Our Sisters began their new lives as the Benedictine Sisters of St. Placid Priory under the presumption that they would be following the model of their founding house—St. Benedict's Convent. Plans were drawn up for the new Saint Placid Priory with High School and College for women. Sisters continued their own education with these plans in mind. The first phase of fundraising and development resulted in the completion of the new St. Placid Priory and High School, opened in 1961.

Unfortunately our Sisters had long cultivated a strong foundation of prayer and discernment, as our future was to be one of surprise upon surprise. The Second Vatican Council challenged our Sisters to explore and return to our monastic roots. The Sisters began the arduous and painful process of renewal: the Liturgy of the Hours was revised into the vernacular and a period of experimentation began that would last for many years. Our faithful and talented musicians met the challenges of everchanging liturgical expressions, learning new music and eventually beginning to compose their own original music for Mass and Office.

The Sisters returned to original monastic sources, gleaning wisdom for contemporary culture. Sisters attended the Benedictine Institute for Sacred Theology along with other graduate programs in theology and pastoral ministry. In a desire to be one with the laity, the Sisters let go of their religious garb; our life commitment was no longer quite so public. Community living, continued fidelity to prayer and the ever-changing needs of the local Church became our primary concerns with a renewed focus.

Our ministry commitments began to expand and diversify. Sister Damaris Zander and Sister Mary Walczewski became nurses, serving within the Priory and at St. Peter's Hospital. Our ministry of teaching expanded: Sister Eymard Imbiorski joined the staff at St. Martin's College, Sister Leonissa Imdieke began teaching English as a Second Language and Sister Angela Hoffman taught at the Pacific Science Center before pursuing her Doctoral Studies.

New expressions of pastoral ministry emerged. Our Sisters, including Sister Ann Notch, Sister Mary Giles Mailhot, Sister Claude Rieland, Sister Magdalen Kiefel and Sister Lucy Wynkoop, began to serve as Directors of Religious Education, outreach to the sick and homebound, and as Pastoral Associates. One also served the Archdiocese as a consultant and another in the Tribunal. Sister Joan Helm ministered to the women in prison at Purdy. Several of our Sisters moved into retreat ministry. These and other ministry experiences prepared us for what would become our tradition: change and adaptation!

The Sisters realized that the depths of change were more than ever anticipated; more layers of the onion were still to be peeled back. The community moved into a new level of radical discernment. St. Placid High School was no longer a viable ministry. The building had severe limitations, especially in light of the direction the community sensed the Holy Spirit was leading us. Forms of monastic leadership were being reconsidered. A greater desire for pastoral ministry at the monastery remained alive.

1985 became a pivotal year. After years of Sr. Jarlath Rademacher's leadership through challenging times, the Community began a series of painful and hope-filled changes. St. Placid High School was closed; the Priory Spirituality Center and Priorywood Daycare were opened. And with Sister Magdalen Keifel's assumption of leadership the following year, the twists and turns began anew.

For Sister Laura's other articles, go to
Living Lectio: Pioneering Years
Living Lectio: Founding
Living Lectio: An Ancient Identity Emerges