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Meet some past and present members of the Benedicta Riepp program:
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Maryann Ingalls
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"I would be sorry I didn't claim a chance at monastic life."
Maryann Ingalls learned about the Benedicta Riepp program from another member, Judith Coscarelli. Maryann, like Judith, is from Bangor, Maine.
In Oct. 2004, Maryann began her year in the program. "I have had a longing for spiritual community off and on for much of my adult life," Maryann says, "even before I believed in God. When I asked myself, 'If you were told tomorrow that you had but a short time to live, is there anything you would regret?' My immediate answer was, 'I would be sorry I didn't claim a chance at monastic life.' And here I am."
Maryann worked with Emmaus Ministries and assisted with spirituality programs and care of the infirm sisters at the monastery. An artist, Maryann also has her handmade cards and journal books for sale in the monastery gift shop.
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Claire Creese
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"I want to learn more about religious life, and more specifically, monastic life."
Claire Creese came all the way from England (by way of California) to satisfy her interest in "learning more about religious life and more specifically, monastic life." Claire made her first year’s commitment in January 2004. Her charming British accent and innate energy are already a delight for the community.
Claire worked part time with Emmaus Ministries, primarily in the Food Pantry and Sister Gus’ Kid’s Cafe. In addition, she ministers in the community’s Wellness Program, sharing her expertise in the Alexander Technique with many of our sisters. This year she is involvede with various Benedictine ministries.
Longing to deepen both her understanding of and experience in a monastic rhythm and lifestyle, the Benedicta Riepp program has suited Claire’s needs well. At the same time, she uplifts the community by her spirit, her energy and her generosity. It is, as she hoped, a "good match." Claire is presently in her third and final year of the program.
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Judth Coscarelli
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"What a wonderful year it is for me: a blend of spirituality, community life and some very interesting ministry experiences!"
Judith Coscarelli, a mother of five, came to us from "Cabot Cove country" — Maine (Bangor, that is). A "spark of life," Judith brought her skills for empathy and compassion, as well as her infectious Italian energy and humor, to our ministries and the community. She worked part time at the House of Healing, an alternative program to incarceration for women convicted of non-violent crimes which enables them to live with their children. In addition, she spent time and energy working within our spirituality and retreat program as well as at the community switchboard and with the sisters in the infirmary.
"The minute I read about the Benedicta Riepp program," Judith said, "I knew I had to find time in my life for it. What a wonderful year it was for me: a blend of spirituality, community life and some very interesting ministry experiences!" Judith made her commitment with us in April 2003.
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Jean Bhatti
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"This experience has deepened my own spirituality as I had hoped."
Another midwesterner, Jean Bhatti, became a (young) grandmother for the first time while in her first year of commitment in the Benedicta Riepp program. A past resident of Sioux Falls, SD, Jean has most enjoyed the various prayer experiences she's had and is so "very at home" in our daily communal prayer. In turn, the community has been gifted by Jean's dance training as she has led liturgical dance groups for Sunday liturgies and special community prayer services.
During her first year, her ministry experiences varied from weekly recreational sessions with the retired and semi-retired sisters at the monastery, to assisting teachers at the community's Inner City Neighborhood Art House. At the beginning of her second year in the program, Jean accepted a full-time ministry position as program director at Benetwood Apartments. Jean decided in August 2004, during her second year as a temporary member, to enter the postulancy with the goal of permanent membership. "This experience has deepened my own spirituality as I had hoped," said Jean."The community has been so welcoming. It has surpassed all my expectations." She began the novitiate in January 2005. In January 2006 she made her first monastic profession and continues her ministry at Benetwood Apartments.
"This experience has deepened my own spirituality as I had hoped," said Jean."The community has been so welcoming. It has surpassed all my expectations."
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Christine Lundt
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"It gave me what I needed – time, insights, ideas — to move through one change and onto something else."
Christine Lundt took us at our word when she read the brochure for the Benedicta Riepp program. "At a crossover moment in her life," facing the major change of leaving a career in college education, she made her commitment in October 2002.
The Benedicta Riepp program gave her the time and space she needed to find the spiritual energy and development to carry her through this period and take her beyond it. Offering her professional expertise and bringing an intense desire to be of service to those in need, she ministered in the community's Development Office and at St. Benedict Education Center.
"I am grateful that there is such a program for women like me at these key moments in life," Christine said. "It gave me what I needed – time, insights, ideas — to move through one change and onto something else."
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Kathy Horan
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"I'm pretty sure it would not have happened any other way."
When Kathy Horan, an Oblate of the community, first came to the program in October 2001, after years of working actively with the community's environmental program at Glinodo Center and the Sanctuary Committee, it was for her like "coming home." Continuing in her ministry as an elementary school teacher in Erie, while volunteering at Sister Gus' Kids Cafe and St. Benedict Community Center after school, Kathy found life "familiar, yet turned upside down" as full and active engagement in monastic life replaced years of observation and admiration.
In the midst of her first year of commitment, Kathy asked to become a postulant and is presently in her third year as a scholastic studying for, and discerning the possibility of, perpetual profession. For Kathy, the Benedicta Riepp program "finally opened up for me a way to fulfill the life-long desire that had always been tugging at me – a journey to God – a desire to be a pray-er, a listener of the heart and a community-centered person. I'm pretty sure it would not have happened any other way."
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