At the heart of our Benedictine tradition lies a deep, warm and sincere hospitality to all our visitors. We listen deeply to each other, support each other's gifts, and grow together in common love and faithfulness. Learn about our monastic life.
Saint Bede Monastery is an ecumenical retreat and conference center located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. We welcome church, civic, and service groups for retreats, meetings, seminars, and workshops. In addition, the center offers a wide variety of religious, spiritual, cultural, and educational programs. Private retreats are always welcome as well!
Marriage Encounter Friends
Marriage Encounter friends welcomed in the New Year with the sisters. The hosting couples were: Lou and Don Hoeschen (top left); Ken and Sue Ripp (top right); Jan and Adolph Pichler (bottom left); and Betty and Ray Hurst (bottom right). Sue and Tim Rogge prepared a portion of the meal but were unable to be present.
Special Meal
A special meal was prepared and served by these friends as the sisters enjoyed the royal treatment. After their service they dined with the sisters.
Fun and Games
Games and visiting followed the banquet meal.
A Way of Wisdom for Troubled Times
"A Way of Wisdom for Troubled Times" was shared with twenty-five participants on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at Saint Bede Center. Bob Lesniewski, an Oblate of St. John's Monastery, Collegeville, Minnesota and Sister Michaela Hedican, OSB, Prioress, Saint Bede Monastery, shared the Wisdom of St. Benedict and the Rule. This Rule was written over 1500 years ago and sketches a wise way for people to live together.
Newman Center
 Sisters Michaela, Karen and Judy from Saint Bede Monastery joined Sister Bernadette (Hospital Franciscan) in the annual "free food" for UWEC students during the end of the semester test week on December 14.
Note the 28 empty pizza boxes in the soon to be remodeled Newman Center Kitchen!
Lay Associates Enjoy Ties with Benedictine Sisters
The Sisters’ Lay Associate program has been inviting Christian women and men to share the wisdom of a tradition begun 1,500 year ago by St. Benedict. Today, about 30 people have made formal commitments as associates or are otherwise affiliated with the program through spiritual learning, prayer, and enjoyment of the Sisters’ many forms of
hospitality.
 Ken Novak, an associate for three years, made his formal commitment last March 10.
“I‘d been invited by Sister Michaela (Hedican),” prioress and a former coordinator of the program, said Mr. Novak, a member of Eau Claire’s Sacred Heart Parish. Further encouragement came from good friend and neighbor, Mary Ann Bluem, who does development work for Saint Bede and Regis High School, and, like Ken, serves as a mailing volunteer for the Sisters’ publications.
Read full story.
In photo: Ken Novak, Lay Associate
Monastic Musings
The following is the fifth in a series of reflections on the document entitled: Wisdom from the Tradition, A statement of North American Benedictine Women in Response to Our Times.
Host, hostility, hospitality – all three words share the same root: guest. We either welcome and enliven guests or we refuse them entrance into our lives and reject them. St. Benedict’s approach to the guest is unequivocal – “All guests are to be welcomed as Christ.”RB 53:1)
In a world filled with suspicion of the outsider, apprehension of the stranger, and uneasiness with anyone who is different from us, St. Benedict’s injunction is a counter-cultural challenge.
Read full story.
Our Unfolding Future
Long ago the prophet Joel spoke of the many people who are a part of any decision. His reference to a “valley of decision” describes us, despite our living on a hill.
Our community entered that “valley of decision” when we decided to sell our monastery and property in August 2007.
Under the direction of Mr. David Mickelson local real estate agent for Century 21, this past year has been spent working with interested parties in the Chippewa Valley. In June 2009, these efforts were joined with the expertise of a commercial real estate company, Frauenshuh, Inc. from Minneapolis, MN. Marketing our facility from coast-to-coast, Frauenshuh has generated much interest.
Read full story.
In photo: Sister Michaela Hedican, OSB, Prioress
Bits and Center Pieces - Sister Judith Kramer, OSB
 The Sister who ably cooked for the six of us on “the mission” had taken a tumble and broken her leg. This greatly complicated her already painful situation with crippling arthritis. It was decided that she would go to a care center in a larger city for rehabilitation and therapy. Christmas was a couple of weeks away and the school schedule was heavy; we had double grades in bulging classrooms. The school Christmas program was to be a major production and the altar Christmas flowers and décor fell to “the Sister sacristan.” The Sisters didn’t have a car in those days so any shopping would be done on foot in the local small town. It was going to be a frantic, simple Christmas!
Read full story.
In photo: Sister Judith Kramer, OSB
Monastery’s Sale Efforts Gain
With Realty Firms’ Agreement
On July 13, 2009, agreements were put in place to proceed with the roll-out of a national scale marketing campaign for the Saint Bede Monastery property at 1190 Priory Road in Eau Claire. Over the course of the next several weeks, various marketing initiatives will be introduced as part of the re-energized effort to secure a buyer and close on a sale, including listing and marketing the property on a local and national basis. Read full story. View property information.
Center Invites Overnight Stays For Funeral,
Hospital Visitors
 In seeking to expand their charism of hospitality, the Sisters are offering use of Saint Bede Center to those needing overnight accommodations while in town to attend funerals or visit loved ones in local hospitals and hospices.
A new brochure, prepared by Administrative Assistant Mary Traynor, cites the Center’s “simple, peaceful” atmosphere and “supportive, caring Sisters and staff” in welcoming overnight stays by individuals and families. Read full story.
Our Monastery Is For Sale
St. Bede Monastery is now for sale. View property information.
As long as we can, we will continue to offer hospitality
on the hill at Saint Bede. Most of the groups considering purchasing our monastery property
share the hope of continuing some sort of welcoming and
group hosting. May our open doors continue to welcome
you!
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