Five Sisters of St. Benedict celebrate jubilees

The Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove recently celebrated the jubilees of five sisters and honored their fidelity to the monastic way of life.

Benedictine Sisters Mary Bede Betz, Mary Lucien Dippel and Dorothy Wargel are celebrating 60 years as women religious this year, and Sisters Lucia Betz and Norma Gettelfinger are celebrating 50 years in religious life.

The jubilarians entered the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Ind. When the new Benedictine community was established in Beech Grove, the sisters transferred to Our Lady of Grace Monastery and became founding members.

Sister Mary Bede Betz was born in Schnellville, Ind. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the former St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, Ind., and also studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

She began her teaching career at St. Benedict School in Evansville, Ind., and also taught at Christ the King School in Indianapolis, St. Mary-of-the-Knobs School in Floyds Knobs, the former St. Paul School in Tell City, the former St. Michael School in Bradford, the former St. Michael School in Cannelton, the former St. Martin of Tours School in Siberia and Perry Central School in Leopold, Ind.

Sister Mary Bede retired to the monastery in June 1999, where she performs many tasks for the community.

Sister Mary Lucien Dippel was born in Evansville, Ind. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the former St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, Ind., an Associate Degree in Nursing at the former Indianapolis Central College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Spalding University in Louisville, Ky.

She began teaching at St. Anthony of Padua School in Clarksville and also taught at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs School in Floyds Knobs, the former St. Paul School in Tell City, the former St. Joseph School in Sellersburg and Transfiguration School in Florissant, Mo.

Sister Mary Lucien changed her ministry due to the need for nurses, and later worked at St. Paul Hermitage and Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove as well as at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville.

She retired in 1996 although she continued her nursing duties in the health care department at the monastery. She also serves as one of the receptionists for the monastery.

Sister Dorothy Wargel was born in Mount Vernon, Ind.

She began teaching art classes at the former Assumption School in Indianapolis and also taught at St. Bartholomew School in Columbus, the former St. Michael School in Cannelton, Holy Name School in Beech Grove and St. Roch School in Indianapolis.

Sister Dorothy also taught at St. Theresa School in Evansville, Ind.; Washington Catholic School in Washington, Ind.; and the former St. Peter School in Montgomery, Ind., all in the Evansville Diocese.

She retired to the monastery in 2000 after nearly 53 years in the classroom. She continues to share her artistic talents with her religious community and performs other duties at the monastery.

Sister Lucia Betz was born in Schnellville, Ind. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from St. Benedict College and a Master of Science degree in Education from Marygrove College.

Her first assignment was at Christ the King School in Evansville, Ind. She also taught at Christ the King School in Indianapolis, St. Anthony of Padua School in Clarksville, St. Bartholomew School in Columbus, St. Joseph School in Corydon, St. Ambrose School in Seymour and St. Barnabas School in Indianapolis.

Sister Lucia later became a director of religious education at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis. She currently ministers as the pastoral associate and director of religious education at St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis.

Sister Norma Gettelfinger was born in Palmyra, Ind. She attended Immaculate Conception Academy in Ferdinand, Ind., and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at the former St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, Ind. She also received a Master of Arts degree in Education at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Sister Norma began teaching second-grade at Holy Rosary School in Evansville, Ind. She also taught at St. Bartholomew School in Columbus, St. Ambrose School in Seymour, Holy Name School in Beech Grove and St. Anthony of Padua School in Clarksville.

She also taught at the former Assumption School, St. Pius X School, Christ the King School, St. Barnabas School, St. Anthony School and Our Lady of Lourdes School, all in Indianapolis.

After retiring from teaching, Sister Norma worked in food services at St. Paul Hermitage. She presently works in food services at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center. †