Mother of God Monastery
110  28th Ave. SE ~  Watertown,  SD  57201
Phone: 605-882-6600  Fax: 605-882-6658
monastery@dailypost.com

COMMUNITY

SISTER MARLENE MINNAERT

Sister Marlene first thought of religious life when she was a senior in High School, from reading the vocation issue of the Catholic newspaper.  After much prayer, I chose the Benedictine order because of my contact with them at Mount Marty.  I loved the Benedictines love of learning, liturgy and the arts.  Their long history and Benedictine values. 

She was an elementary teacher at St. Mary's in Aberdeen, SD; St. Mary's in Richardton, ND; Stephan, SD and Immaculate Conception School in Watertown, SD.  She taught at Harmony Hill High School in Watertown, SD in which she taught; Home-Economics, French, Religion and was also in charge of the residents.  She also was the director of Religious Education at Holy Name Church, Watertown, SD.  Later she took on the role of Assistant Prioress at the monastery and worked in the area of formation and vocation work.  She taught Scripture to students at Mt. Marty College-Watertown branch.  Currently she holds the title of Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas More in Brookings, SD and has done so since 1995. 

Some life changing events that Sister Marlene mentioned are;

•  Israel Study Program/Biblical Spirituality/MTS (Masters in Theological Studies) at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.  The study and exchange with international students and exposure to Chicago was such an eye opener for someone who had not been too far from home, except for a trip to Guatemala just before this experience.  Friendships formed through this experience continue to influence my life.  The whole experience has influenced and nourished my life ever since!

•  Thirst for Scripture study began with Barnabas Ahern, tapes; classes with Fr. Damian Kraus, OSB and an instructor through Shalom-Augustana College, further nourished through travel and Scripture Scholar like Donald Senior, CP and Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP.

•  She returned to Israel the fall of 1990 with a group that enrolled physically challenged persons to experience the Holy Land.