Joint Ministry Statement

Dear Friends of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery and our Ministries:

Without a doubt, we are living in a time of incredible challenge – the fear, effects and uncertainty of COVID-19 as well as the recent breathtaking display of injustice in our society.  Racism, violence and inequality go against all that we stand for as one human family and who we are as Benedictines.  St. Benedict reminds us that each person is unique, each person matters and together, we are stronger as community. 

More than a century ago, our Sisters were called to a shared mission of providing education and health care to our region and beyond.  Over the years, there have been many difficult situations with some as seemingly impossible as these are today.  The constants we relied on both then and now are our unwavering faith and our Benedictine heritage from which flow our vision, insight, practical wisdom and call to community. 

This sense of community is a defining characteristic of who we are today as Benedictines.  It is that shared experience that shapes our lives, joins our hearts and hands, and gives us peace and unity.  We must always remember that with the vastness of our interdependent world, we are still one family; we believe in the common good, and justice and equality for all.  We stand strong in solidarity as we relate to each other with dignity, care and respect.

We know this is a difficult time, but one with the promise of positive change to make our world a better place.  We call on the leaders of our Ministries to be carriers of our tradition; we rely on them to continue to uphold the values we hold most dear and to strive to create a more just world now and into the future. 

Sister Beverly Raway, OSB

Prioress

Lenne Bonner CEO & President St. Mary’s-Clearwater Valley Hospitals and ClinicsJerry Carley President/CEO BenedictineDavid Herman, MD CEO Essentia HealthBarbara McDonald, EdD President The College of St. Scholastica

3 Comments

  1. JIm Laumeyer on June 17, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    Sr Barbara,
    Thank you for your inspirational message. These are very difficult times, especially since our access to churches and the sacraments have also been limited.
    Your messages gives us strong reminders that our faith will sustain us.
    I look forward to thanking you in person soon,
    Sincerely, JIm Laumeyer



  2. Greg Spofford on June 17, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    A compassionate, loving post acknowledging where people are at in terms of an epidemic, social unrest, and personal challenges. BUT then offering history and hope for healing. Thanks, and in Christ. Greg



  3. Ruth Henriquez Lyon on June 17, 2020 at 8:25 pm

    Thank you for being here and sharing your wisdom and grace with the larger community. Even though we can’t visit the monastery right now, your presence in Duluth makes living here a brighter place.