Sioux City parishes to take up Carmelite Collection

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Jan. 17, 2008

Most parishioners in the Diocese of Sioux City are aware of the powerful prayer presence at the Carmelite Monastery in Sioux City. This weekend, people who attend parishes in Sioux City will have the chance to give support to the nuns.

Jameley Levich, vice president of the Carmelite Board, said that in giving to the collection "it helps show gratitude for all of the prayers the Carmelites offer for special needs, birthdays or anniversaries in our families. This is one way to give back."

Parishioners may extend their gratitude to the Carmelites by giving generously in the second collection which will be taken up at all Masses in the Sioux City parishes this weekend, Jan. 19 and 20.

Money raised in this collection is placed into the sisters' grocery fund. The Annual Carmelite Collection has been held the third weekend in January since 1999.

According to Levich, the collection usually yields about $20,000.

Members of the Carmel Board purchase the groceries on a weekly basis. The board consists of six representatives from each parish.

"Each parish takes a month and different ladies of the parish purchase groceries," she explained. "There is a grocery list that each of us has and you call out to the monastery before you shopping and go over the list. They tell us exactly what they need. It's very easy and very fun."

Mother Kateri Marie of the Eucharist expressed appreciation to the Carmel Board who organize the collection and to all of the laity in the parishes who not only offer financial support but prayers.

"I really think this is unique," she said. "I don't know of any other monastery that has the privilege of not having to go out and buy their own groceries. They are delivered to our doorstep and paid for. It is just beautiful."

Prior to the annual collection, when it was a parish's turn to buy the groceries, they would take up a collection in their own parish. The annual collection was established to simplify the process.

Levich noted that the Carmelites don't eat meat - in keeping with a life of poverty and simplicity - unless it is for dietary purposes.

"They eat very healthy - fruits, vegetables and request normal things like peanut butter and honey," she said.

Involvement on the Carmel Board has been a blessing for Levich.

"More people need to know the sisters because they are so joyful and spiritual. They are so kind. Their life is a life of prayer and they give up their worldly needs to help others - for whatever needs we may have," she said. "It's fun to get to know the sisters. They are so happy, it makes you realize what life's about."

Purchasing groceries is just one of the duties of the Carmel Board. They provide transportation for the nuns to doctor, dental and vision appointments as well as for special guests of the monastery such as retreat leaders. They also run errands for the nuns and provide the manpower for public gatherings that the Carmelites host, such as serving the luncheons to groups that partake in service projects on the grounds of the monastery.

Board members clean the chapel and help the nuns with mailings.

"They also represent us, the Carmelite nuns, at diocesan functions," noted Mother Kateri. "They have a display that they set up to make information about our life available to those who attend the functions."

The board hosts a Spring Salad Luncheon/Card Party and a Day of Recollection.

Board members also sell Carmelite Peace Cards. The cards cost 25 cents and contain a prayer intention card that can be filled out and returned to the Carmelite monastery with a donation for a prayerful remembrance of an individual or family.

It's not all work for the board members, though; prayer is a part of it. Mother Kateri is aware that they pray for the nuns and for new vocations. The board members also participate in Eucharistic adoration at the Carmel Chapel on the second Wednesday of every month. The intention for the adoration is for pro-life. All are welcome to participate in adoration and can attend daily Mass at 7 a.m. and Sunday Mass at the chapel.

For parishioners of the diocese who do not attend Mass in Sioux City, they may support the monastery by becoming a member of the Carmelite Guild and offering prayers for vocations to Carmel.

"The membership is open to any individuals who make an enrollment offering and then they benefit from the prayers of the Carmelites," noted Mother Kateri Marie. Membership is renewable on a yearly basis.

The Carmelites earn money through a Communion bread distribution business and a limited sewing department. At the present, they are not taking new orders for sewing projects.

Officers of the Carmel Board include Mary Pierce of St. Joseph Parish, president; Levich of Blessed Sacrament, vice president; JoAnn Breyfogle of St. Joseph Parish, secretary and Joan Rigg of St. Michael Parish, treasurer.

Mother Kateri Marie said, "We hear so much from the people who call us asking for prayers and they tell us how grateful they are that we are here for them. We want to say to them that we are very happy in this diocese and we really experience the strong support of everyone, a sense of their gratitude. It warms our hearts when we hear it but it's not us - it's the dear Lord and their faith that is winning the graces for all of their needs."