Sisters Of St. Benedict Install New Prioress In Ferdinand

Benedictine Sister Barbara Lynn Schmitz became the thirteenth prioress of the Sisters of St. Benedict at Monastery Immaculate Conception during a July 13 installation Mass at the monastery in Ferdinand. Bishop Charles C. Thompson celebrated the Mass and reflected during his homily on this latest occasion of the work of the Holy Spirit.

“Reflecting on the readings of today’s Mass took me back to the election of Francis as our pope earlier this year,” he said, noting that the papal conclave provided the College of Cardinals with the privacy necessary to focus on listening to the Holy Spirit during their deliberations.

“The media speculated a lot about who the next pope would be,” he recalled, “and the person chosen was not on the media radar at all. Francis was unexpected … but what a wonderful choice he was.

“Sister Barbara Lynn did not come out of left field,” he added, “but we celebrate the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in her selection. Listening to and discerning the will of the Holy Spirit has been the mainstay of the Sisters of St. Benedict throughout their service and presence in southwestern Indiana, which dates back to the 1800s.”

Sister Barbara Lynn replaces Benedictine Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau, who served 10 years as prioress at Monastery Immaculate Conception. Benedictine Sister Joella Kidwell, president of the Federation of St. Gertrude, administered the oath of office to Sister Barbara Lynn. She is also a past prioress of the monastery.

“We need to look carefully at what we have and make wise decisions for how we can best serve,” she told The Herald of Jasper, in a recent interview. “We are always adapting our ministries, so how can we best use our resources to help others? God has blessed us, and we want to share those blessings.”

Sister Barbara Lynn will serve a six-year term.