Vol. 46, No. 2 ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY, Fort Smith, AR July, 2017 With Prayers, Blessings, and Sacred Soil, the Sisters Break Ground for Their New Monastery. On Groundbreaking Day, May 10, when the sisters Barbara Anhalt; Buddy and Linda Spradlin; and Tom and took another step on their journey Forward in Faith, they en- Dorothy Caldarera; Sister Joella; Bishop Taylor; Fr. John riched the soil on which their new monastery will be built with Antony, Administrator of Trinity Junior High School; Sandi the soil of their foremothers in Ferdinand, IN, Shoal Creek, Sanders, representing Fort Smith’s Mayor Sandy Sanders; AR, the monastery cemetery, and the present monastery Vice Mayor Kevin Settle; City Director Tracy Pennartz; and and St. Scholastica Center. Their prayerful groundbreaking Mark Loibner, architect for the new monastery. ceremony praised God in song, scripture, and speeches by About one hundred fiftyguests visited to congrat- Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, Sister Joella Kidwell, president of ulate the sisters at the reception that followed in the mon- the Federation of St. Gertrude, and Sister Maria DeAngeli. astery dining room. Sister Macrina Wiederkehr read a reflection as four sisters each added a jar of soil to the site. Sister Joella’s soil from Although general contractor Leo Anhalt is still Ferdinand represented the four young sisters who founded waiting for one more permit from the City of Fort Smith to St. Scholastica in 1879. Sister Ethel Marie Sonnier’s soil break ground in earnest and begin construction, the sis- from Shoal Creek commemorated St. Scholastica’s first ters are continuing to raise funds to reach their $5 million convent, where the sisters ministered through 1924. Sister goal. Sisters Maria, Elise, and Kimberly Prohaska have Regina Schroeder’s soil from the monastery cemetery rep- been visiting deaneries around the diocese and some resented the sisters who had mentored and inspired them in parishes. Visits will continue in the coming months. life and who had laid the foundation for the present. Finally, Sister Maria’s soil was taken from the monastery and the The sisters are planning more garage sales and Center where guests, friends, family, students, and employ- an auction as they continue to downsize in preparation ees have been welcomed as Christ each day. for their anticipated move in late 2018. Bishop Taylor’s generous sprinkling of holy water To make a donation to the Forward in Faith cam- on the site as he blessed the sisters and their guests paign, visit www.stscho.org/capital-campaign or send gave the grounds the water of life. your donation to Sr. Elise Forst, St. Scholastica Monas- tery, P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913, indicating it is Helping Sisters Maria and Elise Forst, Development for the capital campaign. Director, break ground were campaign co-chairs Leo and A Message From the Prioress Dear Friends of St. Scholastica Monastery, As the Easter Season has drawn to a close, we celebrate the solemnities that follow the Paschal Season. In the recent gospels we have been hearing Jesus instruct his followers to believe in him even in their lack of understanding. Jesus assures them that he will not leave them alone but will be with them as the gift of the Spirit comes upon them. I hope this season of the Paschal Mystery has enlivened your faith in the Risen Jesus. During the month of May we here at St. Scholastica have been reading a reflection journal from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious about contemplative prayer by religious leaders of various communities. I began to think about what the Rule of Saint Benedict says about contemplative prayer. St. Benedict doesn’t use the word as such but he does in a number of chapters say what the monk must do to prepare for prayer. Chapter 52 of the Rule, speaking about the behavior we should exercise in the oratory, encourages us to respect members who wish to pray quietly. St. Benedict says, “After the work, all should leave in complete silence and with reverence for God, so that a brother (sister) who may wish to pray alone will not be disturbed by insensitivity of others.” In other places throughout the Rule, St. Benedict tells us that we need to spend time in holy reading (lectio divina), especially reading the gospels which he freely quotes throughout the Rule. Groundbreaking for the new monastery gave us another reason for rejoicing this Easter season. Sister Pierre and her helpers transplanted shrubbery and trees from the site of the new monastery to an area along South Albert Pike as a buffer from the street. I must say they are thriving. I can also joyfully say we are on the way on our journey Forward in Faith. In a few weeks we will begin the summer season. The question we all ask is “will it be a hot summer?” Who knows!! Thank you for all you do for us. We sisters are most grateful for your love and support. Blessings in hope and love, Sister Maria’s Term as Prioress Is Extended through May, 2019 On April 21, the sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery extended the term of Sister Maria DeAngeli, OSB as prioress through May, 2019. Prior to their making a deci- sion, Sister Aileen Bankemper from St. Walburg Monastery in Covington, KY, and Sister Kathy Huber from Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN led the sisters in a two-day reflection process. Sister Joella Kidwell, President of the Federation of St. Gertrude, also provided consultation and advice. On May 9, she presided at the blessing of Sister Maria’s extended term. Sister Maria, a native of Lake Village, AR, is one of seven children of the late Angelo and Lois DeAngeli. She entered St. Scholastica Monastery in 1949 and made her monastic profession in 1953. She holds a B.S. in Education from E. Central State University, Ada, OK and an M.S. in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chi- cago and has taken additional courses in hospice work, social work, and Spanish. She taught in Morrison Bluff, Conway, Russellville, and Fort Smith, AR, and Clear Creek, MO. She worked in parish ministry in Russellville, Crossett, and Helena, AR. Prior to her two terms as prioress, she served as sub-prioress, formation director, (L to R) Sisters Joella Kidwell and gift shop manager. and Maria DeAngeli Vol. 46, No. 2 Horizons July, 2017 HORIZONS is published three times a year by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913. Phone: 479-783-4147. E-mail:[email protected] Website: www.stscho.org FAX: 479-782-4352. Anyone is welcome to be on the mailing list at no charge. Maryanne Meyerriecks.........Managing Editor Sister Elise Forst, OSB.........Editorial Advisor Calvert McBride........Printers Photography credits: Karen Schwartz, Kathy Jarvis, Sr. Kimberly Prohaska, Sr. Pat Bolling, Maryanne Meyerriecks 2 Sister Cecelia Celebrates 10th Jubilee on July 11 St. Scholastica’s community retreat June 4-10 came at a perfect time for Sister Cecelia Brickell, who is preparing to celebrate her tenth jubilee at a private community celebration July 11. Taking a break from her many responsibilities in the monastery, which include coordinating the sisters’ healthcare and managing the library and archives, has given her an op- portunity to reflect. Before making her perpetual profession in 2010, Sister Cecelia spoke of the challenges of learning to live with more than 60 unique person- alities, and how they taught her to be a better listener. Today she lives with fewer than 40 sisters and still sees God working powerfully in their lives. “I’ve experienced a lot of changes,” she said. “We’re smaller, but growing smaller has helped us grow closer, too. When there are fewer people we can see the acts of kindness, caring, and love more easily.” Sister Cecelia’s monastic experience has been a journey into the deep, learning through each step to let go and rely on God’s wisdom. “Even though in 2007 I thought I understood what monastic life was going to mean, I understand now that it’s a lot deeper, and what I thought I knew was superficial. I look forward to having time to readjust my understanding and am sure it will continue to grow even deeper by the time I celebrate my 25th jubilee.” She looks forward to spending a week at Hesychia House of Prayer in early July to have the time to be still and reflect. It was in 2001 at Hesychia that Sister Cecelia, after a period of discernment, first made her decision to enter St. Scho- lastica. During that retreat she heard God say, “I love you. I have a plan for you. Trust me. My time is not your time.” Shortly after the retreat, her mother became ill, and Sister Cecelia realized that God was calling her to spend as much time with her parents as her schedule would allow. After her mother died in 2002, she realized that God’s time and hers were beginning to coincide. Sister Cecelia, a registered nurse who spent 25 years as a health care provider in Helena Regional Medical Center and two years at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis while raising her daughter Jenny, knows that God’s time and God’s call can come at any time of life. “If you think you have a call to religious life, be open, listen. When that peace fills your heart, you’ll know you have your answer.” From the Development Office by Sister Elise Forst, OSB Dear Friends, Groundbreaking for our new monastery on May 10 was a giant step in our journey Forward in Faith! I and all the sisters felt excitement because the day meant that our long planning process was about to be translated into a new reality.