SistersOfBenedictNewsletter_v8.no3.1997.Winter.pdf

Title: SistersOfBenedictNewsletter_v8.no3.1997.Winter.pdf
extracted text: Prorerty of the C mtt·r

Sisters of <Benedict
NE\VSLETTER
Winter 1997, Vol. 8: Issue 3

All-inclusive God, the Christmas mystery
Reveals your fondness for the world:
Precious, precarious, common, unique.
The farthest galaxies expand by your enfleshment.
Restore our awe for oceans, earth and life.
Bend our eyes to celebrate the small.
Help us embrace our creaturehood with you
Before we stretch too soon for the divine.

'

Gentle God, the Christmas mystery
Delights the restlessspirits:
Pilgrim couple, shepherd seekers, wandering wiseHostsand guests of a homeless God.
Relieve the drifters of our dismembered world:
Evicted children of our violence and war,
Gaunt prophets for a world of refugees.
Help us surrender what you give in trust.
Persistent God, the Christmas mystery
Disturbs complacent smugness,·righteous power,
Pretentious virtue and sterile expertise.
You risktranscendence to reclaim a world.
Affirming weakness as a mode of strength,
Choosing service to commune with need,
Translating GODness into lower case.
Open our hearts to welcome all you bring.

e h'l,lstmas Cj'l,eetln~s

SISTERS
Of BENEDICT
Red Plains Monastery

Jim~·
PAX CHRISTIUSA
532 West Eighth Street, Erie, PA 16502
Reprinted with permission

COM~KUNliTY BliD§ FliNAL FAREWELL TO DEAREST GRACE
situations she encountered attempting
a rapid trip home from Chicago for
Grace's wake and funeral during the
pre-Thanksgiving
travel
rush.
Ultimately, Jan was astonished that the
captain of her flight's aircraft, Stephen
Grace, dubbed "Amazing Grace" by
his co-workers, was introduced to the
passengers with the very epithet fondly
used by persons describing Grace
throughout her life.

Grace Gavin
Grace Gavin, beloved and esteemed
friend and co-member of the Sisters of
Benedict, died November 21 in the
home of her long-time friend and caregiver, Marilynn Burget. Her wake
service was held in the Oratory at Red
Plains Monastery, and was attended by
dozens of Oklahoma friends, coworkers and the Sisters of the
Monastery. Her funeral was held at
Our Lady's Cathedral, Oklahoma City.
Warm
tributes
and
specific
remembrances were shared by those in
attendance at the wake.
Friends
recalled that Grace was "treasured,"
"dear," "resolute," and "always kept us
on track." Former co-worker Pearl
Fidel of Veterans Hospital in Oklahoma
City where Grace worked for 15 years,
observed that Grace and Marilynn
were "role models for friendship" and
that her own years spent working with
Grace were ever joyful and fruitful,
and noted that many of Grace's ideas
were innovative, ultimately becoming
models for service to the patients at the
VA. Many of the programs she
instituted are incorporated there today.
Sister Jan Futrell
shared an
extraordinary account of personal
Page 2

Marilynn's 25 year friendship with
Grace is replete with captivating
"Grace-Tales." What made Grace so
loving to all persons she encountered?
Without hesitation, Marilynn noted,
"She was just born that way," I believe,
"but being hospitalized three years of
her childhood in her home state of New
York
may've contributed and
influenced the rest of her life."
Apparently Grace was known then by
the Sisters within the hospital as
"Happy,"
instructing other ailing
children from her hospital bed.
Smiling, Marilynn recalled how Grace
forever entangled her in major and
worthwhile projects--seemingly small
at the outset, but always terrifically
involved as they progressed!
Grace was described with a gracious
tribute in the homily delivered at her
Funeral Mass by Father Thomas
Boyer, rector of the Cathedral. Father
Boyer characterized Grace as a woman
who lived "in covenant--a covenant of
holiness within the church, as a
member of the Body of Christ. All of
us are more holy for having shared a bit
of this life with a martyr, an ascetic, a
contemplative, a servant, and a sister.
She treated us all like brothers and
sisters, and now we may be confident
that she has heard the words: 'Come,
you have my Father's blessing! Inherit
the kingdom prepared for you from the
creation of the world.' "

As a young woman Grace served for
many years as the Executive Secretary
of the Catholic Union of the Sick in
America, New York City. In that
capacity she was responsible for the
overall operation of a national
organization of physically handicapped,
a position which included publication
of a house organ as well as general
development and expansion activities.
Upon relocation to the Midwest, Grace
attended the University of Oklahoma
where she earned a BA and MSW, Phi
Beta Kappa.
She became a loyal and trusted friend
of the Sisters of Benedict and initiated
"development," the process of fundraismg, as requisite parcel of the
Community's life. As she spearheaded
many projects, her alliance with the
Sisters enabled the establishment of
Benedictine Spirituality Center and the
purchase of Monastery homes and
property. Likewise, she institutedthis
newsletter and was a stalwart friend
and volunteer of the Sisters through
much of our 28 year history as a
foundation of St. Joseph's Convent,
Tulsa.
An abiding gift, however, was Grace's
keen spirituality, nurtured in its
direction by the Sisters themselves.
She became a co-member of the
Community in 1988 and lived her daily
life in close alliance with the Rule of
St. Benedict. As a spiritual director
trained by the Sisters with several
others, she served a number of persons
in that capacity.
Grace's family members include her
two nieces and two nephews, Kevin,
Rad, and Maureen Daily of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and Deidre Moldrick of
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Requiem in pacem, Grace. We love
you!

FROM
ROME
.....TOREDPLAINSOFOKLAHOMA
....
Abbot Marcel Rooney, Abbot Primate of the world-wide Benedictine Order, visited in Oklahoma from Rome this fall and joined
the Sisters of Benedict at Red Plains Monastery for mid-day prayer and lunch on October 1.
He told of some of his experiences during his first year as Abbot Primate and shared with the Sisters some of the activities taking
place within the Benedictine Order. The community enjoyed his good humor along with his evident caring spirit. "We felt honored
by his presence," said Sister Benedicta. Many of the Sisters have known and appreciated Abbot Marcel's sister, Sister Kevin
Rooney, A.S.C., of Wichita, Kansas, who spent several years in Oklahoma City in spiritual life work.
The Abbot Primate is the titular head of the Benedictine Order and the symbol of unity and cooperation among the various abbeys
of the Order. There have been only seven previous Abbots Primate since the office was established in 1893. Abbot Marcel is the
third American to hold this office. He carries out his responsibilities from the headquarters of the Benedictine Order at the Abbey
of Sant' Anselmo in Rome, where he serves as head of the Benedictine University . Until his election as Abbot Primate one year
ago, Abbot Marcel was the Abbot of Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri. Previously, he was a professor of liturgy in the
Pontifical
Liturgical
Institute and Prior of the
Benedictine community
at Sant' Anselmo. He has
lectured throughout the
United States, England,
and other European
countries, and has also
published
works in
various scholarly journals.

Sisters Gertrude, Benedicta, Roberta, Jan, Melissa, Marie Ballmann and Marie Mundell,
left to right, in company with Abbot Marcel Rooney during his October trip.

The first American Abbot
Primate, Father Rembert
Weakland, O.S.B., now
archbishop of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, also visited
and befriended the Sisters
of Benedict in the earliest
years of their becoming a
new
foundation,
especially during 19691972.

Once a year, we ask for your support of our ministries through gifts that can benefit the charitable works of the Benedictine
Sisters. Last month we mailed our Annual Appeal letter to you. We thank you for your many gifts already received in our office.
If you have yet to mail a donation, please consider us as you contemplate making charitable year-end gifts.
Giving gifts of appreciated securities, of cash, of real estate, in Charitable Remainder Trusts or other tangible personal property
can benefit you and your tax-plan. For further information, please contact our Development Office at (405) 373-3392.
May God bless you for the joy you extend to others. May God's love move each of us to love and care for one another.

Page 3

Sister, Sister, how does 0our garden grow?
Growing vines of gourds was one of
Sister Melissa Letts gardening projects
this past summer. Melissa planted
many seeds along the fence south of the
Monastery and dutifully watched,
watered, and weeded the gourd plants
from March until November. She
harvested a small crop, and subsequently built a drying rack for the
gourds in the Sisters' Art-Barn, where
she expects them to dry for several
more months. At that time, Melissa
will carve dippers from them for use in
Indian purification rituals within a

may find its way into Community
stew-pots as well.

"sweat lodge." Melissa is 118thCreek
Indian and is a periodic participant in
such rites.
Another gardening venture for Melissa, who professed temporary vows to
the community in July, was the
establishment of sage and camomile
plants in an herb garden. As summer
came to a close, she dried leaves of the
camomile, and produced tea which "I
am pleased, " she reports, "tastes just
like it is supposed to!" The sage may
be used in the Indian rites, and some

Melissa hopes to expand the herb
garden next growing season. It is an
historic Benedictine tradition to grow
and use herbs from the Community
herb garden. Medieval monasteries
were the source of herbs used as
pharmaceutical necessities before the
advent of modem medicine. Today
herbs are utilized primarily, of course,
in cooking and as medicinal remedies
for many human ailments .

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
_TJl!r;tis not only the contemplation of His love in the work of redemp' ;Jioh, l~. ugh that is wonderful, but the end for which we are redeemed:
a communion with Him.
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Throughthe unspeakable
grace and help of GodI
havebecomemyself.

-SorenKiekegaard-

Two members and two co-members of the Community recently received Certificates of
Spiritual Direction in a ceremony at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. Sister Marie
Ballmann, OSB, Sister Judith Martin, OSB, Joyce Arens, and Nadine Siler were among
eleven recipients who completed the five year training program.
Pictured standing left to right are Sister Jan Futrell, OSB, Director, Caroline Hopper, Joyce
Arens, Carolyn Lyon, Betty Cizek, Mary Recla, Sister Joanne Yankauskis, OSB,
Archdiocesan Office of Spiritual Life, Nadine Siler, Sister Judith Martin,OSB, Sister Mary
Maloney, SP, and Archbishop Eusebius Beltran.
Seated, from left are Sister Marie Ballmann,OSB, Charlotte Descher and Rita Galier.

Page4

Property of the Cen~er

Sister Joanne Yankauskis has warm greetings for two friends
who participated at the "Come and See" Day for women
considering religious life. Periodically, the Community hosts
Monastic live-in experiences for such individuals. The next
weekend is scheduled for March 20-22, 1998. For more
information, please contact Sister Joanne at (405) 373-4565.

Red Plains welcomes guests from all corners of the world.
Recently, Father Rudy, a Jesuit priest, traveled from
Indonesia to inquire about spiritual direction as presented
by the Sisters of Benedict. He is pictured here with Sister
Jan Futrell, one of the Sisters' spiritual directors.

'(

....

CO.Jvl.Jvl 'UNIC:ATION.

• • •

There are several ways of reaching the Sisters of Benedict at Red Plains Monastery.
* We now have an e-mail address: osbokc@ionet.net
Please be sure to include the name of the individual sister to whom you are writing.
*

A new web-page on the Internet, designed by Sister Joanne Yankauskis, O.S.B.,
director of vocations, and Sister Diana Seago, O.S.B., will be on-line as this
publication reaches you. Information about monastery activities is available, and
there is a guest book page as well.
The site is http://www.geocities.com/wellesley/6285

*

Our FAX number: (405) 373-3392

*

Of course there's always the telephone: (405) 373-4565

*

And the U.S. Postal Service!

Sisters of Benedict
Red Plains Monastery
728 Richland Road S.W.
Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078

We are ever anxious to hear from you.

-5~,

JCeatitujPage 5

1996-97 (J)onors
We aregrateful to a{{our donorsusted 6efow. We a{sogive specia{thank§ to our very manyfaithfu[ faenas in
1997, who donatedmoneyand timeduringourprojectsthispast year. Ourdonorsusted 6efowinducfethosewfio
have contri6utecf
from :Novem6er1, 1996, to :Novem6er1, 1997.

Jl
Adorersof the Blood of Christ,Wichita,KS
MildredAhern
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Allen
Carl & SharanAmend
Cooper& Lee Ames
Merle& Joyce Arens
JosephineAskew
Phyllis& SalvatoreAzzarella

<B
KimberlyBallard
Anthony& LynneBallmann
Mervin& EleanorBarnes
Dr. & Mrs. W.L. Beasley
Bob & Jane Bellinghausen
BenedictineSisters,Boerne,TX
BenedictineSisters,Tulsa, OK
BenetHill Monastery,ColoradoSprings,CO
KathreenBenien
RosemaryBerney
John & HelenBerry
Best Companies
David& Jane Best
ElsiaBibb
RosemaryBilly
LindaBlackwood
Lonnie& Louise Boeckman
Bill & JulaneBorth
MelvinE. Bourgeois
C.J. & PhyllisBrandt
James & CeciliaBrandt
Michael& Alice Brennan
Thomas& PatriciaDix Brewer
Irwin & DoloresBrown
HarleyBrown
Mr. & Mrs. WilliamC. Brown
Ludwig& FrancesBuchheit
Janet Burke
Rita I. Burns
PhyllisCalhounByerly
EugeneB. Byrnes

C
Jim & Jean Calder
Harry& Mary Jane Calvey
Mario& JuanitaCantu
CarmeliteSisters,OklahomaCity, OK
Char-DelCorporation
Jean Chennault
Page 6

Christthe King Parish SocialMinistries,
OklahomaCity, OK
ChrisChristian
CarolAnn Clemens
Loren& DessieCleveland
Lee & Angie Cosby
Mr. & Mrs. VincentP. Cotter
Rev. DavidA. Cowden
RichardN. Coyle
HaroldCullen
Walt & ElnoraCullinan
(j)

Jerome& Janet Daily
Joan Doris Dark
Rev. T.W. Darnall
William& Eva Deering
MargaretDelaney
CharlotteDe Latte
Leo Demmer
Mr. & Mrs. R.T.Devero
Joseph& Carol Dillon
DiscalcedCarmeliteNuns, OklahomaCity,
OK
FrancesDoak
Robert& SusanDolan
B.G. Dollins
Rev. DennisDorney
FrankA. Dougherty
Joe & HelenDubey
Bill & DoloresDuffy

<E,
Arthur& MargaretEckroat
Jane F. Edmonds
Mr. & Mrs. J.E. Edwards
John F. & ShirleyEgan
John & Anita Eischen
Churchof the EpiphanyMen's Club,
OklahomaCity, OK

p

VirginiaA. Fenner
Jerry & MargaretAnn Fent
MillyFightmaster
Mary Ellen Fink
Mr. & Mrs. RobertW. Finley
Msgr.Cecil Finn
Arthur& NoreenFitzmaurice
Mary E. Fong
Joe & JoanneForgue
Joe & CeciliaFox

Laura Freeh
Jerry & Jill Funk
LuanneM. Funke
Dr. and Mrs. James Funnell
Jim, Marlowe& JimmyFutrell

(}
Mrs. John P. Gallagher
Rita Galier
Robert & MarciaGardenhire
JeromeJ. Garrett
W.C. & Jane Garthoeffner
Ronald& SuzanneGates
Rev. Larry B. Gatlin
Bob & Anne Gebken
John & June Gernhauser
Rev. James Goins
Tom & SandyGoldsworthy
Ray & BeckyGomez
Phil & BernadetteGottschalk
Terri Green
Mr. & Mrs. KennethGriggy

J{
Robert& MarilynHagen
Ed & VirgieHale
HayesenneL. Haskins
Nancy Hayes
D.W. & Paula Hearn
Marie Heinen
MargaretHenderson
Mary V. Henthorn
BarbaraHess
Edith Hightower
HelenMarieHodges
MarilynHodges
Stanley& Mary Hodgson
Jim & Pat Hoerth
Denny& Judy Holst
RebeccaHunzicker
Roger & Linda Hurd

I
Mrs. JacquelineIngram

J
B. Connor& HalinaV. Johnson
Bruce & Barbara Johnson
DarleneJohnson
Dr. Jay C. Johnston

1(
Rev. JamesA. Kastner

Univi1(iil[llll~~ii~II
~il[IU~l~il~i~lili~ll~d,
OK

Sam& Pat Kearney
MargaretKeaton
EvelynStasyszenKellington
Martin& ShirleyKelly
PatriciaKelly
Mr.andMrs.Peter Khoury
JeanetteKing
William& MargaretKing
Knightsof ColumbusCouncil6478,Yukon
Knightsof ColumbusCouncil9668, Tulsa
Knightsof ColumbusCouncil9853, Chandler
Knightsof Columbus,OklahomaState
Council
Dr.HarryA. Kocurek
David& NancyKoelsch
James& Sue GreerLamie
AnnLancaster
DanielleMoretti-Langholtz
Eugene& MaryKay Latham
ElenaLauderdale
FranLazzara
George& NoraLeal
KathyLeithner
LeonardLeniewski
TheresaS. Link
NormanJ. Linstromberg
RuthE. Loeffler
KeithLong
MargaretV. Love
FrankLuecke
Rev.GerardMacAulay
Tom& EileenMamer
Kathleen& FrankManning
Joseph& GenevieveManning
EdmundMarak
Rev.BernardMarthaler
J. AnneMarkey
Roy& MaryA. Martin
Joseph& JulieMartine
AnitaMay
John& GinnyMcCann
KaylaMcClurg
AnneMcComb
Mr.& Mrs.GeorgeE. McDowell
Pat& PamMcGuigan
CelesteD. McMahon
Mr.andMrs. John C. McRee
Rev.GeraldMayfieldEstate
ElizabethMedina
AngelaMeier
Mr.andMrs. F.J. Mendez
Larry& DonnaMiles
MargaretMilles
Mr.& Mrs.E.J. Mills
M/MEnvironmentalEquipmentCo., Inc.

M 001 111 488
DeniseMohr
Rev. Paul Malian
Jean H. Montgomery
Michael& Martha Moore
JosephP. MoranIII
H. ThomasMoran
Leo Morrison
Mount St. Scholastica,Atchison,KA
ElizabethS. Murray
GeorgetteL. Myers

Gene & JudithO'Brien
GloriaP. O'Brien
Tai & Janet Oden
Patsy Oldham
Marvin& JeanneO'Neil
Dorothy& JohnO'Neill
Hugh& ShirleneO'Neill
Joan O'Neill
John & JeanneOng
OsageMonastery,SandSprings,OK
Mr. & Mrs. S.F.Osterholt
Fred & MariaOzment

St. Matthew's Women's Guild,Elk City, OK
ElizabethSt. Ville
RoseanneSanders
P.J. Schachle
Urilla Schachle
Al & MarilynSchnoeblen
Omer & MargueriteSchnoebelen
PatriciaScott
EleanorC. Semtner
BernardaSharkey
Frank & ShirleyShidler
KathleenA. Silovsky
Bob & Patsy Sine
SisterCatherineSiracusa,OSB,New Orleans,
LA.
Sistersof Loretta,Denver,CO
Robert& CatherineSkeehan
Robert & MarjorieSkeehan
Robert& Sylvia Slater
Frank & MargaretSquires
Louis & Susan Stackler
Herb & Pat Stanley
William& Tia Strecker
James & MarthaSteffen
Mary DianeSteltenkamp
Leo & Doris Storemski
Mary Stupka
Nancy Suhre
DorothySullens
Richard& Paula Sullivan
DonaldSwanda

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Clifford& DorothyPeden
DianePerkins
Pablo& MaryKempf Pinzon
Dan & MargaretPurvis
NancyPyeatt

James & MarthaTalley
SarahT. Temple
Mr. & Mrs. David C. Thomas
Neal & SammyTowner
John & KandyTrojan
Frosty& HelenTroy
SandraTwark
AnnetteTwitchell
Betty DarceyTyrell
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Gerald& RosemarieNagel
TheresaNagel
DonnaNeikirk
Bill & Sue Newland
Charles& BerniceNithman
Dominick& HelenNunziato

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James& MaryQuintus

<J(
Rose Rasi
PatriciaRatterman
Hank & AndyRheinberger
Col. JamesW. Reiber
ElizabethRoddy
Henry& ShirleyRoewe
Eugene& Ann Rohrbach
Rev. JosephR. Ross
Rev. WilliamRoss
Charles& Mary Ann Roth
Gene & DeedeeRowe
Ann Runnels
Pat Ryland

s
Priestsof the SacredHeart, HalesCorner,WI
St. John the BaptistParish,Edmond,OK
St. Lucy's Prioryof Glendora,CA

AlveraVail
Mary Vaverka
DarrylVerser
Justin & MargueriteVogt

w

Ed & Terry Warnick
Roy & LorettaWeber
JudithWerp
Rev. Ed Weisenburger
John F. & WinnieWhelan
Jerry & MyriamWhite
Vern & HelenWhittle
Betty M. Wickham
James & Nancy Will
Mr. & Mrs. R.Q. Winters
Page7

VictoriaWoods
Nancy& DouglasWoodson

ry
Peter & IsabelleYankauskis

z
Jim & Jo Anne Ziegler
Rev. Ben Zoeller

In 'l(ina<Donors
Pat Anderson
The Merle Arens Family
SherryBeasley
Jack & JeannetteBollman
Jerry & CarleenBurger
Liz Burns
Keith & Kelly Crawford
Dr. MorrisCurry
SusanDolan
Dr. James Dougherty
Dr. Dean Drooby
Dr. Cole Flanagan
Dr. Gina Gardiner
Dr. Leslie Hardy
ChrisHouk
Dr. Chi W. Hsu
Dr. Jay Johnston
Dr. HarryA. Kocurek
Dr. HughMaguire
Dr. PhilipMaguire
MercyHealthCenter
John M. Nichols& Associates
Dr. ThomasNix
Lil Ross
Dr. HannaSaadah
Scott's Printing
St. AnthonyHospital
St. John the BaptistParish,EdmondOK
RosemaryShaffer

Dr. MargaretSorenson
Dr. RolandWalters
Dr. CarlaWerner
JudithWerp
JeanneAnne Van Horn
Volunteerswho assist with periodicmailings
Volunteerswho assistwith garage sale
Volunteerswho assistwith luncheonand
associatedevents

:Memoriafs
In Honorof GraceGavin
MargaretChristian
Dale & Mary McHard
In Memoryof ColinHamilton
Joseph& Mary Almeyda
John & DonnaHamilton
In Memoryof Don King
Warren& Sue Collins
Robert& MarciaGardenhire
Wally& Kay Giasson
JeanetteKing
Mr. & Mrs. GeorgeMcDowell

SusanDolan
Betty Erbrick
LaDonnaGiachino,SmithBarney,Inc.
Green & Sons
Mrs. CliffordKnight
HalinaJohnson
Rick Jones
MaguireBrothers
MeyerArchitects
John M. Nichols& Associates
O'Connor's
Bill Patterson
St. ThomasMore Books
SalcoCommunications,Inc.
SenterPlatingCo., Inc.
Jean Simms
SylviaSlater
Don Serapio's Ltd
Smith& Kernke.
MarcianaTolentino
Tres Chic, Inc.
Trust HouseInvestmentJewelers
JamesWell

In Memoryof SisterLucyKreiser,OSB
Rev. JosephVas
In Memoryof JuneNiewoehr
BerniceNithman
In Memoryof MarySigler
LindaBlackwood
In Memoryof SusanWhite
Myriamand Jerry White

Vnaerwritersana}l.avertisers
SherryBeasley,InteriorImages
Dr. WilliamBeasley
ConnellyPavingCompany
William& MargaretConner
Cory's AudioVisual

Sisters of (J3enecfict

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Gefievein
/ tlie irif[uence\
/' of sifent and
, radiant peop[e, and
I say to myself tliat
SUffi=peop[e
are rare.
<J:liey,
nevertlieless,
give savor to tfie
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728 Richland Road, SW
Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078

OklahomaCity,
OK
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Part of Sisters of Benedict Newsletter : v.8:no.3(1997:Winter)