Few things have remained constant in the past 100 years, but the prayers and services of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters have continued strong and enduring since the first four sisters arrived in the farming village of Raeville, Nebraska.
The Missionary Benedictine community, which today has grown to 36 sisters, will host a jubilee celebration of gratitude on Sunday, July 30, in their founding parish of St. Bonaventure in Raeville.
The public is invited to the Mass celebrated by Archbishop George Lucas at 10:30 a.m., followed by dinner in the parish hall. (RSVP for the free will offering dinner: rosannosb@gmail.com)
The event carries the theme, “Sustained by God’s Faithfulness.”
“As we approach this jubilee, we have an overwhelming sense of gratitude first to God for all the blessings received, as well as to all the people who have walked and prayed with us these last 100 years,” said Sister Rosann Ocken, prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters Community. “God’s faithfulness has shown itself through our many relatives, friends and benefactors who have generously upheld our spiritual and physical needs.
“We have felt particularly supported by our archbishops, clergy and religious who have served us. The countless men and women who have been our companions in our ministries over the years have been priceless. As we reflect on these past 100 years, we know that we could never have had such a rich and fruitful ministry without them,” Sr. Rosann added.
When the Missionary Benedictine Sisters first arrived in 1923, they began their educational ministry in the St. John Berchmans School in Raeville. Within the first year they began their healthcare ministry when they bought and staffed the general hospital in Lynch. These were the foundation stones for their rich ministries in healthcare and education.
The sisters served in Wayne in the sectors of education, health care, and campus ministry. For 20 years they taught at St. Mary’s School (1953-1973), for 34 years served at Providence Medical Center (PMC) and for 20 years worked in campus ministry at Wayne State College.
The sisters found themselves very much supported and at home with the people of Wayne.
The former superior of the community in Wayne, Sr. Kevin Hermsen, OSB, said, “The ministry of healthcare service at PMC in Wayne was very special. We and the employees there were truly a family and we sought to give the best we had to the people we served. Marci Thomas was a very special administrator who brought a caring spirit to the hospital that extended to the whole community. I treasure my years there and still foster my friendships.”
Even though the ministries of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters have morphed over the years, their core purpose of bringing the love of Christ to all and their value of generous service have remained. The ministry of the sisters at St. Augustine Mission in Winnebago remains a priority for the sisters. At the Immaculata Monastery and Spirituality Center in Norfolk and in Holy Cross Parish in Sioux City, the sisters focus on spiritual companionship, parish ministry, retreats and simply being a spiritual presence to the people.
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters in the USA are a small nucleus of the entire Missionary Benedictine Sisters Congregation that is comprised of almost 1,300 members serving in 14 countries. The Generalate (global center) for the Congregation is located in Rome. Immaculata Monastery and Spirituality Center is the priory house for the sisters serving in the USA.
