Called to be a Community... As a young sister, Sister Danile, following in her father's and brothers' footsteps, was sent to get her degree in pharmacy, which she completed at the University of Minnesota in 1954. She ministered as director of pharmacy at St. Cloud Hospital in Minnesota before assuming that position at St. Benedict's Hospital in Ogden in 1964. In 1988, when Mount Benedict Monastery took over the management of Our Lady of the Mountains Retreat House, Sister was asked by the community, and approved by Bishop Weigand, to be the director. She served in that capacity until August 26, 2006, when the community elected her the second prioress of Mount Benedict Monastery. She now devotes her time to the sisters and their spiritual growth, as well as monastery organization and planning. She is also involved in St. Benedict's Foundation which is a charitable outreach of the sisters, working closely with the executive director of that organization. Sister says she loves Utah, but will always be a Minnesotan. Links to the sisters: |
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Sister Mary was missioned to Utah in 1974 and assigned to the OB Department of St. Benedict's Hospital. In 1983, the community arranged for her to pursue her interests in theology at GTU Berkeley where she earned her Masters in Theology. In 1994, when Mount Benedict Monastery became an autonomous independent Benedictine community, the sisters elected Sister Mary to the office of Prioress, a position she held for twelve years. During that time her ministry was devoted to the sisters and their spiritual growth, as well as monastery organization and planning. Under her leadership the sisters built Mount Benedict Monastery in South Ogden. St. Benedict's Foundation, a charitable outreach of the sisters, was another of her concerns. Having completed her years as prioress, Sister Mary continues to serve on the chaplaincy staff at Ogden Regional Medical Center and teaches RCIA at St. Joseph's Parish. |
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Sister Stephanie Mongeon Thorne, ND In 1965, Sister Stephanie came to Utah to direct food services at St. Benedict's Hospital. She had been teaching at the College of St. Benedict. After years of experience in directing food services and clinical dietetics she began counseling nutrition to patients. In 1988, she became director of mission services and public relations. When the hospital was sold to Health Trust, Inc, her role expanded to include community relations. Her outreach into the civic community gives her the opportunity to share the Benedictine values with a variety of agencies and civic organizations. Sister is a member of the lifelong formation committee and chairs the vocation committee of the monastery. For many years she had a brief radio conversation each Monday morning on KLO sharing ideas and tips for healthy lifestyles. She is on the Ogden Rescue Mission Clinic Board and the United Way of Northern Utah Board. She finds time to be on the team for RCIA and responds to a variety of requests for speaking to groups in the civic community. |
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Sister Luke Hoschette St. Paul, MN Of Sister Luke's more than 50 years of religious life, 30 years of her ministry have been in administrative positions at Ogden Regional Medical Center, formerly St. Benedict's Hospital. She was sent to Utah to be assistant administrator, and then administrator, in 1966. Between 1971 and 1978, she held various administrative posts in healthcare in Minnesota. She became corporate secretary of St. Benedict's Hospital in 1986. She was later named administrative assistant and served in that position until her retirement from the hospital in 2003. She continues to volunteer at the hospital by serving at the Information Desk and welcoming all. Her talents also serve her religious community well. She is monastery secretary and archivist and sits on several committees. |
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Sister Jean Gibson Price, UT After eleven years of teaching science and math in Minnesota in high school and college, Sister Jean was missioned back to her home state in 1975 to work as an x-ray technologist at St. Benedict's Hospital. Since she had her doctoral degree in physics, she was transferred to the newly-opened cancer treatment center of the hospital to fill the medical physicist's position in 1977. She retired from this position in January, 2000. She has served on the finance committee of the Federation of St. Benedict from 1994 to 2003. She serves on the finance committee of St. Benedict's Foundation. She has been Director of Finance for the monastery since 1980 and chairs the monastery finance committee. In addition, she is now general caretaker of cars, taxes, household repairs, computers, and whatever good stewardship the monastery requires. She also serves on the monastery plant management team. |
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Sister Virgene Marx St. Michael, MN Sister Virgene has the third longest
record of service by current Benedictines in Utah – having
arrived in 1967. She has worn several hats in her ministry
in health care: RN, certified nurse anesthetist, and certified
chaplain. Until she left hospital employment in 1997, she
was director of Pastoral Care. Sister now has found new
ways to minister to God's needy people. After she retired, she
became a hospital volunteer and continued listening to Fifth
Steps for recovering addicts and alcoholics. She is a certified
spiritual director. She was a member of the Board of
Trustees of Birthright of Northern Utah. For five years, Sister
was director of the Oblates of Mount Benedict Monastery.
She currently serves in prayer ministry while residing at St.
Scholastica Convent 1845 - 20th Ave. SE St. Cloud MN 56304 |
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Sister Iris Beckwith Clearfield, UT After spending 3 years in Panama, the place of her birth and the only place in the world where one can view the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the same time, Sister Iris moved with her family to upstate New York. Being an Air Force family, the Beckwith clan moved around the U. S., finally coming to Utah where the "land of Zion" became home. Taught by the Benedictine sisters at the original St. Benedict's Hospital, the joy and desire of a religious vocation was enhanced and encouraged. After joining the Benedictine sisters and spending 15 years in various nursing positions in Minnesota and receiving her BSN from St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N. H., Sister Iris returned to Utah in 1983. She currently holds the position of pre-op nurse in the surgical services area of Ogden Regional Medical Center. She is a member of several community committees and shares her love of music and liturgy by singing and being cantor at St. Joseph Parish in Ogden. |
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