QUASQUICENTENNIAL
125th Anniversary
Olivetan Benedictine Sisters in Arkansas
1887-2012
Calendar of Events and Dates
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2011
Dec.10, 11, 12 - Tridiuum in preparation for opening of Quasquicentennial Year
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. Holy Hour Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary – Blessed Sacrament,
St. Benedict and St. Bernard Tolomei.
December 13 - FOUNDERS DAY – Opening of Quasquicentennial Celebration
Tuesday 124th Anniversary, of our Foundation in Arkansas. Mass &
Dinner - Bishop, Mayor and his wife, and Community.
Click here to see the pictures!
2012
March 21 - FEAST OF ST. BENEDICT – Mass and Dinner – Special Guests:
Wednesday Abbot General, Superior from Switzerland & All Benedictines
July 4 - SISTERS OF HOLY ANGELS DAY - Community Celebration
Wednesday Vespers, Picnic at Frierson State Park
July 11 - SOLEMNITY OF ST. BENEDICT – Jubilee Day: Mass, Dinner,
Wednesday Special Guests: Relatives of Honorees
August 15 - FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF MARY - Final Vow Day - Mass &
Wednesday Dinner - Special Guests: Relatives of Honorees and all Sisters.
Afternoon Reception: Guests: Friends of Community
October 2 - FEAST OF HOLY ANGELS – Afternoon Reception & Open House
Tuesday Special Guests: Oblates, Hospital Administration, Governing
Board, Foundation Board & Convent Advisory Board
October 12 - 38th ANNIVERSARY OF CONVENT DEDICATION – Mass &
Friday Dinner – Special Guests – Diocesan Clergy
November 25 - OPEN HOUSE & RECEPTION – Special Guests, Former Members,
Sunday Parishioners, Hospital Employees, Volunteers, Medical Staff,
Ministerial Alliance & Friends.
December 13 - CLOSING OF QUASQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Thursday Community Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving for all God’s blessings
during these 125 years.
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For you reading pleasure below:
A VERY SHORT and CONDENSED
HISTORY OF THE OLIVETAN BENEDICTINE SISTERS
Holy Angels Convent
Jonesboro Arkansas
1887- 2012
The Community of the “Jonesboro Benedictines” had its origins in the Convent of Maria Rickenbach in Switzerland. In response to requests for Sisters to teach in the mission fields of America, five Sisters were sent to make a foundation in 1874 near Conception, Missouri, a little Village named, Maryville. Additional Sisters followed in succeeding years.
Meanwhile, Father Eugene Weibel, an early missionary in northeast Arkansas persuaded Bishop Edward Fitzgerald, DD, to request some of these Sister for Pocahontas, where he was pastor. The first four Sisters arrived in Pocahontas on December 13, 1887, where they established a convent and school. According to Sister Felicitas’ Hunkler’s unpublished history, the group arrived in Pocahontas with a cash fund of 75 cents. The community grew when additional Sisters came from Maria Rickenbach, and local girls joined the community.
After eleven years in Pocahontas, the Sisters relocated to Jonesboro, a thriving lumber town, served by two railroads. While the community relocated to Jonesboro, a mission house was kept in Pocahontas, as the Sisters continued to teach in St. Paul’s School. As the community grew in membership, the were asked to staff other schools
throughout the state.
By 1898, Bishop Fitzgerald had the community officially affiliated with the Olivetan Branch of the Benedictine Order, headed at Mount Oliveto in Italy. Consequently, The Sisters changed from wearing black habits (robe), to white, in honor of Mary, our heavenly mother. The community continued to respond to requests from pastors to teach in parish schools. In 1900, during the Malaria Fever epidemic in northeast Arkansas, the Sisters were persuaded to open a hospital in Jonesboro. St. Bernards Hospital was opened on July 5, 1900, to alleviate the suffering people in northeast Arkansas. Although the Sisters continued their educational ministry, the healthcare ministry has grown over these years.
Although the community will be 125 years old in 2012, It has been headed in Jonesboro for 114 years. The bond of friendship formed in 1898, between the people of Jonesboro and the Sisters, when they first came to Jonesboro to serve, the people in Jonesboro have been a welcoming group.
Sister Henrietta Hockle, OSB
December 11, 2011
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a community of monastic women, who seek God through prayer and work
in the Benedictine Tradition. Accordingly, we proclaim Jesus Christ and the
Gospel message through our service to each other in community,
hospitality, health care, education and other apostolic works.
Community Picture of 2011
( Front and Back Covers
of current Souvenir Booklet
written by Sister Henrietta )
THIS NEW PUBLICATION :
All those who sent in $10 to have name listed in Memories and Milestones,
(as Friends of Holy Angels) will receive a copy of the commemorative souvenir book,
written by Sr. Henrietta Hockle.
If your name is not listed in the book,
and you are interested in receiving a copy,
please send in name and address, along with a small donation
to cover cost of postage and handling, and you will receive a copy.
. SEND to Sr. Romana Rohmer, Gift Shop, Holy Angels Convent, P.O. Box 1209, Jonesboro, AR 72403-1209.
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Copies of the complete History of the community, “On High Ground ,“ written by Sister Henrietta Hockle and published in 2003,
will be available for the anniversary price of $10.00, plus $4.00.for Shipping and handling: TOTAL: $14.00.
Write or email to Sr. Romana Rohmer, at Holy Angels Convent Gift shop for complete book.
Holy Angels Convent, ADDRESS P.O. Drawer, 1209, Jonesboro, AR, 72403-1209 or E-MAIL to
Sister Romana Rohmer at < mana@olivben.org > or FAX (870) 935-5810.
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