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Sr. Mary Jane, 90, shares children’s wisdom in ‘Whatever Happened to the Sandbox?’

By: Jennifer Willems - March 11, 2020 - Book Review, News Article Book, OSB, Sister Mary Jane Wallace, St. Mary Monastery, Whatever happened to the sandbox

Longtime educator Sister Mary Jane Wallace, OSB, holds her newly published book, “Whatever Happened to the Sandbox? Enjoying the Creative Wisdom of Children.” (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

ROCK ISLAND — When you’re teaching classes with 45 and 60 students at a time, it doesn’t take long to amass a large collection of stories that amuse and inspire. Sister Mary Jane Wallace, OSB, tells some of her favorites in a new book, “Whatever Happened to the Sandbox? Enjoying the Creative Wisdom of Children.” […]

Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, reflects on her eight years as Benedictine prioress

By: Jennifer Willems - March 11, 2020 - Featured Article Benedictine, OSB, prioress, Rock Island, Sister Sandra Brunenn, St. Mary Monastery

"My satisfaction comes both in the directions we set for ourselves and also in the work we've done to help that all come to fruition," said Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, of her eight years as prioress of the Benedictine community at St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

ROCK ISLAND — As Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, looks back on her eight years as prioress of the Benedictine community at St. Mary Monastery, she finds joy in what the Sisters have accomplished together and is excited for what is to come. The Sisters of St. Benedict have started a discernment process that will lead […]

Support St. Bede chaplain, 70, and students as they ‘polar plunge’ for Special Olympics

By: Tom Dermody - February 12, 2020 - News Article Father Ronald Margherio, Mendota, OSB, polar plunge, St. Bede Academy

Father Ronald Margherio, OSB, chaplain of St. Bede Academy in Peru, leaps with students into the chilly Illinois River during a polar plunge last year. Father Ronald, who just turned 70, will take the plunge again -- joined by 40 St. Bede students -- on Feb. 29 in Mendota to raise money for Special Olympics. (Provided photo)

PERU — What better way for a priest to celebrate turning 70 than by running fully clothed into a lake of frigid water on the last day of February? “It should be fun,” said Father Ronald Margherio, OSB, chaplain of St. Bede Academy in Peru, in anticipating a Leap Day plunge into Lake Mendota on […]

‘Waking Up White’ leads to much needed lessons, personal examination on racism

By: The Catholic Post - September 12, 2019 - Book Review Book, Debby Irving, OSB, racism, Sister Mary Core, Waking up White

Debby Irving, left, is the author of "Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race."

Reviewed by Sister Mary Core, OSB About two years ago, I read about Debby Irving’s book, “Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race.” I thought, “Interesting title. I ought to read that.” Why? Because I wondered whether I myself was unintentionally racist. I had grown aware of my thoughts around race. […]

Beloved retired religious continue to inspire; national collection this weekend

By: Jennifer Willems - December 6, 2018 - Featured Article Brother George Matsuoka, collection, DSF, Lacon, OSB, retired religious, Sister M. Alphonse, St. Bede

Sister M. Alphonse Husak, DSF, a longtime nurse, enjoys the time she spends with caregivers (from left) Becky Lamie, CNA; Renee Perrin, RN; and Sydnie Angel, CNA, at St. Joseph Home of Lacon. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

In her day, Sister M. Alphonse Husak, DSF, was a force to be reckoned with. Calm and competent as a nurse, she was often called in the middle of the night to help mothers during labor and delivery or assist with emergencies at St. Francis Hospital in rural Mountain View, Missouri. She spent 45 years […]

Sr. Marianne Burkhard to retire after 1,000 marriage cases, 25 Tribunal years

By: Tom Dermody - May 23, 2018 - Featured Article marriage tribunal, OSB, retirement, Sister Marianne Burkhard, tribunal

Sister Marianne Burkhard, OSB, former director of the Diocesan Tribunal and a longtime judge in marriage cases, is pictured in her office at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria. She will retire to St. Monastery in Rock Island on May 31. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

After nearly 25 years of service and involvement in more than 1,000 marriage cases, Sister Marianne Burkhard, OSB, will retire from the Diocesan Tribunal on May 31. “My life has been totally unpredictable but wonderfully meaningful,” said Sister Marianne, a canon lawyer who guided the Tribunal as its first non-clergy director for a dozen years […]