Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the July 7, 2005 edition of the Inland Register)

Benedictine Sisters Angela Uhlorn and Mary Marge Goeckner commemorated five decades of service in a golden jubilee celebration at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho, on June 18.

“I entered St. Gertrude because the Sisters were always there — friendly, good teachers, ready to answer my questions,” said Sister Mary Marge (left), who is originally from Keuterville, Idaho, and attended St. Gertrude Academy as a student. “And even in hard times, they were happy people.”

Sisters Mary Marge and Angela first made vows of profession in June 1955. Sister Mary Marge was elected prioress of the monastery after more than 20 years of teaching in places such as Boise, Pocatello and Minot, N.D. She later served for nearly 20 years as chaplain to several hospitals in Spokane, including Sacred Heart Medical Center, Valley General Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital and Holy Family Hospital.

Sister Angela (right) entered the Monastery of St. Gertrude in 1953 at 18. A lifelong educator and pastoral associate, she taught in several schools throughout Idaho, including Lewiston, Genesee, Cottonwood and Nampa. After a teaching assignment at the Colegio San Carlos in Bogotá, Colombia, she later initiated the monastery’s parish ministry program by serving as pastoral associate to parishes in Caldwell, Boise and Jerome, Idaho, among other places. She especially enjoyed her work with Idaho’s Hispanic community.

“I remember feeling like I wanted to embrace the whole world and somehow I sensed that monastic life would give focus and direction to that expansive yearning,” said Sister Angela. “It seemed to me that the sisters influenced many people in positive ways through healing and teaching, and I wanted to participate in that.”

The Monastery of St. Gertrude is a Benedictine religious community that has served the Northwest and other locations for more than 123 years. This community of more than 60 Sisters is committed to following the Rule of Benedict by living out the values of hospitality, simplicity and peace. Active ministries include prayer, care of the land, counseling, education, healthcare, parish ministry, retreats and social services.

For more information about the Monastery of St. Gertrude, please visit the website: http://www.stgertrudes.org