Seven Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand Celebrate Diamond Jubilees

On Sunday, October 25, seven of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana celebrated Jubilees of Monastic Profession. Sister Joella Kidwell, Sister Helen Jean Kormelink, Sister Doris Market, and Sister Leona Schlachter celebrated the seventieth anniversary of their Monastic Professions, and Sister Joyce Marie Newton, Sister Jennifer Miller, and Sister Marilyn Schroering celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their Monastic Professions at a Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand.

In her reflection during the Mass celebrating the Diamond Jubilee, Sister Kathleen Cash said, “Today we celebrate 60 and 70 years of a commitment to love and serve our God. Through their daily decision to say yes to the call to seek God through this way of life, we see the countless moments of self-giving that have called each of them to first experience the undivided love of God and then to share that love with whole heart, soul, and mind in all the big and small acts of love that they have offered, that they offer today, and that they will offer in the future.”

Sister Joella Kidwell holds degrees in education, biology and theology. She has taught at numerous schools, served as Director of the Kordes Enrichment Center, Prioress of our community and president of the Federation of St. Gertrude and served in the monastery bakery. She currently serves in Prayer Ministry.

Sister Helen Jean Kormelink knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher, and was encouraged by teachers at Mater Dei High School, especially Sister Mary Clare. Sister Helen Jean holds a Bachelor’s degree, two Master’s degrees, and a Ph.D. She had a long career in education, ranging from teaching to administration. Today she is active in our Prayer Ministry.

From Degonia Springs, Indiana, Sister Doris Market holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and two Master’s degrees, as well as a California Life Teaching Credential. She has taught elementary and junior high students, done parish work and served as director of religious education. Currently, she makes beautiful art for the Gift Shop, helps in our bakery and visits sisters at Scenic Hills.

Sister Leona Schlachter has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in General Elementary Education. She has taught grades 1-3 in schools in Evansville, Ireland, Fort Branch, St. James, and for 14 years at Holy Family in Jasper. At the monastery, she has served as Supervisor of the Kitchen Staff at Kordes Retreat Center and Assistant to the Activity Director. She is currently involved in making Mission Advancement calls and in Monastery Service.

From Loretto, Kentucky, Sister Joyce Marie Newton holds a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree and Life License, and an Administrative Standard License. A devoted educator, she spent 43 years teaching in towns around Indiana including Rockport, Evansville, Elberfeld, Haubstadt, St. James and Corydon — the latter for 20 years. She also served in our Dining Room and currently serves in upkeep of the church and in our mail room.

A native of Evansville, Indiana, Sister Jennifer Miller holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education, and a Master’s degree in Religion. She spent many years teaching at St. Theresa in Evansville, St. Peter and St. Paul in Haubstadt, and Rex Mundi and Mater Dei High Schools. She has been Campus Minister at the University of Evansville and Purdue University, Youth Director for the Diocese of Evansville, Pastoral
Associate at parishes of St. Theresa, Resurrection, St. Joe, and City. She has also been Hospice Chaplain for the VNA and Deaconess and the Donor Engagement Officer in Mission Advancement for our monastery, and in our prison ministry. She currently works in Scenic Hills Pastoral Ministry, while continuing her work for Mission Advancement.

Sister Marilyn Schroering holds a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Education, spent years working as a
teacher and administrator. Once she left teaching, she served as the Director of Kordes Retreat Center, and as our Monastery Coordinator. She’s currently our director of tourism, helps chauffeur our senior Sisters, and assists in the mail room.

The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand make up the second largest Benedictine community of women in the United States — over 95 members strong and thriving. They seek God through the Benedictine tradition of community life, prayer, hospitality, and service to others. By their life and work, they commit themselves to be a presence of peace as they join their sisters and brothers in the common search for God.

The Monastery Immaculate Conception was founded in 1867 by four young Benedictine sisters who came to Ferdinand to teach the children of area settlers. Since then, more than 1,000 women have entered this community. Their ministries extend both beyond education and beyond Ferdinand, with members of their community serving as teachers, social workers, parish ministers, counselors, nurses, youth ministers, chaplains, librarians, and more.

Those wishing to celebrate any or all of these Sisters by making a gift to the Sisters of St. Benedict in their honor can do so at thedome.org/donate. As the form is completed, the option to note that it is a gift in honor of a sister will become available.