Sister Marie Fujan was born five days before Christmas and was named Mary Bell since she was deemed the new Fujan family Christmas bell. Sister Marie was the middle child of five with three brothers and one sister. Growing-up on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, to Bohemian parents, Frank and Marie Fujan, her childhood was robust and filled with chores, chickens and gardening.  One of her favorite childhood memories was playing football with her brothers. She remembers wearing her snow pants even in summer to protect herself from getting tackled in the backyard. Another special family memory was being a junior bridesmaid for her sister, Delores, who was eight years older. Sister Marie was very elated to be selected and adored the honorary blue hooped skirt dress for the special occasion.

Sisters Andrine and Andriette Schommer were born in Munich, North Dakota, in a family of nine children of German heritage. As identical twins, they shared everything. Twins ran in their family on their Father’s side. When asked what’s life like as a twin, they respond by saying “What’s life like not being a twin?  We’ve never known it any other way!” 

It’s 8:30 pm on a Tuesday evening at St. Paul’s Monastery. Sister Catherine Schoenecker is making her rounds of the common areas with her holy water. Similar to every other night at the Monastery, she “blesses the house,” including the offices, the meeting rooms, and all the other places people gather during the day. She loves her quiet little walks around the Monastery.