Benedictine Sisters of Chicago     

Our dear Sister Eleanore Hillenbrand, OSB died peacefully on the evening of October 29, 2019 after a few weeks of hospice care. She passed into the loving arms of God and the Sisters who have gone before her are there to welcome her. Born in Chicago, and after attending St. Hilary Parish School, she felt called to attend Saint Scholastica High School in Chicago and enter the monastery as an aspirant. Sister Eleanore formally entered the community as a postulant in 1942 and th

Our dear Sister Agnes Kelly, OSB died peacefully in the early morning hours on Sunday, February 17, 2019, after a lengthy illness. She passed into the loving arms of God. Born in Evanston, she felt called to enter the Benedictines following her secondary education at St. Scholastica High School in Chicago. She entered the monastery in 1942 and then ministered at schools in both Colorado and Illinois with her longest and final assignment of 49 years, as an educator at Saint Sc

The Community Room Christmas Tree is surrounded by gifts for the hardworking staff of the St. Scholastica Monastery who enjoyed a Christmas party on December 20th. An afternoon of singing Christmas Carols and reflecting on memories from Christmas past was led by Lisa Wagner-Carollo who is the Founding Director of Still Point Theatre Collective and volunteers from the Ravenswood Presbyterian Church on December 17th. The group even sang Happy Birthday to Sister Victoria Marconi

In 1855, the first Benedictine women came to North America from Germany to found a new monastery in St. Marys, PA. This month marks the 162nd anniversary of the founding of Benedictine women's religious life in the United States. Sister Mary Melady and Sister Mary Ann O'Ryan recently traveled as representatives of our monastery to participate in the commemoration of this anniversary. Benedictine Sisters traveled from Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and Pennsylvania to

Sister Judith (pictured above, center in blue) enjoyed a surprise reunion with St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago alumnae Sister Judith Zonsius, OSB walked into a restaurant for an Archdiocesan luncheon and heard shouts of "Sister Judith!" from another room. They were coming from alumnae of St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago who were celebrating a baby shower for Erin Cafferkey '06. A number of young alumnae were in attendance and were thrilled to reconnect with Sister Judith. S

Sister Kathleen McNamara, OSB entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago in 1943 and gave a lifetime of prayer and service. She continued to distribute mail at the monastery (as pictured) until just a few weeks before her death. Sister Kathleen passed peacefully into the arms of God on June 16, 2017. To learn more about her life of loving service, enjoy the following biography written by Sister Benita Coffey, OSB. Eleanor Elizabeth McNamara and her twin brother, James, were

Sister Joan Hentges, OSB, died peacefully on Sunday, May 14, 2017. She was Co-Director of the Oblates and served as the Chicago formation coordinator. Prior to this, she ministered with the Colorado Oblates, served in parishes, and taught for many years. We give thanks to God for her life. To learn more about her, we invite you to read her biography (below) written by Sister Benita Coffey, OSB. Joan Marie Hentges was born November 28, 1931, in Mitchell, South Dakota, daught

Sister Benita helped start the Benedictine Oblate program in 1977. Forty years later, the program has over 100 members and Sister Benita was joined by Sister Joan Hentges in its ministry. We are so happy to honor Sister Benita and Sister Joan (posthumously) as part of the 23rd Annual Testimonial Dinner. Also receiving awards this year are Brother Michael W. O'Hern, FSC, President and Chief Executive Officer of Christian Brothers Investment Services and Ms. Judith Borchers,

Sister Vivian Ivantic, left, and Sister Virginia Jung, right, sit below old photographs of the monastery. “If you don’t know history, you’re bound to relive it and make the same mistakes that were made in the past,” declares Sister Vivian Ivantic, OSB. She certainly knows her religious community history. She has worked in the St. Scholastica Monastery archives since 1978. She officially retired at the age of 103 and Sister Virginia Jung, OSB took up the role of Community Arc

People around the world will celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22nd. Sister Rita Nowak, OSB serves as the Monastery Grounds Coordinator. She has listed seven thoughts on the celebration of earth day. 1. Change to LED bulbs When your next light bulb burns out, change to an LED bulb and be able to articulate the value of this recommendation. 2. Learn all you can about recycling Learn all you can about recycling paper, plastic, metal, etc. Read the "fine print" regarding t

Erica Hall just retired as the monastery chef after 34 years. Jason Treadway is just two months into his new role as chef. We decided to talk with each of them about their love of cooking. Q & A WITH JASON TREADWAY What was your favorite food as a child? I grew up in Baltimore until I was nine. During that time you could eat the seafood right out of the bay…. We would steam the crabs at my grandmother’s. With crabs you want to eat them when…their freshest. What is your favor

We are challenged “to stretch ourselves so that we can welcome and be hospitable to the future that is unfolding,” said Sister Patricia Crowley, OSB. She was speaking at the closing of the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses last month, a biennial gathering of Sisters who lead Benedictine women’s communities in the United States along with their foundations in other countries. Sister Patricia Crowley, OSB just completed her term as President of the Conference, a role she has

Sister Joanna Trapp, OSB, died peacefully on Friday, March 3, 2017. She is remembered for her gentle presence and her wise teaching. She influenced thousands of alumnae, due to her teaching at both the elementary and high school levels. We look back and thank God for her remarkable life. To learn more about her, we invite you to read her biography (below) written by Sister Benita Coffey, OSB. Jean Ann Trapp was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 16, 1927, the third of th

Sister Benita (right) attended a meeting at the office of Representative Jan Schakowsky to talk about supporting immigration and other issues that are part of Catholic social justice teaching. Your legislators are back in their hometowns this week on recess. It's a great time to contact them and ask them to represent your values in congress. Don't worry, it's easy! Here are three simple things you can do to share your values--this week or anytime. 1. CALL Contact your senator

Our dear Sister Mercedes Moore, OSB, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 and returned home to our loving God. Sister was a strong woman of faith and action, with a tender heart for God's creation. We invite you to learn more about Sister Mercedes' remarkable life in the following biography written by Sister Benita Coffey, OSB: Mary Catherine Moore was born February 1, 1915, in Chicago, the fourth daughter of Charles Day and Adeline Smith Moore. Theirs was a strong

We are a community that supports refugees and immigrants. We remember that Jesus was once an immigrant and that as Catholics we are called to support those fleeing violence, too. Since the President issued three Executive Orders that put immigrants in harm's way, we have been asked by some friends of our monastery what people can do to support refugees and immigrants. Here are three things you can do: 1. Learn More The first thing to do is to learn more about the situation.

“If I fly to the heavens, you are there . . . " Psalm 139:8a Our dear Sister Anne Krall, OSB died peacefully on Thursday, January 5, 2017. She passed into the loving arms of God. Born in Colorado, she felt called to enter the Benedictines in her mid-20s. She was accepted at the monastery in Chicago and then ministered at schools in both Colorado and Illinois throughout her years. She also served at Camp San Benito. Her incredible kindness and cheerful disposition will be part

It was ten years ago, October 8, 2006, that Gwen Ifill visited St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago. Every year, the Alumnae Board hosted a "Woman for the World", someone who had followed their calling and would help inspire students and alumnae to follow theirs. Gwen certainly lived her call. She was co-anchor and managing editor of PBS Newshour and moderator and managing editor of Washington Week. She had held numerous positions throughout her life that reflected her passion f

Sister Kathleen McNamara, OSB, sorts toys for migrant children in Colorado. When Sister Kathleen McNamara, OSB was ministering in Colorado, she heard about a priest who received a knock at his door on Christmas Eve. He opened it to find a man who was a local migrant worker. The man had no money to buy presents for his children and wondered if the priest might help. Sister Kathleen heard about this and began buying little gifts for children out of her own small allowance. Ov

John Velasquez once lived at our monastery and now lives in New Mexico. Here, he stands in front of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe. Sister Laura Walker was a woman who understood the power of Benedictine hospitality. In the 1950s, she was Prioress at St. Scholastica Monastery and was traveling through Colorado. There, she met a young man who had earned a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago, but had no resources to live in the city. She invit