Development Advisory Board

Our community officially began a development program in 2004 when Sister Cabrini Schmitz, prioress, appointed Sister Elise Forst to be development director.

What is development? We see it as inviting those who care about us to join us in what we are about and to be a part of our future. We also want to spread the word of who we are and what we are doing.

Even though we didn’t use the term development in earlier years, we’ve always been doing development. Throughout our history we have enjoyed the support of many friends, and in recent years have benefited from our faithful Oblates and Alumnae. We are now broadening and deepening those connections.

There are many ways you can support and help us here at St. Scholastica, including:

Pray for us as we move into the unknown future
Volunteer your help in areas of need
Participate in retreats at the Retreat Center and Hesychia House of Prayer
Make a financial gift to help support our monastery by a check payable to:
St. Scholastica Monastery
P.O. Box 3489,
Fort Smith, AR 72913
by electronic fund transfer (contact our business office: ravi 'at' stscho.org)
through online payment
contribute long-term, appreciated stock, bonds, or mutual funds (Contact our business office: 479-783-4147 or e-mail ravi 'at' stscho.org.)
remember St. Scholastica Monastery in your will
make arrangements for planned giving options (Consult your financial advisor, accountant, or attorney regarding the option that best meets your philanthropic and financial goals.)

For us, the most important part of development is gratitude. Every day we ask God’s blessings on all those who show their love and support in countless ways. We invite you to be a part of our life and service.

2010-2011 Development Advisory Board:

Standing: Father David McKillin, Theresa Cronan, Ravi Thiagarajan, Chief Financial Officer; Maryanne Meyerriecks, Communications Director; Debbie Bentley; Sister Elise Forst, Development Director

Seated: Tami Danielak, Sister Audrey Becker, Secretary/Treasurer; Sister Maria DeAngeli, Prioress; Kaye Bernard; Bob Meyers; Becky Meyers.

Absent: Dorothy Caldarera, Tom Caldarera, Paul Cronan

Financial
Advisory Board

Standing: Carol Geels; Ravi Thiagarajan, Chief Financial Officer; Bob Meyers, Leo Anhalt

Seated: Sister Audrey Becker, Secretary/Treasurer; Sister Maria DeAngeli, Prioress; Sisters Kimberly Prohaska, Anne Michele Raley, and Elise Forst.

The Financial Advisory Board, formerly called the Continuing Care Fund Board, advises the community on the investment and use of the Continuing Care Fund, the annual budget, and major maintenance projects.

Three Sisters and three lay people are appointed or re-appointed to the board annually.

On November 23, 2008, the Sisters expressed their appreciation for Frank Hiegel of Little Rock, Joe Nolte of Fort Smith, and John Zeiler of Conway. They were founding members of the Continuing Care Fund Board in 1980 and served faithfully and lovingly for over twenty years. The three men and their wives were invited to dinner at the monastery and each was given a clock engraved with his name and the following inscription: In appreciation for faithful loving service to your Sisters at St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, Arkansas.”

Present members: Sisters Maria DeAngeli (Prioress), Audrey Becker (Treasurer), Anne Michele Raley, Elise Forst, and Kimberly Prohaska; Ravi Thiagarajan (Chief Financial Officer), Leo Anhalt, Bob Doss, and Carol Geels.

Retreat Center
Advisory Board

Standing L to R:

John King
Sister Rachel Dietz
Clara Jane Rubarth
Delores Neuemeier
Maryanne Meyerriecks
Karin Hahn
Linda McDonough

Sitting L to R:

Suzy Smith
Sister Macrina Wiederkehr
Sister Elise Forst
Sister Hilary Decker
Kaye Bernard

Missing from photo: Mary Louise Baier, Kathryn Birkhead, John Brandebura, and Sister Madeline Bariola

The Retreat Center Advisory was formed shortly after the Friends of the Center was established in 2004. Retreat Center Advisory Board members meet three times a year and work with the Center staff to set up and promote each year’s program of retreats. They also helped build the labyrinth, design the center’s database, and raise funds through garage sales and special programs. They have coordinated volunteer groups and are presently planning to build a patio for the center.

Vocation
Advisory Board

Members (2009):

Sister Kimberly Rose Prohaska, OSB Vocation Director (Chair)
Sister Alice O’Brien, OSB Co-Chair
Sister Barbara Bock, OSB Vocation Assistant Secretary
Sister Maria DeAngeli, OSB, Prioress
Sister Elise Forst, OSB Development
Sister Dolores Vincent Bauer, OSB Formation
Sister Stephanie Schroeder, OSB Vocation Committee Rep.
Sister Pat Bolling, OSB Tech Representative
Janet Fuller
Dorothy Sullivan
Kaye Bernard
Peggy Brandebura
Deacon John Burns
Mary Burns
Paul Udouj
Joann Vonder Heide
Brother Francis Kirchner, OSB
Amanda Moore

St. Scholastica Vocation Advisory Board was established April 2007 after Sisters Kimberly Rose Prohaska, Elise Forst, and Maria DeAngeli attended a workshop for building vocations in religious communities. Those who serve on the board commit to serve on the board for three years to assist the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in promoting new membership to the community. The Vocation Advisory Board assists with Advertising needs, and vocation recruitment needs. The board is developing a survey to better assist the sisters in areas outreach and visibility. The board has established guidelines and follows the mission and spirit of the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery as put forth by the 130 year tradition of the community.

Purpose

The purpose of the Vocation Advisory Board is to assist the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in making known their mission and attracting the new membership necessary for continuing that mission.

Membership

The Board will have twelve to twenty members. The Prioress, Vocation Director, Communications Director, Development Director, and Formation Director are ex-officio members. The other members are invited to membership by the Vocation Director.

The invited members will serve a term of three years, with a possible re-appointment for a second term. A Board member may be eligible for re-appointment after being off the Board for at least three years.

Specific Duties

The Board members will commit themselves to the following:
Assist the Vocation Director in the formation of plans for all aspects of the vocation program
Become knowledgeable about the trends of those entering religious life today
Help the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery define more clearly their image and mission and assist in presenting their mission to the public
Develop effective ways to identify, solicit, and cultivate prospective members
Suggest methods of getting the Sisters and the laity more involved in vocation ministry
Share their own talents and skills and make connections with others whose resources are needed
Attend Vocation Advisory Board meetings

Meetings

The Vocation Advisory Board will meet at least three times each year.