I grew up in Quincy, Illinois, the youngest of two girls and seven boys.

Before coming to Gethsemani I spent four years in the Army and attended college for a while.

The simplicity of monastic living and the faith witness of our seniors led me here. I was also drawn by the separation from the world which fosters growth in the Spirit, the Divine Office in church seven times a day, the service of manual labor and the opportunity to learn many skills.

My date of entrance was September 18, 1991, and I have served the community as: cheesemaker for seven years, baker for a short while, and now cellerar supervising all the maintenance and upkeep of the abbey.

This quote from St. Benedict’s Rule sums up my life and aspirations: “Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in the monastic life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom. Amen.” (Prologue, vv 48-50)