The Mission of the Saint Bede Development Office

	Raise public awareness about the monastic life and ministries of the Benedictine Sisters of the Saint Bede Monastery
	Develop and maintain personal connections with those who support the sisters' charism of prayer, work, hospitality, and stewardship
	Develop financial support for the Sisters of Saint Bede Monastery

Developments

As the nation - and world - continues to struggle with economic crisis, we are reminded of challenges faced by many of our donors and friends. Beyond the pinch on pocketbooks, the toll is causing to make choices about healthcare, mortgages, education and a host of life's necessities.

At Saint Bede the Sisters cope with prayer and ministries that touch others. But, like many of us, they also are reducing costs wherever possible. An ongoing concern is providing for the care and comfort of their senior members who have devoted their lives to prayer and service to others.

Their concern is tempered by the generosity of friends old and new. Their careful stewardship over resources - an essential part of their Benedictine heritage - is especially evident as the Sisters plan for a future in a smaller, more manageable monastic home. Their discernment, in various ways, involves every one of the community's 29 members.

Meanwhile, the Sisters continue to give thanks for the blessings of friends, donors, volunteers, advisors and other friends. Saint Bede Center, with its ecumenical focus on spiritual and other programs, continues to welcome guests.

February 14th saw another successful Celebrity Banquet, ninth in the "Beyond the Hill" series held at Eau Claire's Best Western Hotel and Suites. And on Sunday, May 15th, an estimated one hundred friends Lay Associates, donors, volunteers, advisors and others turned out for the Sisters' Donor Appreciation Event. Ten days later, at La Crosse, the Saint Bede Community was honored by Catholic Charities with its prestigious "In My Name" award. Then, during March 25th - April 12th, the distinctive St. John's Bible Exhibit, part of a four million dollar project of the Benedictine Abbey and University at Collegeville, MN, delighted hundreds of visitors to Saint Bede Center, one of four Wisconsin sites to show care this remarkable blend of religious art and text.

Spiritually, through Benedictine hospitality and services that touch many lives, this 29-member monastic community remains vibrant, welcoming and open to all who visit here.

Briefly...

• Please remember in your prayers Development Advisory Council Member Missy Candlochen, who died at Clairemont Nursing and Rehabilitation. Missy was retired from Sacred Heart Hospital where she worked as a nurse and later as a ward clerk. Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 28th at Saint Bede Chapel.
• Congratulations to Jane Mueller, Development Advisory Council member who, in January, was named to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau federation Board of Directors.
• To conserve resources, the Sisters have approved a new publications schedule for Tidings and seasonal solicitations. The spring and summer issues of Tidings now are combined to save printing, returned mail and other costs during the vacation season when many readers are not at their home addresses. The Annual Recognition of Donors will be included with the fall Tidings, to be mailed in late August.

- James A. Schwartz, Director of Development

Stewardship is Our Signature

At Saint Bede, all donors have a stake in the ministries of the Sisters and are considered special friends. That's the major reason for stewardship of resource.

Since the establishment of the Development Office in late 1986, the Sisters have maintained a personal touch in acknowledging and thanking donors large and small. Historically, they and their intentions also have been recorded in the Sisters' Book of Prayer and recognized at daily liturgies in Saint Bede Chapel.

Stewardship letters, which are updated to reflect seasons and liturgical calendar, always contain a personal note from the Prioress or Sisters most affected by a gift to a ministry or project. In large respect, the Development process at Saint Bede Monastery is a personal, ongoing, interactive process.

Since 1987, Donor of the Day recognition has been a hallmark of the Sisters' stewardship of the generosity of others. Each donor, on a specific day of the month, is recognized by name and celebrated in the prayers of the Sisters. Sister Monica Mai, who supervises Buildings and Grounds at the monastery, serves on the chaplaincy staff of Sacred Heart Hospital and also maintains this program. She said it takes about four-to-five years to designate a date for each of our several thousand donors.

Prayers of gratitude have always been a part of our Benedictine way of life," Sister Monica said. "We are happy to make special mention of our donors at our Morning Praise. We can never be grateful enough for the generosity of our donors. Our prayers ask God to send our donors special blessings."

In recent years, donors, volunteers, lay advisers and others have been joining us on the March Sunday nearest St. Patrick's Day. This Donor Appreciation Event, which features lively musical entertainment and treats prepared by the Sisters, is the Benedictines' special "thank you" to their many friends and neighbors who in various ways help sustain their ministries and monastery.

James A. Schwartz, Director of Development and Linda C. Dekan, Assistant Director

Messages from Donors

"I'll never forget the great contribution these retired sisters have made to the hundreds of kids they helped along the road of life."

"The Sisters of St. Bede's gave me many values that I find meaning more and more to me each day. I hope my wife and I can pass on to our children the values and faith the sisters showed to me in my youth."

"I feel so lucky to be a part of this."

"We consider your program a vital part of the community and we are pleased to be able to assist you in your goals."

Learn more about gifts to the Sisters of Saint Bede Monastery:
James A. Schwartz, Director of Development
(715) 834-7130
Saint Bede Development Office
PO Box 66 - Eau Claire, WI 54702