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Sisterso 'Benedict
NE¥1SLETTER
Summer 1999, Vol. 10: Issue 1

9 th ANNUAL LUNCHEON HOSTED
BY FIRST LADY OF OKLAHOMA
Despite thunderstorms,the ninth annual Spring Luncheon at the
Phillips Pavilionon the grounds of OklahomaGovernor's Mansion
ONE HAPPY
was lots of fun! Mrs. Cathy Keatingwas our hostessand luncheon
WOMAN!
speaker. Gracious and lighthearted,Mrs. Keating shared anecdotal
stories of her experiencesas first lady of the state. She opened the
Mansion,whichshe dubbed"your home,"to 185guestsfollowingthe A parallel activity to our luncheon
is our annual drawing. Typically
luncheon.
a hand-made quilt is one of the
Cathy Keating, Oklahoma's
gifts.
This year's winner, Deborah
first lady, and luncheon
A luncheonchairwomanin 1997,Jeanne Anne Van Horn repeated
hostess, provided humor
serviceby chairingthis year's luncheon. Togetherwith her daughter, Morrow Roulette, of Wanette,
during her remarks.
Oklahoma, could not be present at
Mallory, and
the luncheon, but her enthusiasm
our development director, Barbara Nichols, Mrs. Van Horn
is worth sharing:
co-ordinateddetailsand arrangementswithRalph
"What a wonderful surprise I had
Knighton, administrator of the Governor's
when I found the package at my
Mansionand the PhillipsPavilion.
backdoor. It seemed like Christmas in April! One of the most
The Benedictinecookbook,a traditionalluncheon
beautiful items I have ever
souvenir for each guest, featured "Mansion
personally
received
awaited
Favorites"and "MonasteryFavorites." Allisha's
Luncheon guests, from left, include Billie
Catering provided three delicious salads, a
me .... the quilt is gorgeous ... .! love
luscious chocolate dessert, raspberry tea and Milligan, Nancy Wallace, Irene Alsobrook
pink and the colors/pattern comand Ellen Knebel.
lovely service. Many of our formerand faithful
bination is superb. It is happy and
luncheon volunteers were present, and comspring-like! The cross-stitched
mentedon the relaxedatmosphere,"What? No browniesto bake, no lemonsquaresto cut....?"
panels of violets and the starburst
center pattern are absolutely
Thirty-four individualscontributedas sponsors,or underwriters,of the luncheon. We are grateful to splendid ...... Please share my senSherryBeasley,TerriBernauer, DavidandJaneBest,CarleenBurger,HarryandMaryJaneCalvey,Elnora timents of appreciation with any
Cullinan, Susan and Robert Dolan, Mary Ann Edwards, Betty or all who had anything to do with
Erbrick,JaneEdmonds,Sandyand
this quilt....! consider the quilt
Tom Goldsworthy,Darcie Harris,
both as functional artwork, and a
JeanetteKing, Judy Love, Margablessing ..... "
ret V. Love, Mary Martinovich,
LibbyMedina,ElizabethZ. Milam,
We are tickled the quilt was
Tom Moran, Barbara Nichols,
lovingly received. The crossVestina Ruffin, Sylvia Slater,
stitch was completed by Sisters
KathySteffen,MarjeanandCharles
Eunice and Marie Ballmann, and
Towe,Nancyand GeorgeWallace
their own sister Margaret
and an anonymous donor all of
Lageman
..... It was quilted by our
Andy Rheinberger, standing,
metropolitan Oklahoma City;
community
friend, Mary Louise
welcomes Kay Sexton, Sue Reno Frances Doak of Chickasha and
Chapman.
and Peg Conner.
MaryE. NicholsofBrokenArrow,
Luncheon chairwoman,
Oklahoma.
Jeanne Anne Van Horn.

Sister 'EuniceCefe6rates(jo[denJubifee
Sister Eunice Ballmann celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Monastic
Profession on Saturday, June 5. Recently retired from teaching
activities, Eunice serves the community as Formation Director. A
native of Elsberry, Missouri, she made first profession of vows on
January 3, 1949, at St. Joseph's Convent, Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Eunice's jubilee celebration took place at first vespers of Corpus
Christi. At the ceremony Eunice was surrounded by her community
and some thirty guests, including her five brothers and sisters. Along
with Sister Marie Ballmann of Red Plains Monastery were Margaret
Lagemann of Elsberry, Missouri; Jerome and Emily Ballmann of
O'Fallon, Missouri; Anthony Ballmann of Davis, California; and
Patricia Ryland of Houston, Texas.
The Renewal of Monastic Profession took place during the ceremony.
Eunice stood before the community and publically renewed the
Sister Eunice
threefold monastic profession of stability, conversion through the
monastic way of life, and obedience, which she had proclaimed fifty
years ago. With upraised arms, she thrice intoned the Suscipe, a traditional supplication first sung at the time of her
final profession. The community repeated the intonation in response. The intonation is a monastic custom which
dates back to the time of St. Benedict and expresses trust in God's faithfulness.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Eunice was honored with dinner at the monastery. Heartiest congratulations,
Sister Eunice!

lBlENEDKCT RETURN§
·ci

TO GREET

OUR GUEST§

For many years, a handsome mosaic of St. Benedict had an honored place at our front
door. A gift of artist Ann Stuever in 1968, the mosaic gradually deteriorated from the
weather and some of its tiles began to fall from place. Sister Roberta collected theloose
tiles and repaired "St. Benedict" with painstaking care.
We tried to find the right place, a new home for the mosaic. We tried the monastery
hallway. We tried a second place in the monastery hallway. We tried other seemingly
fit locations, but we were never fully satisfied. At long last, someone spoke our
collective desire and said, "I really liked it best outside the front door to greet our
guests."
We then embarked on suitable protection from the elements. A redwood frame and
backing were fashioned, and Roberta will continue to apply a protective silicon sealer
to shield the surface.

Mosaic of St. Benedict

Page 2

When you visit the monastery, Benedict is back "home" to greet you at the front door.

:Fourth
J-lome~ady for {juests

Tom, workinghigh in the ceilingjoists.....

It is complete! We have moved in! And, on the
Feast of St. Benedict, we blessed the newest
addition to our monastery--our handsome new
guest home on the 5 acres next to our main
building. Several women who are considering
monastic life joined us at the March 21 blessing,
which followed the Sunday's Eucharistic celebration offered by Fr. Lawrence Stasyszen of St.
Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee.

Four of the five bedrooms in the home
have windows overlooking the lake.
Spacious in design, the.home includes
a library, rooms for new members and
guests, fully equipped kitchen, and a
basement storm shelter area. Sister
Judith Martin and Sister Eunice
Ballmann are the community members who live in the new home.

Special drainage was a requirement.

Our new home will
accommodate
its first guests during
our
Benedictine Life
Experience in
mid-July. (See
box on page 8)

We acknowledge our benefactors
whose gifts made possible the
home's construction, and respectfully ask our friends and readers to
join in the following prayer for
vocations to our community:

We credit Tom
Temple and Bob
Powers, our
contractor and
our chief
carpenter, with
craftsmanship of
our new home.

A PRAYER OF ST. BENEDICT
0 Gracious, All-Holy God,
give us
Wisdom to perceive you,
Diligence to seek you,
Patience to wait for you,
Eyes to behold you,

A heart to meditate upon you,
And a life to proclaim you;
through
the power of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Please pray for vocations to the Sisters of Benedict
Page 3

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Dear Friends,
Here on the rolling hills and
plains of Oklahoma, it is harvest
time. As I look out the front door of
the monastery, I see our neighbor's
yellow wheat field. In the middle of
that field is a piece of twisted metal
roofing or siding, left there by the
recent tornado. We have much to
Our lake, brimming full.
be thankful for,' especially that
Do you recall the drought photo of our last newsletter?
everyone and everything here at the
monastery is safe and sound. Events such as this storm help us to put in proper perspective the ultimate value
of the lives of our loved ones in relation to the relative value of material possessions. This sentiment was
voiced over and over again by the storm's survivors.
At the monastery we are celebrating the completion of our latest structure, a fourth home on our 21
acres. To signal that completion, we have connected all four living spaces by sidewalks, 525 feet to be exact.
This will provide for an easier 'commute' between buildings and fewer grass cuttings tracked into the
houses. The contractor is the last stages of removing the large shed that was in front of the new house and
rebuilding it on his own property. When that is complete, and we reshape that spot, we'll have a real front
yard.
The tree outside my office window is heavily laden with apples and promises of an abundant harvest
this fall. Our lake, brimming with water, is entirely replenished following last summer's drought. God's
blessings are so plentiful. We raise our hymn of praise each time we gather as a community to pray the
Liturgy of the Hours in our beautiful chapel. We thank you, our benefactors, for the many ways you have
shared yourselves and your blessings with us.

FJE§9 WIE AI&.IEA!l!l f&.JJ(f];IHJJF
f
Our community thanks the many, many friends who called to check on our well-being following the May 3
tornadoes in Oklahoma. Thankfully, we sustained no physical injuries or damage of any kind to our property.
However, in the surrounding areas of Piedmont, many homes, barns, and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed
by tornados, torrential winds and hail.
Several community friends lost their homes in the ravaged areas of Midwest City and Moore. Our prayers are
constantly with them as they rebuild fragmented lives. We are concerned, too, by many problems that the citizens
of Mulhall, Oklahoma, are facing. Mulhall is a small town which was virtually destroyed by the twisters. It is
located several miles north of our monastic community. Some of our sisters taught children who were bused from
Mulhall to St. Mary's School in Guthrie.
Page 4

Frop"'rty cf the Ceriter

lt\C.l~E Sf'Ol''TS Tlt.\~Sl?f)ll~I f)lTil
L..\KE EN\''IRON~IE""T
We have reason to
consider naming our
monastery's
lake
"EagleLake."
Four Eagle scout
candidates and many
helpers from Troop
120of Christthe King
parish in Oklahoma
One of the wooden benches the scouts
City
contributed
built blends nicely into the
several wood-working
natural environment of the lake.
projects around our
lake during the past
severalmonths. Each scout selected a specificimprovement,and spent
dozensof hours laboring to completehis respectiveproject.
Sean Corbett,HoustonEagleston,Conor Osborne,and Jason Thompson
participated
in theprojectswhichwereaccomplishedduringweekendhours.
The scouts installed three meditation benches, a trellised canopy, a
footbridgeand woodchip pathways. Watersideareasfor the bencheswere
cleared,trimmedandmulched;in someareaspoisonivy wasremoved.New
spaceswereestablishedfor birdwatchingand meditation. In addition,the
scouts contributed
small cedar trees set
amid the benches,
creatinga "cared-for"
lookalongour prayer/
reflection
footpath.The
community,
ourguests,
and retreatants will
long appreciate the
scouts for
their
contributions and
improvementsto our From left, Scouts Chris Osborne, Conor Osborne,
littlelake.
Matt Beadles, and Sister Melissa Letts join Scout
leader Bob Osborne for a strategy session.

ThedistinctiveEaglerank was awardedto the scoutsat a May 15Courtof
Honorat Christthe Kingparish.Sister MarieBallmannand SisterJoanne
Yankauskis,representingRed Plains Monastery,were recognizedat the
ceremony.

John Paul II Speaks to Benedictine
Women

John Paul II addressed
the 1 hird
International Symposium of Benedictme
Women in Sant'Anselmo, Rome la.;;t
fall. Following are excerpts f10m his
letter
"The Rule which Benedict wrote is
unforgettable not only for its burninr
pa'-sion for God and its wise concern for
the discipline without which there is no
di..,cipleship, but also for Its radiant
humanitas. The Rule breath~s a ,puit of
hospitality grounded upon the behlf that
the other is no enemy but i, Chri-.t
himself who come.;,a" guest; ~nd this 1-, a
spirit given only to those who havl
known the magnanimity of God. In th~
Rule of Benedict, Wl'find an order \v hich
is ,trict but never sterr, a light \v hich is
clear but never cold, and a fullne,;,;which
1,; absolut~ but never overwhelming. In a
word, the Rule is radical but always
ho,;pitable--which is why when other
mona,tic Ruies disappeared, the Rule of
Benedict triumphed and continues to
work its power even today in the lives of
your communities.
"Dear Sisters, our society too knows
much darkness at the end of this century
and on the threshold of the new
In ,;uch a time, the
millennium.
luminous figure of Benedict stands in
our midst, pointing as always to Chnst.
You have been called in a special way
mto that mystery oflight-which 1swhy
the Church continues to look to you and
your communities so expectantaly. We
look to you because you are those who
are not afraid to enter the cave which is
dark and empty; those who listen in a
truly contemplative silence; those who
hear the word of God and become that
continued on page 7
Page 5

Otdfriends are special friends.

Father Price Grimes,who
initially met three of our Sisters as a seminarian, is an old friend who has
become a special friend to the community. Ordained now for eleven years,
Father Grimes is a periodic Eucharistic celebrant for the community.
He first became acquainted with our community through Sister Marie
Mundell, his English teacher at St. Gregory's College in Shawnee. He later
knew our late sisters Mary Alice Lawhead and Regina Balster at St.
Meinrad's Seminary, and was reacquainted with Sister Marie, who was
religious education director at a parish near St. Meinrad's.

Rev. Price Grimes

Father Grimes is on medical retirement at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
a place he describes as one of "prayer and reflection." Ever generous withhis
time to our community, he celebrates Sunday Mass with us. Prior
assignments have been as associate pastor at St. John's parish in Edmond,
and St. Thomas More in Norman.

SELF-PORTRAIT

I

Date and place of birth:
Date of ordination:
Last book I read:
My best asset:
My worst habit:
If I had a different job,
I'd be:
Behind my back, people ....:
Favorite city:
The thing I have been
blessed with is:
If I could change one
thing about myself:
The best advice I could give:

February 8, 1959; Shawnee, Oklahoma
June 4, 1988
Wine and Bread by Photina Rech, OSB
Storytelling
I quit smoking!
A doctor
Make fun of my Okie accent
London
Gift of music, performance and listening
I wish I had hair on top of my head
Appreciate and love each day as a gift from God

Confirmationpreparationsfor four Calumetstudents were completed
in late April. From left to right are retreatantsErin Pena, Facilitator
Joyce Arens, Scott Murphy,ChristinaSchiffman,and Jessica Bailey.
Page 6

Sister Joanne Yankauskis,VocationDirectorfor the community,
periodicallyvisits collegecampuseswith vocationmaterials. Here,
she attendsa youth conferenceat St. Gregory'sUniversityin Shawnee.

!!(estin Peace,
SisterMattie
Sister Mary Frances (Mattie)
Swanda died February 22, 1999,
following complications of multiple sclerosis. Mattie's sister,
brother, nieces, nephews, and
numerous friends joined our
community in a joyous funeral
liturgy on February 26 at the
chapel of St. Ann's Home,
Mattie's residence the past several years.
Legions of Oklahoma students remember Mattie, the Math Teacher.
She was recognized as Outstanding Educator of the Catholic
Archdiocese in 1982, recommended by her principal as "extremely
competent and wise, with an impact on both students and faculty."
Mattie, known by some as Sister Mathias, was witty and ever ready
with humorous observations! Throughout her affliction, she grinned
often, complained infrequently. When the disease affected her ability
to traverse the long hallways of Oklahoma City's Bishop
McGuinness High School, she was aided by her "Amigo," a small
motorized vehicle. Her teaching assignments were at McGuinness;
Monte Cassino, Tulsa; and McAlester Public High School.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the
University of Oklahoma and Master of Arts in Mathematics from the
University of Notre Dame.
Mattie was an avid sports fan and a determined gardener. She was
born February 24, 1932, and entered religious life June 13, 1957.
Rest in peace, dear Sister.

John Paul II Speaks to
Benedictine Women, cont.from
pages
word; those who help shape a
truly civilized world where
anxiety and despair lose their
power, and the peace of Easter
is
experienced
rn the
tranquillitas ordinis.
"The Church looks to you with
special eagerness as we undertake the new evangelization to
which the Holy Spirt is now
summoning us at the dawn of
the new millennium. There will
be no evangelization without
the contemplation which is the
heart of Benedictine life. The
whole Church must learn more
of the meaning of "Ora et
labora", and who will teach us
that, if not the sons and
daughters of Saint Benedict?
The world is longing for the
truth which Benedict knew and
taught so well; and now, no less
than in the past, people are
looking to the witness of prayer
and work which your communities so joyfully offer.. ...... .
"May Benedict, Scholastica,
and the great host of Benedictine
saints be your inspiration and
your strength ...... "
From the Vatican: 11 September, 1998.
(S) Joannes Paulus II

Page 7

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RedPlainsMonastery
728 RichlandRoad,SW
Piedmont,Oklahoma

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Areyou a single,Catholicwoman,20 and older?

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Experiencemonasticlifewiththe Sistersof Benedict.

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7:00p.m.Wednesday
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Contact:SisterJoanneYankauskis,
OSB
Phone:405-373-4565
e-mail:osbokc@ionet.net

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'1(,eSistersof Red Plains
Monastery
arethankfulto you,
our faithful benefactors,who
havesupporteduswithgenerous gifts, prayersand presence. We wishto honorand
publiclythank all of the individuals, companies, and
organizations
whohave"gifted"
us in many ways.. We
particularlythank our volunteerswhosharepersonaltime
and countlesshours on our
behalf. It is our privilege,too,
to honorthememoryofandthe
living presenceof thoseindividuals rememberedthrough
gifts. Ourdonorslistedbelow
includethosewho havecontributed from November1,
1998to May 1, 1999. Thank
you,thankyou.

5I
KayAdair
Mr.and Mrs.RogerAllen
Joseph& MaryAlmeyda
Carl& SharanAmend
Ann MarieAnthony
Anonymous
Merle& JoyceArens
Salvatore& PhyllisAzzarello

rJ3
Jerome& EmilyBallmann
Anthony& LynneBallmann
WilmaGentryBalster
Rev.C.M.Bash
Bob & JaneBellinghausen
BenedictineSisters,Cullman,AL
Charles& MaryBerger
Gordon& ElsieBibb
RobertF. Biolchini
RosemaryBilly
LindaBlackwood
Wyman& JanetBlevins
Ann & CeciliaBoland
Bill & JulaneBorth
C.J.& PhyllisBrandt
Michael& Alice Brennan
Jerry & CarleenBurger
Rev.JosephBurger
Thomas& PatriciaDix Brewer
RobertBryce
JanetBurke

C
CarmeliteSistersof St.Therese,
Piedmont,OK
JeanneChenault
CarrolChicoraske
Mr.& Mrs.VincentP. Cotter
Lee& AngieCosby
R.N.Coyle
JocileCrocker
William& EileenCulhane
HaroldCullen
Walt& ElnoraCullinan

1J
AileneDeBell
Robert& MargaretDelaney
J.L. & LauraDisbrow
VirginiaDobelbower
Robert& SusanDolan
Joe & HelenDubey
Bill & DoloresDuffy
Joe & AlisonDunaway

'E
Kent& EllaleaEccles
JaneF. Edmonds
Greg& MaryAnn Edwards
Mr.& Mrs.J.E.Edwards
TyroneElias
Churchof the EpiphanyMen'sClub,
OklahomaCity,OK

VirginiaA. Fenner
Jerry & MargaretFent
MargaretN. Ferretti
Arthur & NoreenFitzmaurice
Rev.H.J.Foken
Jerry & Jill Funk
LuanneFunke
Dr.andMrs.JamesFunnell
James& MarloweFutrell

{j
Robert& MarciaGardenhire
Rev.LarryGatlin
HelenGeary
Walden& RitaGemmell
John & BarbaraGrafrath

J{
Robert& MarilynHagen
Mark& MaryHardick
HayesenneL. Haskins
NancyHayes
Bill & Jill Heitert
BarbaraHietpas
Gary& DixieHighberger
Robert& JaquitaHirschi
Martha& MichaelHodgden

Jim & PatHoerth
CharlesHumphrey
Roger& LindaHurd

Bernard& VirginiaO'Loughlin
JoanO'Neill

p
I
ImmaculateHeartof MaryChurch,
Calumet,OK
JoleneIngram

J
Michael& NancyJersa
Just Joy Ministries

'l(
Gov.& Mrs.FrankKeating
PatriciaKelley
Knightsof Columbus,Oklahoma
StateCouncil
David& NancyKoelsch
Harry& RosemaryKoelsch

L
Ltc. RonJ. Lagasse
James& SueGreerLamie
ThomasLaPara
Matthew& HollyLavine
KathyLeithner
LeonardLeniewski
LouisLepak
Dennis& MadelineLleweling
NormanJ. Linstromberg
MargaretV. Love

Tom& EileenMamer
BarbaraMechley
JoanneMarkey
Rev.BerardMarthaler
AnitaMay
John& GinnyMccann
KaylaMcClurg
MaryMcIntosh
Dennis& LouiseMehringer
Larry& DonnaMiles
Mr.& Mrs.E.J.Mills
DeniseMohr
ElizabethMoore
Michael& MarthaMoore

Dr.& Mrs.ThomasNix
Charles& BerniceNithman
D.J. & HelenNunziato

Rev.RickParker
ElizabethPlunkett

2{
Pat& ShirleyReynolds
Hank& Andy Rheinberger
ElizabethRoddy
Eugene& AnneRohrbach
Mr.& Mrs.PaulRother
Paul& ErnestineRuggiers
BonnieRynda

s
St. JosephChurch,Norman,OK
St. PiusX Church,Tulsa,OK
RoseanneB. Sanders
John & TeresaSchachleEstate
Joe & MargieSchneider
Al & MariSchnoebelen
Omer& MargueriteSchnoebelen
Frank& ShirleyShidler
Raymond& MarjorieSkeehan
Robert& CatherineSkeehan
AgnesSpiller
Frank& MargaretSquires
Frank& MaryAnn Starrett
Leo& DorisStoremski
MaryStupka
NancySuhre
R. DorothySullens
MaryEllenSullivan
Richard& PaulaSullivan
R.J. Sullivan
DonSwanda

ry
Barbara& MarthanneTrotter
Frosty& HelenTroy

11
DorothyUsher

o/
Gary& AlveraVail
JeanneAnneVanHorn
Gene& MaryLou Vaal
Rev.JosephVas
MaryVaverka
CatherineM.Venters

0
Gene& Judith O'Brien
Edward& PatriciaO'Connor
Rev.DonnaO'Keefe
Joe& PatsyOldam

George& NancyWallace
TerryWarnick
LorettaWeber
JudithWerp

Jim & KarenWhaylen
NancyWill
Glennanne
Wilkerson
Loyd& RoseWilmot
JoanKellyWirges
Rev.& Mrs.RobertWise
Mr.& Mrs.GeorgeWolf

y
Peter& IsabelleYankauskis

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Jim & Jo AnneZiegler

Chape[J'lrt Pieces

:Tuna
TheArensFamily
Anthony& LynneBallmann
Margarette
Boland
Joseph& MarilynLeonard
JustJoyMinistries
Rev.DonnaO'Keefe
PatriciaRyland
TeresaSwartzSchachle
R.Dorothy
Sullens
TeresaWarnick

In 'l(jncf rJJonors
Anonymous
Fletcher
AllenHealthcare
PatAnderson
TheMerleArensFamily
Dr.BarbaraBarrett
LauraBeshara
Brandt'sFlorists
MarilynnBurget
Elizabeth
Burns
BlakeChamberlain
Chickering
& SonConcrete
R.N.Coyle
KeithCrawford
Cory'sAudioVisualServices,
Inc.
Dr.MorrisCurry
DelongMailingService-FrankMaschino
Dr.DeanDrooby
DavidErwin
Dr.ColeFlanagan
Dr.GenaGardiner
Estateof GraceGavin
MaryBethGoldberger
Rev.PriceGrimes
Dr.LeslieHardy
ChrisHouk
KayJanda
Dr.JayJohnston
TomJoyce
Gov.& Mrs.FrankKeating
RalphKnighton
JuneJohnson

Joe& MaryleeLaPara
Tom& SharonLaPara
Madeline
Lleweling
Dr.HughMaguire
Dr.PhilipMaguire
Patricia& KieranMaye
MercyHealthCenter
JohnM. Nichols& Associates
Dr.ThomasNix
MelNowland
RobertReichert
MaryAnnRoth
Dr.HannaSaadah
St.AnthonyHospital
Scott'sPrinting
Estateof HelenSellers
Bernarda
Sharkey
Dr.Margaret
Sorenson
MaryStupka
MaryAnnTomlinson
Dr.CharlesE.Towe
EagleScouts& Boy Scoutsof
Troop120,ChristtheKingParish,
Oklahoma
City
Dr.RolandWalters
Dr.CarrollWeaver
Rev.EdWeisenburger
JudithWerp
Jo EllynWheeler
JeanneAnnVanHorn
MalloryVanHorn
SusanWebb

Volunteers
whoassistwith
periodicmailings:
JoyceArens
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Sisterso 'Benedict
NE¥1SLETTER
Summer 1999, Vol. 10: Issue 1

9 th ANNUAL LUNCHEON HOSTED
BY FIRST LADY OF OKLAHOMA
Despite thunderstorms,the ninth annual Spring Luncheon at the
Phillips Pavilionon the grounds of OklahomaGovernor's Mansion
ONE HAPPY
was lots of fun! Mrs. Cathy Keatingwas our hostessand luncheon
WOMAN!
speaker. Gracious and lighthearted,Mrs. Keating shared anecdotal
stories of her experiencesas first lady of the state. She opened the
Mansion,whichshe dubbed"your home,"to 185guestsfollowingthe A parallel activity to our luncheon
is our annual drawing. Typically
luncheon.
a hand-made quilt is one of the
Cathy Keating, Oklahoma's
gifts.
This year's winner, Deborah
first lady, and luncheon
A luncheonchairwomanin 1997,Jeanne Anne Van Horn repeated
hostess, provided humor
serviceby chairingthis year's luncheon. Togetherwith her daughter, Morrow Roulette, of Wanette,
during her remarks.
Oklahoma, could not be present at
Mallory, and
the luncheon, but her enthusiasm
our development director, Barbara Nichols, Mrs. Van Horn
is worth sharing:
co-ordinateddetailsand arrangementswithRalph
"What a wonderful surprise I had
Knighton, administrator of the Governor's
when I found the package at my
Mansionand the PhillipsPavilion.
backdoor. It seemed like Christmas in April! One of the most
The Benedictinecookbook,a traditionalluncheon
beautiful items I have ever
souvenir for each guest, featured "Mansion
personally
received
awaited
Favorites"and "MonasteryFavorites." Allisha's
Luncheon guests, from left, include Billie
Catering provided three delicious salads, a
me .... the quilt is gorgeous ... .! love
luscious chocolate dessert, raspberry tea and Milligan, Nancy Wallace, Irene Alsobrook
pink and the colors/pattern comand Ellen Knebel.
lovely service. Many of our formerand faithful
bination is superb. It is happy and
luncheon volunteers were present, and comspring-like! The cross-stitched
mentedon the relaxedatmosphere,"What? No browniesto bake, no lemonsquaresto cut....?"
panels of violets and the starburst
center pattern are absolutely
Thirty-four individualscontributedas sponsors,or underwriters,of the luncheon. We are grateful to splendid ...... Please share my senSherryBeasley,TerriBernauer, DavidandJaneBest,CarleenBurger,HarryandMaryJaneCalvey,Elnora timents of appreciation with any
Cullinan, Susan and Robert Dolan, Mary Ann Edwards, Betty or all who had anything to do with
Erbrick,JaneEdmonds,Sandyand
this quilt....! consider the quilt
Tom Goldsworthy,Darcie Harris,
both as functional artwork, and a
JeanetteKing, Judy Love, Margablessing ..... "
ret V. Love, Mary Martinovich,
LibbyMedina,ElizabethZ. Milam,
We are tickled the quilt was
Tom Moran, Barbara Nichols,
lovingly received. The crossVestina Ruffin, Sylvia Slater,
stitch was completed by Sisters
KathySteffen,MarjeanandCharles
Eunice and Marie Ballmann, and
Towe,Nancyand GeorgeWallace
their own sister Margaret
and an anonymous donor all of
Lageman
..... It was quilted by our
Andy Rheinberger, standing,
metropolitan Oklahoma City;
community
friend, Mary Louise
welcomes Kay Sexton, Sue Reno Frances Doak of Chickasha and
Chapman.
and Peg Conner.
MaryE. NicholsofBrokenArrow,
Luncheon chairwoman,
Oklahoma.
Jeanne Anne Van Horn.

Sister 'EuniceCefe6rates(jo[denJubifee
Sister Eunice Ballmann celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Monastic
Profession on Saturday, June 5. Recently retired from teaching
activities, Eunice serves the community as Formation Director. A
native of Elsberry, Missouri, she made first profession of vows on
January 3, 1949, at St. Joseph's Convent, Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Eunice's jubilee celebration took place at first vespers of Corpus
Christi. At the ceremony Eunice was surrounded by her community
and some thirty guests, including her five brothers and sisters. Along
with Sister Marie Ballmann of Red Plains Monastery were Margaret
Lagemann of Elsberry, Missouri; Jerome and Emily Ballmann of
O'Fallon, Missouri; Anthony Ballmann of Davis, California; and
Patricia Ryland of Houston, Texas.
The Renewal of Monastic Profession took place during the ceremony.
Eunice stood before the community and publically renewed the
Sister Eunice
threefold monastic profession of stability, conversion through the
monastic way of life, and obedience, which she had proclaimed fifty
years ago. With upraised arms, she thrice intoned the Suscipe, a traditional supplication first sung at the time of her
final profession. The community repeated the intonation in response. The intonation is a monastic custom which
dates back to the time of St. Benedict and expresses trust in God's faithfulness.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Eunice was honored with dinner at the monastery. Heartiest congratulations,
Sister Eunice!

lBlENEDKCT RETURN§
·ci

TO GREET

OUR GUEST§

For many years, a handsome mosaic of St. Benedict had an honored place at our front
door. A gift of artist Ann Stuever in 1968, the mosaic gradually deteriorated from the
weather and some of its tiles began to fall from place. Sister Roberta collected theloose
tiles and repaired "St. Benedict" with painstaking care.
We tried to find the right place, a new home for the mosaic. We tried the monastery
hallway. We tried a second place in the monastery hallway. We tried other seemingly
fit locations, but we were never fully satisfied. At long last, someone spoke our
collective desire and said, "I really liked it best outside the front door to greet our
guests."
We then embarked on suitable protection from the elements. A redwood frame and
backing were fashioned, and Roberta will continue to apply a protective silicon sealer
to shield the surface.

Mosaic of St. Benedict

Page 2

When you visit the monastery, Benedict is back "home" to greet you at the front door.

:Fourth
J-lome~ady for {juests

Tom, workinghigh in the ceilingjoists.....

It is complete! We have moved in! And, on the
Feast of St. Benedict, we blessed the newest
addition to our monastery--our handsome new
guest home on the 5 acres next to our main
building. Several women who are considering
monastic life joined us at the March 21 blessing,
which followed the Sunday's Eucharistic celebration offered by Fr. Lawrence Stasyszen of St.
Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee.

Four of the five bedrooms in the home
have windows overlooking the lake.
Spacious in design, the.home includes
a library, rooms for new members and
guests, fully equipped kitchen, and a
basement storm shelter area. Sister
Judith Martin and Sister Eunice
Ballmann are the community members who live in the new home.

Special drainage was a requirement.

Our new home will
accommodate
its first guests during
our
Benedictine Life
Experience in
mid-July. (See
box on page 8)

We acknowledge our benefactors
whose gifts made possible the
home's construction, and respectfully ask our friends and readers to
join in the following prayer for
vocations to our community:

We credit Tom
Temple and Bob
Powers, our
contractor and
our chief
carpenter, with
craftsmanship of
our new home.

A PRAYER OF ST. BENEDICT
0 Gracious, All-Holy God,
give us
Wisdom to perceive you,
Diligence to seek you,
Patience to wait for you,
Eyes to behold you,

A heart to meditate upon you,
And a life to proclaim you;
through
the power of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Please pray for vocations to the Sisters of Benedict
Page 3

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Dear Friends,
Here on the rolling hills and
plains of Oklahoma, it is harvest
time. As I look out the front door of
the monastery, I see our neighbor's
yellow wheat field. In the middle of
that field is a piece of twisted metal
roofing or siding, left there by the
recent tornado. We have much to
Our lake, brimming full.
be thankful for,' especially that
Do you recall the drought photo of our last newsletter?
everyone and everything here at the
monastery is safe and sound. Events such as this storm help us to put in proper perspective the ultimate value
of the lives of our loved ones in relation to the relative value of material possessions. This sentiment was
voiced over and over again by the storm's survivors.
At the monastery we are celebrating the completion of our latest structure, a fourth home on our 21
acres. To signal that completion, we have connected all four living spaces by sidewalks, 525 feet to be exact.
This will provide for an easier 'commute' between buildings and fewer grass cuttings tracked into the
houses. The contractor is the last stages of removing the large shed that was in front of the new house and
rebuilding it on his own property. When that is complete, and we reshape that spot, we'll have a real front
yard.
The tree outside my office window is heavily laden with apples and promises of an abundant harvest
this fall. Our lake, brimming with water, is entirely replenished following last summer's drought. God's
blessings are so plentiful. We raise our hymn of praise each time we gather as a community to pray the
Liturgy of the Hours in our beautiful chapel. We thank you, our benefactors, for the many ways you have
shared yourselves and your blessings with us.

FJE§9 WIE AI&.IEA!l!l f&.JJ(f];IHJJF
f
Our community thanks the many, many friends who called to check on our well-being following the May 3
tornadoes in Oklahoma. Thankfully, we sustained no physical injuries or damage of any kind to our property.
However, in the surrounding areas of Piedmont, many homes, barns, and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed
by tornados, torrential winds and hail.
Several community friends lost their homes in the ravaged areas of Midwest City and Moore. Our prayers are
constantly with them as they rebuild fragmented lives. We are concerned, too, by many problems that the citizens
of Mulhall, Oklahoma, are facing. Mulhall is a small town which was virtually destroyed by the twisters. It is
located several miles north of our monastic community. Some of our sisters taught children who were bused from
Mulhall to St. Mary's School in Guthrie.
Page 4

Frop"'rty cf the Ceriter

lt\C.l~E Sf'Ol''TS Tlt.\~Sl?f)ll~I f)lTil
L..\KE EN\''IRON~IE""T
We have reason to
consider naming our
monastery's
lake
"EagleLake."
Four Eagle scout
candidates and many
helpers from Troop
120of Christthe King
parish in Oklahoma
One of the wooden benches the scouts
City
contributed
built blends nicely into the
several wood-working
natural environment of the lake.
projects around our
lake during the past
severalmonths. Each scout selected a specificimprovement,and spent
dozensof hours laboring to completehis respectiveproject.
Sean Corbett,HoustonEagleston,Conor Osborne,and Jason Thompson
participated
in theprojectswhichwereaccomplishedduringweekendhours.
The scouts installed three meditation benches, a trellised canopy, a
footbridgeand woodchip pathways. Watersideareasfor the bencheswere
cleared,trimmedandmulched;in someareaspoisonivy wasremoved.New
spaceswereestablishedfor birdwatchingand meditation. In addition,the
scouts contributed
small cedar trees set
amid the benches,
creatinga "cared-for"
lookalongour prayer/
reflection
footpath.The
community,
ourguests,
and retreatants will
long appreciate the
scouts for
their
contributions and
improvementsto our From left, Scouts Chris Osborne, Conor Osborne,
littlelake.
Matt Beadles, and Sister Melissa Letts join Scout
leader Bob Osborne for a strategy session.

ThedistinctiveEaglerank was awardedto the scoutsat a May 15Courtof
Honorat Christthe Kingparish.Sister MarieBallmannand SisterJoanne
Yankauskis,representingRed Plains Monastery,were recognizedat the
ceremony.

John Paul II Speaks to Benedictine
Women

John Paul II addressed
the 1 hird
International Symposium of Benedictme
Women in Sant'Anselmo, Rome la.;;t
fall. Following are excerpts f10m his
letter
"The Rule which Benedict wrote is
unforgettable not only for its burninr
pa'-sion for God and its wise concern for
the discipline without which there is no
di..,cipleship, but also for Its radiant
humanitas. The Rule breath~s a ,puit of
hospitality grounded upon the behlf that
the other is no enemy but i, Chri-.t
himself who come.;,a" guest; ~nd this 1-, a
spirit given only to those who havl
known the magnanimity of God. In th~
Rule of Benedict, Wl'find an order \v hich
is ,trict but never sterr, a light \v hich is
clear but never cold, and a fullne,;,;which
1,; absolut~ but never overwhelming. In a
word, the Rule is radical but always
ho,;pitable--which is why when other
mona,tic Ruies disappeared, the Rule of
Benedict triumphed and continues to
work its power even today in the lives of
your communities.
"Dear Sisters, our society too knows
much darkness at the end of this century
and on the threshold of the new
In ,;uch a time, the
millennium.
luminous figure of Benedict stands in
our midst, pointing as always to Chnst.
You have been called in a special way
mto that mystery oflight-which 1swhy
the Church continues to look to you and
your communities so expectantaly. We
look to you because you are those who
are not afraid to enter the cave which is
dark and empty; those who listen in a
truly contemplative silence; those who
hear the word of God and become that
continued on page 7
Page 5

Otdfriends are special friends.

Father Price Grimes,who
initially met three of our Sisters as a seminarian, is an old friend who has
become a special friend to the community. Ordained now for eleven years,
Father Grimes is a periodic Eucharistic celebrant for the community.
He first became acquainted with our community through Sister Marie
Mundell, his English teacher at St. Gregory's College in Shawnee. He later
knew our late sisters Mary Alice Lawhead and Regina Balster at St.
Meinrad's Seminary, and was reacquainted with Sister Marie, who was
religious education director at a parish near St. Meinrad's.

Rev. Price Grimes

Father Grimes is on medical retirement at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
a place he describes as one of "prayer and reflection." Ever generous withhis
time to our community, he celebrates Sunday Mass with us. Prior
assignments have been as associate pastor at St. John's parish in Edmond,
and St. Thomas More in Norman.

SELF-PORTRAIT

I

Date and place of birth:
Date of ordination:
Last book I read:
My best asset:
My worst habit:
If I had a different job,
I'd be:
Behind my back, people ....:
Favorite city:
The thing I have been
blessed with is:
If I could change one
thing about myself:
The best advice I could give:

February 8, 1959; Shawnee, Oklahoma
June 4, 1988
Wine and Bread by Photina Rech, OSB
Storytelling
I quit smoking!
A doctor
Make fun of my Okie accent
London
Gift of music, performance and listening
I wish I had hair on top of my head
Appreciate and love each day as a gift from God

Confirmationpreparationsfor four Calumetstudents were completed
in late April. From left to right are retreatantsErin Pena, Facilitator
Joyce Arens, Scott Murphy,ChristinaSchiffman,and Jessica Bailey.
Page 6

Sister Joanne Yankauskis,VocationDirectorfor the community,
periodicallyvisits collegecampuseswith vocationmaterials. Here,
she attendsa youth conferenceat St. Gregory'sUniversityin Shawnee.

!!(estin Peace,
SisterMattie
Sister Mary Frances (Mattie)
Swanda died February 22, 1999,
following complications of multiple sclerosis. Mattie's sister,
brother, nieces, nephews, and
numerous friends joined our
community in a joyous funeral
liturgy on February 26 at the
chapel of St. Ann's Home,
Mattie's residence the past several years.
Legions of Oklahoma students remember Mattie, the Math Teacher.
She was recognized as Outstanding Educator of the Catholic
Archdiocese in 1982, recommended by her principal as "extremely
competent and wise, with an impact on both students and faculty."
Mattie, known by some as Sister Mathias, was witty and ever ready
with humorous observations! Throughout her affliction, she grinned
often, complained infrequently. When the disease affected her ability
to traverse the long hallways of Oklahoma City's Bishop
McGuinness High School, she was aided by her "Amigo," a small
motorized vehicle. Her teaching assignments were at McGuinness;
Monte Cassino, Tulsa; and McAlester Public High School.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the
University of Oklahoma and Master of Arts in Mathematics from the
University of Notre Dame.
Mattie was an avid sports fan and a determined gardener. She was
born February 24, 1932, and entered religious life June 13, 1957.
Rest in peace, dear Sister.

John Paul II Speaks to
Benedictine Women, cont.from
pages
word; those who help shape a
truly civilized world where
anxiety and despair lose their
power, and the peace of Easter
is
experienced
rn the
tranquillitas ordinis.
"The Church looks to you with
special eagerness as we undertake the new evangelization to
which the Holy Spirt is now
summoning us at the dawn of
the new millennium. There will
be no evangelization without
the contemplation which is the
heart of Benedictine life. The
whole Church must learn more
of the meaning of "Ora et
labora", and who will teach us
that, if not the sons and
daughters of Saint Benedict?
The world is longing for the
truth which Benedict knew and
taught so well; and now, no less
than in the past, people are
looking to the witness of prayer
and work which your communities so joyfully offer.. ...... .
"May Benedict, Scholastica,
and the great host of Benedictine
saints be your inspiration and
your strength ...... "
From the Vatican: 11 September, 1998.
(S) Joannes Paulus II

Page 7

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RedPlainsMonastery
728 RichlandRoad,SW
Piedmont,Oklahoma

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Areyou a single,Catholicwoman,20 and older?

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Experiencemonasticlifewiththe Sistersof Benedict.

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7:00p.m.Wednesday
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Contact:SisterJoanneYankauskis,
OSB
Phone:405-373-4565
e-mail:osbokc@ionet.net

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'1(,eSistersof Red Plains
Monastery
arethankfulto you,
our faithful benefactors,who
havesupporteduswithgenerous gifts, prayersand presence. We wishto honorand
publiclythank all of the individuals, companies, and
organizations
whohave"gifted"
us in many ways.. We
particularlythank our volunteerswhosharepersonaltime
and countlesshours on our
behalf. It is our privilege,too,
to honorthememoryofandthe
living presenceof thoseindividuals rememberedthrough
gifts. Ourdonorslistedbelow
includethosewho havecontributed from November1,
1998to May 1, 1999. Thank
you,thankyou.

5I
KayAdair
Mr.and Mrs.RogerAllen
Joseph& MaryAlmeyda
Carl& SharanAmend
Ann MarieAnthony
Anonymous
Merle& JoyceArens
Salvatore& PhyllisAzzarello

rJ3
Jerome& EmilyBallmann
Anthony& LynneBallmann
WilmaGentryBalster
Rev.C.M.Bash
Bob & JaneBellinghausen
BenedictineSisters,Cullman,AL
Charles& MaryBerger
Gordon& ElsieBibb
RobertF. Biolchini
RosemaryBilly
LindaBlackwood
Wyman& JanetBlevins
Ann & CeciliaBoland
Bill & JulaneBorth
C.J.& PhyllisBrandt
Michael& Alice Brennan
Jerry & CarleenBurger
Rev.JosephBurger
Thomas& PatriciaDix Brewer
RobertBryce
JanetBurke

C
CarmeliteSistersof St.Therese,
Piedmont,OK
JeanneChenault
CarrolChicoraske
Mr.& Mrs.VincentP. Cotter
Lee& AngieCosby
R.N.Coyle
JocileCrocker
William& EileenCulhane
HaroldCullen
Walt& ElnoraCullinan

1J
AileneDeBell
Robert& MargaretDelaney
J.L. & LauraDisbrow
VirginiaDobelbower
Robert& SusanDolan
Joe & HelenDubey
Bill & DoloresDuffy
Joe & AlisonDunaway

'E
Kent& EllaleaEccles
JaneF. Edmonds
Greg& MaryAnn Edwards
Mr.& Mrs.J.E.Edwards
TyroneElias
Churchof the EpiphanyMen'sClub,
OklahomaCity,OK

VirginiaA. Fenner
Jerry & MargaretFent
MargaretN. Ferretti
Arthur & NoreenFitzmaurice
Rev.H.J.Foken
Jerry & Jill Funk
LuanneFunke
Dr.andMrs.JamesFunnell
James& MarloweFutrell

{j
Robert& MarciaGardenhire
Rev.LarryGatlin
HelenGeary
Walden& RitaGemmell
John & BarbaraGrafrath

J{
Robert& MarilynHagen
Mark& MaryHardick
HayesenneL. Haskins
NancyHayes
Bill & Jill Heitert
BarbaraHietpas
Gary& DixieHighberger
Robert& JaquitaHirschi
Martha& MichaelHodgden

Jim & PatHoerth
CharlesHumphrey
Roger& LindaHurd

Bernard& VirginiaO'Loughlin
JoanO'Neill

p
I
ImmaculateHeartof MaryChurch,
Calumet,OK
JoleneIngram

J
Michael& NancyJersa
Just Joy Ministries

'l(
Gov.& Mrs.FrankKeating
PatriciaKelley
Knightsof Columbus,Oklahoma
StateCouncil
David& NancyKoelsch
Harry& RosemaryKoelsch

L
Ltc. RonJ. Lagasse
James& SueGreerLamie
ThomasLaPara
Matthew& HollyLavine
KathyLeithner
LeonardLeniewski
LouisLepak
Dennis& MadelineLleweling
NormanJ. Linstromberg
MargaretV. Love

Tom& EileenMamer
BarbaraMechley
JoanneMarkey
Rev.BerardMarthaler
AnitaMay
John& GinnyMccann
KaylaMcClurg
MaryMcIntosh
Dennis& LouiseMehringer
Larry& DonnaMiles
Mr.& Mrs.E.J.Mills
DeniseMohr
ElizabethMoore
Michael& MarthaMoore

Dr.& Mrs.ThomasNix
Charles& BerniceNithman
D.J. & HelenNunziato

Rev.RickParker
ElizabethPlunkett

2{
Pat& ShirleyReynolds
Hank& Andy Rheinberger
ElizabethRoddy
Eugene& AnneRohrbach
Mr.& Mrs.PaulRother
Paul& ErnestineRuggiers
BonnieRynda

s
St. JosephChurch,Norman,OK
St. PiusX Church,Tulsa,OK
RoseanneB. Sanders
John & TeresaSchachleEstate
Joe & MargieSchneider
Al & MariSchnoebelen
Omer& MargueriteSchnoebelen
Frank& ShirleyShidler
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ry
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11
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o/
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Gene& MaryLou Vaal
Rev.JosephVas
MaryVaverka
CatherineM.Venters

0
Gene& Judith O'Brien
Edward& PatriciaO'Connor
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Jim & KarenWhaylen
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Wilkerson
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y
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Sharkey
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whoassistwith
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Sisterso 'Benedict
NE¥1SLETTER
Summer 1999, Vol. 10: Issue 1

9 th ANNUAL LUNCHEON HOSTED
BY FIRST LADY OF OKLAHOMA
Despite thunderstorms,the ninth annual Spring Luncheon at the
Phillips Pavilionon the grounds of OklahomaGovernor's Mansion
ONE HAPPY
was lots of fun! Mrs. Cathy Keatingwas our hostessand luncheon
WOMAN!
speaker. Gracious and lighthearted,Mrs. Keating shared anecdotal
stories of her experiencesas first lady of the state. She opened the
Mansion,whichshe dubbed"your home,"to 185guestsfollowingthe A parallel activity to our luncheon
is our annual drawing. Typically
luncheon.
a hand-made quilt is one of the
Cathy Keating, Oklahoma's
gifts.
This year's winner, Deborah
first lady, and luncheon
A luncheonchairwomanin 1997,Jeanne Anne Van Horn repeated
hostess, provided humor
serviceby chairingthis year's luncheon. Togetherwith her daughter, Morrow Roulette, of Wanette,
during her remarks.
Oklahoma, could not be present at
Mallory, and
the luncheon, but her enthusiasm
our development director, Barbara Nichols, Mrs. Van Horn
is worth sharing:
co-ordinateddetailsand arrangementswithRalph
"What a wonderful surprise I had
Knighton, administrator of the Governor's
when I found the package at my
Mansionand the PhillipsPavilion.
backdoor. It seemed like Christmas in April! One of the most
The Benedictinecookbook,a traditionalluncheon
beautiful items I have ever
souvenir for each guest, featured "Mansion
personally
received
awaited
Favorites"and "MonasteryFavorites." Allisha's
Luncheon guests, from left, include Billie
Catering provided three delicious salads, a
me .... the quilt is gorgeous ... .! love
luscious chocolate dessert, raspberry tea and Milligan, Nancy Wallace, Irene Alsobrook
pink and the colors/pattern comand Ellen Knebel.
lovely service. Many of our formerand faithful
bination is superb. It is happy and
luncheon volunteers were present, and comspring-like! The cross-stitched
mentedon the relaxedatmosphere,"What? No browniesto bake, no lemonsquaresto cut....?"
panels of violets and the starburst
center pattern are absolutely
Thirty-four individualscontributedas sponsors,or underwriters,of the luncheon. We are grateful to splendid ...... Please share my senSherryBeasley,TerriBernauer, DavidandJaneBest,CarleenBurger,HarryandMaryJaneCalvey,Elnora timents of appreciation with any
Cullinan, Susan and Robert Dolan, Mary Ann Edwards, Betty or all who had anything to do with
Erbrick,JaneEdmonds,Sandyand
this quilt....! consider the quilt
Tom Goldsworthy,Darcie Harris,
both as functional artwork, and a
JeanetteKing, Judy Love, Margablessing ..... "
ret V. Love, Mary Martinovich,
LibbyMedina,ElizabethZ. Milam,
We are tickled the quilt was
Tom Moran, Barbara Nichols,
lovingly received. The crossVestina Ruffin, Sylvia Slater,
stitch was completed by Sisters
KathySteffen,MarjeanandCharles
Eunice and Marie Ballmann, and
Towe,Nancyand GeorgeWallace
their own sister Margaret
and an anonymous donor all of
Lageman
..... It was quilted by our
Andy Rheinberger, standing,
metropolitan Oklahoma City;
community
friend, Mary Louise
welcomes Kay Sexton, Sue Reno Frances Doak of Chickasha and
Chapman.
and Peg Conner.
MaryE. NicholsofBrokenArrow,
Luncheon chairwoman,
Oklahoma.
Jeanne Anne Van Horn.

Sister 'EuniceCefe6rates(jo[denJubifee
Sister Eunice Ballmann celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Monastic
Profession on Saturday, June 5. Recently retired from teaching
activities, Eunice serves the community as Formation Director. A
native of Elsberry, Missouri, she made first profession of vows on
January 3, 1949, at St. Joseph's Convent, Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Eunice's jubilee celebration took place at first vespers of Corpus
Christi. At the ceremony Eunice was surrounded by her community
and some thirty guests, including her five brothers and sisters. Along
with Sister Marie Ballmann of Red Plains Monastery were Margaret
Lagemann of Elsberry, Missouri; Jerome and Emily Ballmann of
O'Fallon, Missouri; Anthony Ballmann of Davis, California; and
Patricia Ryland of Houston, Texas.
The Renewal of Monastic Profession took place during the ceremony.
Eunice stood before the community and publically renewed the
Sister Eunice
threefold monastic profession of stability, conversion through the
monastic way of life, and obedience, which she had proclaimed fifty
years ago. With upraised arms, she thrice intoned the Suscipe, a traditional supplication first sung at the time of her
final profession. The community repeated the intonation in response. The intonation is a monastic custom which
dates back to the time of St. Benedict and expresses trust in God's faithfulness.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Eunice was honored with dinner at the monastery. Heartiest congratulations,
Sister Eunice!

lBlENEDKCT RETURN§
·ci

TO GREET

OUR GUEST§

For many years, a handsome mosaic of St. Benedict had an honored place at our front
door. A gift of artist Ann Stuever in 1968, the mosaic gradually deteriorated from the
weather and some of its tiles began to fall from place. Sister Roberta collected theloose
tiles and repaired "St. Benedict" with painstaking care.
We tried to find the right place, a new home for the mosaic. We tried the monastery
hallway. We tried a second place in the monastery hallway. We tried other seemingly
fit locations, but we were never fully satisfied. At long last, someone spoke our
collective desire and said, "I really liked it best outside the front door to greet our
guests."
We then embarked on suitable protection from the elements. A redwood frame and
backing were fashioned, and Roberta will continue to apply a protective silicon sealer
to shield the surface.

Mosaic of St. Benedict

Page 2

When you visit the monastery, Benedict is back "home" to greet you at the front door.

:Fourth
J-lome~ady for {juests

Tom, workinghigh in the ceilingjoists.....

It is complete! We have moved in! And, on the
Feast of St. Benedict, we blessed the newest
addition to our monastery--our handsome new
guest home on the 5 acres next to our main
building. Several women who are considering
monastic life joined us at the March 21 blessing,
which followed the Sunday's Eucharistic celebration offered by Fr. Lawrence Stasyszen of St.
Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee.

Four of the five bedrooms in the home
have windows overlooking the lake.
Spacious in design, the.home includes
a library, rooms for new members and
guests, fully equipped kitchen, and a
basement storm shelter area. Sister
Judith Martin and Sister Eunice
Ballmann are the community members who live in the new home.

Special drainage was a requirement.

Our new home will
accommodate
its first guests during
our
Benedictine Life
Experience in
mid-July. (See
box on page 8)

We acknowledge our benefactors
whose gifts made possible the
home's construction, and respectfully ask our friends and readers to
join in the following prayer for
vocations to our community:

We credit Tom
Temple and Bob
Powers, our
contractor and
our chief
carpenter, with
craftsmanship of
our new home.

A PRAYER OF ST. BENEDICT
0 Gracious, All-Holy God,
give us
Wisdom to perceive you,
Diligence to seek you,
Patience to wait for you,
Eyes to behold you,

A heart to meditate upon you,
And a life to proclaim you;
through
the power of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Please pray for vocations to the Sisters of Benedict
Page 3

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Dear Friends,
Here on the rolling hills and
plains of Oklahoma, it is harvest
time. As I look out the front door of
the monastery, I see our neighbor's
yellow wheat field. In the middle of
that field is a piece of twisted metal
roofing or siding, left there by the
recent tornado. We have much to
Our lake, brimming full.
be thankful for,' especially that
Do you recall the drought photo of our last newsletter?
everyone and everything here at the
monastery is safe and sound. Events such as this storm help us to put in proper perspective the ultimate value
of the lives of our loved ones in relation to the relative value of material possessions. This sentiment was
voiced over and over again by the storm's survivors.
At the monastery we are celebrating the completion of our latest structure, a fourth home on our 21
acres. To signal that completion, we have connected all four living spaces by sidewalks, 525 feet to be exact.
This will provide for an easier 'commute' between buildings and fewer grass cuttings tracked into the
houses. The contractor is the last stages of removing the large shed that was in front of the new house and
rebuilding it on his own property. When that is complete, and we reshape that spot, we'll have a real front
yard.
The tree outside my office window is heavily laden with apples and promises of an abundant harvest
this fall. Our lake, brimming with water, is entirely replenished following last summer's drought. God's
blessings are so plentiful. We raise our hymn of praise each time we gather as a community to pray the
Liturgy of the Hours in our beautiful chapel. We thank you, our benefactors, for the many ways you have
shared yourselves and your blessings with us.

FJE§9 WIE AI&.IEA!l!l f&.JJ(f];IHJJF
f
Our community thanks the many, many friends who called to check on our well-being following the May 3
tornadoes in Oklahoma. Thankfully, we sustained no physical injuries or damage of any kind to our property.
However, in the surrounding areas of Piedmont, many homes, barns, and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed
by tornados, torrential winds and hail.
Several community friends lost their homes in the ravaged areas of Midwest City and Moore. Our prayers are
constantly with them as they rebuild fragmented lives. We are concerned, too, by many problems that the citizens
of Mulhall, Oklahoma, are facing. Mulhall is a small town which was virtually destroyed by the twisters. It is
located several miles north of our monastic community. Some of our sisters taught children who were bused from
Mulhall to St. Mary's School in Guthrie.
Page 4

Frop"'rty cf the Ceriter

lt\C.l~E Sf'Ol''TS Tlt.\~Sl?f)ll~I f)lTil
L..\KE EN\''IRON~IE""T
We have reason to
consider naming our
monastery's
lake
"EagleLake."
Four Eagle scout
candidates and many
helpers from Troop
120of Christthe King
parish in Oklahoma
One of the wooden benches the scouts
City
contributed
built blends nicely into the
several wood-working
natural environment of the lake.
projects around our
lake during the past
severalmonths. Each scout selected a specificimprovement,and spent
dozensof hours laboring to completehis respectiveproject.
Sean Corbett,HoustonEagleston,Conor Osborne,and Jason Thompson
participated
in theprojectswhichwereaccomplishedduringweekendhours.
The scouts installed three meditation benches, a trellised canopy, a
footbridgeand woodchip pathways. Watersideareasfor the bencheswere
cleared,trimmedandmulched;in someareaspoisonivy wasremoved.New
spaceswereestablishedfor birdwatchingand meditation. In addition,the
scouts contributed
small cedar trees set
amid the benches,
creatinga "cared-for"
lookalongour prayer/
reflection
footpath.The
community,
ourguests,
and retreatants will
long appreciate the
scouts for
their
contributions and
improvementsto our From left, Scouts Chris Osborne, Conor Osborne,
littlelake.
Matt Beadles, and Sister Melissa Letts join Scout
leader Bob Osborne for a strategy session.

ThedistinctiveEaglerank was awardedto the scoutsat a May 15Courtof
Honorat Christthe Kingparish.Sister MarieBallmannand SisterJoanne
Yankauskis,representingRed Plains Monastery,were recognizedat the
ceremony.

John Paul II Speaks to Benedictine
Women

John Paul II addressed
the 1 hird
International Symposium of Benedictme
Women in Sant'Anselmo, Rome la.;;t
fall. Following are excerpts f10m his
letter
"The Rule which Benedict wrote is
unforgettable not only for its burninr
pa'-sion for God and its wise concern for
the discipline without which there is no
di..,cipleship, but also for Its radiant
humanitas. The Rule breath~s a ,puit of
hospitality grounded upon the behlf that
the other is no enemy but i, Chri-.t
himself who come.;,a" guest; ~nd this 1-, a
spirit given only to those who havl
known the magnanimity of God. In th~
Rule of Benedict, Wl'find an order \v hich
is ,trict but never sterr, a light \v hich is
clear but never cold, and a fullne,;,;which
1,; absolut~ but never overwhelming. In a
word, the Rule is radical but always
ho,;pitable--which is why when other
mona,tic Ruies disappeared, the Rule of
Benedict triumphed and continues to
work its power even today in the lives of
your communities.
"Dear Sisters, our society too knows
much darkness at the end of this century
and on the threshold of the new
In ,;uch a time, the
millennium.
luminous figure of Benedict stands in
our midst, pointing as always to Chnst.
You have been called in a special way
mto that mystery oflight-which 1swhy
the Church continues to look to you and
your communities so expectantaly. We
look to you because you are those who
are not afraid to enter the cave which is
dark and empty; those who listen in a
truly contemplative silence; those who
hear the word of God and become that
continued on page 7
Page 5

Otdfriends are special friends.

Father Price Grimes,who
initially met three of our Sisters as a seminarian, is an old friend who has
become a special friend to the community. Ordained now for eleven years,
Father Grimes is a periodic Eucharistic celebrant for the community.
He first became acquainted with our community through Sister Marie
Mundell, his English teacher at St. Gregory's College in Shawnee. He later
knew our late sisters Mary Alice Lawhead and Regina Balster at St.
Meinrad's Seminary, and was reacquainted with Sister Marie, who was
religious education director at a parish near St. Meinrad's.

Rev. Price Grimes

Father Grimes is on medical retirement at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
a place he describes as one of "prayer and reflection." Ever generous withhis
time to our community, he celebrates Sunday Mass with us. Prior
assignments have been as associate pastor at St. John's parish in Edmond,
and St. Thomas More in Norman.

SELF-PORTRAIT

I

Date and place of birth:
Date of ordination:
Last book I read:
My best asset:
My worst habit:
If I had a different job,
I'd be:
Behind my back, people ....:
Favorite city:
The thing I have been
blessed with is:
If I could change one
thing about myself:
The best advice I could give:

February 8, 1959; Shawnee, Oklahoma
June 4, 1988
Wine and Bread by Photina Rech, OSB
Storytelling
I quit smoking!
A doctor
Make fun of my Okie accent
London
Gift of music, performance and listening
I wish I had hair on top of my head
Appreciate and love each day as a gift from God

Confirmationpreparationsfor four Calumetstudents were completed
in late April. From left to right are retreatantsErin Pena, Facilitator
Joyce Arens, Scott Murphy,ChristinaSchiffman,and Jessica Bailey.
Page 6

Sister Joanne Yankauskis,VocationDirectorfor the community,
periodicallyvisits collegecampuseswith vocationmaterials. Here,
she attendsa youth conferenceat St. Gregory'sUniversityin Shawnee.

!!(estin Peace,
SisterMattie
Sister Mary Frances (Mattie)
Swanda died February 22, 1999,
following complications of multiple sclerosis. Mattie's sister,
brother, nieces, nephews, and
numerous friends joined our
community in a joyous funeral
liturgy on February 26 at the
chapel of St. Ann's Home,
Mattie's residence the past several years.
Legions of Oklahoma students remember Mattie, the Math Teacher.
She was recognized as Outstanding Educator of the Catholic
Archdiocese in 1982, recommended by her principal as "extremely
competent and wise, with an impact on both students and faculty."
Mattie, known by some as Sister Mathias, was witty and ever ready
with humorous observations! Throughout her affliction, she grinned
often, complained infrequently. When the disease affected her ability
to traverse the long hallways of Oklahoma City's Bishop
McGuinness High School, she was aided by her "Amigo," a small
motorized vehicle. Her teaching assignments were at McGuinness;
Monte Cassino, Tulsa; and McAlester Public High School.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the
University of Oklahoma and Master of Arts in Mathematics from the
University of Notre Dame.
Mattie was an avid sports fan and a determined gardener. She was
born February 24, 1932, and entered religious life June 13, 1957.
Rest in peace, dear Sister.

John Paul II Speaks to
Benedictine Women, cont.from
pages
word; those who help shape a
truly civilized world where
anxiety and despair lose their
power, and the peace of Easter
is
experienced
rn the
tranquillitas ordinis.
"The Church looks to you with
special eagerness as we undertake the new evangelization to
which the Holy Spirt is now
summoning us at the dawn of
the new millennium. There will
be no evangelization without
the contemplation which is the
heart of Benedictine life. The
whole Church must learn more
of the meaning of "Ora et
labora", and who will teach us
that, if not the sons and
daughters of Saint Benedict?
The world is longing for the
truth which Benedict knew and
taught so well; and now, no less
than in the past, people are
looking to the witness of prayer
and work which your communities so joyfully offer.. ...... .
"May Benedict, Scholastica,
and the great host of Benedictine
saints be your inspiration and
your strength ...... "
From the Vatican: 11 September, 1998.
(S) Joannes Paulus II

Page 7

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RedPlainsMonastery
728 RichlandRoad,SW
Piedmont,Oklahoma

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Contact:SisterJoanneYankauskis,
OSB
Phone:405-373-4565
e-mail:osbokc@ionet.net

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'1(,eSistersof Red Plains
Monastery
arethankfulto you,
our faithful benefactors,who
havesupporteduswithgenerous gifts, prayersand presence. We wishto honorand
publiclythank all of the individuals, companies, and
organizations
whohave"gifted"
us in many ways.. We
particularlythank our volunteerswhosharepersonaltime
and countlesshours on our
behalf. It is our privilege,too,
to honorthememoryofandthe
living presenceof thoseindividuals rememberedthrough
gifts. Ourdonorslistedbelow
includethosewho havecontributed from November1,
1998to May 1, 1999. Thank
you,thankyou.

5I
KayAdair
Mr.and Mrs.RogerAllen
Joseph& MaryAlmeyda
Carl& SharanAmend
Ann MarieAnthony
Anonymous
Merle& JoyceArens
Salvatore& PhyllisAzzarello

rJ3
Jerome& EmilyBallmann
Anthony& LynneBallmann
WilmaGentryBalster
Rev.C.M.Bash
Bob & JaneBellinghausen
BenedictineSisters,Cullman,AL
Charles& MaryBerger
Gordon& ElsieBibb
RobertF. Biolchini
RosemaryBilly
LindaBlackwood
Wyman& JanetBlevins
Ann & CeciliaBoland
Bill & JulaneBorth
C.J.& PhyllisBrandt
Michael& Alice Brennan
Jerry & CarleenBurger
Rev.JosephBurger
Thomas& PatriciaDix Brewer
RobertBryce
JanetBurke

C
CarmeliteSistersof St.Therese,
Piedmont,OK
JeanneChenault
CarrolChicoraske
Mr.& Mrs.VincentP. Cotter
Lee& AngieCosby
R.N.Coyle
JocileCrocker
William& EileenCulhane
HaroldCullen
Walt& ElnoraCullinan

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AileneDeBell
Robert& MargaretDelaney
J.L. & LauraDisbrow
VirginiaDobelbower
Robert& SusanDolan
Joe & HelenDubey
Bill & DoloresDuffy
Joe & AlisonDunaway

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Kent& EllaleaEccles
JaneF. Edmonds
Greg& MaryAnn Edwards
Mr.& Mrs.J.E.Edwards
TyroneElias
Churchof the EpiphanyMen'sClub,
OklahomaCity,OK

VirginiaA. Fenner
Jerry & MargaretFent
MargaretN. Ferretti
Arthur & NoreenFitzmaurice
Rev.H.J.Foken
Jerry & Jill Funk
LuanneFunke
Dr.andMrs.JamesFunnell
James& MarloweFutrell

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Robert& MarciaGardenhire
Rev.LarryGatlin
HelenGeary
Walden& RitaGemmell
John & BarbaraGrafrath

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Robert& MarilynHagen
Mark& MaryHardick
HayesenneL. Haskins
NancyHayes
Bill & Jill Heitert
BarbaraHietpas
Gary& DixieHighberger
Robert& JaquitaHirschi
Martha& MichaelHodgden

Jim & PatHoerth
CharlesHumphrey
Roger& LindaHurd

Bernard& VirginiaO'Loughlin
JoanO'Neill

p
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ImmaculateHeartof MaryChurch,
Calumet,OK
JoleneIngram

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Michael& NancyJersa
Just Joy Ministries

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Gov.& Mrs.FrankKeating
PatriciaKelley
Knightsof Columbus,Oklahoma
StateCouncil
David& NancyKoelsch
Harry& RosemaryKoelsch

L
Ltc. RonJ. Lagasse
James& SueGreerLamie
ThomasLaPara
Matthew& HollyLavine
KathyLeithner
LeonardLeniewski
LouisLepak
Dennis& MadelineLleweling
NormanJ. Linstromberg
MargaretV. Love

Tom& EileenMamer
BarbaraMechley
JoanneMarkey
Rev.BerardMarthaler
AnitaMay
John& GinnyMccann
KaylaMcClurg
MaryMcIntosh
Dennis& LouiseMehringer
Larry& DonnaMiles
Mr.& Mrs.E.J.Mills
DeniseMohr
ElizabethMoore
Michael& MarthaMoore

Dr.& Mrs.ThomasNix
Charles& BerniceNithman
D.J. & HelenNunziato

Rev.RickParker
ElizabethPlunkett

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Pat& ShirleyReynolds
Hank& Andy Rheinberger
ElizabethRoddy
Eugene& AnneRohrbach
Mr.& Mrs.PaulRother
Paul& ErnestineRuggiers
BonnieRynda

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St. JosephChurch,Norman,OK
St. PiusX Church,Tulsa,OK
RoseanneB. Sanders
John & TeresaSchachleEstate
Joe & MargieSchneider
Al & MariSchnoebelen
Omer& MargueriteSchnoebelen
Frank& ShirleyShidler
Raymond& MarjorieSkeehan
Robert& CatherineSkeehan
AgnesSpiller
Frank& MargaretSquires
Frank& MaryAnn Starrett
Leo& DorisStoremski
MaryStupka
NancySuhre
R. DorothySullens
MaryEllenSullivan
Richard& PaulaSullivan
R.J. Sullivan
DonSwanda

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Barbara& MarthanneTrotter
Frosty& HelenTroy

11
DorothyUsher

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Gary& AlveraVail
JeanneAnneVanHorn
Gene& MaryLou Vaal
Rev.JosephVas
MaryVaverka
CatherineM.Venters

0
Gene& Judith O'Brien
Edward& PatriciaO'Connor
Rev.DonnaO'Keefe
Joe& PatsyOldam

George& NancyWallace
TerryWarnick
LorettaWeber
JudithWerp

Jim & KarenWhaylen
NancyWill
Glennanne
Wilkerson
Loyd& RoseWilmot
JoanKellyWirges
Rev.& Mrs.RobertWise
Mr.& Mrs.GeorgeWolf

y
Peter& IsabelleYankauskis

z
Jim & Jo AnneZiegler

Chape[J'lrt Pieces

:Tuna
TheArensFamily
Anthony& LynneBallmann
Margarette
Boland
Joseph& MarilynLeonard
JustJoyMinistries
Rev.DonnaO'Keefe
PatriciaRyland
TeresaSwartzSchachle
R.Dorothy
Sullens
TeresaWarnick

In 'l(jncf rJJonors
Anonymous
Fletcher
AllenHealthcare
PatAnderson
TheMerleArensFamily
Dr.BarbaraBarrett
LauraBeshara
Brandt'sFlorists
MarilynnBurget
Elizabeth
Burns
BlakeChamberlain
Chickering
& SonConcrete
R.N.Coyle
KeithCrawford
Cory'sAudioVisualServices,
Inc.
Dr.MorrisCurry
DelongMailingService-FrankMaschino
Dr.DeanDrooby
DavidErwin
Dr.ColeFlanagan
Dr.GenaGardiner
Estateof GraceGavin
MaryBethGoldberger
Rev.PriceGrimes
Dr.LeslieHardy
ChrisHouk
KayJanda
Dr.JayJohnston
TomJoyce
Gov.& Mrs.FrankKeating
RalphKnighton
JuneJohnson

Joe& MaryleeLaPara
Tom& SharonLaPara
Madeline
Lleweling
Dr.HughMaguire
Dr.PhilipMaguire
Patricia& KieranMaye
MercyHealthCenter
JohnM. Nichols& Associates
Dr.ThomasNix
MelNowland
RobertReichert
MaryAnnRoth
Dr.HannaSaadah
St.AnthonyHospital
Scott'sPrinting
Estateof HelenSellers
Bernarda
Sharkey
Dr.Margaret
Sorenson
MaryStupka
MaryAnnTomlinson
Dr.CharlesE.Towe
EagleScouts& Boy Scoutsof
Troop120,ChristtheKingParish,
Oklahoma
City
Dr.RolandWalters
Dr.CarrollWeaver
Rev.EdWeisenburger
JudithWerp
Jo EllynWheeler
JeanneAnnVanHorn
MalloryVanHorn
SusanWebb

Volunteers
whoassistwith
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Elizabeth
Burns
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MarieHeinen
BarbaraHess
HelenHoch
MaryLu Ille
KayJanda
HalinaJohnson
FranLazzara
ClariceLoveless
DorothyPeden
GracePorter
AndyRheinberger
MaryStupka
AlveraVail
RitaWagg
MayWhitley

InJionor
VIRGINIA
DOBELBOWER
VirginiaFenner
SISTERJANFUTRELL,
OSB
JoanAlexander
SISTERLUCYKREISER,
OSB
Rev.JosephVas

SISTERMARIELUECKE,
OSB
Carl& SharanAmend
Pat& ShirleyReynolds
SUSANROSS
KathyLeithner

InMenwry
MATTHEW
CULHANE
William& EileenCulhane
LAWRENCE
DeBELL
AileneDeBell
THEA& KRISDELANEY
Robert
&Margaret
Delaney
MARKFUNK
Jerry& Jill Funk
COLINHAMIL
TON
Joseph& MaryAlmeyda
SISTER
LEONALUECKE,
OSB
ReneeMaxwell
JoanMorgan
BRUCE& BETTYPARKER
Rev.RickParker
SISTERMARYFRANCES
SWANDA,OSB
Lloyd& EloiseAdams
Amos&SarahLeeBollinger
MaryK. Brown
JosieDelong
Harold& LaurenEagle
BeverlyFails
MarjoryP. Feighny
Margaret
N. Ferretti
BarbaraFreid
MaryLouiseKhoury
JuliaLee
J. MichaelLee,M.D.
TeresaLee
BettyLoeffelholz
David& HollyLukeman
St.Andrew's
Women's
Club,Moore,OK
Bernarda
Sharkey
DonSwanda
MaryJ. Westmoreland

V.ncferwriters
Anonymous
SherryBeasley
TerriBernauer
David& JaneBest
CarleenBurger
Harry& MaryJaneCalvey
ElnoraCullinan
Frances
Doak
Robert& SusanDolan
MaryAnnEdwards
Elizabeth
M. Erbrick
JaneFrayserEdmonds
Tom& SandyGoldsworthy
DarcieHarris
JeanetteKing
JudyLove

Margaret
V. Love
MaryMartinovich
LibbyMedina
Elizabeth
ZoernigMilam
TomMoran
BarbaraNichols
MaryE.Nichols
VestinaRuffin
SylviaSlater
KathrynSteffen
Charles& MarjeanTowe
George& NancyWallace

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ConnellyPavingCompany
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