Meet the Sisters

Sister Helen Hergott

Current Ministry and Interests: It was about nine months after I left the education ministry in 2001 before I heard God's call to join the Chaplain Volunteer training program being offered at The Christ Hospital. Now I'm ready to begin unit IV of the Clinical Pastoral Education Program that I will complete towards the end of May 2004. During unit III, I worked part time in the Pastoral Services Department at the two St. Luke Hospitals, visiting patients, their families and interacting with staff. I look forward to continuing this ministry in the Pastoral Services Department at both hospitals.

Favorite Scripture quotation: At this point in my life the Scripture that speaks powerfully to me is from St. James 5:14-16. "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; ... pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."

Monastic Life at St. Walburg Monastery: Although a member of this monastic community since 1955, I've called St. Joseph House, the house behind the monastery, home for twelve years. I share community closely with six other sisters. We divide the usual household tasks. The monastery's morning prayer bell also calls us to prayer. Our evening prayer schedule, however, differs slightly because of individuals' work schedules. We arrange our own personal prayer time. During dinner we enjoy hearing the sometimes amusing happenings of each other's day. Usually Eucharist is in the morning. On Wednesday's it is in the evening so we stay for dinner at the monastery and assist with cleanup. On Saturday and Sunday we join the larger monastic group for our Liturgy of the Hours. Recreation may include some television or personal reading. Early mornings necessitate short evenings.

What I value about community life: Community life has surrounded me with people whom I would have never known and loved. Several sisters have become really dear friends. Other have given great support at different times for various reasons.

What Benedictine women have to offer: Benedictine women, with all our womanly, right brain spiritual gifts that we've been assisted to develop, serve as exemplary models for both women and men today. We are examples of people who have learned to recognize the Divine Presence in the other and to communicate in a way that others may learn to do the same.