The Journey of a "City Girl"

Sr. Maureen Niedermeyer, OSB, was born and raised in Portland. When she came to Mt. Angel in the early 1950's to enter the Benedictine Sisters' community, she was in for a few surprises.

"The day I arrived here, the wind was blowing from the pig farm and I couldn't believe the smell," Sr. Maureen recalled. "I wasn't sure I could stay, but the next day it was fine." She learned to adjust to the occasional farm smells and went on to profess vows on July 11, 1956 with six other young women.

Sr. Maureen spent her first couple of decades in teaching, at both grade and high school levels. She moved on to do parish work in the 1970's, spending 12 years at St. Paul Parish in Silverton. The pastor at the time, Fr. Cathal Brennan, suggested that she was needed to minister to the elderly who were in nursing homes. Sr. Maureen had never really wanted to be around elderly and chronically ill people because it upset her that she could not "fix" their situation. She tried to beg off. Fr. Brennan, however, insisted.

With training from Fr. Boniface Lautz in the Clinical Pastoral Education program at the Benedictine Nursing Center, and the friendship and mentoring of Loris Buccola, parish deacon, Sr. Maureen endured.

"Training for being a chaplain was hard but it was wonderful," she said.

Ironically, Sr. Maureen went on to minister to the elderly for 21 years as chaplain at Providence Medical Center in Portland and Providence's Elderplace program, which serves the frail elderly in foster homes, their own homes and assisted living settings.

"I fell in love with the people," she laughed. "When I was with people I always felt like I was in the presence of God. Those people showed me how to deal with suffering and how to have a generous heart despite your own losses. I learned to take people where they are and make that moment special."

Sr. Maureen, 72, retired from her position with Providence at the end of 2007. After taking a month to rest and pack up, she returned to Mt. Angel. The transition has been smooth, she said, and not just because the pig farm no longer exists.

"Everyone has been warm and welcoming. I still love the energy of the city, but this is home."

Sr. Maureen wasn't here long, before a new challenge and opportunity was presented: serving as music director at St. Mary Parish. Known for her many musical talents, Sr. Maureen was pleased to accept this 20-hour a week position.

"I taught at Kennedy High School in the 70's and I am glad to be back working with local families. I told the parish that it was their ancestors who invited our Sisters here, and I am very happy to help maintain that close tie."




                       

News of the Sisters

Sr. Susan Casey is teaching a class on “Women of the Bible” this spring at St. Mary Parish on Wednesday evenings. Sr. Susan continues to serve in a variety of other ministries at the Monastery.

Sr. Robin Lynn Evans has assumed the position of Maintenance Manager at Queen of Angels Monastery. She is responsible for all the buildings and infrastructure. Sr. Robin Lynn replaces Sr. Mechtilde Fennimore, who held this position for a total of 25 years, which included two major renovation projects.

Sr. Joseph Fennimore has been named Liturgy Coordinator for Queen of Angels Monastery. Sr. Joseph also serves as Formation Director and formerly worked as Director of Pastoral Services at Providence Benedictine Nursing Center until her retirement in 2004.



                      

Provide Support for the Benedictine Sisters

Want to provide support for the Benedictine Sisters in painless, hassle-free way? The Sisters have enrolled in eScrip, a program that pays a percentage of purchases made at participating merchants to non-profit groups like the Sisters. If you shop at Safeway and have a Safeway Club Card, you can enroll in the eScrip program and have a percentage of your everyday grocery purchases donated to the Sisters every time you use your Club Card. To enroll, log onto www.escrip.com and go to the “Members/Supporter” section. Follow the directions under “Register Now” – the Benedictine Sisters Group ID # is 9614388. There is no cost to you!

Prioress Donna Marie Chartraw and Sr. Mechtilde Fennimore are attending the 150th Anniversary of Maria Rickenbach, the Swiss motherhouse of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel.  The two Sisters will spend a week with the Swiss Sisters in early September. Sr. Donna Marie will also visit the ancestral home of her mother's family in Switzerland.

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