisters, Chicago, IL
Benedictine Sisters, Columbia, MO
Benedictine Sisters, Cottonwood, ID
Benedictine Sisters, Covington, KY
Benedictine Sisters, Crookston, MN
Benedictine Sisters, Cullman. AL
Benedictine Sisters, Elizabeth, NJ
Benedictine Sisters, Erie, PA
Benedictine Sisters, Ferdinand, IN
Benedictine Sisters, Ft. Smith, AR
Benedictine Sisters, Lakewood, CO
Benedictine Sisters, Lisle, IL
Benedictine Sisters, Mt. Angel, OR
Benedictine Sisters, St. Louis, MO
Kay Benien
Charles & Mary Berger
Edna & Earl Berry
Laura & Ed Beshara
Jane & David Best
Rev. Tom Biller
Rosemary Billy
Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, SD
Anita Bobinet
Maree Boggs
T.J. Boismier
Ann Boland
Theresa & Sylvester Boland
Ju lane & Bill Borth
Melvin Bourgeois
Loray & Joseph Brady
Phyllis & C. J. Brandt
Cecilia & James Brandt
Julia Braun
Alice & Michael Brennan
Pat & Tom Brewer
Rita & Milton Brewer
Patricia & Charles Brion
Maureen Broman-Carte
Carolyn & William Brown
Dolores & Irwin Brown
Carol & Tom Brown
James W. Brownlee
Ann Mahoney Bryce
Bryce Insurance
Rev. Philip Bryce
Frances & Lu Buchheit
Lorene Buettner
Marilynn Burget
Wilma Burget
Janet Burke
Rita I. Burns
Page 6

Most Rev. Charles A. Buswell
Phyllis & Bill Byerly
Eugene 8. Byrnes

C
Mary Jane & Harry Calvey
Cuc Thu Cao
Mary & Bill Chastain
Jean Chenault
Carol Chicoraske
Leon Chicoraske
Jacqueline Chong
Margaret Christian
Carole Cleaver-Ryan
Loren & Dessie Cleveland
Carol A. Clemens
John R. Clinton
M/M Thomas A. Clote
JoAnn & Henry Cobb
David Coman
Angie and Lee Cosby
Lillian & Vincent Cotter
Rev. David Cowden
Shirley Cox
Richard N. Coyle
Rev. Philip Creider
Eileen & Robert Cronk
Glennora & Harold Cullen
H. Patrick Cullen
Elnora & Walter Cullinan

r.D
Helen & John Daily
Rachel Dalton
Joan Dark
Theresa & Joseph Darveau
Allene Davis
Eva & William Deering
Margaret Delaney
M/M R.T. Devero
Carol & Joseph Dillon
Frances Doak
Virginia Dobelbower
Robert & Susan Dolan
Dominican Sisters, Great Bend, KS
Frank Dougherty
Joe & Helen Dubey
Margaret & James Duea
Bill & Dolores Duffy
Wilma & Gabriel Duty

'E
Margaret & Arthur Eckroat
Ellen Edge
Jane F. Edmonds
Joe & Margaret Edwards
Shirley & John Egan
Cathy & Pete Eischen

:J

Sara Baker Fagan
Carol & George Faulk
Katherine & Brad Ferguson
Gayle Ferguson
Friends of Our Lady's Cathedral
Mary Ellen Fink
Rev. Cecil E. Finn
Jim Fite
Noreen & Arthur Fitzmaurice
Joanne & Joseph Forgue
Florence Frank

Regina & Brad Fudge
Jill & Gerald Funk
Loyce & James Funnell
James & Joanne Futrell
James and Marlowe Futrell

q
Rita Galier
Mrs. J.P. Gallagher
Eileen & Floyd Ganus
Sally & Frank Gardiner
Jerry Garrett
Grace Gavin
Anne & C.R. Gebken
Rev. Paul Gillespie
Thressa Guidice
Jane & Lavern Goetz
Rev. James Goins
Sandy Goldsworthy
Olga Gonsalves
Virginia & Milt Gravatt
Gretchen & Barry Gray
Theresa Green
Peggy & Dorothy Griffith
Janice & Kenneth Griggy
Fran & Paul Grounds
Mary K. Gumerlock

1{
C.H. Haces
Raymond Haefle
Robert & Marilyn Hagen
Rev. William Hamill
Susan Hand
Barbara & Robert Harper
Monty Harrigan
Darcie Harris
Frank H. Harris
Hayesenne Haskins
Paula & D.W. Hearn
Margaret Henderson
John Hendrix
Dixie & Gary Highberger
Jacquita & Robert Hirschi
Michelle Hoang
Helen Marie Hodges
Mary & Stanley Hodgson
Berenice Hoepfner
Patricia & James Hoerth
Judy & Denny Holst
Deborah & Gary Houlette
Edith Houpe
William L. Hughes
Charles Humphrey
Rebecca Hunzicker

1
Rev. David Imming
Jackie & Thomas Ingram
Jolene Ingram
Yvonne Istre

J

Nancy & Michael Jersa
8. Connor Johnson
Darlene & Don Johnson
Halina Johnson
Sue Ann Johnson
Jane Ann Johnston

Property of the Center

1

Univilli[l~llll~lliill
~ll
[llll[~11li1~l~li~li[lli"'
UK

M 001 111 486

Mailing day! Volunteers Halina Johnson, Julie Martine
and Mary Stupka keep Annual Appeal letters all straight.

'1(
Pam & Mike Kanaly
Rev. James Kastner
Patricia & Sam Kearney
Patricia H. Kelley
Mary Lou & Paul Khoury
Jeanette King
Margaret & William King
Knights of Columbus, State Council
Knights of Columbus, #6478
Knights of Columbus, #9583
Knights of Columbus, #9668
Nancy & David Koelsch
Linda Koenig
Elva & Fred Kraeer
Jeanette Kukowski

.l
Christine & Albert LaMonte
Sue & Jim Lamie
M/MWilliam Lauderdale
Mary Leahy
J. Michael Lee
Teresa Lee
Margaret Lehman
lzabella Lendvay
Leonard Leniewski
Louis V. Lepak, Sr,
Norm Linstromberg
Marie & Rocco Logiodice
Margaret Love
Clarice & Frank Loveless
Angeline Lovuola
Francis S. Luecke

'Jv(
Rev. Gerald MacAulay
Gerard Madigan
Laura & Philip Maguire
Georgia & Walter Malone
Rev. E.L. Malone
Kathleen & Frank Manning
Joe & Genevieve Manning
Marcellin Study Club
Marmion Abbey, Aurora, IL
Rev. Berard Marthaler
Florence Martin
William F. Matheny Jr.
Doli & Eugene Mathews
Anita & Thomas May
Ginny & John McCann
Christopher Mccawley
Kayla McClurg
Mozelle McCook
Bonnie & Bruce McGuigan
Pam & Pat McGuigan
Bettye McHam
Mary & Dale McHard
Mary & James McHugh

Mary McIntosh
Margaret McKinnis
Celeste McMahon
Fleta Meziere
Rev, John Michalicka
Donna & Larry Miles
Debra K, Mitchell
Dierdre & Jerry Moldrik
Martha & Michael Moore
H. Thomas Moran
Joan & Maxwell Morgan
Bernice & Bob Morrison
Kay & Leo C, Morrison
Mamie A. Mullen
Rev. Charles Murphy
Elizabeth Murray

9{
Rosemarie & Gerald Nagel
Theresa Nagel
Mary Naylor-Miller
D. J. Neikirk
Barbara & John Nichols
Mary & Max Nichols
Mary & Orville Nichols
Irene & Henry Nievez
Bernice & Charles Nithman
Angela & Vincent Nizza

0
Judith & Gene O'Brien
Margaret & Tim O'Connor
Linda O'Hern
M/M Bernard O'Loughlin
James O'Neill
Shirlene & Hugh O'Neill
Jeanne & John Ong
Myrtle & Oz Osterholt

p
M/M Martin Parizek
Jeanne Parkhurst
Clifford & Dorothy Peden
Diane S. Perkins
Rev, John Petuskey
Mary Kempf Pinzon
Diana Hall & Tom Pipal
Carol Lee Piraro
Mary & Paul Podolec
Erick Porter
Rev. William Pruett
Margaret Purvis
Nancy Pyeatt

1(
Genevieve Rapp
Peggy & Joe Ray
Col. James W. Reiber
James J. Reilly
Leo Reilly
Irene & George Reppert
Shirley & Pat Reynolds
Andy & Hank Rheinberger
Elizabeth Roddy
Anne & Eugene Rohrbach
Patty Roselius
Jeanne & Rex Ross
Kimberly & David Ross
Rev. Joseph Ross
Ted A, Ross
Clara & W.B. Rowan
Vestina & Joe Ruffin
T.H. Russell
Susan & James Ruth
Pat & Tom Ryland
Bonnie Rynda

s

Most Rev, Charles A. Salatka
Roseanne & Don Sanders
James R. Sauer
Marie Scheppers
Kathryn S. Schiff
Marjorie & Joe Schneider
Al & Mari Schnoebelen
Omer & Marguerite Schnoebelen
Naomi Schwartz
Jacqueline Semtner
Harold Shannon
Bernarda Sharkey
Ottilia A. Sharp
Carol & Ken Shean
Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, KS
Sisters of Mercy, St. Louis, MO
Raymond Skeehan
Mary Slyman
Stephen Smigielski
Marianne Smith
Karen & John Sorbera
Dr. Margaret Sorenson
Margaret & Frank Squires
St. Francis Xavier Church, Enid
St. Joseph's Church, Norman
St. Joseph Foundation, Concordia, KS
St. Meinrad Archabbey, IN
St. Pius X Church, Tulsa
St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL
Susan & Louis Stackler
Maxine Stancampiano
Pat & Herbert Stanley, Jr.
Evelyn Stasyszen
Martha & James Steffan
Maybelle Steffan
Mary D. Steltenkamp
Mary Ann Stupka
Nancy & Fred H, Suhre, Jr.
Dorothy & Wayne Sullens
Bernard Sullivan
Most Rev, John J, Sullivan
Richard & Paula Sullivan
Helen Swanda

'T
M/M James Talley
Frances & Dexter Taylor
Veronica & Terry Taylor
Florence E. Tepper
Georgianne & David Thomas
Mary Ann Tomlinson
Marjean & Charles Towe
Le Dung Tran
Geralda M. Trapp
Helen & Frosty Troy
Kevin Troy
Peggy Tucker
SandyTwark
Annette Twitchell

'V
Catherine Venters
Charles Visina
Henry Vrana

'W
Agnes & Jack Waddell
Tom Waken
Terry & Ed Warnick
Loretta & Roy Weber
James & David Wemhaner
Winifred & John Whelan

Page 7

DONORS, cont'dfrompage

7

Helen & Vernon Whittle
Glenann Wilkerson
Anthonette Wiist
Nancy Will
James R. Williams
Christopher Wilson
M/M R.Q. Winters
Joan Kelly Wirges
Eva & Hilda Wolf
Rev. Frank Wrigley

y
Isabelle & Peter Yankauskis
Mariamma Yohannan

z

Joanne & James Ziegler

1n1(ind'Donations
Pat Anderson
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Joyce Ardery
Joyce & Merle Arens Family
Patty Baker
Sherry Beasley
Linda & Jim Benien
Betty Biewan
Julane Borth
Cheryl & Stephen Browne
Liz Burns
Marilynn Burget
Harry Calvey

IN HONOR OF:

SISTER MARIE LUECKE, O.S.B.
by George & Carolyn Faulk
GRACE GAVIN
by Glenn & Karen Furman

IN MEMORY OF:

SISTER LEONA LUECKE, O.S.B.
by Joan Morgan
SISTER LUCY KREISER, O.S.B.
by Rev. Joseph Vas
ELOISE GORMAN
by Judith Wolfe

Dr. Philip Maguire
Mailing Volunteers from
Christ the King Parish
Church of the Epiphany &
Our Lady's Cathedral
Joe Manning
Pat Maye
Mercy Health Center
Dr. Lloyd Miller
Mary Ann & Chuck Roth
John M. Nichols
Bernice Nithman
Dr. Thomas Nix
Patsy Oldham
Andy & Hank Rheinberger
Lil Ross
Dr. Richard Ruffin
Dr. Hanna Saadah
Sylvia Slater
St. Anthony Hospital
Dr. Margaret Sorenson
Mary Diane Steltenkamp
Mary Stupka
Nadine Thiel
Alvera Vail
Jeanne Ann Van Horn
Dr. Roland Walters
John Wall
Jo Ellyn Wheeler
May Whitley
Dr. Carla Werner
Myriam & Jerry White
Cheri Wiley

Don Chabot
Jean Chenault
Christ the King Parish
Cory Audio-Visual Services
Richard N. Coyle
Dr. Morris Curry
Carol Dolan
Susan Dolan
Dr. James Dougherty
Dr. Dean Drooby
Joe Dunaway
Mary Ann Edwards
Stephanie Emrick
Betty Erbrick
Yvette Fleckinger
Mary Fong
Joanne & Joseph Forgue
Dr. James Funnell
Jo Anne Futrell
Dr. Gena Gardiner
Grace Gavin
Dr. Leslie Hardy
Darcie Harris
Barbara Hess
Joanne Hoch
Dr. Chi W. Hsu
Dr. George Jay
Dr. Jay Johnston
Dr. Jana Karim
Jeanette King
Barbara Koerner
Fran Lazarra
Mel Luetkemeyer
Dr. Hugh Maguire

Marie M. Hollenbeck
Billie Kaszubowski
Ann & Jim Kelih
Laura & Richard Kriegel
Theresa & Daniel Kurtenbach
Pat & Wayne Meeks
John Meyers, Jr., Memoriam by Elaine Ryan
Larry & Donna Miles
Carolyn Moxley
Bernice & Charles Nithman
Mary C. Palumbo
Margaret L. Price
Mary Ellen Price
Anna Fay Rose
N. Jean & Wilburn F. Terrell

DON KING
by Associated Catholic Charities, OKC
Mr. & Mrs. G.R. Barr
Dorotha Bolick
Julane & Bill Borth
Ann & Bill Brackett
Carol & Tom Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Curt Clevenger
Elnora Cullinan
Peggy Davidson
Friends from Department
of Environmental Quality,
State of Oklahoma
Jane F. Edmonds
Judy Ferguson
Kristy & Tom Goodpasture
Carol & Jeff Hirzel

Sistersof 'Benedict

Non-profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

728 Richland Road, SW
Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078

Oklahoma City,
OK
Permit No. 1359

ADDRESSCORRECTIONREQUESTED

Herland
2312

Sister

N.W.

Oklahoma

Resources

39th

City

OK 73112



Property of the Cen er

Sisterso 'Benetfict
NE\VSLETTER
Winter 1996, Vol. 7: Issue 1

IN JESUS
THE CARPENTER
OF NAZARETH

GOD
Entersthe Most
Intimateand
Personal
Part
of Ourselves

--Meister Eckhart

M'!)' we each be blessing for the other!
Sisters of Benedict
Red Plains Monastery

Fl[RST CA'Pl[1CALCAMPAKGN lC'NDER\l'AY!!
A most stimulating phase in
the community life of the Sisters of
Red Plains Monastery has begun!
The first-ever Capital Campaign has
been initiated, and funds realized
from the Campaign will enable the
Sisters to complete the Monastery's
expansion and construction projects.
The goal for the Campaign
is $530,000 with some $320,000
already pledged or paid to the Sisters for the Campaign, according to
Sister Marie Ballmann, Prioress.
"The well-spring of love and
generosity of our many friends
seems to be ceaseless and at times,
overwhelming," Sister Marie noted,
"and our reliance on God's favor has
sustained us throughout these past
several months.
We're only
$210,000 from our goal now-just
a bit more effort and we'll be there!
We invite any contribution, large or
small, to assist us in the Campaign.
Please contact us by telephone or

letter for further information."
Many projects have already
been completed, including the renovation of a third residence adjacent
to Lucy's Retreat. Five sisters now
reside there, and the modifications,
though modest, have allowed the
residence to become a comfortable
and accessible home.
Lucy's Guest House has undergone some restyling as well. The
home serves as the primary facility
for guest retreatants as well as the
residence of two Sisters. The fundamental changes include the construction of new bedrooms and spiritual direction rooms.
Many of the projects center
in the main house. A new kitchen
and dining room are used daily by
the entire community. In addition,
the present business/development
office will become a Community
room when the garage conversion
to accommodate the office and a

pantry storage is completed.
Sister Marie added, "Our
beautiful new chapel which is attached to the main house is near
completion, too. It will be a place
of spiritual respite for many guests
and retreatants as well as the location of the Community's twice-daily
Liturgy of the Hours."
One noteworthy feature of
the chapel is the incorporation of
several red bricks from St. Joseph's
Convent in Guthrie, Oklahoma,the
original Benedictine motherhouse,
established in 1892. "A majorityof
the Sisters entered into Benedictine
life in Guthrie, and so these bricks
are symbolic of our continuity with
that original foundation and with our
Oklahoma heritage," Marie concluded.

---------------------------------------I am pleased to help the Sisters of Benedict continue being a Gospel presence in the lives of others. I/we wish to
pledge to Red Plains Monastery the sum of$ _______
of which $_______
is paid herewith or
by pledge payments.
Pledge payments will be made as follows: $_______
on.______
_
$_______
on______
_
$_______

on______

_

Name______________________________________

_

Address____________________________________

_

City__________

State_____

Zip______

Phone( ___

)________

Signature/Date

Please indicate how you wish your name(s) to appear on the Sisters of Benedict permanent donor records:

Please make checks payable to Sisters of Benedict
Address: 728 Richland Road, S. W, Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078-9324
(405) 373-4565
Page 2

_

r

WE HAVE

A NEW ADDRESS!!!

Not only did we move, the Post Office has assigned a
new address to our Monastery. Please change your records
to reflect:
SISTERS OF BENEDICT
RED PLAINS MONASTERY
728 RICHLAND ROAD, S.W.
PIEDMONT, OKLAHOMA 73078-9324
(405) 373-4565

July 26th dawned, and enthusiasm prevailed. Red Plains
Monastery was on the move! With eagerness, six Sisters secured
the remaining boxes· and relocated themselves some twenty miles
west of Oklahoma City to join other members of their Community
at 728 Richland Road - the united location of Red Plains Monastery.
Numerous volunteers in numerous vehicles expedited the transition,
and by nightfall, evening prayers resonated with additional strength
as voices praised God for enabling the Sisters to be "at home, all
together."

Old makes way for new as favorite tree is
relinquished for chapel space.

.91.s
you view these pages, with its many photographs

by Sister Miriam Schnoebelen, celebrate with the
Sisters their move to their expanded living spaces in the Monastery on Oklahoma's red prairie!

Loyal volunteer Merle Arens faithfully
maintains grounds.

Marilynn Burget, co-member, applies
professional touch at Sisters' new residence.
Page 3

By John M. Nichols, Esq.

"Bless the work of our hands, 0 Lord," becomes
constant prayer of chapel carpenter, Bob Powers
and Tom Temple, general contractor.

I
SPARK
I Like a new bride

Of the many methods to make charitable gifts to a tax exempt, charitable organization like the Sisters of Benedict, one of the most powerful and
tax efficient methods is through the Charitable Remainder Trust. The combination of substantial tax incentives plus the possibility of improved lifetime
income can be very attractive to a charitably inclined donor. In addition, the
value of the assets given away can often be made to "reappear" in the hands
of the donor's heirs through the use of a wealth replacement insurance policy.
A Charitable Remainder Trust is usually funded by the donor with
low earnings assets or assets that have appreciated in value over the years
such as common stock, mutual fund shares, collectibles or real estate. The
assets placed in the Trust are held, sold and administered by a designated
trustee who will typically pay the donor (and/or spouse) an annual payment
for life, based on the value of the assets placed in trust. Upon the death of the
income recipient(s), the remainder of the assets in the trust are paid over to the
charitable organization.
There are two basic types of Charitable Remainder Trusts, being the
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust and the Charitable Remainder Unitrust.
The selection of the type of trust, assets used for funding, trustee and other
features of the trust are details best left to the donor and his or her professional
advisors.
Where an interest in this type of funding exists to benefit the Sisters
of Benedict, substantial assitance in facilitating this gifting technique can be
provided. Inquiries can be directed to the Red Plains Monastery Development office at (405) 525-4565 or sent to Sister Marie Ballmann, O.S.B., Prioress, 728 Richland Road, S.W., Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078.

I glow in the light of first love
and energetically embrace you.

11

In time the glow fades a little,
I hope that it is within my reach
to eventually find the true flames.
In despair, aloneness and agony
I fall into the abyss of the darkness
and death of my spirit.
As the first dawn appears
You give me your fire
which was always near
And like the phoenix I rise,
I truly fly in the glow,
reborn with the light and
Passion of the One Spirit.
Lydia Karen Bishop, October 1996
Written and given as a gift to
the Benedictine Sisters of Red Plains Monastery
Piedmont, Oklahoma

Page4

Changing landscapes may be viewed through
chapel's expansive windows.

e,eCeriter

F, .i ert , o'.'

A MOVEABLEFEAST
By Rev. David Monahan
Priest of Archdiocese of OKC

What does one write of the Red Plains
Monastery's Sisters of Benedict?
The first and most obvious reality about them
is they are women of faith. Their faith includes an
explicit orientation of their lives to follow the path of
Jesus, the Lord, all the way into the heart of the mystery of I Am Who Am. In their peculiar passage of
faith they have jettisoned marriage and personal property to move more freely behind Him. Their faith
has motivated them to cling together in a common
life, a moveable feast of laughter and tears. As they
journey truly onward and upward, their faith has compelled them to spend their precious talents-teaching, spiritual guidance, expertise in public worship,
artistic expression, counseling, catechizing and pastoral care-on that larger group of walkers all around
them. Their fellow walkers also have the red dust of
Oklahoma on their shoes.
And so, the years are flying by. Even as their
steps are growing shorter, the next generation of Sisters of Benedict begins.
Being stouthearted women of faith, the Sisters of Benedict continue on their journey as Sara and
Abraham on theirs. The Red Plains Sisters' spiritual
progeny is in God's creating hands and the Sisters
will leave it there.
God bless these gallant women who follow
the Lord for our sakes.

Embracing arms of central crucifix are focal
point in new chapel.

+ Gratitude+ Acknowledgment
+ Thankfulness
+ Appreciation
+ Indebtedness
+
to all our volunteers for hours of help with

+ Luncheon+ Auction+ GarageSale+ Maintenance
+ BulkMailing+
and to our in-kind donors for assistance with

+ Professional
Services+ Supplies
+ Repairs+ Household
Items+ Furniture
+ Meals+ Tickets+
and to our friends who lift us up with

+ Cards+ Letters+ Prayers+ Laughter
+ PhoneCalls+ Gifts+ Donations
+ Scholarships
+
and to our God, who blesses and makes everything good.

+ Gratitude+ Acknowledgment
+ Thankfulness
+ Appreciation
+ Indebtedness
+
Page 5

OUR DONORS

•

SEPTEMBER 1995 - NOVEMBER 1996

We are grateful to all our donors listed below. We also want to give special thanks to our very many faithful friends in 1996, who
donated money at the time of our spring luncheon, with its silent auction and special drawing, and then at our fall garage sale!!!

JL
Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Wichita, KS
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Congregation of St. Agnes, Wisconsin
Stephen & Anne Marie Anthony
Bobbie Antrim
Martha Zoe Archer
Joyce & Olen Ardery
Joyce & Merle Arens
Salvatore Azzarella

'B
Jerome & Emily Ballmann
Eleanor & Mervin Barnes
Rev. Cletus Bash
Sherry & William Beasley
Robert P. Bellinghausen
Benedictine Sisters, Atchison, KS
Benedictine Sisters, Baltimore, MD
Benedictine Sisters, Bristow, VA
Benedictine Sisters, Chicago, IL
Benedictine Sisters, Columbia, MO
Benedictine Sisters, Cottonwood, ID
Benedictine Sisters, Covington, KY
Benedictine Sisters, Crookston, MN
Benedictine Sisters, Cullman. AL
Benedictine Sisters, Elizabeth, NJ
Benedictine Sisters, Erie, PA
Benedictine Sisters, Ferdinand, IN
Benedictine Sisters, Ft. Smith, AR
Benedictine Sisters, Lakewood, CO
Benedictine Sisters, Lisle, IL
Benedictine Sisters, Mt. Angel, OR
Benedictine Sisters, St. Louis, MO
Kay Benien
Charles & Mary Berger
Edna & Earl Berry
Laura & Ed Beshara
Jane & David Best
Rev. Tom Biller
Rosemary Billy
Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, SD
Anita Bobinet
Maree Boggs
T.J. Boismier
Ann Boland
Theresa & Sylvester Boland
Ju lane & Bill Borth
Melvin Bourgeois
Loray & Joseph Brady
Phyllis & C. J. Brandt
Cecilia & James Brandt
Julia Braun
Alice & Michael Brennan
Pat & Tom Brewer
Rita & Milton Brewer
Patricia & Charles Brion
Maureen Broman-Carte
Carolyn & William Brown
Dolores & Irwin Brown
Carol & Tom Brown
James W. Brownlee
Ann Mahoney Bryce
Bryce Insurance
Rev. Philip Bryce
Frances & Lu Buchheit
Lorene Buettner
Marilynn Burget
Wilma Burget
Janet Burke
Rita I. Burns
Page 6

Most Rev. Charles A. Buswell
Phyllis & Bill Byerly
Eugene 8. Byrnes

C
Mary Jane & Harry Calvey
Cuc Thu Cao
Mary & Bill Chastain
Jean Chenault
Carol Chicoraske
Leon Chicoraske
Jacqueline Chong
Margaret Christian
Carole Cleaver-Ryan
Loren & Dessie Cleveland
Carol A. Clemens
John R. Clinton
M/M Thomas A. Clote
JoAnn & Henry Cobb
David Coman
Angie and Lee Cosby
Lillian & Vincent Cotter
Rev. David Cowden
Shirley Cox
Richard N. Coyle
Rev. Philip Creider
Eileen & Robert Cronk
Glennora & Harold Cullen
H. Patrick Cullen
Elnora & Walter Cullinan

r.D
Helen & John Daily
Rachel Dalton
Joan Dark
Theresa & Joseph Darveau
Allene Davis
Eva & William Deering
Margaret Delaney
M/M R.T. Devero
Carol & Joseph Dillon
Frances Doak
Virginia Dobelbower
Robert & Susan Dolan
Dominican Sisters, Great Bend, KS
Frank Dougherty
Joe & Helen Dubey
Margaret & James Duea
Bill & Dolores Duffy
Wilma & Gabriel Duty

'E
Margaret & Arthur Eckroat
Ellen Edge
Jane F. Edmonds
Joe & Margaret Edwards
Shirley & John Egan
Cathy & Pete Eischen

:J

Sara Baker Fagan
Carol & George Faulk
Katherine & Brad Ferguson
Gayle Ferguson
Friends of Our Lady's Cathedral
Mary Ellen Fink
Rev. Cecil E. Finn
Jim Fite
Noreen & Arthur Fitzmaurice
Joanne & Joseph Forgue
Florence Frank

Regina & Brad Fudge
Jill & Gerald Funk
Loyce & James Funnell
James & Joanne Futrell
James and Marlowe Futrell

q
Rita Galier
Mrs. J.P. Gallagher
Eileen & Floyd Ganus
Sally & Frank Gardiner
Jerry Garrett
Grace Gavin
Anne & C.R. Gebken
Rev. Paul Gillespie
Thressa Guidice
Jane & Lavern Goetz
Rev. James Goins
Sandy Goldsworthy
Olga Gonsalves
Virginia & Milt Gravatt
Gretchen & Barry Gray
Theresa Green
Peggy & Dorothy Griffith
Janice & Kenneth Griggy
Fran & Paul Grounds
Mary K. Gumerlock

1{
C.H. Haces
Raymond Haefle
Robert & Marilyn Hagen
Rev. William Hamill
Susan Hand
Barbara & Robert Harper
Monty Harrigan
Darcie Harris
Frank H. Harris
Hayesenne Haskins
Paula & D.W. Hearn
Margaret Henderson
John Hendrix
Dixie & Gary Highberger
Jacquita & Robert Hirschi
Michelle Hoang
Helen Marie Hodges
Mary & Stanley Hodgson
Berenice Hoepfner
Patricia & James Hoerth
Judy & Denny Holst
Deborah & Gary Houlette
Edith Houpe
William L. Hughes
Charles Humphrey
Rebecca Hunzicker

1
Rev. David Imming
Jackie & Thomas Ingram
Jolene Ingram
Yvonne Istre

J

Nancy & Michael Jersa
8. Connor Johnson
Darlene & Don Johnson
Halina Johnson
Sue Ann Johnson
Jane Ann Johnston

Property of the Center

1

Univilli[l~llll~lliill
~ll
[llll[~11li1~l~li~li[lli"'
UK

M 001 111 486

Mailing day! Volunteers Halina Johnson, Julie Martine
and Mary Stupka keep Annual Appeal letters all straight.

'1(
Pam & Mike Kanaly
Rev. James Kastner
Patricia & Sam Kearney
Patricia H. Kelley
Mary Lou & Paul Khoury
Jeanette King
Margaret & William King
Knights of Columbus, State Council
Knights of Columbus, #6478
Knights of Columbus, #9583
Knights of Columbus, #9668
Nancy & David Koelsch
Linda Koenig
Elva & Fred Kraeer
Jeanette Kukowski

.l
Christine & Albert LaMonte
Sue & Jim Lamie
M/MWilliam Lauderdale
Mary Leahy
J. Michael Lee
Teresa Lee
Margaret Lehman
lzabella Lendvay
Leonard Leniewski
Louis V. Lepak, Sr,
Norm Linstromberg
Marie & Rocco Logiodice
Margaret Love
Clarice & Frank Loveless
Angeline Lovuola
Francis S. Luecke

'Jv(
Rev. Gerald MacAulay
Gerard Madigan
Laura & Philip Maguire
Georgia & Walter Malone
Rev. E.L. Malone
Kathleen & Frank Manning
Joe & Genevieve Manning
Marcellin Study Club
Marmion Abbey, Aurora, IL
Rev. Berard Marthaler
Florence Martin
William F. Matheny Jr.
Doli & Eugene Mathews
Anita & Thomas May
Ginny & John McCann
Christopher Mccawley
Kayla McClurg
Mozelle McCook
Bonnie & Bruce McGuigan
Pam & Pat McGuigan
Bettye McHam
Mary & Dale McHard
Mary & James McHugh

Mary McIntosh
Margaret McKinnis
Celeste McMahon
Fleta Meziere
Rev, John Michalicka
Donna & Larry Miles
Debra K, Mitchell
Dierdre & Jerry Moldrik
Martha & Michael Moore
H. Thomas Moran
Joan & Maxwell Morgan
Bernice & Bob Morrison
Kay & Leo C, Morrison
Mamie A. Mullen
Rev. Charles Murphy
Elizabeth Murray

9{
Rosemarie & Gerald Nagel
Theresa Nagel
Mary Naylor-Miller
D. J. Neikirk
Barbara & John Nichols
Mary & Max Nichols
Mary & Orville Nichols
Irene & Henry Nievez
Bernice & Charles Nithman
Angela & Vincent Nizza

0
Judith & Gene O'Brien
Margaret & Tim O'Connor
Linda O'Hern
M/M Bernard O'Loughlin
James O'Neill
Shirlene & Hugh O'Neill
Jeanne & John Ong
Myrtle & Oz Osterholt

p
M/M Martin Parizek
Jeanne Parkhurst
Clifford & Dorothy Peden
Diane S. Perkins
Rev, John Petuskey
Mary Kempf Pinzon
Diana Hall & Tom Pipal
Carol Lee Piraro
Mary & Paul Podolec
Erick Porter
Rev. William Pruett
Margaret Purvis
Nancy Pyeatt

1(
Genevieve Rapp
Peggy & Joe Ray
Col. James W. Reiber
James J. Reilly
Leo Reilly
Irene & George Reppert
Shirley & Pat Reynolds
Andy & Hank Rheinberger
Elizabeth Roddy
Anne & Eugene Rohrbach
Patty Roselius
Jeanne & Rex Ross
Kimberly & David Ross
Rev. Joseph Ross
Ted A, Ross
Clara & W.B. Rowan
Vestina & Joe Ruffin
T.H. Russell
Susan & James Ruth
Pat & Tom Ryland
Bonnie Rynda

s

Most Rev, Charles A. Salatka
Roseanne & Don Sanders
James R. Sauer
Marie Scheppers
Kathryn S. Schiff
Marjorie & Joe Schneider
Al & Mari Schnoebelen
Omer & Marguerite Schnoebelen
Naomi Schwartz
Jacqueline Semtner
Harold Shannon
Bernarda Sharkey
Ottilia A. Sharp
Carol & Ken Shean
Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, KS
Sisters of Mercy, St. Louis, MO
Raymond Skeehan
Mary Slyman
Stephen Smigielski
Marianne Smith
Karen & John Sorbera
Dr. Margaret Sorenson
Margaret & Frank Squires
St. Francis Xavier Church, Enid
St. Joseph's Church, Norman
St. Joseph Foundation, Concordia, KS
St. Meinrad Archabbey, IN
St. Pius X Church, Tulsa
St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL
Susan & Louis Stackler
Maxine Stancampiano
Pat & Herbert Stanley, Jr.
Evelyn Stasyszen
Martha & James Steffan
Maybelle Steffan
Mary D. Steltenkamp
Mary Ann Stupka
Nancy & Fred H, Suhre, Jr.
Dorothy & Wayne Sullens
Bernard Sullivan
Most Rev, John J, Sullivan
Richard & Paula Sullivan
Helen Swanda

'T
M/M James Talley
Frances & Dexter Taylor
Veronica & Terry Taylor
Florence E. Tepper
Georgianne & David Thomas
Mary Ann Tomlinson
Marjean & Charles Towe
Le Dung Tran
Geralda M. Trapp
Helen & Frosty Troy
Kevin Troy
Peggy Tucker
SandyTwark
Annette Twitchell

'V
Catherine Venters
Charles Visina
Henry Vrana

'W
Agnes & Jack Waddell
Tom Waken
Terry & Ed Warnick
Loretta & Roy Weber
James & David Wemhaner
Winifred & John Whelan

Page 7

DONORS, cont'dfrompage

7

Helen & Vernon Whittle
Glenann Wilkerson
Anthonette Wiist
Nancy Will
James R. Williams
Christopher Wilson
M/M R.Q. Winters
Joan Kelly Wirges
Eva & Hilda Wolf
Rev. Frank Wrigley

y
Isabelle & Peter Yankauskis
Mariamma Yohannan

z

Joanne & James Ziegler

1n1(ind'Donations
Pat Anderson
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Joyce Ardery
Joyce & Merle Arens Family
Patty Baker
Sherry Beasley
Linda & Jim Benien
Betty Biewan
Julane Borth
Cheryl & Stephen Browne
Liz Burns
Marilynn Burget
Harry Calvey

IN HONOR OF:

SISTER MARIE LUECKE, O.S.B.
by George & Carolyn Faulk
GRACE GAVIN
by Glenn & Karen Furman

IN MEMORY OF:

SISTER LEONA LUECKE, O.S.B.
by Joan Morgan
SISTER LUCY KREISER, O.S.B.
by Rev. Joseph Vas
ELOISE GORMAN
by Judith Wolfe

Dr. Philip Maguire
Mailing Volunteers from
Christ the King Parish
Church of the Epiphany &
Our Lady's Cathedral
Joe Manning
Pat Maye
Mercy Health Center
Dr. Lloyd Miller
Mary Ann & Chuck Roth
John M. Nichols
Bernice Nithman
Dr. Thomas Nix
Patsy Oldham
Andy & Hank Rheinberger
Lil Ross
Dr. Richard Ruffin
Dr. Hanna Saadah
Sylvia Slater
St. Anthony Hospital
Dr. Margaret Sorenson
Mary Diane Steltenkamp
Mary Stupka
Nadine Thiel
Alvera Vail
Jeanne Ann Van Horn
Dr. Roland Walters
John Wall
Jo Ellyn Wheeler
May Whitley
Dr. Carla Werner
Myriam & Jerry White
Cheri Wiley

Don Chabot
Jean Chenault
Christ the King Parish
Cory Audio-Visual Services
Richard N. Coyle
Dr. Morris Curry
Carol Dolan
Susan Dolan
Dr. James Dougherty
Dr. Dean Drooby
Joe Dunaway
Mary Ann Edwards
Stephanie Emrick
Betty Erbrick
Yvette Fleckinger
Mary Fong
Joanne & Joseph Forgue
Dr. James Funnell
Jo Anne Futrell
Dr. Gena Gardiner
Grace Gavin
Dr. Leslie Hardy
Darcie Harris
Barbara Hess
Joanne Hoch
Dr. Chi W. Hsu
Dr. George Jay
Dr. Jay Johnston
Dr. Jana Karim
Jeanette King
Barbara Koerner
Fran Lazarra
Mel Luetkemeyer
Dr. Hugh Maguire

Marie M. Hollenbeck
Billie Kaszubowski
Ann & Jim Kelih
Laura & Richard Kriegel
Theresa & Daniel Kurtenbach
Pat & Wayne Meeks
John Meyers, Jr., Memoriam by Elaine Ryan
Larry & Donna Miles
Carolyn Moxley
Bernice & Charles Nithman
Mary C. Palumbo
Margaret L. Price
Mary Ellen Price
Anna Fay Rose
N. Jean & Wilburn F. Terrell

DON KING
by Associated Catholic Charities, OKC
Mr. & Mrs. G.R. Barr
Dorotha Bolick
Julane & Bill Borth
Ann & Bill Brackett
Carol & Tom Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Curt Clevenger
Elnora Cullinan
Peggy Davidson
Friends from Department
of Environmental Quality,
State of Oklahoma
Jane F. Edmonds
Judy Ferguson
Kristy & Tom Goodpasture
Carol & Jeff Hirzel

Sistersof 'Benedict

Non-profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

728 Richland Road, SW
Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078

Oklahoma City,
OK
Permit No. 1359

ADDRESSCORRECTIONREQUESTED

Herland
2312

Sister

N.W.

Oklahoma

Resources

39th

City

OK 73112



Property of the Cen er

Sisterso 'Benetfict
NE\VSLETTER
Winter 1996, Vol. 7: Issue 1

IN JESUS
THE CARPENTER
OF NAZARETH

GOD
Entersthe Most
Intimateand
Personal
Part
of Ourselves

--Meister Eckhart

M'!)' we each be blessing for the other!
Sisters of Benedict
Red Plains Monastery

Fl[RST CA'Pl[1CALCAMPAKGN lC'NDER\l'AY!!
A most stimulating phase in
the community life of the Sisters of
Red Plains Monastery has begun!
The first-ever Capital Campaign has
been initiated, and funds realized
from the Campaign will enable the
Sisters to complete the Monastery's
expansion and construction projects.
The goal for the Campaign
is $530,000 with some $320,000
already pledged or paid to the Sisters for the Campaign, according to
Sister Marie Ballmann, Prioress.
"The well-spring of love and
generosity of our many friends
seems to be ceaseless and at times,
overwhelming," Sister Marie noted,
"and our reliance on God's favor has
sustained us throughout these past
several months.
We're only
$210,000 from our goal now-just
a bit more effort and we'll be there!
We invite any contribution, large or
small, to assist us in the Campaign.
Please contact us by telephone or

letter for further information."
Many projects have already
been completed, including the renovation of a third residence adjacent
to Lucy's Retreat. Five sisters now
reside there, and the modifications,
though modest, have allowed the
residence to become a comfortable
and accessible home.
Lucy's Guest House has undergone some restyling as well. The
home serves as the primary facility
for guest retreatants as well as the
residence of two Sisters. The fundamental changes include the construction of new bedrooms and spiritual direction rooms.
Many of the projects center
in the main house. A new kitchen
and dining room are used daily by
the entire community. In addition,
the present business/development
office will become a Community
room when the garage conversion
to accommodate the office and a

pantry storage is completed.
Sister Marie added, "Our
beautiful new chapel which is attached to the main house is near
completion, too. It will be a place
of spiritual respite for many guests
and retreatants as well as the location of the Community's twice-daily
Liturgy of the Hours."
One noteworthy feature of
the chapel is the incorporation of
several red bricks from St. Joseph's
Convent in Guthrie, Oklahoma,the
original Benedictine motherhouse,
established in 1892. "A majorityof
the Sisters entered into Benedictine
life in Guthrie, and so these bricks
are symbolic of our continuity with
that original foundation and with our
Oklahoma heritage," Marie concluded.

---------------------------------------I am pleased to help the Sisters of Benedict continue being a Gospel presence in the lives of others. I/we wish to
pledge to Red Plains Monastery the sum of$ _______
of which $_______
is paid herewith or
by pledge payments.
Pledge payments will be made as follows: $_______
on.______
_
$_______
on______
_
$_______

on______

_

Name______________________________________

_

Address____________________________________

_

City__________

State_____

Zip______

Phone( ___

)________

Signature/Date

Please indicate how you wish your name(s) to appear on the Sisters of Benedict permanent donor records:

Please make checks payable to Sisters of Benedict
Address: 728 Richland Road, S. W, Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078-9324
(405) 373-4565
Page 2

_

r

WE HAVE

A NEW ADDRESS!!!

Not only did we move, the Post Office has assigned a
new address to our Monastery. Please change your records
to reflect:
SISTERS OF BENEDICT
RED PLAINS MONASTERY
728 RICHLAND ROAD, S.W.
PIEDMONT, OKLAHOMA 73078-9324
(405) 373-4565

July 26th dawned, and enthusiasm prevailed. Red Plains
Monastery was on the move! With eagerness, six Sisters secured
the remaining boxes· and relocated themselves some twenty miles
west of Oklahoma City to join other members of their Community
at 728 Richland Road - the united location of Red Plains Monastery.
Numerous volunteers in numerous vehicles expedited the transition,
and by nightfall, evening prayers resonated with additional strength
as voices praised God for enabling the Sisters to be "at home, all
together."

Old makes way for new as favorite tree is
relinquished for chapel space.

.91.s
you view these pages, with its many photographs

by Sister Miriam Schnoebelen, celebrate with the
Sisters their move to their expanded living spaces in the Monastery on Oklahoma's red prairie!

Loyal volunteer Merle Arens faithfully
maintains grounds.

Marilynn Burget, co-member, applies
professional touch at Sisters' new residence.
Page 3

By John M. Nichols, Esq.

"Bless the work of our hands, 0 Lord," becomes
constant prayer of chapel carpenter, Bob Powers
and Tom Temple, general contractor.

I
SPARK
I Like a new bride

Of the many methods to make charitable gifts to a tax exempt, charitable organization like the Sisters of Benedict, one of the most powerful and
tax efficient methods is through the Charitable Remainder Trust. The combination of substantial tax incentives plus the possibility of improved lifetime
income can be very attractive to a charitably inclined donor. In addition, the
value of the assets given away can often be made to "reappear" in the hands
of the donor's heirs through the use of a wealth replacement insurance policy.
A Charitable Remainder Trust is usually funded by the donor with
low earnings assets or assets that have appreciated in value over the years
such as common stock, mutual fund shares, collectibles or real estate. The
assets placed in the Trust are held, sold and administered by a designated
trustee who will typically pay the donor (and/or spouse) an annual payment
for life, based on the value of the assets placed in trust. Upon the death of the
income recipient(s), the remainder of the assets in the trust are paid over to the
charitable organization.
There are two basic types of Charitable Remainder Trusts, being the
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust and the Charitable Remainder Unitrust.
The selection of the type of trust, assets used for funding, trustee and other
features of the trust are details best left to the donor and his or her professional
advisors.
Where an interest in this type of funding exists to benefit the Sisters
of Benedict, substantial assitance in facilitating this gifting technique can be
provided. Inquiries can be directed to the Red Plains Monastery Development office at (405) 525-4565 or sent to Sister Marie Ballmann, O.S.B., Prioress, 728 Richland Road, S.W., Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078.

I glow in the light of first love
and energetically embrace you.

11

In time the glow fades a little,
I hope that it is within my reach
to eventually find the true flames.
In despair, aloneness and agony
I fall into the abyss of the darkness
and death of my spirit.
As the first dawn appears
You give me your fire
which was always near
And like the phoenix I rise,
I truly fly in the glow,
reborn with the light and
Passion of the One Spirit.
Lydia Karen Bishop, October 1996
Written and given as a gift to
the Benedictine Sisters of Red Plains Monastery
Piedmont, Oklahoma

Page4

Changing landscapes may be viewed through
chapel's expansive windows.

e,eCeriter

F, .i ert , o'.'

A MOVEABLEFEAST
By Rev. David Monahan
Priest of Archdiocese of OKC

What does one write of the Red Plains
Monastery's Sisters of Benedict?
The first and most obvious reality about them
is they are women of faith. Their faith includes an
explicit orientation of their lives to follow the path of
Jesus, the Lord, all the way into the heart of the mystery of I Am Who Am. In their peculiar passage of
faith they have jettisoned marriage and personal property to move more freely behind Him. Their faith
has motivated them to cling together in a common
life, a moveable feast of laughter and tears. As they
journey truly onward and upward, their faith has compelled them to spend their precious talents-teaching, spiritual guidance, expertise in public worship,
artistic expression, counseling, catechizing and pastoral care-on that larger group of walkers all around
them. Their fellow walkers also have the red dust of
Oklahoma on their shoes.
And so, the years are flying by. Even as their
steps are growing shorter, the next generation of Sisters of Benedict begins.
Being stouthearted women of faith, the Sisters of Benedict continue on their journey as Sara and
Abraham on theirs. The Red Plains Sisters' spiritual
progeny is in God's creating hands and the Sisters
will leave it there.
God bless these gallant women who follow
the Lord for our sakes.

Embracing arms of central crucifix are focal
point in new chapel.

+ Gratitude+ Acknowledgment
+ Thankfulness
+ Appreciation
+ Indebtedness
+
to all our volunteers for hours of help with

+ Luncheon+ Auction+ GarageSale+ Maintenance
+ BulkMailing+
and to our in-kind donors for assistance with

+ Professional
Services+ Supplies
+ Repairs+ Household
Items+ Furniture
+ Meals+ Tickets+
and to our friends who lift us up with

+ Cards+ Letters+ Prayers+ Laughter
+ PhoneCalls+ Gifts+ Donations
+ Scholarships
+
and to our God, who blesses and makes everything good.

+ Gratitude+ Acknowledgment
+ Thankfulness
+ Appreciation
+ Indebtedness
+
Page 5

OUR DONORS

•

SEPTEMBER 1995 - NOVEMBER 1996

We are grateful to all our donors listed below. We also want to give special thanks to our very many faithful friends in 1996, who
donated money at the time of our spring luncheon, with its silent auction and special drawing, and then at our fall garage sale!!!

JL
Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Wichita, KS
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Congregation of St. Agnes, Wisconsin
Stephen & Anne Marie Anthony
Bobbie Antrim
Martha Zoe Archer
Joyce & Olen Ardery
Joyce & Merle Arens
Salvatore Azzarella

'B
Jerome & Emily Ballmann
Eleanor & Mervin Barnes
Rev. Cletus Bash
Sherry & William Beasley
Robert P. Bellinghausen
Benedictine Sisters, Atchison, KS
Benedictine Sisters, Baltimore, MD
Benedictine Sisters, Bristow, VA
Benedictine Sisters, Chicago, IL
Benedictine Sisters, Columbia, MO
Benedictine Sisters, Cottonwood, ID
Benedictine Sisters, Covington, KY
Benedictine Sisters, Crookston, MN
Benedictine Sisters, Cullman. AL
Benedictine Sisters, Elizabeth, NJ
Benedictine Sisters, Erie, PA
Benedictine Sisters, Ferdinand, IN
Benedictine Sisters, Ft. Smith, AR
Benedictine Sisters, Lakewood, CO
Benedictine Sisters, Lisle, IL
Benedictine Sisters, Mt. Angel, OR
Benedictine Sisters, St. Louis, MO
Kay Benien
Charles & Mary Berger
Edna & Earl Berry
Laura & Ed Beshara
Jane & David Best
Rev. Tom Biller
Rosemary Billy
Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, SD
Anita Bobinet
Maree Boggs
T.J. Boismier
Ann Boland
Theresa & Sylvester Boland
Ju lane & Bill Borth
Melvin Bourgeois
Loray & Joseph Brady
Phyllis & C. J. Brandt
Cecilia & James Brandt
Julia Braun
Alice & Michael Brennan
Pat & Tom Brewer
Rita & Milton Brewer
Patricia & Charles Brion
Maureen Broman-Carte
Carolyn & William Brown
Dolores & Irwin Brown
Carol & Tom Brown
James W. Brownlee
Ann Mahoney Bryce
Bryce Insurance
Rev. Philip Bryce
Frances & Lu Buchheit
Lorene Buettner
Marilynn Burget
Wilma Burget
Janet Burke
Rita I. Burns
Page 6

Most Rev. Charles A. Buswell
Phyllis & Bill Byerly
Eugene 8. Byrnes

C
Mary Jane & Harry Calvey
Cuc Thu Cao
Mary & Bill Chastain
Jean Chenault
Carol Chicoraske
Leon Chicoraske
Jacqueline Chong
Margaret Christian
Carole Cleaver-Ryan
Loren & Dessie Cleveland
Carol A. Clemens
John R. Clinton
M/M Thomas A. Clote
JoAnn & Henry Cobb
David Coman
Angie and Lee Cosby
Lillian & Vincent Cotter
Rev. David Cowden
Shirley Cox
Richard N. Coyle
Rev. Philip Creider
Eileen & Robert Cronk
Glennora & Harold Cullen
H. Patrick Cullen
Elnora & Walter Cullinan

r.D
Helen & John Daily
Rachel Dalton
Joan Dark
Theresa & Joseph Darveau
Allene Davis
Eva & William Deering
Margaret Delaney
M/M R.T. Devero
Carol & Joseph Dillon
Frances Doak
Virginia Dobelbower
Robert & Susan Dolan
Dominican Sisters, Great Bend, KS
Frank Dougherty
Joe & Helen Dubey
Margaret & James Duea
Bill & Dolores Duffy
Wilma & Gabriel Duty

'E
Margaret & Arthur Eckroat
Ellen Edge
Jane F. Edmonds
Joe & Margaret Edwards
Shirley & John Egan
Cathy & Pete Eischen

:J

Sara Baker Fagan
Carol & George Faulk
Katherine & Brad Ferguson
Gayle Ferguson
Friends of Our Lady's Cathedral
Mary Ellen Fink
Rev. Cecil E. Finn
Jim Fite
Noreen & Arthur Fitzmaurice
Joanne & Joseph Forgue
Florence Frank

Regina & Brad Fudge
Jill & Gerald Funk
Loyce & James Funnell
James & Joanne Futrell
James and Marlowe Futrell

q
Rita Galier
Mrs. J.P. Gallagher
Eileen & Floyd Ganus
Sally & Frank Gardiner
Jerry Garrett
Grace Gavin
Anne & C.R. Gebken
Rev. Paul Gillespie
Thressa Guidice
Jane & Lavern Goetz
Rev. James Goins
Sandy Goldsworthy
Olga Gonsalves
Virginia & Milt Gravatt
Gretchen & Barry Gray
Theresa Green
Peggy & Dorothy Griffith
Janice & Kenneth Griggy
Fran & Paul Grounds
Mary K. Gumerlock

1{
C.H. Haces
Raymond Haefle
Robert & Marilyn Hagen
Rev. William Hamill
Susan Hand
Barbara & Robert Harper
Monty Harrigan
Darcie Harris
Frank H. Harris
Hayesenne Haskins
Paula & D.W. Hearn
Margaret Henderson
John Hendrix
Dixie & Gary Highberger
Jacquita & Robert Hirschi
Michelle Hoang
Helen Marie Hodges
Mary & Stanley Hodgson
Berenice Hoepfner
Patricia & James Hoerth
Judy & Denny Holst
Deborah & Gary Houlette
Edith Houpe
William L. Hughes
Charles Humphrey
Rebecca Hunzicker

1
Rev. David Imming
Jackie & Thomas Ingram
Jolene Ingram
Yvonne Istre

J

Nancy & Michael Jersa
8. Connor Johnson
Darlene & Don Johnson
Halina Johnson
Sue Ann Johnson
Jane Ann Johnston

Property of the Center

1

Univilli[l~llll~lliill
~ll
[llll[~11li1~l~li~li[lli"'
UK

M 001 111 486

Mailing day! Volunteers Halina Johnson, Julie Martine
and Mary Stupka keep Annual Appeal letters all straight.

'1(
Pam & Mike Kanaly
Rev. James Kastner
Patricia & Sam Kearney
Patricia H. Kelley
Mary Lou & Paul Khoury
Jeanette King
Margaret & William King
Knights of Columbus, State Council
Knights of Columbus, #6478
Knights of Columbus, #9583
Knights of Columbus, #9668
Nancy & David Koelsch
Linda Koenig
Elva & Fred Kraeer
Jeanette Kukowski

.l
Christine & Albert LaMonte
Sue & Jim Lamie
M/MWilliam Lauderdale
Mary Leahy
J. Michael Lee
Teresa Lee
Margaret Lehman
lzabella Lendvay
Leonard Leniewski
Louis V. Lepak, Sr,
Norm Linstromberg
Marie & Rocco Logiodice
Margaret Love
Clarice & Frank Loveless
Angeline Lovuola
Francis S. Luecke

'Jv(
Rev. Gerald MacAulay
Gerard Madigan
Laura & Philip Maguire
Georgia & Walter Malone
Rev. E.L. Malone
Kathleen & Frank Manning
Joe & Genevieve Manning
Marcellin Study Club
Marmion Abbey, Aurora, IL
Rev. Berard Marthaler
Florence Martin
William F. Matheny Jr.
Doli & Eugene Mathews
Anita & Thomas May
Ginny & John McCann
Christopher Mccawley
Kayla McClurg
Mozelle McCook
Bonnie & Bruce McGuigan
Pam & Pat McGuigan
Bettye McHam
Mary & Dale McHard
Mary & James McHugh

Mary McIntosh
Margaret McKinnis
Celeste McMahon
Fleta Meziere
Rev, John Michalicka
Donna & Larry Miles
Debra K, Mitchell
Dierdre & Jerry Moldrik
Martha & Michael Moore
H. Thomas Moran
Joan & Maxwell Morgan
Bernice & Bob Morrison
Kay & Leo C, Morrison
Mamie A. Mullen
Rev. Charles Murphy
Elizabeth Murray

9{
Rosemarie & Gerald Nagel
Theresa Nagel
Mary Naylor-Miller
D. J. Neikirk
Barbara & John Nichols
Mary & Max Nichols
Mary & Orville Nichols
Irene & Henry Nievez
Bernice & Charles Nithman
Angela & Vincent Nizza

0
Judith & Gene O'Brien
Margaret & Tim O'Connor
Linda O'Hern
M/M Bernard O'Loughlin
James O'Neill
Shirlene & Hugh O'Neill
Jeanne & John Ong
Myrtle & Oz Osterholt

p
M/M Martin Parizek
Jeanne Parkhurst
Clifford & Dorothy Peden
Diane S. Perkins
Rev, John Petuskey
Mary Kempf Pinzon
Diana Hall & Tom Pipal
Carol Lee Piraro
Mary & Paul Podolec
Erick Porter
Rev. William Pruett
Margaret Purvis
Nancy Pyeatt

1(
Genevieve Rapp
Peggy & Joe Ray
Col. James W. Reiber
James J. Reilly
Leo Reilly
Irene & George Reppert
Shirley & Pat Reynolds
Andy & Hank Rheinberger
Elizabeth Roddy
Anne & Eugene Rohrbach
Patty Roselius
Jeanne & Rex Ross
Kimberly & David Ross
Rev. Joseph Ross
Ted A, Ross
Clara & W.B. Rowan
Vestina & Joe Ruffin
T.H. Russell
Susan & James Ruth
Pat & Tom Ryland
Bonnie Rynda

s

Most Rev, Charles A. Salatka
Roseanne & Don Sanders
James R. Sauer
Marie Scheppers
Kathryn S. Schiff
Marjorie & Joe Schneider
Al & Mari Schnoebelen
Omer & Marguerite Schnoebelen
Naomi Schwartz
Jacqueline Semtner
Harold Shannon
Bernarda Sharkey
Ottilia A. Sharp
Carol & Ken Shean
Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, KS
Sisters of Mercy, St. Louis, MO
Raymond Skeehan
Mary Slyman
Stephen Smigielski
Marianne Smith
Karen & John Sorbera
Dr. Margaret Sorenson
Margaret & Frank Squires
St. Francis Xavier Church, Enid
St. Joseph's Church, Norman
St. Joseph Foundation, Concordia, KS
St. Meinrad Archabbey, IN
St. Pius X Church, Tulsa
St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL
Susan & Louis Stackler
Maxine Stancampiano
Pat & Herbert Stanley, Jr.
Evelyn Stasyszen
Martha & James Steffan
Maybelle Steffan
Mary D. Steltenkamp
Mary Ann Stupka
Nancy & Fred H, Suhre, Jr.
Dorothy & Wayne Sullens
Bernard Sullivan
Most Rev, John J, Sullivan
Richard & Paula Sullivan
Helen Swanda

'T
M/M James Talley
Frances & Dexter Taylor
Veronica & Terry Taylor
Florence E. Tepper
Georgianne & David Thomas
Mary Ann Tomlinson
Marjean & Charles Towe
Le Dung Tran
Geralda M. Trapp
Helen & Frosty Troy
Kevin Troy
Peggy Tucker
SandyTwark
Annette Twitchell

'V
Catherine Venters
Charles Visina
Henry Vrana

'W
Agnes & Jack Waddell
Tom Waken
Terry & Ed Warnick
Loretta & Roy Weber
James & David Wemhaner
Winifred & John Whelan

Page 7

DONORS, cont'dfrompage

7

Helen & Vernon Whittle
Glenann Wilkerson
Anthonette Wiist
Nancy Will
James R. Williams
Christopher Wilson
M/M R.Q. Winters
Joan Kelly Wirges
Eva & Hilda Wolf
Rev. Frank Wrigley

y
Isabelle & Peter Yankauskis
Mariamma Yohannan

z

Joanne & James Ziegler

1n1(ind'Donations
Pat Anderson
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Joyce Ardery
Joyce & Merle Arens Family
Patty Baker
Sherry Beasley
Linda & Jim Benien
Betty Biewan
Julane Borth
Cheryl & Stephen Browne
Liz Burns
Marilynn Burget
Harry Calvey

IN HONOR OF:

SISTER MARIE LUECKE, O.S.B.
by George & Carolyn Faulk
GRACE GAVIN
by Glenn & Karen Furman

IN MEMORY OF:

SISTER LEONA LUECKE, O.S.B.
by Joan Morgan
SISTER LUCY KREISER, O.S.B.
by Rev. Joseph Vas
ELOISE GORMAN
by Judith Wolfe

Dr. Philip Maguire
Mailing Volunteers from
Christ the King Parish
Church of the Epiphany &
Our Lady's Cathedral
Joe Manning
Pat Maye
Mercy Health Center
Dr. Lloyd Miller
Mary Ann & Chuck Roth
John M. Nichols
Bernice Nithman
Dr. Thomas Nix
Patsy Oldham
Andy & Hank Rheinberger
Lil Ross
Dr. Richard Ruffin
Dr. Hanna Saadah
Sylvia Slater
St. Anthony Hospital
Dr. Margaret Sorenson
Mary Diane Steltenkamp
Mary Stupka
Nadine Thiel
Alvera Vail
Jeanne Ann Van Horn
Dr. Roland Walters
John Wall
Jo Ellyn Wheeler
May Whitley
Dr. Carla Werner
Myriam & Jerry White
Cheri Wiley

Don Chabot
Jean Chenault
Christ the King Parish
Cory Audio-Visual Services
Richard N. Coyle
Dr. Morris Curry
Carol Dolan
Susan Dolan
Dr. James Dougherty
Dr. Dean Drooby
Joe Dunaway
Mary Ann Edwards
Stephanie Emrick
Betty Erbrick
Yvette Fleckinger
Mary Fong
Joanne & Joseph Forgue
Dr. James Funnell
Jo Anne Futrell
Dr. Gena Gardiner
Grace Gavin
Dr. Leslie Hardy
Darcie Harris
Barbara Hess
Joanne Hoch
Dr. Chi W. Hsu
Dr. George Jay
Dr. Jay Johnston
Dr. Jana Karim
Jeanette King
Barbara Koerner
Fran Lazarra
Mel Luetkemeyer
Dr. Hugh Maguire

Marie M. Hollenbeck
Billie Kaszubowski
Ann & Jim Kelih
Laura & Richard Kriegel
Theresa & Daniel Kurtenbach
Pat & Wayne Meeks
John Meyers, Jr., Memoriam by Elaine Ryan
Larry & Donna Miles
Carolyn Moxley
Bernice & Charles Nithman
Mary C. Palumbo
Margaret L. Price
Mary Ellen Price
Anna Fay Rose
N. Jean & Wilburn F. Terrell

DON KING
by Associated Catholic Charities, OKC
Mr. & Mrs. G.R. Barr
Dorotha Bolick
Julane & Bill Borth
Ann & Bill Brackett
Carol & Tom Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Curt Clevenger
Elnora Cullinan
Peggy Davidson
Friends from Department
of Environmental Quality,
State of Oklahoma
Jane F. Edmonds
Judy Ferguson
Kristy & Tom Goodpasture
Carol & Jeff Hirzel

Sistersof 'Benedict

Non-profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

728 Richland Road, SW
Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078

Oklahoma City,
OK
Permit No. 1359

ADDRESSCORRECTIONREQUESTED

Herland
2312

Sister

N.W.

Oklahoma

Resources

39th

City

OK 73112