Mother of God Monastery

04/19/2026

All are welcome to join us in celebrating the life of Sister Sandra Meek, OSB.

Services in Mother of God Chapel: April 22, 6pm Wake and April 23, 11am Mass of Resurrection.

Sister Sandra Meek, 88, daughter of Edward Meek and Adelaide Wallace Meek, was born on August 2, 1937, in the farm home a few miles north of Oldham, South Dakota and given the name Regina Mary. Sandra died on April 15, 2026, at The Village of Harmony Hill after a life permeated by her spirit of wisdom and compassion.

Her early life was sadly traumatic due to a house fire when she was six, resulting in the death of her mother and two-year-old sister, Joyce. Her father suffered life-threatening injuries in the fire requiring months of recovery. Regina, with her three surviving brothers, Jim, Bob, and Bill were cared for by grandparents and aunts and uncles for years.

Sandra lived with her grandmother until she was 16 years old and then moved to Howard, to live with her father, her grandfather and her two teenage brothers. She was thrilled when her Dad gifted her with a Betty Crocker Cookbook and put her in charge of the kitchen. That led to a lifelong love of collecting recipes and creating delicious meals for others to enjoy.

Sandra graduated from Howard High School and then enrolled in the licensed practical nursing program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD. This was a pivotal year of her life because it led to two decisions that shaped the rest of her years. She realized that nursing brought out the best in her. She eventually received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, a Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, and a Doctorate in Adult Health Nursing from University of Texas-Austin.

Sandra seldom just studied; she also worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, St. Ann’s Hospital in Watertown, and hospitals in St. Cloud, Duluth, MN and Manitowoc, WI. She taught in the Nursing Departments at SDSU in Brookings and the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Her second decision at age 19 was to become a Benedictine Sister. Sandra entered Sacred Heart Convent in 1956, and was given the name, “Sister Mary Sandra”, in June of 1957.

Sandra was a significant leader of Benedictine life from 1961 to the present. She served as assistant Prioress from 1985 to 1991 and was elected Prioress in 1993 serving in that role until 1999. While serving full-time in monastery leadership, from 1985 through 1999, she was also a part-time instructor in the College of Nursing in Duluth, going one weekend each month, and then during the summer for intensive courses.

As prioress, Sandra designed and led the building of the monastery for the community, which was completed in 1997. She led us through financially troubled times toward a stability that would provide for our retirement needs well into the future.
She also served as a member of the council of the Benedictine Congregation of St. Gertrude helping to rewrite governing documents still used today across the Congregation.

Sandra was a servant leader and a wisdom woman who shaped and guided Benedictine life within our community and beyond throughout her life. She was a skilled professional but she also knew how to relax with family and friends. Three C’s captured her recreational life: cats, camping and cooking.

She is survived by her brothers, Jim (Annette) Meek and Bob Meek, sister-in-law Mary Meek, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and the sisters of Mother of God Monastery who will miss her dearly. Preceding her in death were her parents, brother Bill, her sisters Margaret and Joyce, and sister-in-law, Fran Meek.

08/04/2025

All are welcome to celebrate the life of Sister Imelda Haag with us. Liturgical wake: Wednesday, Aug 6 at 6:30pm and mass of Christian burial Aug 7 at 10:30am, both in the Mother of god Monastery Chapel.

Sister Imelda Haag of Mother of God Monastery, Watertown, South Dakota, died on July 29, 2025, at The Village of Harmony Hill in Watertown, at the age of 98.
S. Imelda was born on December 15, 1926, in Dimock, SD to Joseph Haag and Rose Haag (Oberembt). Sister was the third of seven children in the Haag family, who garnered a living as crop farmers. With the addition of pigs, cows, and chickens all the kids had chores before and after school. Between the stock market crash and the dust bowl years, 1920’s was hard for the family, and they learned to make do with very little.
The children attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic school; this is where Imelda became acquainted with Benedictine sisters from Sacred Heart Monastery. When she turned 16, she asked her parents if she could join Sacred Heart Monastery – her dad said yes, her mom strongly objected because of her age. Her mom went to the Pastor, Fr. Schmidt for advice and learned his sister was the legendary Prioress of the Yankton Benedictines, Mother Jerome Schmidt who had entered at 14. Imelda entered Sacred Heart Monastery that fall at the age of 16 with her mother opining she ought to be a cook to ensure she had enough to eat.
Imelda made first vows on June 24, 1945, at the age of 18; she took a summer course in teacher preparation and a South Dakota teaching certificate course which allowed her to teach elementary school. She taught for 30 years in Catholic elementary schools in North and South Dakota, and Nebraska, taking summer classes for 24 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Marty College. Sister prided herself on being very creative in the classroom to make learning come alive for youngsters.
On the precipice of Vatican II, Sister became a founding member of Mother of God Monastery on June 15, 1961. This was a challenging time of discovery and renewal for religious life and leaving the habit or religious garb behind allowed Imelda to “feel less separated from lay Catholics.” After 30 years of teaching, she earned certifications in religious education to teach children and adults but found out quickly that training adult catechists was “not her gift.”
After that she did a little bit of everything segueing to healthcare as a nurse aid and later an occupational therapy assistant. Imelda “retired to the monastery” in 1997 where she worked in hospitality, the gardens, and as a teacher aid at Immaculate Conception School in Watertown.
Sister Imelda loved her extended family, making time and space for her many nieces and nephews who made frequent visits and stays at the monastery, becoming close to many of the sisters.
The last lines of her 2006 autobiography note: “I hope to be increasingly grateful for all that God has given me through my family, and with the Sisters in community. There are countless others through whom I have been blessed. Deo gratias.”

07/11/2025

To all our fellow Benedictine sisters and brothers...may you be blessed today on this Solemnity of St. Benedict as you celebrate your community's contribution to the world and church! St. Benedict pray for us! Mother of God, pray for us!

05/21/2025

As the trees bloom behind him, Saint Benedict stands as a steadfast reminder of balance, peace, and rootedness.

In a world that shifts with every season, his Rule continues to ground us — calling us to listen with the ear of the heart and find God in the ordinary.

The blossoms come and go, but the wisdom endures.

05/15/2025

🌷 The first tulip has bloomed at Mother of God Monastery — a quiet, joyful reminder that renewal is always possible.

After a long winter, it returns — small, steady, and full of promise. May this single blossom be a sign of the wonder and beauty yet to unfold this spring.

04/18/2025

A truly blessed moment - witnessing the Sisters join in the Agape prayer together before their Holy Thursday supper.

04/17/2025

What a wonderful tribute to Sister Adrienne!

Join in Celebrating Sister Adrienne Kaufmann’s Inspiring Seven-Decade Legacy

https://www.mykxlg.com/news/local/join-in-celebrating-sister-adrienne-kaufmann-s-inspiring-seven-decade-legacy/article_67ed425d-bcd9-47c5-beb7-d75bf8bb9c0b.html

04/13/2025

Join Us for Holy Week Services

You are warmly invited to journey through Holy Week with the Benedictine Sisters at the Mother of God Chapel.

04/09/2025

Join us for Palm Sunday Mass in the Mother of God Chapel! 🌿

Sunday, April 13 @ 11:00am

Come celebrate the beginning of Holy Week with us in prayer and community. All are welcome!

04/04/2025

🙏 Join Us in Prayer & Support 🙏

In May 2025, eight Benedictine Sisters from across the U.S. will embark on a mission of hospitality, serving at Caridad de Corazón in Eagle Pass, TX. Their mission is to provide practical assistance while embodying the Benedictine charism of hospitality, welcoming those in need with dignity and compassion.

We ask for your prayers—for the Sisters as they serve and for those they will encounter on their journey.

💛 If your heart calls you to support this mission, you can help in two ways:
📦 Send donations of clothing, food, and personal hygiene items directly to:
Sr. Ursula OSB - 1080 Vista Hermosa • Eagle Pass, TX 78852
💻 Learn more or donate online: boernebenedictines.org/caridad-de-corazon

Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for your support! 🙏