Benedictine Sisters, Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, Idaho

[ Home ] [ Up ]

2002

Two New Novices at St. Gertrude's

On Sunday, December 8, 2002, the Benedictine Sisters at the Monastery of St. Gertrude joyfully invited postulants Jean Ihli and Michele Bateman to join the community. Ihli and Bateman have lived with the sisters for the past year as postulants.

Jean Ihli, 63, Boise, ID, is retired from the State Auditor’s office. After she retired she kept busy doing parish work. She also started visiting the monastery through the Oblate program and began to wonder if she had a vocation to the Benedictines. “I thought I was too old to become a nun, but when I asked the sisters if I could explore my vocation, they said yes!” Ihli recalls.

“I feel very strongly that this is where God is calling me to be,” continued Ihli. “After 35 years of working and ‘doing good’ for God, the balanced life of prayer, study and work here at the monastery is refreshing and has deepened my spiritual life. I like that.”

Michele Bateman, 49, is a mother and grandmother from Boise, ID, who worked for many years in retail. “I always wanted to be a Catholic,” Bateman recalls, “but I thought I had to be born one. When I found out I could convert, I did. And then when I discovered that a mother could be a nun, I began seriously looking into the process.

“I have been seeking God for a long time,” Bateman says. “Becoming a novice here at St. Gertrude’s is where I’m supposed to be right now.”

Following the guide for admitting Novices into the monastery as outlined in the Rule of Benedict, the two postulants stood outside the chapel and knocked persistently on the doors. Sr. Jean Lalande, Prioress, opened the door and asked the two women what they desired. They responded “The mercy of God and admission to the novitiate.”

After placing their checkbooks and car keys on a Bible to signify their willingness to embrace communal life, Ihli and Bateman received their own copy of The Rule of Benedict and a Benedictine medal to wear as an outward sign of their commitment.

They will spend the next two years familiarizing themselves with the Benedictine life of prayer, study, reflection, solitude and work. They will take classes on the Rule of Benedict, monastic profession and the Scriptures. They will also learn to lead community prayer.

“We are delighted to have these new companions on our journey,” smiled Sr. Agnes Reichlin, Formation Director. “It is also a blessing to have Mary Mendez and Carla Fontes with us as postulants. They are all signs of hope that God is opening the door to a vital future for us.”

Renovation Plans Underway

The Benedictine Sisters at the Monastery of St. Gertrude are in the initial planning stages for implementing a building and renovation project at their location in Cottonwood, ID. “Planning for and growing into the future is exciting,” said Sr. Jean Lalande, Prioress. “I feel a little like what our founding mothers must have felt when they arrived in Idaho in 1907.” Current plans call for creating a team of contractors and architects to accomplish two tasks: draw up schematics for a new spirituality and retreat center and design a plan for renovations on the historic monastery building.

“The number of people who come each year to the monastery for retreat and spiritual rest has nearly doubled since 1999,” continued Sr. Lalande. “In order to expand this ministry and maintain our own contemplative and monastic way of life, we find ourselves needing to create space designed specifically for the work of retreat-making.”

The new spirituality and retreat center will include meeting and conference rooms, office space, and several bedrooms for guests, oblates and retreatants. The new structure will also include storage space for the archives and the Historical Museum.

“Our historic monastery building needs to be upgraded, too,” said Sr. Lalande. “We are doing 21st century work in a 19th century building with many of the original systems still in place.”

Renovations are expected to provide a visible and accessible entrance; increase energy efficiency by replacing the original windows, adding insulation and possibly a new heating system; relocate offices for more effective and efficient work; and make the building more handicapped accessible with a larger elevator.

“Renovation and building plans such as these require lots of time to implement. We arrived at the decision to move in this direction after a lengthy discernment process by the entire monastic community. We ask for your prayers as we move into the future with this project. “I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about it as the months unfold and plans are finalized.”

New Mission Director Named

Sr. Barbara J. Glodowski, OSB, MEd, has joined the staff of St. Mary's Hospital & Clinics and Clearwater Valley Hospital & Clinics as their Mission Services Director.  She replaces Sr. Stephanie Wardle, OSB, who will continue with community projects in the Cottonwood area.

"I plan to continue the work of Sr. Stephanie who emphasized the hospitals' Mission and the Benedictine core values of Respect, Hospitality, Justice and Stewardship," said Sr. Barbara.  "Our goal is to have every patient recognize that our employees are motivated by these values and have it reflected in the care we provide."

Sr. Barbara Jean is a Benedictine sister of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood.  She is a certified Spiritual Director.  Since 1998 she has conducted Transforming Experiences Seminars and Retreats throughout the country.  Her seminars are designed to reclaim the role of elder (not elderly) in our society and redefine what it means to age.  She is the only nationally certified 'Sageing Mentor' in the State of Idaho.

"I have enjoyed conducting seminars, retreats and workshops for all types of audiences," said Sr. Barbara Jean.  "I will bring a certain set of gifts and skills to my new position.  I am looking forward to assessing the need for various community support groups and working with staff and community members to help define how we can best promote our Mission in the communities we serve."

Sr. Barbara Jean has also served as an instructor to the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course and as a consultant for surrounding school districts.  From 1993 to 1997 she was Sub Prioress for the Monastery of St. Gertrude.  Prior to that she worked as an elementary consulting teacher, reading specialist for the State of Idaho and the Boise Public Schools.  For almost twenty years she served as elementary principal and teacher for the Catholic Schools of Idaho.

"The new position will be challenging and rewarding.  I am happy to be a part of the health care ministry exemplified by our hospitals," said Sr. Barbara Jean.

Sr. Stephanie will continue to provide grief and bereavement counseling, to provide inpatient support, help organize the food bank and work with local community groups to serve needy area families in the Cottonwood area.  "At this point my health dictates my activities so I will remain close to home and help where I am needed," said Sr. Stephanie.

Historical Museum Gets New Look

COTTONWOOD, ID – November has been a busy month at the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude. Generally things quiet down during the autumn and winter months, staff members take vacations, and all the projects put off during the busy summer actually get some attention.  Last week began the installation of several new exhibit display cases. The cases are a much-needed upgrade; the cabinets that had been in use were actually artifacts and were quite fragile.

“The new cabinets are built to house specific artifacts,” said Lyle Wirtanen, Museum Director. “They are taller so the artifacts will be closer to eye-level and visitors won’t be tempted to lean on the cases. They have lights in them and the glass isn’t breakable. They will significantly improve the affected exhibits.”

As one of the nine Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail Museums, the museum received funds for the display cases through the Lewis and Clark Trail Museum Initiative, a grant program administered by the State of Idaho. The purpose of the program is to assist museums along the Lewis and Clark Trail to upgrade exhibits and facilities in order to deal effectively with the increase in tourists during the trail commemoration years.

“This has been a helpful program for us. We changed our front entrance last year and upgraded the security system. The new cases are safer for the public and will also help with security. Some artifacts that are now displayed within reach of visitors will be enclosed; this protects the artifacts and the visitors alike.”

This week the Monastery is also launching a fundraising appeal for the museum. “Aside from special events we have not done fundraising for the museum since the building was constructed in 1980,” said Sr. Mary Kay Henry, Development Director at the Monastery of St. Gertrude. “We consider the museum a primary way to continue our education ministry. We also see the museum as a means to support the local economy by the increased number of visitors, especially during the upcoming Lewis and Clark Bicentennial commemoration."

With over 7,000 annual visitors, plus guests for the Victorian Tea and Raspberry Festival, the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude is an important tourist, cultural and research center for the Northwest. The museum’s collection consists of over 70,000 artifacts with about 11,000 on display.

“If you haven’t visited the museum lately, we encourage you to do so,” said Wirtanen. “Stop by during the holidays with your family or friends and treat yourself to a few hours of exploration. I guarantee you’ll discover something new.”

Benedictine Sisters Celebrate 700th Anniversary

Cottonwood, ID - The Sisters at the Monastery of St. Gertrude are marking the 700th anniversary of the life of their patroness, St. Gertrude of Helfta, by having a special celebration of the Eucharist at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2002, in the monastery chapel. The public is invited to join them for this celebration.

St. Gertrude was a Benedictine nun who lived in Helfta, Germany, from 1256 - 1302. She wielded great influence in her time and throughout the following centuries through her ministries of teaching, spiritual direction and cure of souls.

Over the last 700 years, the monastery at Helfta had fallen into ruins. To mark the Millennium, a group known as "Friends of Helfta" rebuilt the original chapel and monastery. They persuaded a community of nuns to move into the restored monastery and live the Benedictine life there again. The small community is dedicated to praying for peace in the world and to offering hospitality to guests.

This example inspires the Benedictine sisters in Cottonwood to renewed fidelity in their own commitment to prayer, hospitality and peacemaking.

For more information, contact the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, ID 83522, (208) 962-3224 or develop@connectwireless.us.

Its no stretch to say seniors must be flexible

By Wayne Tryhuk - SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC HERALD

ST. FRANCIS - Before she began speaking, Benedictine Sr. Barbara Jean Glodowski, keynote speaker at Catholic Charities' 14th annual Conference on Aging had her predominantly senior citizen audience limber up with light exercises.  It seemed apt because, as Glodowski said later in her presentation, one of the keys to successful change is flexibility.

It's particularly important to people over age 50, said Glodowski in her talk, "Embracing Change:  The Door to Personal Transformation," because "our whole aging process is calling us to change ... spiritually, psychologically and physically.

"Your body knows about change," Glodowski said to her audience of about  625.  "Our skin replaces itself once a month, our livers, once every six weeks....By the end of the year, 98 percent of the atoms of the body have changed.

"And nature is constantly changing," she added.

Glodowski, director of transforming experiences at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho, acknowledged that older people are challenged with the death of loved ones.  But loss, she said, is critical to later gain.  When weaned from breast milk, for example, "we gained the ability to eat.  From the moment we're born to the moment we die, we're in the flux of change."

When a member of the audience in the packed Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center noted that older people also change in their "relationships to God," Glodowski replied, "people say what used to work for them when they prayed doesn't anymore, but I say, 'Wonderful.'  God is having you let go even more to grow deeper."

Scripture, the certified spiritual director said, "is full of images of change" and at her invitation, members of the audience supplied several:  the parable of the grain of wheat, which must be buried to grow; the story of Job - "He lost everything," Glodowski said, "but he got through it.  He knew God would be with him.  That was the promise; the Annunciation, which so fundamentally altered the life of the young Mary; Christ's chastisement of  St. Peter for initially refusing to accept the fact that Jesus would die; Christ's statement that he "is the potter and you are the clay."

"You must be flexible to be molded," Glodowski stressed.

Also critical to "personal transformation" is the ability to anticipate, adapt to, and accept the need for, change, according to Glodowski.  She added that in the New Testament, Jesus said, "Do not fear," 365 times, once for every day of the year.  "Fear keeps us from change," she observed.

Glodowski emphasized that "rebirth cannot happen without death."  Moreover, "nothing important will be lost" in dying.  Instead, "you'll get to the simplicity" called for in Scripture:  "Take nothing for the journey."

On their journeys, seniors, despite their agedness, are pioneers, Glodowski suggested.  They're developing what it is to be a senior citizen today, a status for which paradigms are not well developed, she said.

In her model, seniors are elders rather than elderly.  The latter "are sour and dour, unable to move" toward "the call" to change.  But elders who are full of wisdom, can be change specialists, rather than resisters, she explained.

Glodowski urged that, instead of focusing on the past, people "live in the moment," as God showed Moses in the Old Testament.  When Moses asked what God's name was, the Lord replied, "I am," rather than, "I was."

Boise Parish Welcomes Parish Life Director

By Colette Cowman - ICR editor

BOISE - Bishop Michael Driscoll introduced and installed Sister Betty Schumacher, OSB, as parish life director at Sacred Heart Parish, Boise, the weekend of Sept. 14-15.  

Sister Schumacher, a member of the Benedictine Community in Cottonwood, is one of three parish life directors currently responsible for overseeing parishes in the Diocese of Boise.  The others are Sister Margie Schmidt, OSB, St. Stanislaus Parish, Lewiston, and Deacon Richard Hamm, Catherine of Siena Parish, Priest River.

Idaho has had the equivalent of Parish life directors several times over the years since the late Bishop Sylvester Treinen appointed Sister Bernice Wessels, OSB, as administrator in parishes in Wendell, Hagerman and Eden in 1980.  She later served as administrator in Arco.  Sister Mary Louise Deroin, CC, also served as administrator in Wendell, Hagerman and Eden.  Idaho was the first diocese to have a non-ordained person as administrator, according to Sister Wessels.

Sister Schumacher's previous work and education have prepared her well for her new job.  At Sacred Heart she has responsibility for overseeing the operation of both the parish and the school, physically, fiscally, and spiritually.  Her responsibilities will also include responding to pastoral emergencies and doing pastoral counseling.  Several priests in the Boise area are taking turns celebrating Mass and administering the sacraments in the parish.

Sister holds a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education and special education and two masters degrees from Seattle University, one in ministry and the other in counseling.

She taught at the elementary level for 10 years and served as a school principal before moving into parish work at St. Agnes Parish, Weiser.

"It was in Weiser that I got involved in the MDP (Ministry Development Program), which brought out my gifts for working with adults," said Sister Schumacher.  "Seeing the church in a broader perspective prepared me to be a pastoral association at St. Mary's Parish, Boise, and at Sacred Heart in Bellevue, WA."

In Bellevue, she worked a lot with the grief ministry team, in Aides ministry, with the Welcoming Committee and the Social concerns Commission.  She feels one of her greatest accomplishments was helping organize an interfaith coalition that is currently building two homes through Habitat for Humanity.  This is the first time Habitat has had an interfaith group working together.

Sister Schumacher said members of the Bellevue parish joined with a local Muslim congregation, members of Jewish Synagogue, a non-denominational Christian church in Bellevue and the parish in Issaquah, WA, to build the homes.

As she starts her new job in Boise, Sister Schumacher said she sees herself as a partner, working side by side with the Sacred Heart community.

"I hope we can build on all the gifts of the past," she said.  "I hope to integrate the values that are essential and important to the life of a parish."

She told the congregation when she spoke to them at all the Masses Sep. 14-15 that she has three visions for the parish:

• "To continue to grow spiritually, personally and communally as we deepen our prayer life."

• "To continue the outreach that is already here at Sacred Heart."  She was referring to such programs as the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, the parish food bank, the Evangelization Retreat and the Community Bench Supper for the hungry.

• "To get to know members of the community by name and assure that people feel a sense of belonging and welcome."

Sister Schumacher said her first task is to meet with every parish organization and learn their visions and goals and to work closely with the Pastoral Council and the parish staff to continue the work they have already begun.

"I think it is a real compliment to Sacred Heart Parish that they have developed some very healthy, competent lay ministry," she said.

"Eventually we will start to look at where Sacred Heart is being called at this time in history," said Sister Schumacher.

As a parish life director, a direction more and more Idaho parishes will have to go in the future in light of the shortage of priests, Sister Schumacher said she "feels humble being at this parish."

"I also feel very excited that is something new and different for me and for the people," she said.  "I am very aware of the transition that needs to happen in the parish."

She said she has felt great support from parishioners since her arrival, and Bishop Michael Driscoll has also been very supportive.

Sister Janet Barnard Attends Conference

From September 5 to 9, 2002, Sr. Janet Barnard of the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID, joined over 500 vocation ministers and accompanying community members for the National Religious Vocation Conference’s biennial convocation held in San Antonio, TX. The theme of the convocation was “Dimensions of Diversity: Our Response.”

The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) is a professional organization of men and women committed to the fostering and discernment of vocations, particularly to the religious life. The organization provides support resources, and in-service opportunities for those persons engaged in vocation ministry for religious orders of sisters, brothers and priests. 

This year’s convocation aimed to help vocation ministers examine the various aspects of diversity present in our society at this time, especially in terms of how best to respond to persons of diverse backgrounds who inquire about membership in religious communities. “It was exciting to gather with other vocation ministers to view culture in a multi-faceted way – to think about the various cultures that exist outside ourselves, and also to examine those cultures which exist inside ourselves,” said Sr. Barnard. “I came away from the meetings with great hope for the future of vocations.”

Four keynote speakers addressed the gathering: Sr. Donna Markham, OP, Bro. Sean Sammon, FMS, Rev. Virgilio Elizondo, and Sr. Marie Chin, RSM. Donna Markham is the president of the Southdown Institute near Toronto, Ontario, a multidisciplinary mental health care facility that treats church professionals across the English-speaking world. Sean Sammon is the general superior of the Marist Brothers and past president of the conference of Major Superiors of Men. Virgilio Elizondo is the founder and first president of the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in San Antonio and is currently the director of programming of Catholic Television of San Antonio and a professor at MACC. Marie Chin is president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

For more information, contact Sr. Janet Barnard, OSB, Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, ID 83522, (208) 962-3224 or vocation@camasnet.com.

Silent Auction for Raspberry Festival Playhouse

The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude announces that the playhouse offered as the major raffle prize at the 10th Annual Raspberry Festival will be auctioned off in a silent auction. The winner chose to take the $500 cash prize instead of the playhouse so the museum will now sell the playhouse.

The house has a retail value of about $1,000 including cost of materials and labor. It was handmade by John Remacle and Sandy Enneking at the Monastery of St. Gertrude. It has a complete wood floor, three open windows, a covered porch with railing, cedar shakes, and one-piece front door. Outside dimensions are 6 feet x 6 feet.

Sealed bids with a minimum bid of $500 will be accepted until September 27, 2002. The winner is responsible for transporting the house from the museum. In the event of a tie bid, those bidders will be contacted for the submission of a new bid. Bids can be mailed to: The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, HC3, Box 121, Cottonwood, ID 83522. For more information please contact the museum at (208) 962-7123 or director@velocitus.net.

Sr. Meg Sass Meets with Senator Larry Craig Staff

Sister Barbara Jean Completes Training

COTTONWOOD, ID – Sr. Barbara Jean Glodowski, OSB, a Benedictine sister at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID, successfully completed the Sage-ing TM Seminar Leader Training in May. “I’m the only certified Sage-ing Seminar leader in Idaho and only one of three in the Northwest,” said Glodowski.

Sage-ing Seminars are designed to provide participants with the tools to live life consciously with vitality rather than choosing to die longer. “I was so convinced of the importance of this ministry that I prayed for someone to make the training possible. Lo’ and behold! an anonymous donor from Pennsylvania heard what I was doing and volunteered to underwrite the training.”

Sr. Jean Lalande Elected Councilor

Sr. Jean Lalande, Prioress of the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID, has been elected as councilor to the President of the Federation of St. Gertrude. The current president is Sr. Kathryn Huber of Ferdinand, IN.  The Federation of St. Gertrude is a group representing 18 independent communities and five dependent monasteries of Benedictine women from throughout the United States, South America and Canada. They recently gathered for their 21st Chapter meeting at St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sixteen prioresses, 31 delegates and five representatives met to deliberate on issues important to Benedictine women at the beginning of the 21st century. Sisters Jean Lalande, Janet Barnard and Sharon Kuhn were the Cottonwood representatives.  This year the Chapter celebrated the 150th anniversary of Benedictine Sisters ministering in the United States and the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Federation of St. Gertrude. Sister Ruth Fox of Richardton, ND, reviewed the beginnings of Benedictine women’s communities starting from the fourth century. Sister Ephrem Hollermann of St. Joseph, MN, Sr. Mary John Mananzan from the Phillippines and Abbot Notker Wolf of Rome, Italy, Abbot Primate for Benedictines worldwide were noted speakers. Sr. Lalande joins six other sisters in the position of councilor to the President of the Federation. For more information about the Federation of St. Gertrude visit www.FederationOfStGertrude.org, or call the Monastery of St. Gertrude at (208) 962-3224. 

10th Annual Raspberry Festival Adds Arts & Crafts Fair and 10K/5K Raspberry Run & Shortcake Walk  

COTTONWOOD, ID -- The 10th annual Raspberry Festival to benefit the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2002, from 10:00 – 4:00 in the Prairie High School Gymnasium, adjacent to the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID.  To celebrate the success of the festival and commemorate the 10th year, the planning committee is adding a Raspberry Festival Arts & Crafts Fair.  Arts and crafts vendors will set up their booths on the beautiful lawns of the Monastery grounds. Hand-carved wooden duck decoys, handmade soap and bath products, quilted table-runners and wildlife artist prints are just a sampling of vendor wares. For artists interested in selling their products each 10x10 space is $30. In lieu of the entrance fee, vendors may opt to purchase an annual membership at the museum at the $25 level, which includes free admission to the museum for two adults, Echoes of the Past journal, a newsletter and volunteer opportunities.

Also new this year will be the Raspberry Fun Run and Shortcake Walk. The Raspberry Run is an out-and-back 10k from the museum to the historic Holy Cross Church in Keuterville, ID. The Shortcake Walk follows the same route and is a 5k course that can be run or walked. The course itself is a scenic, paved route with an incline the first 1.75 miles (a rise in elevation of 200 feet), but mostly level after that. The Seven Devils Mountains can be viewed to the southwest on the way out and the Camas Prairie, The Gospels and Buffalo Hump Wilderness Areas can be seen on the way back. The miles will be marked and the 5k turnaround designated. The 10k turnaround will be at the church in Keuterville. The starting time is 8:00 a.m. Race day registration is from 7:00 – 7:45 a.m. Entries postmarked by July 22, 2002, are $12; after that or on race day the registration fee is $14. Registration fees include a 100% cotton commemorative T-shirt. The top two female and male finishers in each of the two courses will be awarded a prize. No age divisions. Participants are encouraged to enjoy the Raspberry Festival festivities at the conclusion of the race; showering facilities are available in the Prairie High School Gymnasium.

The Raspberry Festival is an annual fundraiser for the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude and attracts over 1,200 attendees each year. This family-focused, fun-filled day features live music, cultural and hand-crafting demonstrations, raspberry shortcake, BBQ beef sandwiches, raspberry jam, a quilt show, a Show ‘n Shine, books sales, Chapel tours and more.  For more information on the Raspberry Festival or any of these activities contact the museum at (208) 962-7123, email: museum@velocitus.net or Darla Anglen-Whitley at (208) 962-3224 x35, email: develop@connectwireless.us.

Nez Perce Country: A Symposium a Great Success

On June 13, The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, in cooperation with the Nez Perce tribe and the National Park Service, proudly co-sponsored a significant human rights event in north central Idaho. Nez Perce Country: A Symposium brought people together for a day of interaction and exploration of cultural commonalities based around the theme of spirituality and the land. Nearly 250 people attended this event.

The day began with Nez Perce drummers and the presentation of the colors. Horace Axtell, Nez Perce Elder, followed with a prayer and a retelling of the Nez Perce creation story. Sam Penney, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe Executive Committee and Dawn Huntley, Mayor of the City of Cottonwood, made welcoming remarks. Lyle Wirtanen, Director of The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, presented opening remarks.
 
The mission statement of the Monastery of St. Gertrude states that visitors are welcomed in a spirit of healing hospitality, grateful simplicity, and creative peacemaking. That statement reflected the principles upon which the symposium was based and around which the event operated.

The morning sessions addressed the land and its uses in three eras – pre-horse culture (before 1720), horse culture (1720-1805), and contact with non-Indians (1805-1911). Panel presentations by Nez Perce and non-Indian presenters discussed each of the time frames and how the land and people were affected by change.

The early afternoon sessions afforded time for discussions about Nez Perce resource management, both past and present, as well as a presentation on spirituality and the land today. Dr. Raymond Reyes, Vice President for Diversity, Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, was the dynamic and inspiring speaker for the late afternoon session and the evening banquet. He discussed the basics of historical trauma. In his presentation he stated that the research confirms historical trauma does exist; Similar to post traumatic stress syndrome, historical trauma affects individuals and cultures. His overall message was a demand for a renewed commitment to human values.

Dr. Reyes encouraged everyone to instill in their children the values of acceptance for all cultures because children are the key to a change in any future societal attitudes. Children in kindergarten sing, dance, act silly, and play. By the time they are in high school, they do not actively do any of those things. Peer pressure and demand by society change that openness and 
natural response to the world.

People come from a variety of cultural traditions and that fact should encourage everyone to accept differences and integrate them into our lives in a positive manner. Dr. Reyes challenged the audience to go back to their communities and incorporate what they learned at the symposium in those communities and in their daily lives.

The symposium was truly a success in that it brought cultures together in a non-threatening environment. The following statement by one of the participants reflects some of the feelings during day, "The 'Spirituality and the Land' portion of the program touched everyone and needed the previous events to provide the background for its full impact. I looked around the room and a good third had tears, including myself. The energy and the spirit was strong…"

The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude is proud to have been the energizing force behind this 
significant event.

Victorian Tea

Idaho Vocation Congress delegates come back on fire

By Collette Cowman - Idaho Catholic Register editor

Two Idaho Catholics were present at the Third Continental Congress for Vocations in Montreal, Canada, April 18-21, and both came away marveling at the amazing energy and enthusiasm generated there for promoting vocations in the Catholic Church.

"It was easy to be on fire and enthusiastic while we were at the congress," said Stephanie Bennett, administrative assistant at the Bishop Treinen House of Discernment and Formation in Boise.  "I just hope it is possible to keep the momentum going."  

Sister Janet Barnard vocations director for the Sisters of St. Benedict, Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, said, "I came home knowing there are many people concerned about the future of the priesthood and consecrated life."

More than 1,135 delegates attended the congress.  There were bishops, priests, brothers, sister, Knights of Columbus, Serrans, campus ministers, youth ministers and young adults.

"The energy of this very diverse group gathered for a common purpose was over-whelming," said Sister Janet.  "More than 130 young adults took the initiative to gather and create their own statement to the assembly and to the church.  Such unexpected components of the event were a sure sign that the Spirit was indeed moving."

Even as the church faces a critical time, the speakers at the congress addressed the situation very honestly, while recognizing the need to move forward.

"I especially appreciated Father Ronald Rolheiser's presentation, she said.  "He talked on vocations in this moment in time.  He said we need saints - 'those who show a credible sign of the presence of God in the world, those who give their lives over to God and call others to do the same."

Sister Janet also noted that Sister Marie Chin, RSM, gave a challenging presentation on culture and its influence on vocations.

"She challenged us to 'radical openness,' to listen, to think and to realize our call to be the body of Christ."

Sister Janet said the delegates worked hard, but even the final banquet reflected amazing energy and enthusiasm.

"We gathered in a remodeled train station, shared food and fellowship and cemented our commitment to continue to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life for the people of God," she said.

Bennett said she was able to represent Idaho not only as a staff person for a house of formation but a s a young adult, a  parent, a Spanish speaking person and a lay parishioner.

Keeping in mind the size of the Idaho diocese and its uniqueness, some of the ideas Bennett gleaned from the conference that she would like to see tried in the Idaho church include: 

-Formation of a Diocesan Vocations Committee that includes lay people and establishment of vocations committee in every parish.

-Encouragement of parents to discuss with their children vocations as an option for what to do with their lives.

-Vocation education in every parish and Catholic school. 

-Perpetual adoration in every parish to pray for an increase in vocations.

Bennett said one thing that really impressed her at the congress was those priests and Sisters who wore clerical garb or a habit.

"It is just a tremendous witness to everybody, a witness of the presence of Christ and His ministry," she said.  She likened seeing priests wearing collars and Sisters wearing their habits to policeman wearing their uniforms.

"You know how we all slow down or at least come to attention when we see a policeman coming down the road in a police car" Bennett said. "It makes us check to see if we are going the speed limit and obeying the laws.

"When we see a policeman wearing a uniform in a large crowd, it gives us a feeling of safety," she said.  Seeing a Sister in a habit or or priest in clerical garb also tends to comfort people.,  It helps call people to holiness and sainthood and it says a lot of the Sister's or priest's commitment and dedication."

Bennett said she would like to see more priests and Sisters go back to wearing collars and habits in public.

Museum Director elected President of IAM

Lyle Wirtanen, Director of the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, is the new president of the Idaho Association of Museums.

Elected at the annual conference in Boise on April 5-6, Wirtanen will serve a two year term.

The Idaho Association of Museums (IAM) is a professional association with members representing most of the 70 some museums in the state.  The association attempts to be the "voice for museums in Idaho" by advocating for museum support, by providing on going professional training for museum personnel, by promoting cultural and historical tourism in Idaho, and by assisting museums in their quest for resources both financial and cultural.

Wirtanen believes that "museums are cultural and educational institutions that preserve and tell the history of the multiple cultures that have lived in Idaho.  IAM will continue to be an active advocate for the presence and survival of museums in our state."

Other officers elected were:  Vice President, Patty Miller, Director of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center in Boise; Secretary, Sunny Katseanes of the Tautphans Park Zoo in Idaho Falls; Treasurer, Jody Hawley Ochoa, Registrar of the Idaho State Historical Museum Boise.

Contact Wirtanen at (208) 962-7123 with any comments, concerns or suggestions you might have regarding the museums in your area.

Museum Aims to Heal Cultural Wounds

By Kathy Hedberg
OF THE LEWISTON MORNING TRIBUNE

COTTONWOOD - Two years ago, the Historical Museum at the Monastery of St. Gertrude here presented the Nez Perce Tribe with a copy of the New Testament gospels written in the Nez Perce language.

The book, titled "The Life of Jesus Christ in the Four Gospels," was reprinted in 1914 from an earlier text written by the Rev. Joseph Cataldo. It was one of two such Bibles owned by the museum.

Lyle Wirtanen, director of the museum, said there may be other copies of the book still in existence, but they would be very rare.

"It was one gesture on our part in branching the cultures," Wirtanen says of the gift.  "We want to work with the tribe as much as possible as a historical museum. We respect their culture and this is a part of their culture."

That gift began what is hoped will be the beginning of a process to heal the wounds between the Nez Perce people and non-Indians living in north central Idaho.

On June 13, the museum plans to sponsor a symposium bringing together people from all walks of life to discuss using the land in this area and about historical trauma.

"Last fall when we became aware that this is the 125th anniversary of the Nez Perce conflict of 1877, we started thinking about what we could do," Wirtanen says.

He and the museum staff presented a plan to the tribe's cultural affairs office, and over several months the idea of a symposium took shape.

The symposium will cover three time frames: pre-horse culture before 1720, horse culture from 1720 to 1805; and contact with the whites from 1805 to about 1900.

It will feature experts on the issue of historical trauma syndrome, which, Wirtanen says, has been documented and is similar to post-traumatic stress syndrome sometimes experienced by war veterans.

"Every meeting I've been to where there's been a Nez Perce or a Native American there is always somebody who stands and emotionally is involved with their history.

"It tells us that there's an extreme problem.  We want to assist in the healing process of this historical trauma which has been passed down from generation to generation."

The syndrome, he says, has been studied by healers, psychologists and doctoral students, but is not often understood by the general population.

But Wirtanen is aware the subject may be controversial on the Cams Prairie, where friction between the races continues to simmer.

"The non-Indian needs to understand that such a syndrome -- historical trauma -- does exist.  There's evidence to support it. 

"We are going to have an expert speak to us on the topic, then we hope to talk about it and begin speaking about the healing of that.

"This is a beginning.  We have to form the basis of a start in some small way of bringing the cultures together and trying to listen ... and maybe find some commonality in all of that mix of misunderstandings that still exist."

He says the symposium will not become "a blaming game," but will be directed toward healing.

Plans continue to be finalized, but the gathering will be held at the Prairie High School gymnasium, next to the monastery, beginning at 8:30 a.m.  Some of the events include Nez Perce drummers and a retelling of the Nez Perce creation story, speakers, general sessions and an evening banquet.

Wirtanen says so far everyone he has contacted about the symposium, including the Tribe, the directors of the Idaho Association of Cities, the Idaho Association of Counties and the Idaho Historical Association, are supportive and enthusiastic.

He plans to begin making contact with people living on the Camas Prairie to seek their endorsement as well.

"We want this to be a positive day," Wirtanen says.  "We want it to be a day of people discussing and sharing and listening.

"Somewhere along the line I firmly believe that education, education, education is the key and that you have to have both sides of the story and you have to find common ground to come together."

Sister Radegunda Celebrates 100th Birthday

Sr. Radegunda Bischofberger will celebrate her 100th birthday on March 27, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. in the Monastery's dining room. Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate this milestone in Sr. Radegunda's life.

Sr. Radegunda (Frieda Mary) was born March 28, 1902, in Switzerland. Sr. Radegunda claims that, though always a tiny girl, she easily beat her larger brothers at foot races. Her bright eyes and round face led her brothers to call her "moon face" for fun.

By the time she reached her twelfth birthday she knew that she wanted to become a missionary to America. In 1923 got serious about her vocation. She went door-to-door to raise money for her long passage to the US. Her family supported her decision to become a sister but wished she would join a convent closer, like in Switzerland! But Sr. Radegunda says that "God had put it into her head to go," and so, in August 1923, Radegunda set sail.

She and four other young Swiss sisters arrived at St. Gertrude's in mid-September. She recalls that she didn't suffer from seasickness during the trip. "I spiced my black coffee from a small bottle of whiskey and it kept me in good health ... until the waiter noticed it! Prohibition! Unlawful!"

Once in Idaho, Sr. Radegunda immediately began learning English at St. Gertrude's. As soon as she could communicate well enough, she went to serve in the missions for the next 43 years. Her first stop was at St. Michael's Monastery in Cottonwood, ID. She also ministered at Holy Rosary School in Pomeroy, WA; St. Valentine's in Wendell, ID; Greencreek School in Greencreek, ID; St. Joseph's School in Genesee, ID; Our Lady of Consolation Hospital in Cottonwood, ID; St. Benedicts in Jerome, ID; and St. Mary's in Cottonwood. Once she "retired" she helped at the monastery in the kitchen and museum.

Sr. Radegunda is a storyteller. Some of her best stories deal with learning English. She remembers the first time she heard the word corpulent. Believing it to be such a fine word, so big, so nice, she "said it to a lady whose face changed color!" Radegunda couldn't figure out what she had done to distress the woman so she went to the office and asked for a definition. She was mortified to find out it meant "fat"!

Another time Radegunda remembers going to the dentist. When he asked her which tooth was bothering her she replied, "The little one upstairs!"

Sr. Radegunda feels blessed to have had such a long life. "With God's help and my guardian angel" she has kept her faith in God and in her vocation for many years. Radegunda's advice to young women and men looking at religious life is simple: "Follow your call. You will have much peace if you do."

MVRS seeks way to meet need of Hispanic disabled

By Heather Abel
TIMES-NEWS CORRESPONDENT

TWIN FALLS - Magic Valley Rehabilitation Services is reaching out to the Latino community.

The nonprofit organization, which evaluates, trains and employs disabled people, has created an Hispanic Advisory Committee.  The committee's second meeting was Jan. 10.

The purpose of the committee is to identify the needs of Hispanic disabled people.  Committee members also have addressed the barriers to meeting those needs and what can be done to remove them, MRVS representatives say.

"At this point, we're just doing the initial needs assessment," says Jeff Crumrine, MVRS executive director.

Crumrine says the advisory committee started because of input from staff member Simon Rodriguez about a year ago.  Rodriguez thought there was training needs that weren't addressed for Hispanics.

"They're not aware of these services," Rodriquez says.  "I thought this is an area that hasn't been sought out."

Rodriguez says in some cases the information isn't disseminated into the right areas.

"We're taking a proactive approach," Crumrine says.  "we're trying to identify what those needs are and trying to identify solutions."

"One of the things that we will be working on for the Legislature is the Labor Contractor Registration and Bonding Act," says Sister Barbara Gonzales of Idaho Legal Aid and a committee member.  "What we hope to do is have the contractor be bonded.  If there is a problem with pay, the pay can come out of the bond."

Other committee members include Alejandro Castaneda, Gem State Realty; Gloria Galan, Twin Falls City Council member; Gioconda Sanchez Meyers , AG Mart; Effrain Ortega, La Mexicana; Benjamin Reed, KFTA AM 970; and Lucille Silvaz, Idaho Community Action Network.

According to a participant census taken on Jan. 21, there were 130 people receiving services from MVRS, Crumrine said.  Of those, 11 participants were Hispanic.

There is no data available that identify the number of people with disabilities in the area who are Hispanic, he added.  The 2000 Census data pertaining to the number of people with disabilities will not be available until May or June of 2002.

The Hispanic Advisory Committee is just beginning the process of identifying what is out there, Crumrine reports.

"One of the main needs was to get the information about our (MVRS) services out to the Hispanic Latino population," read the minutes from one meeting.

"I'm excited because I really believe you go to the people who understand what's going on in the community," says Crumrine about the committee membership.  "There's a wealth of information in the community.  We're looking forward to being able to tap into that."

MVRS teaches vocational skills, as well as personal development skills.  MVRS has programs on site such as car detailing, and assembly work, where people can develop skills, but Crumrine says the primary emphasis is getting people out into the community.

[ Home ] [ Membership ] [ Monastery ] [ What's New ] [ Ministry ]

For a map and directions on how to find us click here

Link Policy

© 1997-2007
 Idaho Corporation of Benedictine Sisters
Monastery of  St. Gertrude
465 Keuterville Road
Cottonwood, ID 83522-5183
208-962-3224
FAX  208-962-7212
contact:  Webweaver
monastery@stgertrudes.org
Revised 3 November 2007