 |
 |
 |
|
News Archives: Year 2007
In the News
|
|
|
“I was just an old, rough clod of dirt when I got here,” Sr. Jean Ihli said when asked how her life has changed since arriving at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in May 2000 to begin the process to become a Benedictine sister.
Sr. Jean made her perpetual monastic profession on Saturday, November 17, 2007, at 1:30 pm in the Chapel at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID, followed by a reception in the Refectory.
Sr. Jean came to the monastery from Boise where she had retired from the State of Idaho. She had been involved in parish work at St. Mary’s in Boise and was an Oblate at St. Gertrude’s before entering. These contacts helped influence her to pursue her religious vocation. While not the oldest woman to enter at St. Gertrude’s – Sr. Veronica Brost holds that record – Ihli was still older than some when she asked to enter.
“I came here after I was finished taking care of the usual things. My working years were finished and I had retired, plus my mother had passed away and I no longer needed to care for her. So I arrived at the monastery intent on taking care of what I felt called to do by God.”
It took the customary seven years for Ihli to make final profession: affiliate (one year), postulant (one year), novice (two years) and temporary professed (three years).
“Becoming a sister is not easy. I learned a lot about myself and religious life along the way. The sisters and I have worked hard at determining if this was the right place for me.
“Thanks to the sisters’ guidance and direction, I’ve grown spiritually and developed a stability that I didn’t have before.
“And I am still here,” she smiled.
125th anniversary of the foundation of Queen of Angels Monastery and Mt. Angel Abbey
|
|
Sisters Clarissa Goeckner, Carm Ternes, Evangela Bossert, Janet Marie Barnard and Mary Kay Henry from the Monastery of St. Gertrude traveled to Mt. Angel, OR, for the October 30th celebration of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of Queen of Angels, Monastery and Mt. Angel Abbey.
“Our histories are inextricably intertwined,” said Sr. Clarissa Goeckner, Prioress of St. Gertrude’s in Idaho. “Our founding sisters traveled to the United States together from Switzerland in 1882, and we ministered together at Gervais and Grand Ronde, OR, for two years.”
The original immigrant group consisted of 48 Benedictine monks, nuns and students. They came from Engelberg Abbey, Monastery of Maria Rickenbach and St. Andrew’s Convent all in Switzerland. When they arrived in Gervais, OR, housing arrangements had been made for the monks and students, but not the sisters. The women from the two convents found lodging and resided and worked together until the founding sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude left Gervais to found their own convent and school in Uniontown, WA.
“Our time with the Maria Rickenbach sisters came to an end, then,” reminisced Sr. Clarissa, “and we began our journey to founding a motherhouse in Idaho.
“However,” she continued, “we remain close friends with the sisters at Mt. Angel through regular meetings of prioresses, subprioresses, treasurers, vocation directors, retreat directors and more. We also stay in touch with the monks through meetings and contacts with Idaho seminarians studying there. We are grateful for the Mt. Angel monks who served as our chaplains and have been our retreat directors.”
The highlight of the celebration of 125 years of common roots was the special Mass at St. Mary Parish in the town of Mt. Angel. A church full of parishioners joined the two communities in this milestone of their own history. Music was lead by a combined choir of sisters and monks.
Principal Presider, Abbot Primate Notker Wolf from Rome, was joined by Co-presiders Abbot Berchtold Muller from Engelberg and twelve other abbots, priors and bishops. Fr. Boniface Lautz, Prior of the Monastery of the Ascension in Jerome, ID, was among them. James Schaecher, Representative of St. Mary Parish, Prioress Donna Marie Chartraw of Queen of Angels, and Abbot Nathan Zodrow of Mt. Angel Abbey shared reflections on the 125 years of history they share together.
New chaplain at the Monastery of St. Gertrude and St. Mary's Hospital
|
|
In an unabashed plug for himself and grinning widely, Fr. Hal Weidner, new chaplain at the Monastery of St. Gertrude and St. Mary's Hospital quipped, "If people want to get to know me better, they might start by purchasing one of my books, Grief, Loss and Death: The Shadow Side of Ministry or Praying with John Cardinal Newman."
Fr. Hal, from the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rock Hill, SC, began working at the Monastery in September.
"I told my friend that, ideally, during my sabbatical years, I would like to be a chaplain at a motherhouse," Fr. Hal recalled. "She sent me a notice that St. Gertrude's was looking for a chaplain, I applied, and here I am."
Fr. Hal lived in Hawaii for the last 16 years. While there he worked at founding an Oratory and served as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Honolulu.
"Compared to Hawaii, this area seems like a desert," Fr. Hal said. "However, I am in absolute awe of St. Mary's Hospital and the staff there. To find a high-quality Catholic hospital in a rural area is nothing short of miraculous.
"And the sisters at the monastery are wonderful, too," he smiled.
Fr. Hal expects to spend a lot of his free time working on two new books, keeping his virtual Oratory up to date (www.TheVirtualOratory.com ), and scouting out a place for a new Oratory.
Fr. Hal has a rich and varied background. He served as the Major Superior of his Oratory in South Carolina and studied and has traveled throughout the world including Japan, India, Israel and Europe. Fr. Hal holds a doctoral degree from Oxford University in Oxford, England, and has published numerous books, articles, essays and reviews in publications such as Catholic Digest, International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church and The Catechist, to name just a few.
The Book and Gift Shop at the Monastery of St. Gertrude invites everyone to an Open House on October 19, 20 and 21 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm each day. Featured during these three days will be fairly traded gift and Christmas items.
“We have some textiles and handmade goods from women’s cooperatives in Mexico and Bolivia. 100% of our purchases go directly to the women,” said Sr. Miriam Mendez, manager of the gift shop.
“Fair trade is a justice issue for the sisters, and we are committed to fair and just economic practices,” Sr. Miriam continued.
Fairly traded products are usually produced through cooperatives around the world and marketed directly and fairly, usually without a "middleman". The goal of most fair trade cooperatives is to alleviate poverty and empower low-income people through trade and training.
“I think more people would purchase fairly traded products if they just knew an outlet for them. We are delighted to provide that outlet this month.”
Products from the West Bank, India, Africa, Nepal, Vietnam, China and Chicago, IL, will be for sale. Many of the items were purchased directly from women’s cooperatives and still more were acquired through A Greater Gift/SERRV International.
FEATURED PROFESSIONAL:
Carol Ann Wassmuth, A Written Statement of Values
By Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth for Northwest Management, Inc.
INLAND NORTHWEST MANAGEMENT REPORT
September 2007
The increasing number of attendees at landowner conferences and field
days is a positive indication that forest owners are taking seriously
their responsibility to be wise stewards of their woodlands. They come
eager to learn from the professionals what the latest science is telling
them they need to do to maintain the health and productivity of their
forests. They leave with new ideas on how best to interact with the
ecosystem present on their property for the benefit of all its
inhabitants. Good forest management depends upon knowing and
implementing these “whats” and “hows”.
I would like to suggest that we also consider the “whys”. This means
reflecting upon and articulating your values as they pertain to the
ownership of land. Since these are your personal convictions, no one
else can do it for you. To put these deeply held beliefs into words may
be a challenge but well worth the effort especially if you are sharing
ownership with others, e.g. spouse, siblings, children, business
partners. The final statement must be acceptable to everyone involved.
What is the advantage of having a written statement of your values as a
landowner? It will help you maintain integrity as you manage your land.
These personal values are the reason behind the objectives you list in
your management plan. Consultants and contractors would know exactly
what you believe about your responsibility in regard to this forestland
and would be clear on how you expect them to carry out the duties for
which you have hired them. A common statement of purpose provides a
foundation for discussion of land use among co-owners. As land is passed
on to another generation there would be no doubt as to your convictions.
Fifteen years ago the Sisters at the Monastery of St. Gertrude undertook
the process of putting into words what we believed concerning our
ownership of land. It was a time consuming process since there were 90
members in the community and we couldn’t quit until everyone was willing
to personally own the statement. We titled the finished document our
“Philosophy of Land Use”. In it we expressed our understanding that land
was both a resource and a responsibility. We recognized our close
connection as a community to this particular acreage and made a
commitment to treat it with reverence and care. We identified how caring
for this land and sharing it with guests and retreatants was a core
ministry of ours. The statement has become our guiding document as we
make decisions concerning our interaction with the land.
Because we are a religious community of women we used faith words to
express our convictions. As you compose your statement of values the
important thing is that you use the words that best say what it is you
believe. It may involve serious conversation with others who share the
responsibility of ownership and, consequently, takes time and energy.
Both the process of composing the statement and the final document are
important as you continue in your commitment to wise forest management.
The Monastery of St. Gertrude welcomes new members
|
|
COTTONWOOD, ID - The Monastery of St.
Gertrude will welcome as a new member a local Houston woman on August 18, 2007,
during the Rite of Temporary Profession. Novice Kim Marie Jordan will publicly
accept the monastic promises of stability, fidelity to the monastic life and
obedience. She will be joined in the ceremony by Novice Cindy Schultz of
Cottonwood, ID.
Novice Kim Marie, 53, is a divorced mother of two from Saint Anne's Catholic
Community in Houston, TX. She discovered the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Idaho
via an internet search in 1997.
"I was educated by the Benedictines as a little girl in Kansas and had become
familiar with the idea of monastic life by visiting a men's monastery in New
Mexico," Jordan remembers. "When I found St. Gertrude's on the internet, I was
curious and came for a 12-day Monastic Living Experience."
After her second day at the monastery, Jordan knew St. Gertrude's was to be her
home. She stayed in contact with the sisters for the next six years as she tried
to talk herself out of the move.
"Deciding to come to the monastery was like climbing a mountain," Jordan says.
"The trip to the top was a struggle. It was hard to leave my friends, my job, my
house and car. But once I reached the top and the decision to come here was
made, everything became easy."
Once she arrived in Idaho after selling her house and car, quitting her job of
14 years in the publishing business, saying her farewells to friends and family,
she sat on her bed in her tiny room and exclaimed, "Oh, Kim, what have you
done?!"
"I used to think I chose to come here. Now I know that God chose this place for
me. How else in this wide world would I have ended up here?"
Joining her in making monastic profession is Novice Cindy Schultz, 47, who was
also surrounded by Benedictine sisters as she grew up.
"The Benedictines were present at my birth, the sisters taught me in school, and
my first job was at the hospital, which the sisters ran," Schultz recalled.
"They finally got me!"
Both women will live at the monastery and enter into the ministries there.
Schultz is still discerning her work, but she
feels certain her health care experience will be involved. Jordan apprenticed in
the Development Office and plans to continue her work there after profession.
The celebration is open to the public and will be held Saturday, August 18,
2007, at 1:30 pm in the Chapel at the Monastery of St. Gertrude.
Sister Janet Marie Barnard and Postulants Wendy Olin and Cindy Harris led "Exploring the Mysteries" the Blessed Sacrament Parish Vacation Bible School in Ontario, Oregon, June 18-22.
|
|
|
Left to right: Postulant Wendy Olin with students; Sr. Janet
and Postulant Cindy Harris leading music; |
|
|
"It's unbelievable," exclaimed Sr. Corinne Forsman, "I can hardly believe I've
been a nun for 50 years!"
Sr. Corinne celebrates her 50th Jubilee on Saturday, June 23, at 1:30 pm in the
chapel at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID. Born Mary Kay Forsman
in 1938 to Frank and Gertrude Sprute Forsman, Sr. Corinne entered the monastery
in 1955. She made her first profession at the age of 19 in 1957.
What inspired her vocation? A movie about missionary work in China.
"In the 6th grade I had a heroic vision of myself saving the world after seeing
that movie," Sr. Corinne recalls with a smile. "I thought I could write a movie
that would convert the whole world."
She confided in her sister Jeanne that she was interested in being a nun, and
Jeanne spilled the beans to their parents.
"They thought I was too young, but they didn't interfere with my decision,"
Sr. Corinne said. Before Sr. Corinne entered the monastery, the Forsman siblings
- Darrell of Grangeville, Karen Uhlorn of Ferdinand and Jeanne Holthaus, now
deceased - planned a 20th anniversary celebration for their parents.
"We all knew that once I entered the monastery I wouldn't be able to come home
for the 25th anniversary celebration."
After graduation from St. Gertrude's Academy, Sr. Corinne began a 12 year
teaching career.
"I was so young then," she recalled with amazement. "I remember one of my
students telling me, 'You look as young as my mother - 36!' I was just 19!"
The early years in the monastery were very strict and Sr. Corinne remembers
being fearful of "so many things, especially of breaking the rules. In a way,
this fear drew me closer to Christ."
The 1970s were turbulent times in the Catholic Church and the sisters at St.
Gertrude found themselves facing challenges raised by the decisions of the
Vatican II Council. One particular aspect of Vatican II called religious orders
to "revive their ancient traditions of service and so adapt them to the needs of
today."
"Before Vatican II there was an emphasis on denial of the self, especially our
emotional self," Sr. Corinne explained. "After Vatican II we realized we needed
to be whole, healthy women, individually responsible for our spiritual growth if
we wanted to be effective in our ministries."
|
|
During those turbulent years, Sr. Corinne experienced many of her close friends
leaving religious life for a multitude of reasons. She worked hard at allowing
herself the freedom to leave if need be and in so doing, found "the freedom to
stay, the desire to re-choose this monastic life at every chance."
"It also helped that I was working at the Catholic Education Office in Boise
during that time," she explained. She came in contact with many people
throughout the state, all struggling to understand the changes in the church. It
was especially rewarding for her to share in the spiritual growth of both young
and old.
In the years that followed, Sr. Corinne served as sub-Prioress at the monastery,
worked in parish ministry and was called to the position of Vocation Director
for the community. Most recently she ministered at Holy Family Parish in
Clarkston, WA, and is currently Mission Director at St.
Mary's and Clearwater Valley hospitals in Cottonwood and Orofino, ID.
"Monastic life is a real life. Living with other people is very real. It is
challenging, but rewarding.
"I love my monastic community and am very proud of it. We are a stable group
with a rich and valuable tradition and history. Because of that strong
foundation we are also a community that is moving forward, building our future."
And what is in Sr. Corinne's future? She does not know what her work will be
over the years, but one thing is certain: "I want to keep working at knowing
that God loves me."
Sr. Corinne's 50th Jubilee is open to the public and everyone is invited to come
help celebrate this joyous event.
SGA Class of '66 Holds Reunion
The St. Gertrude's Academy Class of 1966 held their "40 + 1 Class Reunion" on June 16, 2007. The gathered at the Monastery Chapel for a special Mass and toured the High School. The group enjoyed dinner at Spirit Center where they were joined by some of their former teachers.
SGA Class of '57 Holds Reunion
St.
Gertrude's Academy class of '57 came together for a weekend of celebration on
June 15-17 to mark 50 years since graduating from high school.
The weekend started with a barbeque hosted by Betty and Larry Ruzicka at their home in Grangeville. Some 42 classmates, spouses and friends gathered for an evening of reconnecting, visiting, and sharing stories.
The weekend continued the following night when the graduates met at the Gallery in Grangeville for a social hour and dinner. Following the dinner, each classmate gave a brief account of important events of the past 50 years in his/her life. Then, Buzz Kopczynski, emcee for the evening, shared some special memories of high school years at SGA. Ray Feucht and Mel Jensen, two classmates who had performed together during high school days, donned their white sport coats and pink carnations to entertain with songs from the fifties and sixties.
After the entertainment, the seven classmates who had died were remembered as Buzz Kopzczynski played a CD, "Beyond the Rainbow's End," by Daniel O' Donnell, an Irish singer. The song, "Until the Next Time" brought closure to the evening.
Mike Seubert, organizer of the reunion, presented each member of the class of '57 with a book of compiled information sent to him by classmates covering the last 50 years as well as pictures from the past and from the present.
The closing events of the weekend drew the class back to St. Gertrude's at the invitation of Sr. Clarissa Goeckner, prioress, and Sr. Mary Geis, former classmates. The alumni attended Mass at the Monastery and joined the sisters for dinner. Sr. Angela Uhlorn provided a tour of the high school in the afternoon which was a memorable event. The members of the class of '57, as freshmen, moved into this "new" St. Gertrude's Academy building on March 19, 1954!
The monastery park along Keuterville Road recently received a spring-time trim. An Avista crew took down power lines and trimmed branches while logger Jesse Geis (on the ground) and Kevin Geis (in the loader) removed all the old, weakened trees around the park. Monastery forester, Sr. Carol Ann Wassmuth, appreciated the crews’ careful work in guiding the falling trees around power poles, statuary and other trees. “It is hard to see the trees go,” she said, “but they were becoming a hazard to the power lines, cars and other structures on the property.”
Donation of Yarn and Needles form the Loosely Knit group
Sonessa Lundmark (left), Art teacher at Prairie Middle School, received a
donation of four boxes of yarn and needles from the Loosely Knit group at the
Monastery of St. Gertrude. Also pictured are Sr. Miriam Mendez,
Sr. Evangela Bossert and Nov. Kim Marie Jordan.
Life as a Benedictine
Sister brings challenges, satisfaction
FROM THE IDAHO CATHOLIC REGISTER
|
|
One way to describe "vocation" is as a process of listening to God's call in the events of daily life and committing oneself wholeheartedly to a life-giving way of using one's talents to make life better for others. The operative word is "life."
The roots of my vocation to be a Benedictine sister in a rural monastery are grounded in my childhood years in the east central Wyoming desert where we learned to notice nature, to enjoy quiet, to use our imaginations.
Since we lived 50 miles from town, we went to church only a few times a year. My first memory of anything "religious" is when my two sisters and I as pre-schoolers would play with the pots and pans in the bi lower kitchen cupboard while mom washed dishes and prayed the rosary aloud.
Kinesthetically I learned that religion is an integral thread in the fabric of life.
I loved the sound of the words of the rosary and could soon say them with mom, much like we girls saying the nursery rhymes endlessly. I learned, too, that work and prayer are the see-saw of a generous life.
When I was 11 years old, our family, expanded by three brothers, moved to St. Maries, ID. We began going to the Catholic school where Sisters from St. Gertrude's taught. The sisters were such excellent and fun teachers that I thought about serving God and the world that way. The Mass ritual fascinated me, and I loved learning the Baltimore Catechism by repeating the questions and answers aloud. I helped my brother learn the Latin Mass prayers so he could be an altar boy. Early enjoyment of cadenced sounds grew into a deep appreciation of chanting or reciting the Liturgy of the Hours.
Like many young women, I joined the monastery after eighth grade and went to high school at St. Gertrude's Academy in Cottonwood. While a novice in 1958, I feared the sisters would send me home. I was tone deaf and squeaked in a distracting manner when chanting the prayers. thank God the sisters had a bigger vision and trusted I would "find my voice" - both literally and metaphorically - in the sense of being able; in the midst of this loving community, to discover who I am.
I made monastic profession in 1959 as Sister Mary Mark. Ten years later I returned to my baptismal name when we were given that option.
From my first day in school I always wanted to be a teacher so I greatly enjoyed the 13 years I taught in the schools around the diocese. These teaching skills have been essential to each of my ministries: religious education coordinator, director of formation for new members in the monastery, pastoral associate in parishes, director of retreat ministry at St. Gertrude's, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters, and currently director of development for the monastery.
I have found each of these ministries amazingly challenging and wonderfully satisfying. the rhythm of work and prayer, study and leisure continues to sustain me. However, it may take me another 50 years on the see-saw to keep them in balance!
Whether in late 20's or in mid-life, when women ask about a vocation to the Benedictine way, I ask them whether they love life, are eager to grow personally and spiritually, and whether they have skills to live in a community that will both support and challenge them to deepen their relationship with God and to transcend themselves for the greater good. For Benedictines, the prayer and communal life are the central call which overflows in whatever ministries are called for at a certain time within a particular cultural situation.
The
Sisters at the Monastery of St. Gertrude hosted their Oblate members April
20-22, 2007. Attending the weekend event were oblates, oblate candidates and
inquirers. Prioress Clarissa Goeckner received seven new oblate members into the
program during Sunday Morning Prayer. There are 59 oblates associated with the
Monastery of St. Gertrude and 25 inquirers and candidates. They participate in
activities like the Raspberry Festival and serve on the Social Justice
Committee, attend retreats and volunteer for different projects.
Benedictine oblates are women and men who affiliate with the monastic community to deepen their relationship with God and to serve the people of God in their home setting. Oblates - meaning an "offering of oneself" - live the spirituality of the Rule of St. Benedict in their daily lives as single or married individuals. Women and men who are interested in becoming oblates at the Monastery of St. Gertrude start as inquirers and become candidates after 1-2 years. During their candidacy, they are mentored by another oblate or a sister of the monastery.
When oblate candidates have discerned their readiness to commit to the oblate way of life, they make their final commitment. After a person makes a final commitment to life as an oblate, he or she follows the Rule and these Benedictine spiritual principles: Preferring nothing to Christ, seeking God daily through "lectio divina," prayerful meditation over Scripture and spiritual reading, continuing conversion of heart, striving for stability of heart and fidelity to the faith listening in loving obedience to the will of God, balancing one's prayer and work, practicing moderation in all things, accepting the uniqueness of each individual.
Oblates serve as a link between the monastic community, parishes and other Christian groups. They serve to educate the public about Benedictine spirituality and the benefits of the Benedictine way of life.
If you would like more information, please call Sr. Teresa Jackson, 208.962.3224.
“Finding the Center” Human Rights Conference at The University of Idaho in Moscow
|
|
Three
delegates from the Monastery attended the Third Annual “Finding the Center”
Human Rights Conference at The University of Idaho in Moscow, April 12-14.
Sisters Carol Ann Wassmuth and Bernadette Stang and Novice Kim Marie Jordan
participated in the action-oriented conference, focused on “The Power of
Transformation.”
Dr. Randie S. Gottlieb kicked off the Conference with a keynote address.
Gottlieb is the founder of UNITYWORKS—an organization that provides diversity
training for schools, businesses, and community groups. She is also co-founder
of the Mona Foundation which supports grassroots educational initiatives aimed
at raising the status of women and girls in the United States and abroad.
Other speakers included Balbir Mathur, founder of “Trees for Life”—an
organization that helps people plant fruit trees in developing countries. Since
its inception in 1984, more than 2.5 million people have helped plant 30 million
trees.
Founding pastor of Amistad United Church of Christ in Hartford, Connecticut,
Rev. John L. Selders Jr., spoke about his experiences leading The Human
Connection Project. He travels the country speaking about internalized
oppression and is an award-winning songwriter and performer.
Journalist and film-maker Anna Boluda spoke about producing films and
documentaries that focus on politicized families and sectors of society. She
showed her film, "Queer Spawn" which documents the lives of several children of
gay and lesbian parents living in the United States.
Conference participants were able to see a multimedia performance by Living
Voices called Northwest Passages. The performance took the audience through the
gold rush, labor struggles and world war. These events shaped the passage of a
Swedish family who immigrate to Washington State to build a new life and
struggle against prejudice.
Finding The Center is a cooperative effort between the University of Idaho,
Washington State University, The Cities of Moscow and Pullman, the Center for
Health, Education, and Economic Resources, the Latah County Human Rights Task
Force, and the YWCA of WSU.
Human Trafficking Awareness Seminars
Did you know that human trafficking is the 3rd fastest growing illegal enterprise in the world? Did you know that 14,000-17,000 men, women and children are trafficked in the U.S. each year? Did you know that trafficked victims are forced into prostitution, sweatshops, pornography and other forms of involuntary servitude? Human trafficking is little known among most Americans. Many believe this social problem exists elsewhere in the world. In reality, human trafficking is happening within our very own communities. Public awareness and education is crucial to ending the cycle of human slavery.
Catholic Charities of Idaho (CCI)
and the Idaho Council of Catholic Women (ICCW) are presenting a series of
seminars designed to educate the public and heighten awareness throughout
Northern and Central Idaho on the warning signs of human trafficking and the
need to protect human rights and dignity.
Seminars will be held April 30-May 4th from 8:30 am-1:00 pm in the following
locations:
4-30-07 Sandpoint
(East Bonner County Library)
5-1-07 Coeur d’Alene
(North Idaho College – Molstead Library, Todd Lecture Hall)
5-2-07 Moscow
(St. Mary’s Catholic Church)
5-3-07 Lewiston
(Lewis & Clark State College, Student Union Bldg., Room 143)
5-4-07 McCall
(Northfork RV Lodge)
The general public is encouraged to attend as well as social service providers,
faith leaders, law enforcement, educators, health professionals, and the ethnic
community.
Knowledgeable, trained experts will discuss the warning signs of human
trafficking and the assistance, benefits and services available to victims.
Participants will receive a CD, poster, brochures, and more. There is no cost
for this seminar and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. POST and Social
Work CEUs are available.
To register go to www.catholiccharitiesidaho.org. For more information, call
Anna Almerico or Marcie Wilske at (209) 345-6031 or 1-800-796-4131.
Scott Kirby performs at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Pianist, composer and artist Scott Kirby (center) performed a mini-concert for the Sisters at the Monastery of St. Gertrude on Monday, 2/26/2007. Renowned for his ragtime, terra verde and American traditional styles, Kirby was in the area visiting Irma and Don Tacke. His newest CD "Charbonneau" is available at GreenEarthMusic.com.
Conferences of Benedictine Abbots and Prioresses
COTTONWOOD,
ID – “I was privileged to attend the Conferences of Benedictine Abbots and
Prioresses at Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA, January 31 – February 6, 2007. This
meeting is held every four years, and it exceeded all my expectations,” said Sr.
Clarissa Goeckner, Prioress of the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, ID.
“The planning committee created a week in which the business meetings,
presentations, and sharing times were framed with beautiful liturgies and
first-class hospitality.”
The prioresses met first in their Federations to conduct necessary business and
discuss items that concerned them all. The Monastery of St. Gertrude is a member
of the Federation of St. Gertrude which includes 16 women’s monasteries from
Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Arkansas, California, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Oregon,
South Dakota, North Dakota and British Columbia.
The Abbots joined the meeting on February 2 for the remainder of the conference.
Presenters at the conference included Abbot Primate Notker Wolf from Rome; Sr.
Maire Hickey, OSB, of Dinklage, Germany, and Abbot Armand Veilleux, OSCO, from
Chimay, Belgium. The theme of their addresses was “Identity with Christ:
Modeling Our Lives on Rule of Benedict Chapter 72.”
“I was touched especially by hearing from so many members of this august
gathering how well-regarded and respected our community in Idaho is. Accolades
came from a wide variety of people and it warmed my heart,” continued Sr.
Clarissa.
