Monastery News

St. Mary Monastery Election

Sister Christine Vladimiroff, Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Erie PA, facilitated a discernment process April 20-22, 2012 at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL, to lead the community in the election of a new Prioress.

The Chapter of Election was held on Sunday, April 22.  Sister Sandra Brunenn was elected to serve as Prioress for the monastic community until 2016.  Sister Sandra is pictured above with Sister Phyllis McMurray, current Prioress.  Sister Phyllis will be completing her second four-year term in June.  

The Installation of Sister Sandra Brunenn will take place at the monastery on Sunday, June 17, 2012.  

Sister Agatha Muggli, Vice-President and Councilor of the Federation presided at the Chapter of Election in the place of Sister Susan Hutchens, Federation President who may not preside at an election in her own monastery.   Sister Kerry O'Reilly, Saint Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN was also present during the discernment process as a student/observer.  

Sr. Sandra professed her first vows at St. Mary Priory in Nauvoo on July 11, 1962. Since that time she has served in elementary and secondary education throughout the Peoria diocese, campus ministry at the University of Illinois and in formation for her Benedictine community.

Sr. Sandra has served in her current ministry as pastoral associate of St. Marie Goretti, Coal Valley, since 1997.