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In
Loving Memory of...
Sister Bertrand Niederbauer “I will espouse you to me
forever; Picture a small bundle of energy, 4'1" to be exact. Picture happy children following a tiny sister in black and white garb, smell the aroma of cinnamon rolls just out of the oven, hear rosary beads meditatively slipping through a small hand, gaze upon a gentle figure who bore with grace the effects of a debilitating stroke. That was our Sister Bertrand. Born in Gars, Bavaria, Germany on January 30, 1907, Sister Bertrand was described by one of her siblings as a lively, fun and unusual young woman to whom no one was a stranger. At 18, she left the homeland she loved and journeyed by steamer and train to the heartland of America. Here, in Atchison, Kansas, she entered the monastery of Mount St. Scholastica where she made her first vows in 1926 and her final vows in 1929. She graduated from the monastery's college learning English and obtaining a teaching degree. When Benet Hill was established in 1965 as in independent daughter house of the Mount, she became a charter member. During her 49 years in the teaching field, she devoted herself to educating the littlest of God's children in Colorado, Iowa and Kansas. Twenty-seven of those years were spent in Walsenburg, Colorado where she worked with miners' children, taught religion in the mining camps and struggled to overcome her own language barrier with children of all ethnic backgrounds. These were the days classrooms burst at the seams with children - sometimes as many as 100. Sister met the challenge with hard work and love. In her later years, she was
renowned for the marvelous breads and cinnamon rolls she made for the Monastery,
the students of Benet Hill Academy and those who were fortunate enough to be on
the receiving end of her baking. In 2001 she celebrated her 75th anniversary of
vowed life in spite of a stroke that left her paralyzed 12 years earlier. On
July 18, 2002 surrounded by her community, she slipped away to be with her God.
Sister Amanda Hermesch “I rejoiced when I heard them say: Sister Amanda Hermesch went peacefully to her God in her 92nd year. Born in Kelly, Kansas, the oldest of a large family, she entered religious life in 1924 at Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas, made religious vows August 15, 1926, and celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1976. Sister celebrated her 75th Jubilee in 2001. She was in the education field as teacher or principal for over 50 years. In 1965, Sister Amanda became a charter member of Benet Hill Monastery. Sister's teaching years were spent in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, but mostly in Colorado. She had a great love for children and shared her creative gifts in many ways. Her interest was in each person who came to her. Sister's retirement years at Benet Hill were spent serving in whatever capacity she was needed, especially giving cheerfully many driving hours to accommodate those who asked. She also continued crocheting many gifts for the Monastery gift shop and was an avid reader. Sister suffered with serious illnesses over the years, but bounced back with the help of prayers and her strong, determined will to live. She will be remembered as a person of prayer and loving service.
Sister Maristelle Schmitz "But as we progress in this way of life and
in faith, One of ten children,
Sister Maristelle
was born to Peter and
Catherine (Windeshausen) Schmitz in Panama, IA. She made profession in 1939 at
Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas. A charter member of Benet Hill Monastery,
in August, 1999 she celebrated her 60th Jubilee.
"Preserve me, O God I take refuge in you: Sister Alice was born in Nebraska on a farm near the town of Dixon. Her parents were Martin and Bertha McAllister Conway. Sister was one of 10 children, 6 brothers and 3 sisters. In the rural school of Holt County, Nebraska Sister Alice received her elementary school education; high school was at St. Mary's in Panama, Iowa and college at Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas. Her on-going education was at Regis University in Denver, Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. In 1933 she entered the novitiate of Mt. St. Scholastica and in 1938 made her Perpetual Monastic Profession. Her ministry experiences have been full. For 43 years she taught elementary school and junior high, in a 3-state area: Colorado, Iowa and Kansas. In 1946 Sister Alice came to minister in the San Luis valley of Colorado and stayed, becoming a chartered member of the Benet Hill Monastery. The years have been kind to Sister Alice, and she has been kind to them. She also shared in the ministry at Benet Pines Retreat Center. Her hospitality and generosity to the retreatants was always in concert with the values of Benedict. Her love for the earth and her Benedictine values were evident in the lush beauty of the gardens she most tenderly nurtured at Benet Pines and the Monastery. Born into an Irish ancestry, Sister Alice is remembered for the twinkle in her eye, a knowing smile and her Irish wit.
Sister Katie Keeley "Love what you create. Let the little
child Sister Katie, baptized Kathleen Anne Keeley, was born in Denver, CO to Walter and Ruby Nollenberger Keeley. She is survived by one brother, Joseph Thomas (Millie) of Denver, CO and one sister, Mary Therese Long (Francis) of Pine Bluff, AR and many nieces and nephews. Sister Katie graduated from Holy Family High School in Denver and entered Benedictine life at Mt. St. Scholastica Convent in Atchison, KS on June 12, 1954. She was an artist and teacher. She received her BA degree in Music from Adams State College and MA in Religion from Iliff School of Theology. She taught in schools in Kansas and ministered in the San Luis Valley of Colorado for 20 years, and was a Pastoral Minister and Religious Educator. She taught Art and Spirituality at Benet Hill Center and did water color work. Woodcarving was her greatest love. She was a member of Benedictines for Peace, Nature Conservancy and Co-Founder and member of Arco Iris Center for Creative Development in Antonito, CO. Sister Katie's love for art and music inspired her creativity and spirituality. She especially loved Gregorian Chant. She will be remembered for her wise council and joyful spirit.
Sister Marian Bellotti "Tender and loving God, Sister Marian Bellotti, ,beloved of God, passed to eternal life, March 5, 2004 at Benet Hill Monastery. Born in Walsenburg, CO to Arthur and Ruth Bellotti and was baptized Geraldine Marie at St. Mary's Church. She is survived by Patty (Joe) Papez and Larry (Sue) Bellotti of Colorado. Sister Marian entered Mt. St. Scholastica Convent, Atchison, KS June 26, 1958, and made Monastic Profession January 1, 1963. She was a charter member of Benet Hill Monastery, Colorado Springs, CO. She received her BA degree from Regis University, Denver and an MA degree from St. Meinrad's College, St. Meinrad, IN. Sister Marian said of her life, "In my life I want desperately to minister to the people of God, to be God's eyes, arms, hands, and heart; to go about as Jesus did preaching, teaching and healing in the name of the God who created me." She fulfilled this desire as a teacher for ten years, as a Pastoral Minister in the Dioceses of Cheyenne, WY, Denver and Pueblo, CO, as Director of the Spiritual Direction Program of Benet Hill Center for 12 years. She walked with many people on their spiritual paths as a Spiritual Director and Retreat Director. She was a creative teacher, a poet and a culinary artist. She was a member of the Benet Hill Monastic Council and a journey person for sisters transferring to Benet Hill Monastery. Marian will be remembered by her deep love for family, friends and community. She had a passion for life which was evident in her truthfulness, faithfulness and friendly sense of humor.
Sister Georgine Goerlich "Good zeal . . . Let the
monastic prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may Christ bring us all together
to everlasting life." Sister Georgine Goerlich died peacefully in the Lord on February 14, 2005 in her 89th year. Born in Westphalia, Kansas on July 15, 1915, she entered religious life at Mount Saint Scholastica and pronounced her final vows on August 15, 1944. She as a charter member of Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs. She spent 47 years serving the primary school children she loved so dearly. Sister Georgine received her secondary education from Argentine High School in Argentine, Kansas and her B.Sc. in education from Mount Saint Scholastica college in Atchison, Kansas. She received further education from Regis College (Denver), Adams State College (Alamosa, CO), and Lamar Technological College (Beaumont, TX). She was a primary school teacher and librarian in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Colorado before retiring in 1988. During retirement, she assisted Sister Maristelle Schmitz in the Benet Hill Center Library and jokingly referred to herself as "Marian the Librarian." Those who knew her in her later years can still picture her sitting at a library table happily plunking away at a little manual typewriter. A quiet, caring woman, Sister Georgine was always willing to extend a hand and a hug, particularly to the newest members of the Benet Hill community who were still in the formation program. She maintained a keen interest in those around her and will be missed for her gently grace and deep spirituality.
Sister Marilyn Krier "I exult for joy in
God. Sister Marilyn Krier 70, died and entered into eternal life on August 23, 2005. Sister Marilyn, baptized Marilyn Joyce Krier, was born on February 28, 1935 in Walsenburg, CO to Edward and Magdalen Krier. She is survived by one brother, Kenneth Krier, of Walsenburg, his wife Roberta; three nieces and 2 nephews. Sister Marilyn graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Walsenburg, and entered Benedictine life at Mt. St. Scholastica Convent in Atchison, Kansas on June 15, 1952. Her Monastic Profession was made on January 1, 1957. She received her B.S. from Mt. St. Scholastica College, Atchison, Kansas, an M.A. in Education from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado and an M.A. in Private School Administration from the University of San Francisco, California. In 2004, Sister Marilyn celebrated 50 years of vowed life. She credited her family for fostering and supporting her life of faith. For 38 years, Marilyn was called to minister as teacher and principal in Catholic schools, teaching in Kansas, California, and Colorado. For the past 13 years, she found great joy working to find affordable housing for the elderly in Denver. Throughout her ministry, Sister Marilyn practiced and taught focusing as a way for her students and her colleagues to enter into their journey to God. Marilyn loved to bike ride and always enjoyed being outside, even as a child. She was an avid Denver Broncos fan. She loved taking photos of flowers and made greeting cards from them. She gifted her Community with the music of her violin at all their celebrations. We will always remember Sister Marilyn’s profound love for the Sisters of her Community and the gratitude she had for the blessings of her friends and family.
Sister Martha Guadalupe Manchego "Set me like a seal on
your heart, Sister Martha Manchego 77, God's beloved, passed into eternity March 9, 2007 at Benet Hill Monastery. She was born in Gardener, Colorado to Antonio and Sophia (Salas) Manchego. Entering Mt. St. Scholastica convent in Atchison, Kansas December 22, 1948, Sister Martha made final Monastic Profession January 1, 1953. She was a charter member of Benet Hill Monastery, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Martha received her BS in education from Mt. St. Scholastica College, Atchison, Kansas and her RN from Penrose School of Nursing, Colorado Springs, Colorado. For seventeen years, Sister Martha devoted herself to teaching children in Colorado, Kansas and Iowa. Then in 1968, she was asked to enter the ministry of nursing. She said the most life-giving experience of her religious life was working in Denver at the Bella Vita Nursing Home where she dedicated herself to caring for the elderly. In 1999, Sister Martha celebrated 50 years of vowed life. Reflecting on her life at that time, she said her greatest desire was to "love the Lord with my heart and soul, my neighbor as myself." She truly lived out her desire and we are greatly privileged to have shared her journey. We will remember her tireless dedication to those in need, her gentleness and kindness, her impish smile, her pleasing hearty laugh and keen sense of humor, her deep love for her family, her community and for her God.
Sister Liguori Sullivan, OSB "You are my strength, my
song and my salvation."
"Strong courageous leadership" is the phrase most often used to describe the life of Sister Liguori Sullivan who lived and loved Benedictine Monastic life for seventy-four years. Born in Spring Fork, Missouri, Sister Liguori entered Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas in June of 1933 and made final monastic profession in January of 1938. Sister received her B.S. at Mt. St. Scholastica College, her M.S. from Kansas State University, and did postgraduate work at Creighton University and Kansas state Teachers College. During her many years of educational ministry, Sister Liguori was an excellent teacher and strong administrator...influencing many students...in both Catholic high schools and colleges, in Kansas and Colorado. In August of 1963 Mother Celeste missioned Sister Liguori to establish a new Benedictine foundation in Colorado and to organize Benet Hill Academy for girls. Sister served as the first Prioress from 1965-1975. In 1977 Sister Liguori responded to the educational needs of Catholics in Pueblo, and founded a private independent Catholic School, John Neumann K-9. In her later years, Sister established and directed the Adult Literacy Opportunity Program which prepared women and men to make their GED and citizenship goals a reality. Her love of Benedictine Monastic Life, belief in the importance of education, need to 'make this world a better place,' and spontaneity in Irish wit and intimacy with Christ live on in her legacy to the Benet Hill Community. When Sister Liguori finished her service as prioress she said: "My greatest and most worthwhile achievement is that as foundress of Benet Hill, I have helped a pioneering group of dedicated women grow into a faith community eager to serve God's people. This small community has something of lasting value to offer the people of God."
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