Oklahoma Monastery Merges
with Mount St. Scholastica
March 24, 2009

The Feast of St. Benedict on March 21 is always a day of celebration for Benedictines, but this year held special meaning for the sisters at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison. They had the great pleasure and honor of receiving ten new members from Red Plains Monastery in Piedmont, Oklahoma.

For the past several years, the sisters of the small community there have been facing some very hard realities of aging and resources. They bravely decided to begin planning for their future in radical ways. They began to look at other area monasteries and to actively seek a community with whom they could merge. It was not long before they began to see Atchison as the most natural choice. Some factors considered were the prayer style and spirituality, ministry, social justice work, interest in women’s issues and the availability of an infirmary. More years of discussion and exploration followed and the rightness of the decision became ever clearer. After visiting the Mount, Sister Miriam Schnoebelen reflected: “There was such a joy in the house. I sensed it during my visit. That spirit of joy was attractive to me.” Some of the sisters had attended college in Atchison and there were other common bonds stretching back many years.

The ministries of the two communities were also a factor. Red Plains is chiefly involved in providing retreats and spiritual direction, a focus which is shared with Sophia Center in Atchison. Over and over, the sisters of the two communities found themselves remarking on the "good fit."

After months of both the spiritual and the practical processes, the sisters of Red Plains were ready to make their commitment, and the ritual they planned showed the hopefulness and courage that had marked their decision. At vespers on Friday evening, Sister Jan Futrell, prioress of Red Plains, gave the homily and then handed symbols of her authority to Sister Anne Shepard, Atchison prioress, thus officially turning over leadership. Following prayers, the sisters had a celebration at which the new members told stories of the history of their community.

The acceptance of the new members was part of the next day's Mass, with a blessing for them and the placing of their profession documents, some made more than 65 years ago, on the altar. In her remarks, Sister Anne said, "When the monastic council and I first visited the sisters at Red Plains Monastery, we were in awe of the holy place. The women we met were striving to be very holy and authentic. As the sisters join us, they do not change their monastic promise; they deepen it. Our promises are also deepened as we welcome these sisters into our community. Together we move forward." (Read all of Sister Anne's reflection.) A festive meal followed.

“It was a difficult, but good, decision that our community has made. We are so very blessed that the Atchison sisters have welcomed us,” said Sister Jan. “We believe we have a good fit. Like us, Atchison has a long reputation for its commitment to spirituality and education, with a special focus on the needs of women.”

Sister Melissa Letts, youngest member of the community, looks back and to the future. "They are an amazing group of women, who have made a brave choice to move forward. I am so grateful that we have chosen to stay together and be strengthened."

Although there are bittersweet moments in any such event, the union of the two communities brings joy and hope. The sisters will be able to maintain a Benedictine presence in Oklahoma, continue their retreat and spirituality ministry at Red Plains Spirituality Center, and provide for long-term care of the elder sisters within a Benedictine community. Three of the sisters have recently moved to Atchison, and two Mount sisters are currently living at Red Plains. With these new members and an extension of the Mount's spirit into a new area, it was indeed a day to celebrate St. Benedict's continued action in the world.

Sister Esther Fangman, president of the religious federation to which
the monasteries belong, proclaims the transfer, with
Sister Anne Shepard, prioress, watching.



The new members of Mount St. Scholastica
(standing) Sisters Jan Futrell, Benedicta Boland, Melissa Letts, Miriam Schnoebelen, Elena Hernandez, Marie Ballman, Gertrude Nagel
(seated) Roberta Schachle, Eunice Ballman, Joanne Yankauskis


Sister Jan Futrell (l.), prioress of Red Plains Monastery, passes
symbols of her authority to Sister Anne Shepard.