By Sister Denise Schonhardt, OSB
Sustain me, O God, as you have promised, that I may live. Disappoint me not in my hope. – Ps. 119:16 Every sister sings these words at the time of her profession or when celebrating a jubilee. Surrounded by fellow Benedictine sisters and family members, Sisters Eileen Beutel and Denise Schonhardt sang them on July 11 at their Golden Jubilee Eucharist. Sisters Adeline Karels, Rosalia Fink, and Evelyn Strei were honored for reaching their 70th jubilees on July 26 when Sister Adeline joined Sisters Rosalia and Evelyn at Villa Saint Vincent for a celebration.
Sister Eileen Beutel was born on January 4, 1949, to Frank and Eileen Beutel. She received the name of Margaret at her baptism. Margaret first met the Sisters of Saint Benedict who taught her at Saint Jude’s School in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. She attended Mount Saint Benedict Academy.
After high school, Margaret joined the Sisters of Saint Benedict, and when she entered the novitiate, she received the name, Sister Eileen. She made first monastic profession on July 11, 1969, and final profession on July 11, 1974.
Sister Eileen’s first teaching assignment was as a first-grade teacher at Sacred Heart School in East Grand Forks. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in library science from Saint Catherine’s University in Saint Paul, Sister Eileen served as a librarian at Mount Saint Benedict High School before becoming the assistant director of Mount Saint Benedict Center. In ensuing years she worked with the liturgy at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery while also serving as the librarian at the monastery.
Sister Eileen was hired by the Crookston Public Library, first as a part-time assistant and then rising to the position of director. Sister Eileen created friends as she traveled in all kinds of weather to satellite libraries to assist them in serving their communities.
When Sister Eileen retired as Director of Crookston Public Library, the chair of the Friends of the Library praised her for her virtues of kindness and organization. The sisters would add generosity and approachability.
Sister Eileen is currently the secretary for the Sisters of Saint Benedict, a job she fills efficiently and graciously.
Sister Denise Schonhardt, daughter of Harold and Adeline Schonhardt, was born on July 12, 1949 and received the baptismal name of Gladyce. She attended Waubun Public School through 6th grade and Saint Michael’s School in Mahnomen, for grades 7 and 8. She enrolled at Mount Saint Benedict Academy, where she received her high school diploma.
She adapted well to life at the academy and grew to admire the sisters. When it came time to discern her vocation, she chose to enter Mount Saint Benedict Monastery as a postulant. Upon entering the novitiate, she received the name Sister Denise. She made her first profession in 1969 and her final profession in 1974.
She began teaching in elementary schools – Saint Francis Xavier School in Benson, Minnesota, and St. Joseph’s School in Moorhead. She received a bachelor of science degree in history and secondary education from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and later she earned bachelor and master of fine arts degrees from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
She taught history and art at Mount Saint Benedict High School and art at Sacred Heart High School in East Grand Forks. But as she looked forward to developing her artistic skills, the community had other plans.
Mount Saint Benedict needed a Director of Development and Sister Eleanor, prioress, chose Sister Denise for the position. Not long after she began this work, it became evident that the Mount community needed to start a capital campaign because the original monastery building was on the verge of collapse. After the campaign reached its goal, Sister Denise became the Director of Mount Saint Benedict Foundation, formed to support the ministries of the Sisters of Saint Benedict.
Sister Denise had dual responsibilities as Foundation Director and Director of Communications for the Sisters of Saint Benedict. She continues to be a kind, hospitable presence, welcoming others to the monastery, engaging them, and making friends. One could not miss her hearty laugh.
Sisters Adeline Karels, Rosalia Fink, and Evelyn Strei were honored for reaching their 70th jubilees on July 26 when Sister Adeline joined Sisters Rosalia and Evelyn at Villa Saint Vincent for a celebration.
Sister Adeline Karels was the second of the five children of Marcus and Kathryn Karels. Though her parents baptized her Joanne Kathryn, she was called Annie.
She attended Saint Joseph’s School in Rosen, where she admired Sister Bernarda, her eighth-grade teacher. She attended Mount Saint Benedict Academy, where she again esteemed her teachers.
At age 18, she entered the Sisters of Saint Benedict. She was invested in the Benedictine habit on July 4, 1948, and she received the name, Sister Adeline. She made first vows on July 3, 1949, and final monastic profession on July 11, 1952. A few years later her sister, Sister Marmion Karles joined her as a member of the Sisters of Saint Benedict. Sister Adeline characterized her as not only her sister but also as her best friend.
Sister Adeline served in the healthcare ministry her entire life as a sister. She received her nurse’s training at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota, and her anesthesia training at Saint Cloud Hospital School of Anesthesia.
Sister Adeline served as a Registered Nurse at Saint Francis Hospital in Crookston. After receiving her anesthesia training, she served at Saint John’s Hospital in Browerville, Minnesota; Saint Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes; and the Out-patient Surgery Center in Willmar, Minnesota. After she retired as an anesthetist, Sister Adeline found a second ministry making and decorating candles to sell.
Sister Adeline stated that the things she appreciated about monastic life at the Mount were the quiet atmosphere, the Liturgy of the Hours, times for reflection, family-style living and community celebrations.
Sister Adeline commented that she finds that she has received the hundred-fold as promised by Jesus. (Mark 10:30)
Sister Evelyn Strei is the sixth of the twelve children of Joseph and Cecilia Strei. She was baptized Louise Jean though she was called Lou Jean. Her father was a barber, but his real love was farming. Lou Jean attended Saint Joseph’s School in Rosen, Minnesota, and Mount Saint Benedict Academy. She entered the Sisters of Saint Benedict on January 3, 1948. She received the Benedictine habit and the name Sister Evelyn on July 4, 1948, and made first vows on July 5, 1949. She made final monastic profession on July 11, 1952.
Sister Evelyn received a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Catherine’s University in Saint Paul and a master’s degree in theology from Mount Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Oregon.
Sister Evelyn was an excellent primary teacher. She taught at Sacred Heart in East Grand Forks; Saint Joseph in Red Lake Falls; Saint Philip in Bemidji; Saint Jude in Mahtomedi, Minnesota; Saint Francis Xavier in Benson, Minnesota; Saint Joseph in Moorhead; Saint Jude in Osseo, Minnesota; and Cathedral in Crookston.
Sister Evelyn served as a parish minister at Saint Dominic in Northfield, Minnesota; Saint Boniface in Hastings, Minnesota; and Saint Elizabeth in Dilworth. Sister Evelyn also served in spirituality ministries at Manna House of Prayer in Concordia, Kansas, and at Mount Saint Benedict Center. In addition to these ministries, she also served as an archivist at Mount Saint Benedict, and worked to build an ecumenical Benedictine community at Saint Benedict Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Sister Evelyn wrote about years in the monastic community. “I saw my life as a journey going from place to place serving God’s people. Over the years, I have come to realize that the monastic journey is an inner journey of the heart, daily seeing the marvelous works of a faithful God in community and all of creation. As my loving Creator has a place in my life so I am in harmony with my Beloved and I have a place in the Universe.”
Sister Rosalia Fink was born in Britton, South Dakota, to Julius and Emelia Fink. She was named Carolyn Catherine, but was known as Carrie to her family. She attended Saint Michael’s School and Mahnomen High School in Mahnomen and Mount Saint Benedict Academy. Carolyn entered the Sisters of Saint Benedict in 1948. She received the Benedictine habit and the name Sister Rosalia when she became a novice. Sister Rosalia made her first profession on July 4, 1949, and her final profession on July 11, 1953.
Sister Rosalia received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from the College of Saint Theresa in Winona, Minnesota. She received another bachelor’s degree in business education from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Sister Rosalia’s first teaching assignment was at Sacred Heart Grade School, East Grand Forks. She also taught elementary education at Cathedral, Crookston; Saint Jude, Mahtomedi; Saint Bernard, Thief River Falls; Saint Michael, Mahnomen; Saint Thomas in Asherton, Texas; and Saint Vincent, Osseo. She taught secondary education in Asherton, Texas, and at Sacred Heart High School, East Grand Forks. Sister Rosalia was known as an excellent educator, and received a certificate as one of the outstanding educators of America in 1970.
After Sister Rosalia left Sacred Heart High School, she became the office manager for the business department at Mount Saint Benedict. In 1990, Sister Rosalia joined the staff of the Community Action Council of South Texas in Rio Grande City.
Sister Rosalia returned to Mount Saint Benedict in 2006, and she worked with the Community Supported Garden for three years.
Sister Rosalia felt called to return to Rio Grande City to establish a shelter for abused women. They named the project the South Texas Empowerment of Women Center. The District Attorney tried to help by giving them property that had been confiscated from a drug cartel. The night before they were to begin cleaning the buildings, a small building was set afire. The location was deemed too unsafe to occupy, so Sister Rosalia had to start over. A donor gave three acres for the shelter. After the shelter opened its door in 2016, Sister Rosalia returned to Mount Saint Benedict.
All of Mount Saint Benedict’s jubilarians celebrated the fact that God does sustain them, and God does not disappoint them in their hope. The lives of the jubilarians attest to God’s faithfulness.
