Dominican Sisters

3600 Broadway Great Bend KS 67530-3692

www.ksdom.org

News for Families and Friends of Dominican Sisters and Associates

Grains of Wheat
Vol XXXV No 3

Fall 2007

Sister Lorena Bolte OP January 27, 1949 - July 4, 2007

In our quarterly publication, Grains of Wheat, we share with you glimpses of where the Spirit is leading us as we seek to embrace our preaching mission with ever greater clarity and conviction. We bring you the unfolding stories of our ministries, our lives and our deaths--

Sr Lorena Bolte Annual Appeal June 2007

Tribute
The Dominican Family and friends bid farewell to a beloved Prioress, sister, and friend. Turn to page 2 and 3 to read a tribute about Sr Lorena Bolte OP.

Jubilee
In the midst of tragedy, ten Dominican sisters rise to celebrate 50, 60, 70, and 75 years of religious profession. Read about their adventures and a few of their reflections on page 4 and 5.

Dominican Symposium

Read about how Sr Ann Metzen and Sr Bertilla Brungardt celebrated the 800th anniversary of the Dominican Order on page 7.

Grains of Wheat

Fall 2007

Prophetic Witness Leaves a Legacy

ominican to the core. A true scientist, teacher, missionary, leader, preacher, Prioress, sister, and friend. Contemplative, gentle, funny, and practical. She grew from a quiet beginning on a midwest Nebraska farm to become a woman religious of international influence. Who knew on that Wednesday morning that she was close to finishing the work [Christ] gave her to do? asked Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore who presided at the Mass Each time I walk into our Dominican Chapel of the Plains I am struck by the picture of planet of Christian Burial for Sr Lorena Bolte on July 9th at the Dominican Chapel of the Plains in Earth with the words Body of Christ written across the top. It takes me beyond my small the motherhouse in Great Bend, Kansas. No world here and in touch with Mystery and one, of course. Not even Lorena herself. mysteries: How do we build up the body of Marie Bolte was born on January 27, 1949, Christ? How does the power of prayer work? in Nelson, Nebraska, to Lawrence and Bernice How can the flapping of the wings of a butterfly Kathman Bolte. As a child, she was a good in the rainforest make a difference on the student. Sr Petrona Stockemer, the eighth opposite side of the globe? Can one ever fully understand the spiritual dimensions of the grade teacher who inspired Marie to become Mystical Body of Christ? a Dominican sister, explained that Marie was ~ Community Letter from Sr Lorena June 13, 2007 docile, congenial, and always had very good grades. She would help with the students who needed help, and as a teacher, you really appreciated all of that. Marie became known as Sr Lorena when she entered the Dominican Sisters Community on August 26, 1965, and subsequently took the habit on June 13, 1966. The Novice and Postulant Mistress at the time, Sr Frances Marie Heitz, remembers that Sr Lorena was staunch and unassuming. There was nothing flimsy about her! She kept to her task and didnt show off. She was studious, always gracious, and very punctual. These qualities helped Sr Lorena succeed at St. Marys College in Leavenworth, Kansas where she specialized in science, and prepared for her first teaching job in the science department at Luckey High School in Manhattan from 1972 to 1974. At Luckey High, The story is told of a young girl playing outside Lorena fascinated her students and colleagues who fell down and skinned her knee. She ran with matters of science! Sr Lorena has been into the house crying. Her mother was busy in a master teacher since her first days of teachthe kitchen but took a few moments to sit her ing, recalls Sr Judith Lindell, one of Sr Loredown and put a Band-Aid on her wound. After nas early colleagues. I remember her stuputting the Band-Aid on, the mother went back dents loving her classes, especially lab work to her work. The daughter continued to cry. The where they studied genetics by raising fruit mother commented, Whats wrong now? You flies (Did you know that some fruit flies have have a Band-Aid on. The little girl replied, But you left out the love! How often do we leave out red eyes?)! Sr Lorena made her first profession of vows on the love in our actions and words? ~ Community Letter from Sr Lorena June 13, 1968, and her final profession of vows February 28, 2007 on September 8, 1974, in St. Stephen Church in

By Rebecca Ford Photos Courtesy of the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend

Lawrence, Nebraska, the same church where she had been baptized 25 years before. Less than a year later, Sr Lorena began an adventure of a lifetime when she moved to Nigeria, West Africa, where she would remain for the next 20 years. Her missionary work began in Sokoto where she taught nursing students for two years before turning her energies into initiating a budding congregation. Here, Sr Lorena ministered as teacher and formation director for the indigenous congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in Gusau, Nigeria; later she became the first major superior of the new congregation. While in Nigeria, Sr Gemma Doll recalled during her homily for Sr Lorenas Wake Service, Sr Lorena had a few brushes with death during riots and armed robbery. One time, her unflappable confidence in Gods protection came to her aid while she accompanied a group of young Nigerian Sisters when they were stranded at night at a roadblock out in the bush. Her words of encouragement and example (she slept like a baby wrapped in a wrapper) left an indelible mark on those sisters who now themselves face dangers unafraid because, as women of faith, they believe God is with them. Returning to the United States in 1995, Sr Lorena attended Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Missouri to fine tune her knowledge of theology and Sacred Scripture. Before she had a chance to apply what she had learned, however, Sr Lorena waged a full-time battle with cancer, withstanding radiation, chemotherapy and isolation in 1997 before she finally received a clean bill of health in 1998. It took Sr Lorena no time at all to find her next assignment as Pastoral Minister for Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Goodland, Kansas, where she became actively involved and loved by all who knew and worked with her. The sixth graders were inspired enough by Sr Lorenas mission talks, even on return trips after she left Goodland, to have Bible Breakfasts to raise funds for the Nigerian Missions. The older youth were inspired by her desire to spend time with them as they traveled to Toronto to see the Pope, and later to St Louis for a CYO Convention. Enjoying the time they spent with her, the older youth found it especially funny on one occasion when Sr Lorena, then only 48, became mad at the waiter for thinking she was old enough for him to ask her if she wanted the senior discount! Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) participants were inspired by Sr Lorenas stories about her experiences as a sister, and her explanations of both the Bible and the Church. Reflecting on Sr Lorenas influence, Jan Nemechek, Secretary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish writes, She was a very fair, loving, kind, and caring person; she was never too busy to help someone in need, never too busy to talk to you if you had a problem, and never thought more of herselfyou were the most important. As Sr Lorena began to be more active in local community leadership positions, she continued to be active in RCIA, working with the Pastoral Ministers, Sr Celeste Albers and Mercedes Helms at the Prince of Peace parish in Great Bend. The last eight months, were the times that I got closer to Sr Lorena, therefore I was able to learn more and more,

Open the door to the quiet spaces of my mind

By Sr Lorena Bolte
In the quiet spaces of my mind a thought lies still, but ready to spring. It begs me to open the door so it can walk about. ~Tom Barrett The truth will set you free. ~John 8:32

In solitude and prayer, I open the door to the quiet spaces of my mind. The thought Mercedes reflected. With the lead of Sr is out and walking about. Now what?
Celeste, Sr Lorena was one of the points-ofcontact for many concerns about the RCIA, especially with the Hispanic members of our Church. On May 30th, the RCIA (English) directed by Sr Celeste had the annual picnic at the Veterans Park where Sr Lorena was also there. We had such a wonderful get-together time that left unforgettable memories. Sr Lorenas enthusiasm and dedication to religious life and leadership was obvious throughout her life, beginning with her ministry in Africa and her Dominican community in Great Bend, Kansas, and extending to several national religious leadership positions as well. When Sr Lorena was elected as a community councilor in 1998 for the Dominican Sisters in Great Bend, her election as Assistant Prioress from 2002 to 2006, and as Prioress in 2006, was a natural progression. Beyond her immediate community, Sr. Lorena served on National Boards of religious and justice topics, the Africa Faith and Justice Network, and as Chairperson of Region XIII of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Despite Sr. Lorenas local, national and international influence, she never lost sight of the little things that mattered. With tears in her eyes, Sr Frances Marie recalls how, on Saturday nights after Mass, when most would naturally proceed to the dining hall for dinner, Sr Lorena would quietly make her way upstairs to visit and shake hands with each sister in the infirmary, searching out those she had missed before she would leave. There is no doubt that Sr Lorena was one of Gods most fruitful laborers. Starting with her earliest roots on a Nebraska farm, Sr Lorena took every opportunity to develop the gifts and talents that God had given her to be an avid and nurturing gardener for both plants and people. Just as she liked having houseplants around her, and the tomato plants she nurtured this past spring are especially fruitful, she loved people, nurturing and inviting us to be fruitful members of the Body of Christ. We who have been touched by Sr Lorena, however briefly, will miss her presence, but not the memories nor the legacy and invitation she leaves with us. As Mercedes Helms explains, Im thankful for having the opportunity to know Sr Lorena, and getting a little piece of her legacy: professionalism and humanitarian values.
Facing Page: (Top) Fr Leo, Sr Lorena, Angela, and Sr Frances Biernacki in Nigeria, West Africa, in August 1985; (Middle) Sr Lorena and Sr Rebecca Otter; (Bottom) Sr Lorena and the late Sr Amadea Hauser. This Page: (Top left) Sr Eloise Hertel and Sr Lorena; (Top right) Sr Rene Weeks, Sr Amy McFrederick and Sr Lorena; (Middle) Sr Lorena, and (Bottom) the last picture of Sr Lorena taken in Colorado.

I need time to think. Margaret Wheatley says that taking time to think about those things that might truly change our lives always provides us with other giftsgifts of determination, energy, courage. They appear spontaneously when we care deeply about something. Religious life is certainly one of those things I care deeply about. What are the choices and decisions that need to be made today that will nurture religious life for the future. Is my thought/voice a piece of the truth? I need clarity. The voices of truth I am hearing can be checked and balanced by the voices of truth others are hearing. One of the blessings of community life is that I have so many to dialogue with and check out my piece of the truth. To be open and honest in the sharing of ideas and thoughts is essential to dialogue. The future of what I care about deeply is on the line. To not share in the dialogue keeps us from the truth that will set us free. So Much is in Bud: Daily Reflections on Dwelling in the Realm of Possibility
Reprinted with permission from

Parker Palmer in his book, A Hidden Wholeness, talks about having our hearts broken. He does not mean a heart broken into shards and scattered about, but a heart broken into new capacitya process that is not without pain. We often stand in the gap between reality and possibility. Can our hearts break open into a greater capacity to hold more of our own and the worlds suffering and joy, despair and hope?
~ Community Letter from Sr Lorena February 28, 2007

A Publication of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

. . . . Maybe I struggled with this letter because I wanted to have the answers to give you before I wrote this letter. That would make it perfect in my eyes. But I leave the mysteries and questions for you to ponder. How will you make a difference as a member of the Body of Christ?
~ Community Letter from Sr Lorena June 13, 2007

JUBILEE!
Ten Dominican Sisters Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries of Religious Profession
Story and Photos by Rebecca Ford
t was an unusual tone for a jubilee celebration; only days after the sudden and shocking news about
The ten Jubilarians from left to right are (back) Srs Anita Schugart, Mary Lou Desena, Elaine Osborne, Bertilla Brungardt, Judith Lindell, Malachy Stockemer, (front) Mary Rose Engel, Frances Marie Heitz, Amata Pantel, and Mary Urban Hitschmann. Standing for the 75th time to renew her vows of religious profession was Sr Frances Marie Heitz, a teacher at heart with fine attention to detail and a sharp memory! With the exception of her 23 year ministry as Community Formation Director, Sr Frances Marie taught in elementary parochial schools for many of the years from 1934 to 1979. Then, from 1979 to 2005, Sr Frances Marie lived in Wichita where she taught religious education correspondence courses for adults for the first ten years, and worked as secretary and teacher of the Art of Learning Center from 1980 to 2005. Now in retirement, Sr Frances Marie writes, I am kept busy but I have more time for prayer and contemplation in my favorite place, the chapel, and more time for reading, sewing, and embroidering . . . . I am happy anticipating future possibilities, knowing the best is yet to come. Celebrating 70 years of religious profession, Sr Mary Rose Engel is also a teacher, principal, and preacher at heart, in her words, through the example she gave, and the faith she left with her students. Sr Mary Rose received the Distinguished Catholic School Principal Award for the Wichita Diocese in 1995. When asked about what advice shed have for others, Sr Mary Rose responds with a smile: Love what you are doing; love what you are. Amen. Sr Amata Pantel also celebrates 70 years of religious profession. Servant of servants, Sr Amata has given fifty of those years to providing domestic service for Dominican hospitals and missions. Today, when Sr Amata is not in her favorite place in the chapel, she is working on embroidery projects for the Dominican Sisters Mission Bazaar. Srs Malachy Stockemer and Bertilla Brungardt celebrated 60 years of religious profession. Sr Malachy writes, Ive been graced to honor God with twenty-five years of teaching youth, with fifteen years of ministry with the elderly, and another fifteen years of being where needed . . . each challenge gave me more grace than I could have imagined. For Sr Malachy, inspiration for each ministry came through the prayers of her mother, and her sister, Petrona, who is also a Dominican Sister of Great Bend. Similarly, Sr Bertillas inspiration came from her prayerful step-mother and the gentleness of her eighth grade teacher, Sr Frances Marie (mentioned previously). Sr Bertillas cooking talents span more than 30 years, and extend as far away as the Dominican House of Studies in Rome, Italy. But Sr Bertillas present ministry is her favorite: visiting and praying with patients in St Catherine Hopsital in Garden City, Kansas. Five women celebrated 50 years of religious profession: Srs Mary Lou Desena, Mary Urban Hitschman, Judith Lindell, Elaine Osborne, and Anita Schugart. The life of each of these women is a unique tapestry, but they share a common element of growth and change. For example, Sr Mary Lou writes, I never would have guessed that ten years after entering a strictly cloistered Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of Grace in North Guilford, Connecticut, I would be traveling to Kenya, East Africa, as one of the twelve foundresses of the native, cloistered Dominican Monastery of Corpus Christi. Or that five and a half years later, I would feel the stirrings in my heart to transfer to the active branch of the Dominican Order to work in the healthcare field. By 1980, a call came asking for sister-volunteers in the medical field to work for three months in a Cambodian Refugee Camp in Thailand, with Catholic Relief Services. I found myself volunteering with two other sisters from our Community and wound up half-way around the world. The phrase, Join the cloister and see the world passed through my thoughts. Sr Urban, also a nurse, was well loved by her cancer patients at CKMC where she administered IV chemotherapy. After almost forty

Renewing vows . . . .
From left to right (left) Srs Frances Marie Heitz, Mary Rose Engel, (below) Elaine Osborne, Judith Lindell, Mary Lou Desena and Anita Schugart.

the fatal accident of their Prioress, and on the eve of Sr Lorenas wake and funeral, ten dedicated Dominican Sisters rose to stand before family, friends and community to renew their vow of fidelity to God, to the Church, to the worldwide Dominican Family, and to their religious Community, the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend. Perhaps the significance of their recommitment in the midst of suffering is emblematic of the story of the their livesa firm and unwaivering Yes amidst the Howling No.

years, Sr Urban shifted her energies to manage Cedar Park Place (HUD housing for elderly and handicapped) for 14 years. At Cedar Park, Sr Urban endeared herself to the elderly who found a sympathetic ear to their problems. Today, Sr Urban is described by her sisters as the perfect nurse, a compassionate healer, and friend of the elderly with a gentle sense of humor and a prayerful presence in her long suffering with early-onset Alzheimers. Sr Judith recalls that she loved every single minute of her first 16 years as a teacher before she became the Community Treasurer. With a natural heart for problem solving and the precision of math, Sr Judith is amazed at the ease of her path, and the happiness of her journey. Nothing inspired her more, however, than a recent trip to see the lands of St. Dominic with about 40 other Dominicans from across the country. The experience of walking the same paths walked by St Dominic filled Sr Judith with a renewed sense of pride about her vocation. Today, Sr Judiths sisters describe her as an artistic creator of crossstitch and Santas in every color, dedicated and committed, a woman who also has a deep love for beauty in nature, and who is a prayerful minister of community service in finances and liturgy. For Sr Elaine, creator of poetic beauty, a Dominican woman of study, lover of Gods nature with a photographers eye, it was the transition from teaching to working on the Community Constitutions that renewed her sense of religious vocation: . . . I came home from teaching in June 1980 and began the work of writing our Constitutions. The study and research and prayer it required enkindled in me the understanding of religious life and the commitment to this Congregation that I was totally incapable of at fifteen years oldand

this was after I had already been a teacher for 23 years as a Dominican sister! Today, Sr Elaine continues to find herself in dream jobs: When I was teaching I thought nothing could be greater. I loved teaching and growing into a good teacher with the tutelage of master Dominican sister teachers. . . . Still later I got what I thought would be my dream job as the editor of Grains of Wheat. All my life I wanted to write, to learn to write well, to compose both prose and poetry. Still later came my present ministry, another dream job with the many duties of a community secretaryall of which entail my love of writing and composing. Sr Anita is described as an educator and leader, a woman of new dreams and vision, a preacher dedicated to preserving the gifts of the earth, and a prayerful minister of wholistic healing. At first, she had passing thoughts of being a nurse rather than a sister. But the Dominicans believed in Sr Anita, and they offered her challenges which allowed and encouraged her to use her God-given talents, and to grow as a person. After teaching elementary school in Wichita for eight years, Sr Anita turned her gracious and generous humor towards the leadership and administration of St Catherine Hospital, Garden City, Kansas, where she served for 20 years. Today, Sr Anita is the Director of the Heartland Center for Wholistic Health in Great Bend. The desire for personal growth is still central in Sr Anitas philosophy and leadership: Wanting to do the will of God has taken on greater meaning as I have advanced through the years. Now, I think I would sum it up as every moment in my life is a blessing for growth or a curse that cripples and I choose, by my attitude, which it will be . . . . every moment in life contains grist for the mill for doing Gods will.

7 am to 2 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2007 Drawing at 2:00 pm

Enter the Bazaar Drawing! Clip the ticket (at right) and send it with your donation to 3600 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530
1. 1/2 Beef 2. 1/2 Beef 3. Hand-sculpted Santa 4. Pendulum wall clock with chimes 5. Hand quilted queen size quilt 6. $150 Wal-Mart gift card 7. Scrollsaw woodwork Last Supper 8. $125 Cash 9. Original oil painting, Madonna & Child 10. Two dinner hams 11. $100 Northview Nursery gift certificate 12. Digital camera 13. (3) Orig. designed & hand painted plates 14. $75 Cash 15. Conair thermal spa bath mat 16. Handmade alpaca shawl

The Dominican Sisters Annual Mission Bazaar

Dominican Sisters Annual Mission Bazaar 2007 Drawing Ticket

NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE TELEPHONE Donation $1.00 a ticket or $5.00 for a book of six. Need not be present to win. Great Bend Dominican Sisters are not eligible to win prizes. ZIP

Above: Sr Amata Pantel and her sister, Betty Lou Evans, share their smiles at the evening banquet. Upper Right: In a spirit of fun, creative paper dolls with the faces of Srs Elaine Osborne and Judith Lindell grace the table. Right, Srs Bertilla Brungardt, Mary Lou Desena, and Malachy Stockemer present the gifts for Liturgy.

As usual, the proceeds of our Annual Mission Bazaar will be divided between the Nigerian missions, and the economic poor in the United States.

Grains of Wheat

Thank you, our benefactors

. . . for gifts you gave in memory of your deceased loved ones,

or in honor of your living family and friends.
Mary Margaret DeBord Louis R Dietz Olga Dittmyer Paul Dolechek Alfred Dreher Carolyn Dugan Francis Ebenkamp John & Mary Eck Rosemary Englert Sr Joan Forward OP Marcellus Francis Leo Gabel Donaciana Galvan Marcella Geist Rudy Goertz Edward Grob John A Hahn Robert & Mayola Haley Ruthelma Hallam Mike Hand Dorothy Hand Margaret P Sappington Harder Crystal Harris Teresa Henning LeRoy Henning Joe & Rose Henning Travis Herman Hogan Family Irene Hommertzheim William P & Katherine Hommertzheim Betty Hoss Brad Jansen Frank Kaiser Kaiser Family Mona Keenan Lorene Kerns Sr Clarissa Kinzel OP Nick & Frances Kirmer David W Klanke Frank & Ellen Marie Klepper Edward Knoll Timothy Kreutzer Edmund Kunkel Fr Mark Lauer OP Leona Leiker Joan Leiker Henry Lichter Joseph P Luebbers Tony & Anna Luebbers Roger Maickel Theresa Martin

This list represents gifts received from April 1 to June 30, 2007. We will list gifts given In Memory Of or In Honor Of in each issue of Grains of Wheat. Once a year we list all our donors. Please let us know if you notice any omission or incorrectly listed name.
Helen Matal Fred Mater Jane Marie McCoy OP Joseph McGlinn Richard McGrath Dale Meyer Harold & Rita Miller Martin Miller Sr Isabel Miller OP Rob & Annie Mooney Bernadette Mullinex Jury Dennis Natale Sr Christian Ney OP Floyd Norwood Glen W Nuss Sr Regina ORourke OP Dr William Winston Paine Sr Aquinata Penka OP Ralph W Pfannenstiel Adolf Pfannenstiel Kathleen Poling Probst Family Al Prusa Marvin & Margaret Purkeypyle Rabenseifner Family Lawrence Rapp Edwin Reichuber Lawrence Reif Ben Riedel George & Loretta Robl Antonio & Margarita Rocha Joe Rocha Family Philip Rodacy Anton Rohr Ed L Roth Braham Sappington Willie & Minnie Schafer Michael A Schneider Marion Schneider Carl & Margaret Schneider Family The Schomaker Family Sr Anthony Schreiner OP Gly Shan Viola Shenefield John Shuttic Sally Soden Frank & Helen Spicka Harold Stark Henry H Stark Brad & Laverne Stecklein Bernard Stos The Stremel Family Joseph Theis Leo Thieme Joe Thieme Sr Alfreda Thieme OP John Thies Sr Theodosia Tockert OP Helen Tomberlin Family Kristen Torluemke Ray Tougas Carl J Urban Jacob & Florence Valdez Juanita Vigil Mark Vigil Rosalie Vigil Melvin Vink Stanley Vogel Ned Vogel Tony & Leocadia Walt Blackie Walters James G Ward Verla Weber Fred & Lidwina Weigel Don Wells Ron Wells Erwin & Clara Werner Sr Kathleen Werner OP John Wille Lawrence Willson Thelma Wood Ben & Mary Zimmerman Zink Family Paul Zurbuchen

Story and Photo By Sr Ann Metzen OP

800 Years of Dominicans

University were very gracious in assisting us. At 8:30 we gathered for morning prayer. Fr Timothy Radcliff, Master of the Order from 1992 to 2001, was our first speaker on Monday morning. His lecture, Blessed are the Cheesemakers, addressed the following questions: How do we as Dominicans address conflict and contradiction? How do we help build resolution in the midst of so many areas of conflict in our Church and our world? Sr Donna Markham and Michel Cote responded to Fr Timothys lecture, and the participants were then invited to respond or ask questions. Monday afternoon, we were inspired by Sr Ann Willits talk, Are We Coming or Going? The Relationship of Mission and Mysticism within the Dominican Charism. Rather than focus on the historical perspective of the interaction between mission and mysticism over the past eight hundred years, we reflected on what we have learned by heart as we continue to live out what Dominic entrusted to us as our missionary mystical identity. Responders to Sr Anns talk were Don Goergen and Jamie Phelps. Monday evening, we were entertained by an accomplished musician, Sr Magdalena Ezoe, an Adrian Dominican sister. It was beautiful music to end the evening. Fr Liam Walsh was our first speaker on Tuesday. His lecture was entitled, The World, the Preaching and the Preachers. Dominic structured the preaching from within an inclusive understanding of the Church and its mission to the world. His preacherswho and what they aremanifest the inclusivity of a preaching that makes the inclusive Church. Responders to this in-depth talk were Sr Janet Welsh and Fr David Caron. copy of the Scripture in hand, Fr Martin led the group through an exciting and interesting journey of the ways of Timothy and Titus. Probably written after the death of St. Paul, these epistles do however extend Pauls thought to new problems and new opportunities faced by the communities which the saint had founded.

Fall 2007

In Honor of April 1 June 30, 2007 All Dominicans Viola Axman Family The Bellendir Family Albina Besperat Family Sr Frances Biernacki OP Sr Lorena Bolte OP Joe Burgardt Sr Virginia Burgardt OP Sr Mary Ellen Dater OP Derrol & Pat Dvorak Derrol & JaNeva Dvorak Anton Francis Family Margaret Gerber Sr Edith Marie Hauser OP Judy Heimerman Hope Herman Sr Teresita Huse OP Gerald Hutfles Arthur Kinsella OP Fr Pascal Klein Martin Klitzke Richard Koch Sr Judith Lindell OP The Linnebur Family Andy Luebbers Sr Coletta Masterson OP Don Nocktonick Bob & Betty Olivier Luella E Paine Sister Amata Pantel OP Sr Ancilla Schawe OP

Sr Imelda Schmidt OP Sr Salesia Schneweis OP Lydia Schoenberger Sr Rose Mary Stein OP Berand & Eleanor Strecker Anna M Stremel Douglas Turner Susan E Ward Thomas Young In Memory of April 1 June 30, 2007 Maxine Ackerman Family Leo Albers Albers Family Burke Ashford Benedict Axman The Basgall Family Aaron & Grace Bates Sr Carolyn Ann Bayer OP Fred Berscheidt Family Pete Berscheidt Family Ray Berscheidt Family Charles Besperat Rosa Mary Biernacki Al Billinger Sr Birzer Family Mary Gabriel Boor OPA Mary Burenheide Jake Burgardt Clara Caspar Albert Clouse

Joining 500 Dominicans in Adrian, Michigan, to celebrate 800 years of faith, heritage, and ministry was an experience of Dominican life at its best. Each day we were privileged to hear outstanding speakers and interact with Dominicans from many parts of the country and the world. This joyous occasion filled my heart with deep gratitude for my vocation to the Dominican family. Sr Bertilla Brungardt and I attended the Dominican Symposium, sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters and Siena Heights Univeristy on May 1316, 2007. The Symposium opened with a beautiful liturgy at 7:00 pm in the Lumen Ecclesiae Chapel on the Siena Heights University Campus. The gathering song was, Great is Your Holiness, which was composed by our own Sr Amy McFrederick OP. Just imagine what this sounded like with 500 participants singing with much gusto! Following the liturgy, Fr Timothy Radcliff OP was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. In a spirit of true humility he graciously accepted this prestigious award from the president of the university. We then gathered in Madden Hall for a reception which gave us the opportunity to meet many sisters. We were privileged to meet Sr Dominica from Iraq who knew our Assistant Prioress, Sr Rene Weeks. She asked us to continue praying for them during this time of turmoil. Each morning we were shuttled from our Super 8 hotel to the Benincasa dining hall where we were served breakfast at 7:30. Students from the

Sr Patricia Walter opened the afternoon session with her talk, At Home in Wisdoms Tent: Study, Contemplation and the Pursuit of Truth. Prayer and study are two activities at the heart of Dominican life. They are deeply connected to each other in coming to know and preach the Word. Responders were Sr Barbara Reid and Fr Jorge Presmanes. Evening entertainment was Sr Nancy Murray playing the role of Catherine of Siena. What a delightful visit from our own dear Catherine! Meeting some sisters from our Cluster group excited us! We had dinner Tuesday evening with three sisters from AkronDorothy Sarachene, Maura Bartel, and Maria Cirielloand Diane McOsker from the Eucharistic Missionaries. Later that evening, we met three sisters from Columbus and two from Kentucky. It was such a privilege to be among so many Dominicans celebrating Dominican Life.

OP Cluster sisters from left to right: Sr Bertilla Brungardt and Sr Ann Metzen from Great Bend, KS; Sr Dorothy Sarachene and Sr Maura Bartel from Akron, OH, Sr Diane McOsker from the Eucharistic Missionaries in New Orleans, LA; and Sr Maria Ciriello from Akron, OH. on blood lines. Both Paul and Jesus died as outcasts, and their followers were concerned about the future of the church. Would they be able to find replacements who were adequate to lead a newly-found church? One statement that followed me home was The mark of authenticity is failure, persecution, loss. The Institute ended on June 26th. A week later, Sr Lorena died! A replacement among the sisters will be named in the upcoming Chapter of Election, one who will lead in the newly-forming Union. St. Paul, be with us as we name a successor. Fr Sean Martin returns June 13 17, 2008, to the Heartland Center for Spirituality with a message on how to pray the Psalms. Mark your calendars now and be ready for a wonderful five days of spiritual enrichment by a master teacher.

God of all Goodness, we ask your blessing on all those who so faithfully support us in our ministry. May they know our profound gratitude for all the ways they help us carry out the mission of St. Dominic. Give success to the work of our hands. (Psalm 90)
~ Sr Lorena Bolte OP, Annual Appeal, June 2007

Heartland Center for Spirituality

2007
SpiritLife II begins August 25, 2007 Scripture Study
The Book of Exodus October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13 Tuesday afternoons 3:004:00 Sr Renee Dreiling OP $50 (includes books)

Science and Solutions

Presented by Leigh Smith and Ruth Siress in cooperation with the Heartland Climate Project

Climate Crisis:

September 15, 2007 9:30 am to 2:00 pm in the Convent Auditorium ($6 for lunch)

2007 Annual Mission Bazaar

Great Bend Dominican Sisters

An overview and discussion of global warming, along with inspiration, resources, and ways that you can take action and create change.

Saturday, November 10 Dont Miss It!

Associate Professor of Biblical Studies Presents Theology Institute

Rosary Novena
September 8 to November 3, 2007
Pray the Rosary
Let us all join our hearts in prayer for peace in our troubled world. Send your petitions to be united with others at our Rosary Shrine.
We sisters offer the Eucharistic Liturgy each week at our motherhouse for all our benefactors and for our Rosary Shrine clients.

by Sr Irene Hartman OP Photos by Sr Elaine Osborne OP and Rebecca Ford

rom June 22 to 26, the Heartland Center for Spirituality became the scene of a fiveday study on the pastoral epistles of Timothy and Titus. The presenter was Fr Sean Martin, an associate professor of biblical studies from Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. With a Greek

(Above): Fr Sean Martin expands on a point during the closing reflection. (Right): from left to right, Srs Celeste Albers, Kathy Goetz, and Irene Hartman respond to a comment shared by Partner in Mission, Rev Connie Burkholder.

2008
Praying with the Psalms June 1317, 2008 Fr Sean Martin Contemplating the Person of Jesus August 18, 2008 Fr John Burchill OP and Sr Barbara Metz
For more information, visit http://heartlandspirituality.org

Theology Institute

Community Retreat

Praying for you always. . .

Ever since the Rosary Shrine was founded in the 1930s, our motherhouse has been a powerhouse of prayer. Our sisters consistently remember you, your families, and your special needs in prayer. We pray for you whether we know your special needs or not, and we always enjoy the letters from you which tell us of your special needs. Your prayer requests are posted on our prayer board and remembered at the Rosary Shrine.

Sr Rose Mary Stein and Sr Gemma Doll continue the conversation with Fr Sean Martin during a short break.

The main thesis of these writings could be summed up in a series of personal and moral qualities which mark authentic leaders of the Christian communities. The participants were reminded of the possible solutions to the perennial problems of forming wise and effective leaders for Christian communities in todays church. Early in the sessions, Fr Martin reminded everyone that Paul did not write these letters, but they were written in his style and were devoted to topics close to his great heart, especially his interest in selecting good and trustworthy leaders for the church. (Writing in anothers name is called Pseudepigraphy). Even though the Jews were devoted to genealogies, Paul had insisted that genealogies should be based on faith, not

Institute participants listen intently to Fr Sean Martins presenation. Pictured from left to right (front): Srs Geraldine Eakes, Terry Wasinger, Ancilla Schawe, and Malachy Stockemer; (back): Fr Marvin Reif, and Sr Tomasa Sigala.

Is God Calling You to be a Dominican Sister of Great Bend?

In the busy world of everyday life there are many choices. The call to ones vocation, however, comes not from the outside, but rather from within ones heart. It is the Baptismal call that is more than a career. It is a life choice, an answer to God: Whom shall I send? I will go, send me. For more information, contact Sr Teri Wall OP Vocation Minister 3805 W Walsh Pl Denver CO 80219 303-922-2997 teriop@msn.com Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Great Bend KS Permit #39

Grains of Wheat
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Grains of Wheat

is published quarterly by the Dominican Sisters and Associates of Great Bend, Kansas.
Editor: Rebecca Ford, Communications Director Consultant and Contributing Writer: Sr Elaine Osborne OP Contributing Writers: Sr Ann Metzen OP Sr Irene Hartman OP Printing by The Spearville News

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Impelled by the Gospel of Jesus Are the Holy Preaching

givers and are touched especially deeply by listening to the stories that children living with cancer share. It is a spiritual experience for them to walk among the luminaries or listen to the long list of names being read and know that they had a part in the lives of people and the research of such a life-giving cause. As we reflect on this years Relay for Life, we note a very sad realization for us. Our CoCaptain Sr Lorena, herself a cancer survivor, was killed in a car accident, July 4th, barely a month after this years Relay. She will be missed in so many waysas she was our PriStanding from left to right: Co-captain, Sr Lorena oress, our sister, our friend. As we return her Bolte, Sr Charlotte Brungardt, Sr Ann Metzen, Sr to God, we know she is now championing all Gemma Doll, Sr Rose Mary Stein, Sr Joel Christoph, the causes dear to our hearts in another place where there is freedom from suffering and Sr Celeste Albers, and Rita Pivonka. only wholeness and fullness of Life. minaries to celebrate survivors and remember those who died of cancer. When the actual evening arrives, the team of sisters who are cancer survivors, other sisters, employees, and friends have someone on the track lit by the luminaries all night. They wear their special shirts, walk the track, and talk with people they didnt know had cancer. This gives the sisters a new and deeper connection with some people they know in different circumstances. As Sr Judith said, Relay lets us see our employees in a different setting and they see us outside the workplace, too. Lives are touched and support is felt in the camaraderie of the evening. Cancer affects the lives of all of us in some way. I want to be part of Relay for Life because I know so many who have cancer and I want to show my care. I also want to be part of working to find a cure, said Sr Charlotte Brungardt. Relay provides a chance for sisters to be visible in a county-wide endeavor, and some of our sisters participate in other areas, for example Sr Dominic Haug in Manhattan and Sr Loretta Podlena in Colby. So many of the participants of our team say that being a part of Relay is valuable to them because they Sr Rose Mary Stein and Co-captain, Sr Lorena Bolte. witness the courage of the survivors and care-

We Dominicans of Kansas

Relay for Life

Story and Photos by Sr Elaine Osborne OP

The number of cancer survivor participants and the amount of money raised for cancer research has put Barton Countys Relay for Life (held in Great Bend) in the top 10 nationally for funds raised per capita. For years the Great Bend Dominicans have participated in the Relay and their involvement begins long before the actual event. This years Co-Captains Srs Lorena Bolte and Judith Lindell put out the call for team members; sisters, employees, and friends responded. The Dominicans Silver Team raised over $3,000.00 this year. Sr Joel Christoph, a cancer survivor, was honored this year for raising over $1,000.00. One of their early annual fundraisers and team building events is the annual Pie Fest at the motherhouse. Pies are mostly homemade, contributed by sisters and employees. With a requested donation of $2 a slice, the Team already chalked up more than $300.00 in a fun-filled afternoon pie break on a workday. On another day in the evening, the team gathered with friends to prepare the lu-

Open for Business! Sr Ann Metzen, Sr Joel Christoph, Sr Celeste Albers, and Co-Captain, Sr Judith Lindell are ready to sell pie during the Annual motherhouse pie fest. At $2 a slice, the Dominicans Silver Team raised more than $300 for the American Cancer Societys Annual Relay for Life event.