Grains of Wheat - Autumn 2008

7/29/2019 Grains of Wheat - Autumn 2008

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ofWheatDominican Sisters3600 BroadwayGreat Bend KS 67530-3692Grains

News for Families and Friends of Dominican Sisters and Associates Vol XXXVI No 3 Autumn 2008

www.ksdom.org

MAKING A

dIFFERENCE

IN lITTlE

WAYSRead pages 2-3

to learn how Do-minican sisters in aDenver suburb aremaking a differencein little ways in thelives of the peoplethey serve.

2008

JubIlEE12 sisters celebrate atotal of 760 years ofreligious profession!Read about theirlives and ministrieson pages 4-5.

PRoPEllEd

bY lovE

Sr Faustina Jimohcontinues the visionfor Great BendsNigerian DaughterCommunity. Readpage 6 to find outmore.

A TIME oF

TRANSITIoN

See page 8 for atimeline of the GreatBend Dominicantransition from acommunity of 93Kansas-based sistersto a new congrega-tion of more than703 sisters across the

midwest.

Sr Rene Weeks and Sr Amy McFrederick (right) extin-guished the candle for the Dominican Sisters of Great Bendand placed it in the trunk. The closing ritual was tear-jerk-ing. The leadership team of each community was called toblow out its candle and place it and the picture of the found-ress into the trunk. After each, we sang the refrain of I WillTake the Fire. When all seven candles/pictures were in thetrunk, it was closed and a new candle was lit and placed onthe stand. The silence in the room spoke loudly!

~ Sr Teresita Huse

The final ritual of placing our necrology and candle intothe common chest pulled at my heart of a closing so similarto a death or parting from our small familiar family to be

merged into a new entity or union. ~ Sr Martina Stegman

The Founding Event Booth created by Sr Joel Christoph(left) was one of several that were presented at the summer

gatherings to explain the work being done by various com-mittees to bring about the new congregation.The flavor and the feel of this gathering of sisters in

New Orleans was exuberant, focused, and fun! The firstnight, I walked into the Hilton and recognized six womenin the lobby and none of those six were from Great Bend. . . I watched the faces of the women at my table as wediscussed a time in our life when we were most Dominicanand most our self. Their faces lit up and they became ani-mated speaking of a time when they were most open, mostcreative, most expanding and working for the love and joyof it! We discovered once again that we can do what welove or love what we do. Interaction at the tables flowedeasily, respectfully. There was such a sense of WE.

~ Sr Joel Christoph

We are each part of the wise women who chase the light that is the charismof our Dominican Family. Our goals are to be truly contemplative, to offer ourgifts to the new community, to claim our right as preachers of the Good News, tobe a unified voice with one mission no matter what the individual ministry mightbe, to claim each others gifts and ministries as our ownin a word, to be in2008 for our world today what Dominic was for his world of 1206.

~ Sr Elaine Osborne

During the Saturday morning session when we were asked to share our dreamsfor ways we can minister in the future as a new congregation, one of the sistersat my table shared with us that some of the Dominican priests and sisters havea dream to start an ashram in St. Louis, where there could be a place for con-templation and theological reflection on current theological issues. Flowing outof that, we could examine where the greatest needs are in our world and decide

what we as Dominicans could possibly do. The point was made that as a largercongregation working as partners with the Dominican priests we could be morewilling to take risks as we meet new needs. As I listened to the other 32 groups,different ideas came up, but the threads of contemplation and risking new ven-tures were woven through all of the dreams. ~ Sr Celeste Albers (right)

Imagine for a moment that you andyour fiance have made plans to get

married next spring. Its time to meet

the family so, over the summer, you

and your fiance pack the car and head

off to an extended family reunion.

Youve been warned that this is going

to be a very large family gathering

more than 300, though, the extended

family is actually twice that size!

In just this sort of way, the Domini-can Sisters of Great Bend packed their

cars this summer and headed off to an

extended family reunion along with

sisters from six other communities

with whom they will be forming a new

Dominican congregation this coming

spring. Half of the burgeoning Domin-

ican congregation met for a weekend

in New Orleans in June; the other half

met for a weekend in Columbus OH in

July. It was a time to get to know one

another, a time to discuss the mission

and governmental structure of the newcongregation, and a time to let go of

being a single community of Domini-

can Sisters from Great Bend, Kansas.

Preparations for this new congrega-

tion have been in the works for months,even years. The next issue ofGrains ofWheatwill tell more about this transi-tion, the new congregation that the

Dominican Sisters of Great Bend are

becoming, and the Holy Preaching of

their lives, choices, and actions as theylet go of their community to become

part of the process of giving birth to a

new and larger congregation of Do-minican Sisters.


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Grains of Wheat Autumn 008

Story and Photos

by Rebecca Ford

Its 7:00 a.m. at St Dominics

little chapel in Denver, Colo-

rado. One by one, a small

group of people trickle through an

unassuming exterior door, leave

their hats and coats at a large coat

rack, and murmur subdued greet-

ings to one another before entering

the quiet chapel. Rays of sunshine

cast a soft glow across the floor

between rows of wooden pews.

Its an anticipatory setting for the

Morning Praise and daily Mass that

will soon take place.

Some of the first to arrive are the

Dominican Friars who, dressed in

their long white habits, live and

work at St Dominics. Many who

come through the door are sisters of

various congregations who live and

work in the area. And just as many

are laity who choose to begin their

daily routine with this small com-

munity of prayer. There is an ordi-

nary, intimate, and fraternal spirit in

the air, and one cant help wonder-

ing if this is what early Christian

communities were like. At the very

least, it feels like a slice of sanctu-

ary amidst the hustle and bustle that

has already begun outside.

A few of the sisters who begin their

day at the chapel are Dominicans

from Great Bend: Sr Charlene Eisen-

bart, Sr Kathleen Andrews, and SrDenise Mueting. They live in Wheat

Ridge, a western suburb of Denver,

along with another Dominican, Sr

Adeline Wedeking. While their lives

and ministries vary greatly, its clear

that each of them makes a big dif-

ference in many little ways among

the people they serve.

~~~

Sr Charlene walks briskly through

the hallways of Exempla Lutheran

Medical Center. Her no-nonsense

demeanor is a welcome source

of support for patients and fam-

ily members who need practical

and spiritual guidance in a time

of crisis. She focuses intently

on their needs, and on providing

comfort and assurance. Im thereto walk with the other person . . .

to comfort, to guide and to look

at options, she explains. The

focus is always on theirneeds,

not mine. Its often your presence,

and the fact that you are there that

matters.

Just as welcoming, though, is

her riotous, straight-face sense of

humor! Its an essential quality for

her work in pastoral ministry, ex-

plains her supervisor, Frank Gold.

In this work, a sense of humor,

and a spirit of playfulness and

joyfulness is so important. Jean

Peevyhouse recalls Sr Charlenes

sense of humor at the time of her

fathers death: She has such a

beautif ul way of making a sad

time, a happy time also . . . The

boys were giving her a hard time

about being a nun-out-of-habit. . .

Out of nowhere she said, Well,

Emery, Im sure you cant go to

heaven. He said, Youre wrong,

I am going to Heaven. She said,

But Emery, they dont need fire-

men in heaven. We all roared!

Its hard to tell, but Sr Charlenes

work at Exempla Lutheran Medi-

cal Center has given her a chance

to slow down following almost 30

years of pastoral ministry in Kan-

sas, including a tenure as Director

of Pastoral Care at Central Kan-

sas Medical Center in Great Bend.

Today, she works part time: on-call

at nights from seven to seven, an

occasional afternoon to relieve the

regular hospital chaplains, and one

weekend shift each month. She also

helps out at the West Pines Detox

Unit where she teaches a class on

spirituality. She does have more time

to walk, visit with friends, and to

just be quiet. Still, she explains, Ill

come in slower, but never slow.

Even as a part-time pastoral

minister, Sr Charlene makes a vital

contribution to the pastoral team.She is so generous, so willing to

jump in and help out, said Gold.

Shes reliable and trustworthy . . .

she is a gift to the team and a great

example.

Its a generous spirit that carries

far beyond the medical center.

From crocheting dishcloths for the

Dominican Sisters Annual Mis-

sion Bazaar, to making favorite

pies f or pe ople on special occa-

sions, to helping a neighbor in her

yard. Marilynn Force who lives

across the street recalls the day

after she met Sr Charlene: I was

working in my yard and all of a

sudden she was beside me helping

me pull weeds. She said, How do

you want them pulled? and acted

like it was natural that she belonged

there. I was surprised because

I had experienced a diminished

presence of my family in my life

and was pretty much alone. Sr

Charlene never expected anything

in return for her help or kindness

and she helped me relearn how to

be comfortable and accept kindness

without strings.

~~~

A little over a year ago, an

amazing new building opened in

the Denver area. Producing less

impact on the environment and

providing affordab le housing for

seniors, Residences at Creekside

features the largest (25,000 watt)

solar collecting system on any

residential building in Colorado.

This system, along with energy

saving windows, lighting, boilers,

and gray water recovery, saves

76,6000 kWh/yr, or about 210,000

lbs/yr of CO2. Not only that, its abeautiful building. Bu t then, for

Sr Kathleen Andrews, so are the

seniors who occupy the 118 apart-

ments inside.

Its only been a few months

since Sr Kathleen was introduced

as the new manager at Creekside,

having just completed nine years

at Decatur Place, a single-parent

apartment complex that she posi-

tively managed and transformed.

She tells the story of Wanda who

sat next to her when she was be-

ing introduced. When Sr Kathleen

returned to her seat after the intro-

duction, Wanda leaned over and

said I didnt know I was sitting

next to a dignitary!

Sr Kathleen officially started a

few weeks later, and she began

looking for Wanda. Weeks went

by and Sr Kathleen wondered what

had happened to her. Finally, see-

ing Wanda passing through, she

ran out to greet her, and to let her

know that she had been missed.

There were tears in Wandas eyes

as she exclaimed that nobody had

missed her like that before.

What inspires Sr Kathleen is her

vision of what Creekside can be:

a family, a home, a comfortable,

welcoming and inviting atmo-

sphere with card playing, sewing

circles, cooking in the kitchen, or

just dr inking cof fee a nd rea ding

the paper. How does she hope to

bring this about? For Sr Kathleen,

it is something as simple as the

powe r of kno wing some one s

name, getting yarn and starting a

craft group with those who want to

sew, eating lunch with residents,

and opening the window blinds

and door to her office. Already,

these little ways have made a big

difference to residents who say

things like: She treats this place

like its our home. And you know,

it is our home. Or Shes very

easy to get along with. We can ap-

proach her and shes easy to talk

to. She knows where she is going

and gives good answers. Shes a

great person. Brendalee Conners

of the Lakewood Housing Author-

ity that built Creekside explains,

When Kathleen arrived, the com-

munity was not very cohesive. Just

through her presence and her will-

ingness to sit and spen d time with

people, she has really brought the

community together. She told me

the other day that she feels a little

guilty being paid to sit and enjoy

a band with the residents. I told

her, thats just how to provide the

best service to them! . . . Its clear

that her work is not just a job, but a

real ministry. She cares about the

people and about what is best for

them. She works hard to provide

a nice environment and to keep

things running smoothly.

At the end of the day, though,

Sr Kathleen has learned to inten-

tionally leave work behind. She

loves the solitude of living alone,

as well as the parish communityat St Dominics where she serves

on the Parish Council, makes altar

bread, and serves as Euc haristic

Minister.

~~~

Sr Denise Mueting slips out of

St Dominics Chapel a little early

each morning to get to the Gardens

at St Elizabeth. Enroute, she savors

a lingering spirit of quietude from

St Dominics, but when she arrives

at the Gardens, already there are

matters needing to be addressed:

a resident is waiting for assistance

at the front desk, an essential of-

fice printer is down from the night

before, and the office bank needs

to be opened for residents and s taff

members who will soon arrive to

request money.

Its been almost 17 years since Sr

Denise started working at the Gar-

dens as a receptionist in the Health-

care Department. This faith-based

retirement community in Denver

offers a variety of living options

that range from independent livingto a secure memory care unit for

residents with Alzheimers disease

or dementia. Over time, supervi-

sors and co-workers have come to

gratefully depend on Sr Denises

integrity and organizational skills!

More tasks and promotions were

added until she accepted her cur-

rent position as Administrative

Assistant to the Executive Director

in 2001. Today she is an efficient

and vital behind-the-scenes person

who helps to keep things organized

and running smoothly at the Gar-

dens at St Elizabeth.

Much of Sr Denises work in-

volves finanical matters: in addi-

tion to being the financial liaison

with the Centura Health corporate

office, she oversees the residents

personal needs accounts, hands out

money, exchanges quarters, cashes

checks, and her most difficult task:

reconciling money down to the

penny! She also serves as a Notary

Public, records minutes for half a

dozen committees, takes care of

correspondence mailings, orders

supplies, telephone work orders,

and an occasional payroll. Its

enough to keep her fit, except that

she does that with several hours of

line dancing, walking and exercis-

ing each week.

Ask Sr Denise about the best

part of her minist ry and shell be

quick to tell you about the Art-

Reach program through which she

organizes and drives residents to

various cultural programs through

out the Denver area. A nonprofit

organization that began in 1974,

ArtReach ensures that anyone in

the Denver area who struggles

with physical, mental, behavioral

or severe economic challenges has

an opportunity to experience arts

and culture. For Sr Denise, its a

welcome opportunity to combine

her own love for the arts with

the joy of spending time with theresidents who live at the Gardens

at St Elizabeth.

~~~

Petite, soft-spoken, and with a

delightfully infectious laugh, Sr

Adeline Wedeking makes her way

through Denvers rush-hour traffic.

She has reason to know the roads

well: almost 40 years of ministry

have taken her all over the Denver

area.

On this day, Sr Adeline is taking

Eucharist to a homebound family

member. Letting herself in the door,

she greets everyone in the room with

the quiet and comfortable familiar-

ity that often attends long enduring

relationships of many years. Sr

Adeline sits down and the familiar

conversation and bantering contin-

ues . . . without hurry. Clearly, it is

a gift of time, presence, conversation

and relationship that accompanies

the Eucharist that Sr Adeline carries

with her. Its the heart of her voca-

tion which, by all outward appear-ances, is otherwise very busy.

Sr Adeline arrived in Colorado

in the early 70s to teach grade

school at Holy Trinity Church in

Westminster CO, north of Wheat

Ridge. Over the years, she has

maintained ties with Holy Trinity.

These days, she still plays the or-

gan for choir practice on Monday

nights in preparation for Sunday

morning Mass.

After a full-time ministry that

takes her 28 miles south to the

Admissions Desk at Sky Ridge

Medical Center in Lone Tree CO,

she also teaches music lessons,

and goes swimming almost every

day.

~~~

Its been a little over a year since

Sr Lorena Bolte, late Prioress for the

Dominican Sisters of Great Bend,

asked the question: How will you

make a difference as a member

of the Body of Christ? From the

mystery of the Eucharist to the

people around them, the Dominican

sisters in Wheat Ridge, Colorado

have been making big differences in

little ways: pulling weeds, knowing

someones name, taking seniors out

for a concert, spending time with a

homebound friend. These are the

ways that we can make a difference

as members of the Body of Christ.

Grains of Wheat fromWheat Ridge, ColoradoDominican Sisters make big differences in little ways

Sr Charlene Eisenbart, a pastoral minister, visits with a patient at Exempla

Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Irene Jones, Sr Kathleen Andrews, Rose Marie Delgado, and Joy McDowell

spend time visiting at Creekside, a new housing community designed to ben-

efit both seniors and the environment.

Sr Denise Mueting (right) gives out personal account money for Lois Carson,

one of the residents at the Gardens at St Elizabeth.

Sr Adeline Wedeking (right) visits with Bess Traver, a homebound parishioner,before giving the Eucharist.


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80 Years!

Walk through the doors of the moth-

erhouse in Great Bend for the first

time, and dont be surprised if you

see a little lady in her late 90s slowly making

her way to greet you. For Sr Saesia Schne-

weis, who celebrates her 80th Jubilee this

year, helping guests feel at home is her favor-

ite pastime.

But for those who know her, Sr Salesias

hospitality is the essence of who she is. She is

the ultimate gracious host, always welcoming,

grateful, affirming, and friendly. Hospitality

was her charism from the Holy Spirit, said Sr

Jolene Geier. It has been so evident through-

out all of her life. Here, have a chair and

sit down, she might say. Need some cof fee?

Why dont you stay and have some dinner?

Many in eastern Kansas and western Colorado

have heard her familiar refrain! Born in Odin

KS, Sr Salesia devoted much of her life to min-

istering in health care at St. Rose Hospital (now

Central Kansas Medical Center or CKMC) in

Great Bend, St. Catherine Hospital in Garden

City, Sacred Heart Hospital in Lamar CO, and

the sisters convent infirmary in Great Bend.

Her last ministry assignment was as hostess

at CKMC. But even in her 90s, Sr Geral-

dine Eakes explains, she has always been a

very gracious hostess. Her sense o f hospitality

is always there. And since she has lived in

the area for much of her life, she knows ev-

erybody and doesnt forget anybody, Sr An-

cilla Schawe adds. She has an unbelievable

memory for being almost 99. This meant a lot

to the public coming into CKMC because they

were known . . . they had a great reception

when they came to the hospital.

Sr Salesias life of ministry has been a bless-

ing for other reasons, too. Her sisters note that

she is a very prayerful person, of great perse-

verance and great independence. Loving, sup-

portive, encouraging, never self-absorbed and

always interested in others, Sr Salesia Schne-

weis continues to inspire all as the belovedhostess of the motherhouse in Great Bend.

75 Years!May day flower baskets, halloween treat bags,

Fourth of July table centerpieces . . . no festive

occasion would be complete without a few

flowers and decorations, and that festive touch

at the motherhouse in Great Bend comes from

the creative hand ofSr Rsaia Gert.

Born in Willowdale KS, Sr Rosalia attributes

her religious vocation, in part, to growing up in

a prayerful home environment where God was

always number one. Secondarily, she was so

inspired by the Dominican sisters who taught at

her grade school that she decided she wanted

to be a teacher like them. And so, after mak-

ing her own profession as a Dominican sister,

Sr Rosalia devoted more than thirty years to

education in rural Kansas, often serving as both

principal and teacher. In 1972, she served for

almost ten years as the motherhouse beautician,

and as receptionist for out-patients at CKMC. In

1981 she worked for the Art of Learning Center

in Wichita KS.

Since her retirement in 1995, Sr Rosalia ex-

plains that her favorite place to be is here at

the motherhouse among the sisters, being able

to minister in many ways that make the lives

of the sisters happier. Especially, I am proud

to continue with the decoration of the dining

room for each season and occasion. Her advice

for others: Keep your eye on Jesus and keep

walking in His footsteps.

~The philosopher, Alfred North Whitehead,

once described education as a rhythm of ro-

mance and precision leading to a time of depth

and renewed meaning. Such is the rhythm of

Sr Rth Keins life-time dedication to music.

Born in Lincoln NE, Sr Ruths romance with

music was apparent shortly after she entered theconvent when she would serve as organist and

teach music lessons on the side, after her regular

teaching ministry at the elementary school.

Sr Ruths penchant for precision and dis-

ciplined technical masteryqualities which

are also obvious in her love for sewingwas

honed through continued studies and a PhD in

musicology. Today, Sr Ruths love for music

and her great technical mastery has made her an

accomplished composer, organist, and pianist.

70 Years!A priest once told the Dominican sisters that

there were three qualities needed in order to workin Nigeria, Africa: The first was patience; thesecond, patience; and the third, more patience.Its no wonder, then, that Sr Crneia bck,

born in Anaheim CA, became a great mission-ary. Weathering more than 20 years in Nigeriaas a gentle, easy-going, fun-loving storyteller,Sr Cornelia describes her favorite ministry asmidwifery where she was privileged to hearthat wonderful first cry, to look deeply into those

beautiful innocent eyes, to experience the wonderof parents when they behold the miracle of theirchild! After returning to the U.S., she served asa pastoral minister, and as a volunteer in AIDSministry. Today, Sr Cornelia is the assistantlibrarian at the motherhouse where she desiresto grow old gracefully. Her advice for others:Remember and believe that God really is love.Love God and see God in those with whom youlive and minister.

~ Sr Cetta Mastersn, born in Clonmel KS,and gifted with a gentle spirit, a precious smile,patience, a good sense of humor, and an ability tocrack jokes, began her ministry as an elementaryteacher in Kansas parochial schools. Later, sheserved as a medical technologist from 1947 to1981; despite being in the lab, her heart was withthe patients, and they loved her. Finally, Sr Colettaserved as a pastoral minister in Kansas City, GreatBend, and Garden City KS. Today, she is retiredat the motherhouse in Great Bend.

Jubilee 2008! Story and Photos by Rebecca Ford60 Years!

The Gospels abound with people who, shunnedfor whatever reason, received Christs compas-sionate gaze and healing touch so that they couldmove on with their lives. Sr Siyina Meersability to provide just this kind of compassionategaze and healing touch for many children andadults who hadnt been able to succeed in schoolor life because of learning problems, led one sisterto describe her as the magic worker for childrenwho couldnt read.

Born in Wichita KS, Sr Sibyllina credits hermother for instilling her faith and vocation: Mymother has inspired me the most. Her true faithand trust in God seemed to work miracles for her,although, she was not expecting it. After teach-ing for fifteen years in rural Kansas, Sr Sibyllinadevoted her efforts to clinical ministry in educa-tion at the Art of Learning Center in Wichita KS.Today, Sr Sibyllina resides at the motherhouse inGreat Bend where she likes to work with older

sisters, providing mental stimulation and inspiringthem through difficult times.

~People who bring a quiet presence to their envi-

ronment are sometimes the most effective leaders,and especially when they bring the understanding,stability and dependability that Sr GeraineEakes has brought to a variety of ministries. Bornin Plains KS, Sr Geraldine developed an e arly ap-

preciation for study, and for the fact that all peoplewere loved by God, regardless of their faith. Afterher profession as a Dominican sister, Sr Geraldineministered as teacher, director of temporary pro-fessed sisters, hospital pastoral minister, hospitaladmissions clerk, and hospitality coordinator forthe Heartland Center of Spirituality in Great Bend.Today, she works at the motherhouse as RosaryShrine Director and receptionist supervisor. Heradvice to others: Learn to know yourself. Nurturerelationships with God and others. Strive for bal-ance in your activities regarding mind, body andspirit. Take risks.

~Sr Chartte unrein, born in LaCrosse KS, re-

members praying frequently that she might be thefirst Saint Charlotte, until she learned that therehad already been one in Franc e. Still, Sr Charlottekeeps up a pace that could rival any saint!

Known as the jelly lady because of the thou-sands of jars of jelly and jam that she has made forthe Dominican Sisters Annual Mission Bazaar(not to mention pickles, relish, pies, garments andother homemade items), Sr Charlotte gives anamazingly generous response to everything shetakes on! She tended houses for the sisters andserved as community seamstress until she beganher favorite ministry as a nurse. Sr Charlotte wasone of the first missionaries to travel to Africa, andshe has recently returned from a year of serviceas Hospitality Minister in Prouilhe, France. Heradvice to others: Be faithful to prayer and God

will show you the way!

~In my school work, Sr Mary Een dater

recalls, when I was asked to write sentences withmy spelling words, I remember one day we hadthe word ambition. I wrote, My ambition is to

be a Sister. Born in Antonino KS, Sr Mary El-lens ambition was first cultivated by her motherand grandmother, and later by her teacher, Sr Her-mina. After making her profession, Sr Mary Ellenministered as a teacher for more than 40 years. Herspecial love was second grade where she wasthe teacher who instructed the children for firstReconciliation and first Communion. Today,Sr Mary Ellen ministers as a massage therapistat Heartland Farm, an intentional ecumenticalcommunity west of Great Bend, where she enjoysmaking inviting dishes, spinning Alpaca fleece,growing vegetables, and being in nature.

Born in Albuquerque NM, Sr Katheen An-rews remembers her first mission experience innursing services at St Joseph Memorial Hospitalin Larned KS: Sr May Ann Finkeldie was the ad-ministrator. She was and still is such an inspirationto me. I will always remember one of the BoardMembers saying, she is the most Christ-like busi-ness woman I have ever met. She was a joy towork with and she taught me so many things.

Sr Kathleen took what she learned in her firstministry to eventually become Vice President ofPatient Care Services at Central Kansas MedicalCenter in Great Bend, and an instructor of Ob-stetrics and Director of Health Science at BartonCounty Community College. Her favorite nursingministry, though, was obstetrics: I loved beingin the labor room with a mother-to-be who wasnot sure that she could make it through this ex-

perience in her life. I found a great joy in caringfor premature infants whose stay in the hospitalwas quite lengthy. It was a joy to find ways toteach them the new experiences of life. In 1999,

Sr Kathleen switched from nursing services tohousing ministry in Denver CO (see page 2)aministry she describes as a truly refreshing partof my life.

~Born and raised in Ireland, Sr Kevin came to

the U.S. to become a Dominican sister, and hasdedicated her life to Catholic education in theDioceses of Dodge City KS and Pueblo CO. Shehas taught at St Columba Catholic School in Du-rango CO for 25 years where she tirelessly helpsstudents to be the best that they can be.

My first meeting with Sr Kein Cain was in-timidating to say the least, wrote one anonymousSt Columba Alumni. As my class walked downthe stairs to recess I heard a womans voice, withher Gaelic accent, at the bottom of the stair case,Now dont you run, or skip any steps or you will

be walking stairs all recess. DO YOU HEAR? Iwas terrified. I knew that Catholic school would

be disciplined but to ask a bunch of fifth gradersnot to run or skip stairs was just cruel. Then asI came closer to the bottom of the stairs I heardher call my name. YIKES! I was so worried thatI had done something wrong that I almost cried.When I reached her she was standing there justsmiling at me. She said Welcome to St Co lumba,were glad you could come! She introducedherself and then released me to recess giving metime to realize that I had not been punished, butwelcomed.

In January, the Dominican Sisters received adevastating call: Sr dminic Hag . . . foundunresponsive in her home . . . not sure how long. . . serious stroke . . . slim chance of recovery. . . urgent prayers needed. Days, weeks, monthswent by and no one rejoiced more than Sr Domi-nic about each step of her recovery ! The jubileecelebration concluded and perhaps no one wasmore jubilant than Sr Dominic about getting toreturn to her favorite ministry in Manhattan KS,where she provides pastoral care at St Joseph Vil-lage! Each time I hear the stories of how closeI was to death, she recalls, I am truly amazedthat God not only spared my life, but also myfunctional ability.

Born in Seneca KS, Sr Dominic credits herparents for planting the seed of faith, and for herlove for the elderly. Entering the community at22 as an RN, she has since served in all levels ofnursing services, including teaching in a Schoolof Nursing, the administration and merger oftwo health clinics in Alabama, and the creation

and administration of Birthright and the GoldenBelt Home Health Service in Great Bend KS.Reflecting on her current ministry, she says, Myministry at St Joseph is special to me because ofthe special people I serve and work with. I enjoygiving attention to those having a difficult timeadjusting to being in a nursing home, to thosewho have few visitors, and to the confused. It is a

privilege to assist family members and to be withtheir loved one at the time of death.

Sr Cornelia Bock (left) and Sr Coletta Masterson

celebrate 70 years of religious profession.

Sr Rosalia Govert (left) and Sr Ruth Klein celebrate 75 years of religious profession.

From left to right, Sr Sibyllina Mueller, Sr Geraldine Eakes, Sr Charlotte Unrein and Sr Mary Ellen

Dater celebrate 60 years of religious profession.

From left to right, Sr Kathleen Andrews, Sr Kevin

Clavin, and Sr Dominic Haug celebrate 50 yearsof religious profession.

~ 50 Years! ~After celebrating 80 years of religious profession,

Sr Salesia Schneweis died peacefully on August 6,

2008. The rest of her story will appear in the next

issue ofGrains of Wheat.


4/5


Story and Photo by Rebecca Ford

Ididnt grow up thinking of becoming a

sister, recalls Sr Faustina Jimoh, Pri-

oress of the Dominican Sisters of St

Catherine of Siena in Nigeria, Africa. I grew up

in the middle part of Nigeria. My parents wereCatholics and we went to church but I had no

particular devotion to anything. At some point

when I was in school, I actually left the Catholic

Church. I didnt feel like I was getting any ful-

fillment from the Masses. But then when I was

in my last year of school, we were waiting infront of the lecture room and I saw two boys.One had a big limp and the other one was blind

and they were holding each other and walking

along. Something just stirred within me . . . God

loves them even in this condition.

Sr Faustina continued to reflect on the two boys

over semester break. She knew that she wanted

to tell people about Gods love for them. And

she wanted to do it full time without having toworry about family responsibilities. But she also

realized that what she was looking for she could

only get in the Catholic Church. That realization

troubled her for the rest of her time in school.

My biggest trouble was how to get back to the

Catholic Church. I struggled so much. I hated

the Rosary. And I used to go to my fellow stu-dents, and if I saw you holding a Rosary, I would

make sure I would follow you around until you

dropped it. So I did a little bad in school.

Back at home, there was a calendar listing

names and addresses of all the congregations. I

had a look at it and I saw this Dominican Order

of Preachers. I wanted to preach. I wanted to tellpeople about Gods love. That was my attraction.

But even then, I couldnt get myself to decide to

go to the convent. After awhile, I wrote to the

Dominicans and immediately they replied. But

then, I was so afraid of how I was going to tell

my parents, especially my mother. . . . she cried

and cried a lot. My brothers and sisters told methat if anything happened to her that they were

going to hold me responsible!

In spite of the struggle with herself and her

family, Sr Faustina had a good interview with

the Dominican sisters. She received a letter of

admissions, and a few months later, she entered

the convent, though, still very uncertain that shewas doing the right thing.

Mary and the Rosary

Sr Faustinas appreciation for Mary and the

Rosary improved, but not without difficultyGod taught me himself, really, because it had

reached a stage where nobody could convince

me otherwise. Her first experience was with a

charismatic group in the parish that asked her to

give a talk on Mary and the Rosary. Ordinarily, a

novice wouldnt give a talk to a big group in the

parish like a professed sister, she explained. Iwent to Sr Lorena and I said, Charismatic said I

should give a talk.

On what?

On Mary and the Rosary.

Oh sure, sure.

What am I suppose to say?!

Go to the library and get some books.

And here I had my first experience of talkingto people and learning from what I was saying.

That was unexpected. And for the next three or

four years of my life as a professed sister, every

invitation I got to give a talk was either on Mary

and the Rosary, or on the saints. Id think, God,

what is the meaning of this? A voice within me

said, Well, you are having to pay back for thetimes you have spoken against me. I struggled

with it, and I had to pray. Finally, I had a dream

that a diamond-like rosary was being given to

me as a gift. I didnt see whoever was giving it;

I only saw the hand. It was an important dream

that helped Sr Faustina to appreciate the Rosary.

The Challenge of Being PrioressAfter serving in a community leadership posi-

tion, Sr Faustina was eager to return to the pas-

toral ministry that drew her to the convent in the

first place. And so, her election as prioress of the

community in 2005 was initially a very difficult

and emotional time for her despite many assur-

ances of support from her community in Nige-ria, as well as the founding community in Great

Bend. Ive always heard people say, grace of

office, grace of office. And I never knew what

it meant until I got to do this work because or-

dinarily most of these things are hard to do and

theyve turned out well. But if you had asked me

then, I would have said, I cant do this! I dontknow what you are asking me to do. But then

these moments come and I simply say, God,

you had better do this . . . and then at the end of

the day, somehow it works. I cant really say you

wake up in the morning and you are very certain

how the day will end. That has never happened

to me. You just say, well, God, I would like tosee that these are done today, but if they are not,

then thats the way it is.

The biggest challenge, Sr Faustina explains,

is learning how to manage to carry everybody

along. People are different in terms of how they

see things, and how they understand things. Forme as prioress, it is a challenge to be able to beattentive to each one, and to meet them at the

level where they are. I am an ambitious per-

son. If I do this, then lets do it quickly and get

it done. But not everybody is like that. So you

have to learn to slow down. Learn to listen and

be compassionate. Learn to enter into the world

of that person, not just stand outside. Learn tobe able to separate issues from persons. Imagine

somebody is sitting here; she may not be the kind

of person you really like to associate with, but

can you deal with the issues that she has brought

to you? So Ive learned. Ive learned alot. I feel

blessed with the gift of the sisters, really. I think

that is one of the things that has strengthened me.

When I look at the gifts that are present amongus, and the willingness of sisters to do things;

younger sisters, despite the calling, despite the

difficulties around us, willing to give their best;

that, for me, is very encouraging.

Present Ministries Today, the Dominican Sisters of St Catherineof Siena have five main areas of ministry: teach-

ing, nursing, social work, rural development,

and pastoral work. In the teaching apostolate,

the sisters recently started Dominican College

High School, and were invited to run a new par-

ish school in Katsina. The high school opened in

2006 in response to a new government regula-

tion that threatened to close primary schools un-

less a secondary school was attached. In order to

keep their primary school opened, the sisters had

to find resources to start the required secondary

school.Three sisters left Nigeria in January to open

a health clinic in Ghana at the invitation of the

Bishop. This was the congregations first mis-

sion outside of Nigeria!

In rural development, they are into all sorts

of things, Sr Faustina explains. . . . womens

empowerment, helping families to know how tostore their grains from year to year . . . it is doing

very well. We are hoping that maybe we can get

some other sisters trained to work in that area.

Pastoral work, the area of ministry that Sr

Faustina was originally involved in, has to do

with training the locals in Catholicism, and how

to go out and meet the people. In the part of thecountry where we work, she explains, there

are just so many areas where the people are tra-

ditional African religion people. Some of them

would like to become Christians or Muslims, or

whatever, but there is nobody to share the faith

with them. So we actually go out from house to

house and visit with them. If there are any whoindicate interest in wanting to become Christian

or Catholic, we journey with them. The sisters

help in whatever way they are needed in the par-

ishes, too.

Finally, social work involves teaching the peo-

ple, especially women, basic living skills like

how to cook, etc. We still need to train our sis-ters in particular fields for them to be able to do

what they are doing, well, Sr Faustina explains.

Sometimes we learn on the job. Training our

sisters is very important, otherwise we havent

got relevance to our generation.

Future Vision We are very proud to be Dominicans, SrFaustina explains. Given the right opportunitiesand the right development, I think this is a com-

munity that is going to flourish so much, par-

ticularly where we are located in the north where

no one is interested in coming; most religious

congregations dont want to come to where we

are because of the difficulties. But I just see us

like a rose in the desert, and its going to bloom,whether in my lifetime or not.

Thank you, our benefactors. . . for gifts you gave in memory of your deceased loved ones,

or in honor of your living family and friends.

This list represents gifts received from April 1 to June 30, 2008. We will list gifts given In Memory Of or In Honor Of in eachissue ofGrains of Wheat. Once a year we list all our donors. Please let us know if you notice any omission or incorrectly listed name.

In Hnr f

Apri 1 Jne 30, 2008Florence BaranskiGene BeckCharles Besperat FamilyMike BieberJo BlackstenFrances BlazekSr Cornelia Bock OPCheryl CateMary CrammDerrol & JaNeva DvorakCalvin & Debbie Finn FamilyRicky FlaxRebecca Ford

Barbara FrisbieSr Kathy Goetz OPSr Louise Hageman OPAlexia HilgerMathew & Martha HorschMartin KlitzkePam KoernerLedesma FamilyJohn & Joan LuebbersStaci LuebbersPatricia Martinez OPMinnie MaulerMoreno FamilySr Sibyllina Mueller OPMike NorwoodSr Hermina Oeding OPTed & Marie OlivierLuella E PaineLorene PfannenstielJason & Mary Jane ReichuberDolly RiedelTammy RodieSr Imelda Schmidt OPElizabeth SchreinerLaverna SchulteSr Francine

Schwarzenberger OPEthelrita SteinSr Rose Mary Stein OPTena Stienert

Terrell Family

Thomas Family

Lois Timmermeyer

Fr Jim Whelan

Kirk Williams

Thomas Young

In Memry f

Apri 1 Jne 30, 2008

Dorothy Albers

Leo Albers

Mandi Alexander

Leandra Avelar

Bill & Esther Basgall

Becker Family

Birzer Family

Richard BixbyJohn Blazek

Alvin J Boeckman

Ava Rae Boeckman

Boor Family

Linda Bounds

Stephen & Josephine Brenner

Maryann Brown

Earl E Brown

Jean Brown Olson

Collura Family

Shawn Cook

Linda Denning Family

Louis R Dietz

Robert Dinges

Paul Dolechek

Tom Doll

June E Erhart

Richard Eslien

Sr Dorothy Felder OP

James Fleck

Sr Joan Forward OP

Milton Gabel

Everett Garrett

Conrad N Gassmann

Marcella Geist

Leo H Gerke

Rudy Goertz

Edward Grob

Douglas Gunn

John Hahn Jr

Robert & Mayola Haley

Ruthelma Hallam

David & Frances Hammeke

Family

Crystal Harris

Harshberger Family

LeRoy Henning

Joe & Rose Henning

Sr Juliana Henning OP

Sr Clara Henning OP

Sr Romana Henning OP

Sr Celestine Henning OP

Edwin J Herl

Hope HermanTravis Herman

William & Regina Hertel

Horsch Family

Greg Hubert

Bertha Johnsen

Frank Kaiser

Kaiser Family

Arthur Kinsella OP

Nick & Frances Kirmer

Frank N & Ellen Marie

Klepper

The Knudsen Family

Florian Kraus

Sr Mary Gregory Kraus OP

Robert D Krei

Vernon Krier Family

Leo Landry

Leona Leiker

Joan Leiker

Betty Leis

Lichter Family

John Linnebur Family

Tony & Anna Luebbers

Luebbers Family

Fred Mater

Anton Matzek Family

James McDonald

Joseph McGlinn

Raymond C Miller

Martin Miller

Harry Mills Jr

James C & Isabel Moran

Louise Newacheck

Sr Christian Ney OP

Noon Family

Michael L Nuss

Gerald Ostmeyer

Mrs Lloyd J Oswald

Dr William Winston Paine

Victor E Penka

Loren Peterson

Ralph W Pfannenstiel

Adolf Pfannenstiel

Robert PfannenstielFrank Pochop

Joe Polzin

Elsie Porter

Bernadine Prepez

Probst Family

Al Prusa

Rita Kay Pulliam

Marvin & Margaret Purkeypyle

Rabenseifner Family

Edwin Reichuber

Regina Robben

Joe Rocha Family

Philip Rodacy

Anton Rohr

Nick Rohr

Jean (Philip) Rome

Ed L Roth

Thelma Rousch

Mr & Mrs B I Routh

Homer Schilling

Sr Francesca Schinstock OP

Ben & Kay Schmidt

Leona Schmitt

Raymond A Schneider

Michael A Schneider

Marion J Schneider

George A Schreiner

Sr Alberta Schreiner OP

Sr Alfonsa Schreiner OP

Sr Antonina Schreiner OP

Sr Damian Schreiner OP

Fred & Anna Schuckman

Fred & Velma Schugart

Virgil Schulte

Louis Schulte

Michael Schulte

Raymond Sheeran

Viola Shenefield

Marie Staley

Brad & Laverne Stecklein

Dolores Quint Stegman

Floyd Stein

Sr Charitas Steinke OPBrian Thielen

Joe Thieme

Leo Thieme

Sr Alfreda Thieme OP

Tony & Hattie Tinkel

Sr Theodosia Tockert OP

Paul Urban

Jacob & Florence Valdez

Catherine Verschelden

Sr Sophia Vesecky OP

Juanita Vigil

Mark Vigil

Rosalie Vigil

Sam Von Lintel

Marie Vondracek

Tony & Leocadia Walt

Inez Wasinger

Fred & Lidwina Weigel

Don Wells

Ron Wells

Mary Wendel

Sr Kathleen Werner OP

Mike Wright

Clarence Younger

Albert Zielinski

Ben & Mary Zimmerman

Zink Family

Paul Zurbuchen

Rosary Novena

Sept 20 to Nov 15, 2008

Pray the Rosary

Le us ll jo our hers prer orpee our roubled world. Sed ourpeos o be ued wh ohers our Rosr Shre.

We oer he Euhrs Lurg ehweek our oherhouse or ll ourbeeors d or our Rosr Shreles.

Praying for you always. . .Ever se he Rosr Shre wsouded he 1930s, our oher-house hs bee powerhouse oprer. Our ssers ossel re-eber ou, our les, d ourspel eeds prer. We pr orou wheher we kow our speleeds or o, d we lws ejo heleers ro ou whh ell us o ourspel eeds.

drawing at 2:00 p.m.

Enter the Bazaar Drawing! Clip the ticket(at left) and send it with your donation to3600 Broadway, Great Bend KS 67530

1. Hand Quilted Queen Size Quilt

2. 1/4 Beef

3. 1/4 Beef

4. 1/4 Beef

5. 1/4 Beef6. Hand Sculpted Santa

7. Counted Cross Stitch Angel of Mercy

8. Pendulum Clock with Chimes

9. $150 Wal-Mart Gift Card

10. Scrollsaw Woodwork Our Daily Bread

11. MP3 Player

12. $125 Cash13. $100 Northview Nursery Gift Card

14. Two Dinner Hams

15. $75 Cash

16. Hand Made Alpaca Shawl

As usual, the proceeds of our Annual Mission

Bazaar will be divided between the Nigerian

missions, and the economic poor in the UnitedStates.

dminican Sisters bazaar!

Satray, Nemer 8, 2008 ~ 7 a.m. t 2 p.m.

Dominican SistersAnnual Mission Bazaar

2008 Drawing Ticket

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

ZIP

TELEPHONE

Donation is $1.00 a ticket or$5.00 for a book of six. You donot need to be present to win.Great Bend Dominican Sistersare not eligible to win prizes.

Propelled by the Love of GodFrom fallen-away Catholic to Prioress of an independent community of Dominican Sisters, SisterFaustina Jimohs vision for Great Bends Nigerian Daughter community is propelled by the Love of God.

Prioresses of the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine

of Siena in Nigeria: Sr Faustina Jimoh (2005 to

present) and Sr Frances Biernacki (1981-1986).


5/5

Vol. XXXVI, No. 3Autumn 2008

Grains of Wheat is publishedquarterly by the Dominican Sisters andAssociates of Great Bend, Kansas.

Editor: Rebecca Ford,Communications Director

Consultant and Contributing Writer:Sr Elaine Osborne OP

Printing by The Spearville News

Please use the enclosed envelope for addresschanges, names to be added to the mailing list,and/or your prayer requests for the Rosary Shrine,as well as for your nancial contribution for our

ministries. Thank you!

DOminican SiStERS

3600 BROaDWay

GREat BEnD KS 67530-3692

nOn PROfit ORG.

U.S. POStaGE PaiD

GREat BEnD KS

PERmit #39ofWheat

We Dominicans of Kansas Impelled by the Gospel of Jesus

Are the Holy Preaching

Place label here

address service requested

Grains

i Go cng Yo o domnn s of G bn?in y wo of yy f

mny o.

t o on oon, ow,

om no fom o,

fom wn on .

i bpm

mo n .

i f o,

n nw o Go:

Wom i n?

i w go, n m.

For more information,

contact Sr Teri Wall OP

Vocation Minister3805 W Walsh Pl

Denver CO 80219

303-922-2997

[email protected]

Dominican Sisters of St Mary of the Springs, Columbus OH

Dominican Congregation of St Rose of Lima, Oxford MI

Sisters of St Dominic of Akron OH

Dominicans of St Catharine KY

Dominican Sisters of Great Bend KS

Dominican Sisters of St Mary, New Orleans LA

Eucharistic Missionaries of St Dominic, New Orleans LA

3600 BroadwayGreat Bend KS

620-792-1232

[email protected]

www.ksdom.org

Dominican Sisters of Great Bend KS

Founded

by St Dominic on the

pillars of prayer, study, community,

and ministry, Dominican Sisters continue

to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ through

art, music, teaching, spiritual enrichment, care for

the poor and the sick, care of creation,

housing ministries, advocacy for justice,

and much more.

Is God calling you to be a

Dominican Sister?

PreachingwithaNewF

ire

!

A Time f Transitin2008

Agst 10 - Missining: For the last time, sisters weresent out to their respective ministries as Dominican Sis-ters of Great Bend, Kansas. In 2009, they will be sentout as sisters of a new and larger congregation (yet tonamed) whose main house will be in Columbus, Ohio.The motherhouse in Great Bend will remain as a Found-ing House of the new congregation.

octer 30 t Nemer 2 - Pre-Chapter Assemyin St lis, Missri: Sisters from all seven communi-ties will gather to discuss preliminary matters in prepa-ration for the First General Chapter (legislative meeting)of the new congregation that will take place in April.

decemer 27 - lss, Transitin, an AnticipatinCmmittee Wrkshp an litrgy: Dominican Sis-ters of Great Bend will spend the day together, grievingthe end of their community, and continuing their prepa-rations for the coming birth of the new congregation.

2009Apri 12 - Fning day f the New Cngregatin:

The birth of the new congregation will be celebratedin conjunction with the Easter celebration of Christsresurrection and new life.

Apri 14 - Fning Eent: A celebration of the found-ing of the new congregation.

Apri 15-21 - First Genera Chapter f the New Cn-gregatin: An assembly of sisters from all seven of theformer Dominican communities will gather to elect aleadership team (prioress and councilors), and to carryon the business of the new congregation.

Agst 8 - Instaatin f the New leaership Teamfr the New Cngregatin: The elected prioress andCouncilors will assume their respective duties with of-

fices at the new central house in Columbus, Ohio.

Documents

Grains of Wheat - Autumn 2008