For over 1500 years the Rule of Benedict has served as a guide for ordinary men and women who want to live a full and intense Gospel life.
Benedictines prefer nothing to the love of Christ. We know God is present in everyone and in everything. Therefore, our lives are characterized by deep reverence and praise for all of creation. Living humbly before the greatness of God enlivens us and draws us to peacefulness and joy.
Communion with God comes through all aspects of our lives.
Our community prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist, is the life-giving source of energy and charity.
In our community life and ministry we serve God. Through hospitality we welcome Christ in everyone, especially the sick, the stranger and the broken.
Personal study and praying of the Scriptures forms the spirit of each Benedictine. The Gospel is our guide.
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters in the United States have our priory center at Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk, Nebraska. We are an independent priory, closely connected with our worldwide congregation, with the Generalate in Rome. Our Prioress, Sr. Pia Portmann, and her council make up the leadership team in the United States.
The missionary identity of our world-wide congregation is easily seen in the cultural diversity among us. Sisters from seven different countries call the Norfolk Priory "home."
This diversity lived out in unity awakens us to the beauty of God's creativity and to an awareness of the needs of God's people throughout the world. Here in the States our missionary task is focused on helping to build up and strengthen Christian communities. We participate in the task of re-evangelization. Our active ministries are in health care, education, pastoral and social services, in our outreach to the poor and in spiritual support to those around.
We are called to serve where the Church is in need. We are challenged to awaken the sense for God in our contemporary society and to make others aware of the integral salvation of the world offered by God in Jesus Christ. This call draws us to a large range of ministries in Norfolk.
The demographics of Norfolk is changing. With these changes the ministry seems to become more demanding and diversified. Our sisters continue to serve in parish ministry, health care, education, and Hispanic ministry. Click titles below for more information on each ministry.
Recently there has been a sharp demographic shift in population in Northeast Nebraska. Corporations have hired large numbers of Hispanic men and women to do labor-intensive work. These Hispanic immigrants need spiritual and financial support, understanding and compassion. It is through the love of Christ that we are called to solidarity with the poor and that we have an open heart for their needs.
Currently one sister is employed full-time in this challenging and expanding ministry in Norfolk. Her outreach includes:
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Religious formation of children and adults
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Personal affirmation, assertiveness training and counseling to Hispanic women
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Language interpretation in health care, legal and social service areas
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Assistance in finding affordable housing and social service programs to meet their needs
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Immigration counseling and advocacy
