OSB Communicators launch video promoting Benedictine life and values

Under the leadership of Siobhan O’Neill Meluso, Director of Communications for the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, a group of communicators from Benedictine women’s monasteries have produced a video, “Benedictine Values – Modern Monasticism,” that illustrates 10 Benedictine values with photographs provided by 21 monasteries.

“When the pandemic began, I proposed the idea of a collaborative effort among Benedictine Communities. The seed was planted and support for this project grew. Through the efforts of many we are now able to highlight Benedictine life through this video. We have so much to offer the world. What better way to share our story,” explained Mary Anne Oehler, Communications and Development Director for the Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, Texas.

Although Siobhan has been convening the group of communications personnel for a few years, this is the first joint project.

Judith Sutera, OSB, a Benedictine scholar and historian from Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, was instrumental in preparing the script once the group determined the values they would highlight. The technical expertise of Amanda Hackett, Communications Coordinator, Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict (St. Joseph, MN), and Susan Damon, Development Associate, Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, TX, took the submitted photos, added Sister Judith’s narration and an instrumental track of the handbell choir of the Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN, arranged by Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 1997 and created the final product. Other committee members were Jan Gull, Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL, and Linda Romey, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA.

The premiere of the video will take place during Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14, 2021. It will then be available on the websites and social media of many Benedictine women’s communities, as well as on the Catholic Sisters Week website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.