Posted on by — Leave a comment

SISTER ALICE O’BRIEN

Sister Alice O’Brien, OSB, age 75, a member of St. Scholastica Monastery, died suddenly at Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab on October 17, 2020. Alice Grace Birkenfeld was born on March 9, 1945 in Amarillo, Texas, to John and Doris Moore Birkenfeld. She attended St. Joseph School in Amarillo for her primary education and then St. Mary’s Academy for high school.

Alice married Daniel O’Brien in 1963 and had six children. After her divorce in 1984, she studied to be a registered nurse and then received a bachelor’s degree in health arts from St. Francis College in Joliet, Illinois, all while lovingly raising her six children. For many years she worked as a registered nurse and was active in St. Thomas Parish in Elkhart, Indiana. Her favorite volunteer activities were with the pro-life movement.

Sister Alice loved her work as a nurse. After receiving an annulment of her marriage, she entered Our Lady of Peace Monastery in Columbia, Missouri, on August 3, 2000, where her sister, Sister Rose Maria Birkenfeld, was prioress. She became a novice in 2001 and made temporary profession on August 15, 2003. While in Columbia, she was vocation director and worked at a nursing home. On March 17, 2008, she transferred to St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and renewed her temporary profession on August 15, 2008. On June 24, 2011, she made perpetual profession.

In the monastic community in Fort Smith, Sister Alice served as an assistant in the Infirmary, as a spiritual director, as assistant vocation director, and as formation director. She offered her talents as hairstylist after joining the monastery. She also took classes through the Little Rock School of Theology and volunteered at Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center in Fort Smith. She was well known for her Santa’s Coffee Cake, candy cane cookies, and crocheted angels and tops for hand towels which were all popular items at the monastery’s annual bake sale. Sister Alice balanced well her love and devotion for her children and grandchildren with her faithful commitment to her monastic duties as a member of the St. Scholastica community.

As her health declined, Sister Alice moved to the Infirmary and then to Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Daniel O’Brien; her son, Daniel; her brother, Charles Birkenfeld; and her sister, Sister Rose Maria Birkenfeld. She is survived by her sons, Stephen, Christopher, and Andy (Charda); her daughters, Tamara O’Brien and Cynthia O’Brien; her daughter-in-law, Arlene; many beloved grandchildren; her brothers, Martin Birkenfeld (Loretta) and Howard Birkenfeld (Annette); her nieces and nephews; and members of her Benedictine community.

The Mass for Christian Burial will be private due to Covid-19 with Father Les Farley as the presider. Arrangements are under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Homes.

Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Alice O’Brien’s Memory
via secure PayPal

Posted on by — Leave a comment

SISTER DOLORES RACHEL DIETZ

Sister Dolores Rachel Dietz, age 85, died June 7, 2021, at St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, Arkansas. The family of Gustave and Helena (Jansen) Dietz welcomed their daughter, Dolores Pauline, into their family on September 26, 1935 in Happy, Texas. Upon being received at St. Scholastica Convent on June 24, 1953 she took the name Sister Rachel. Later she legally changed her name to Dolores Rachel. Sister Rachel was a member of the monastic community for sixty-six years.

In Arkansas she taught at St. Anthony’s School in Ratcliff and St. John’s School in Brinkley, and in Missouri at St. Michael’s School (later changed to St. Gabriel’s School) in Kansas City. She worked in religious education in McGehee, Arkansas, Fort Smith, and Springfield, Missouri. After receiving a Masters in Social Work from St. Louis University, she served as a clinical social worker and therapist in St. Louis and at St. Pius X Parish in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

From 2001 to 2011 she served as subprioress in the community. She continued her work as a counselor and spiritual director. In 2008, she began participating in an Ignatian spiritual director formation program through the Sisters in Piedmont, Oklahoma, and then initiated the program in Fort Smith. She continued organizing and teaching in the program until the month before she died. Through this program, many participants deepened their spiritual life, and many were trained to be spiritual directors.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Theology at Mundelein College in Chicago, Illinois and her Master’s degree in the Psychology of Religion from the University of O’Hara in Ontario, Canada. Sister enjoyed reading, cooking, hiking, movies, singing, playing dominoes and cards, and attending plays and musicals. She was gifted in growing orchids. Sister Rachel was dedicated to those in AA programs and sought to serve the underprivileged. She was close to her family and loved to share stories of her many experiences.

She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Phillip, John, Sylvester, Alfred, Richard, and James; and her two sisters, Rita Fogarty and Louise Chisum. She is survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews, loving friends, and members of her Benedictine family.

Due to Covid-19, Mass for Christian Burial for Sister Rachel will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, 1315 S. Albert Pike Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.Donate In Sr. Dolores Rachel Dietz’s Memory
via secure PayPal

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sr. Stephanie Schroeder OSB

Sr. Stephanie Schroeder, age 91, a member of St. Scholastica Monastery, died December 7, 2023, at St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sr.  Stephanie was born September 25, 1932, in Windthorst, Texas, to Ben and Sophia Humpert Schroeder and she was named Florentine Lucy.  She was the fifth child of eleven born to the Schroeder family.  Sr. Stephanie entered St. Scholastica Monastery as a candidate on August 29, 1951, joining her sisters, Sr. Barbara and Sr. Marietta, as a Benedictine.  She was given the name Mary Stephen but later changed her name to Stephanie. Following her novitiate, Sister Stephanie made her first profession on June 24, 1954, and her final profession on June 24, 1957.  Sister Stephanie was gifted in teaching and providing spiritual direction. She loved parish ministry. She spent many years as the liturgist for the monastic community. Her love of the liturgy was a part of her life until God called her home to life eternal.   Her ministry as a teacher took her to Paris, Atkins, Fort Smith, Russellville, Brinkley, Rogers, and Clarksville in Arkansas, and Moberly and Lebanon in Missouri for many years. In Springfield, Missouri, she taught for two years, then became a Pastoral Minister and Director of Religious Education.  Sister Stephanie was Vocation Director from 1989 to 2002. She was the Liturgist and Sacristan for thirty-five years at the monastery. She accompanied people as a certified spiritual director.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Avila College in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1970 and her Master of Pastoral Arts and Liturgy from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, in 1979.  Sister Stephanie continued learning throughout her life in many programs, including The Institute for Retreats and Pastoral Ministry,  Formation in Ministry of Monastic Spiritual Direction, Healing Trauma, Gifts of Prayer and Spiritual Direction, Understanding Teens, Parent Effectiveness Training, RCIA for Catechumens, and Benedictine Conferences for Vocations and Formation.

Sister Stephanie was known for making delicious coconut cakes, snacking on raisins and fig newtons, and tending to the monastery rose garden. Her hobbies included crocheting, listening to classical music and symphonies, and playing various card games. Sr. Stephanie was a gentle, creative, and approachable person. She loved taking quiet walks in nature and possessed a lovely singing voice.  She truly knew what it meant to live the Benedictine life as she often guided souls in discernment for their life call and as a spiritual director. She was dedicated to her family, faithfully keeping in touch with family and friends through letter-writing and telephone calls.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Clarence Schroeder, Elmer Schroeder, Raymond Schroeder,  Brother Leonard Schroeder, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey, and Sisters Barbara Schroeder and Marietta Schroeder, OSB.  She is survived by her sisters, Sister Regina Schroeder, OSB and Mary Rose (Schroeder), and her husband, Bob  Lehmann; her brothers,  George and his wife Ann Schroeder;  Bernard and his wife Emily Schroeder, her sister-in-law, Anita Schroeder; many beloved nieces and nephews and the members of her Benedictine family.   A Vespers Service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.  The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., with Father Jerome Kodell, OSB, as presider and Fr. Joseph Chan, chaplain, as concelebrant. Both services will be at St. Scholastica Monastery Chapel, with interment in St. Scholastica Cemetery Columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, 1315 S. Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72903.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sr. Miriam Hoffman OSB

Sister Miriam Hoffman, age 92, a member of St. Scholastica Monastery, died July 10, 2024, at Chapel Ridge Health &  Rehab in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Sister Miriam, born April 11, 1932, in Altus, Arkansas, to Paul and Gertrude (Koerdt) Hoffman, was named Lucille Marie.  She was the fifth child of seven born to the Hoffman family.

Sister Miriam entered St. Scholastica Monastery as a candidate on August 29, 1947. Following her novitiate in 1948, Sister Miriam made her first profession on June 24, 1950, and her final profession on June 24, 1953. 

Sister Miriam was gifted in hospitality, nurturing both body and soul in the culinary fields.  Sister Miriam served in the dietary departments of two hospitals: in Dermott, Arkansas, for four years and in Morrilton, Arkansas, for thirty-eight years.  In 1994, she served as the monastery dietary manager for the second time until her retirement in 2012.  She served in this role for a total of twenty years.

She attended Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri, in dietetics and food service.  As long as she was able, Sister Miriam enjoyed cooking, sewing, and creating various arts and crafts.  She was an excellent mathematician. She loved to read the local newspapers where she ministered. She was a hard worker and made tasks seem effortless. She was known for creating beautiful jubilee cakes, tasty grape pies, wonderful cinnamon rolls, and a unique bread made with  Mr. Dunn’s abundant long, skinny green beans. Sister Miriam was a gentle and approachable person with a hearty sense of humor. She truly knew what it meant to live Benedictine hospitality. She was dedicated to her family, faithfully keeping in touch with family and friends through letter-writing and telephone calls.   

The Sisters at St. Scholastica Monastery thank Sister Miriam’s caregivers at St. Scholastica Monastery Infirmary and Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab for their loving care.

She was preceded in death by her parents: her siblings,  Hermina and husband, Dr. David Cheairs; her brother Paul and his wife, Grace Hoffman; her brothers Raymond, William, and Charles; and her youngest sister, Jane Rose, and her husband, Thomas McHale. She is survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews, friends, and members of her Benedictine family. 

A Vespers Service will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.  The Mass for Christian Burial will be Friday, July 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., with Fr. Joseph Chan, monastery chaplain, presider. Both services will be at St. Scholastica Monastery Chapel, with burial in St. Scholastica Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, 1315 S. Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72903.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sr. Marcella Schmalz OSB

July 5. 1920 – July 29, 2024

Sister Marcella Schmalz, age 104, a member of St. Scholastica Monastery, died July 29, 2024, at Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sister Marcella was born July 5, 1920, in Carbon City, Arkansas, to Ed and Helen Agnes Blunk Schmalz. She was named Marcella Carolina. During her teen years, she moved to California where two of her sisters lived and worked. While there, she became a beautician, but the call to religious life she had felt since she was eight years old never left. Sister Marcella heeded the call and entered St. Scholastica as a candidate on August 11, 1943. She was given the name Mary Benoit and made her first profession June 24, 1946. She made her final profession on June 24, 1949.

During her years of mission work, her work centered mostly around cooking and the diet kitchen. She lived out her calling as a Benedictine in different areas of Arkansas and Missouri, including Lake Village, Atkins, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, the Bishop’s residence in Little Rock, the hospital in Van Buren in Arkansas and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Boonville, Missouri. In 1971, she moved to Canyon, Texas, where she became a founding member of St. Scholastica’s daughter house, St.

Benedict’s Monastery. Sister Marcella contributed forty-six years to the work of the Benedictines in Texas. In Canyon, she served as vocation and oblate director, subprioress, cook-dietician, organist, and gardener. At St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo, she served in pastoral care. After the closure of St. Benedict’s Monastery in 2017, Sister Marcella returned home to St. Scholastica.

Sister Marcella’s deep monastic spirituality, hospitable spirit, and peaceful presence endeared her to her community members and the people of Canyon.  She was a wonderful cook and bread maker and hardworking gardener.  A fall in the garden caused serious damage to her right wrist and hand.  Despite surgeries and much therapy, she was never able to regain use of her right hand.  She worked hard to learn to use her left hand and continued her usual duties. The only change was that she needed more help.

Her 100th birthday was in the Covid year of 2020, so her party was an internal community event.  On July 5 this year, 23 days before her death, the community and staff at Chapel Ridge had a big party with the Sisters, friends, and residents at Chapel Ridge. She greatly enjoyed celebrating with everyone.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Alice Schrivner and husband, Dave; Hilda Nehus and husband, Gary; Irene Upchurch and husband, Carl; Roy Schmalz and wife, Mary; Estella Etzkorn and husband, Albert. She is survived by her beloved nieces and nephews and the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica.

 A Vesper Service will be at 7:30 p.m. on September 19 and a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on September 20 with Father Jerome Kodell, OSB, presiding.  All services will take place at St. Scholastica Monastery.  Interment of her cremains in St. Scholastica’s new columbarium will be at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery’s Continuing Care Fund, 1315 S. Albert Pike Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.