The Benedictine Sisters of Florida is a story filled with individuals who have not simply done for others, but have found their true calling in the Being Benedictine and in doing for others. Today’s Sisters stand on the shoulders of the strong women who went before them. Their lives are guided by the Spirit of God and the Benedictine tradition.
The following is an introduction to each of the Sisters. You are welcome to get to know the Sisters better with a scheduled visit to Holy Name Monastery at your convenience. We’ve included the dates of their birthdays and would love to know yours. It’s always nice to get a greeting card on your “special day!”
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Sister Roberta Bailey, O.S.B., Prioress
In 1959 Sister Roberta began her career as a classroom teacher and has taught infants through college level students. Sister has been in educational leadership since 1970. She founded the Montessori schools in St. Leo, Florida and at Blessed Trinity in Ocala. She serves as the prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. Sister Roberta also serves on the board of Saint Leo University; is a board member the local Chamber of Commerce and Sunrise of Pasco and on the Foundation Board of Pasco-Hernando Early Learning Coalition. She was a governor appointee on the Florida’s Universal Pre-K commission. Sister is a frequent lecturer on a variety of topics such as parent education, early childhood development, stress management, and humor. Sister Roberta is the past editor of the ECA of Florida journal Children Our Concern, a former member of the Tampa Oratorio Society, and St. Leo Chorus and plays a tenor recorder with her Community’s ensemble.
Sister Mary Clare Neuhofer, O.S.B., Immediate Past Prioress (1998-2010)
Sister Mary Clare was born and raised in Saint Joseph, Florida, graduated from Holy Name Academy and then entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 1956. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison, Kansas. Sister did graduate work in music at Indiana University and in Theology at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. She taught and held leadership roles in schools throughout Florida. At Saint Leo University, she has held positions as Director of Religious Programs, Dean of Women, Director of Residence Life and was Assistant to the President for Campus Ministry. Currently, Sister Mary Clare’s roles for the Community include the Director of Scholastics (sisters in temporary profession), Hospitality Minister, organist, and liturgist. She serves as Vice President for the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and chairs their Nominating Committee. Sister is also a member of the Monastic Worship Forum organization.
Sister Eileen Dunbar, O.S.B., Sub-Prioress
Sister Eileen, a native of Dayton, Ohio, attended John Carroll High School in Dayton, Ohio, and the University of Akron where she received a BS in Music Education. Sister completed an MA in German through Middlebury College. She is a seasoned traveler, having lived twelve years abroad. As an educator, Sister Eileen has taught both music and foreign language. Sister entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 1996. Her present ministry is with Saint Leo University where she works as a Data Analyst in the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research. Sister Eileen is active in community ministry as a cantor, keyboardist, and liturgist. She serves as the community sub-prioress and historian. In her free time she enjoys camping, making bread, and playing the recorder.
Sister Jean Abbott, O.S.B., Treasurer
Sister Jean is originally from Massachusetts and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 1996. She is a Catholic convert and can tell you first hand her story of getting here. Sister Jean received a BSW from Saint Leo University in 2002 and served the Community as Sub-Prioress for seven years and is now the treasurer. She is the full-time Executive Director of DayStar Hope Center of Pasco County, Inc., an ecumenical non-profit that offers assistance to the needy in the East Pasco County area.
Sister Donna DeWitt, O.S.B., Councilor
Sister Donna was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey. At an early age she moved with her family to Miami, Florida where she attended Catholic schools. After high school she entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in August 1963 and made her profession of final vows in 1965. Sister Donna taught grade school children for many years until she became the Monastery Kitchen Manager and prepared the Sisters’ meals for over 26 years. She has a gift for baking which lends itself to our Benedictine hospitality. Sister continues to serve God in our community and in the monastery kitchen and teaches outside the monastery with preschoolers at Sacred Heart in Saint Joseph, FL. She ran and won a seat as a St. Leo Town Commissioner in 1997 and still serves.
Sister Dianne Wansley, O.S.B., Councilor
Sister Dianne entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 1978, having converted to Catholicism in 1976. She has a Social Studies Education degree from the University of South Florida and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry with an emphasis on Liturgy from Boston College. Sister Dianne has also completed post-graduate work at Boston College in Spiritual Direction. She taught for 14 years in public and private schools in Florida and was music minister for student Masses at Saint Leo University. Sister is an accomplished Iconographer, serves on the Liturgy Committee, provides spiritual direction for retreatants, and teaches Scholastics (sisters in temporary vows) for the Community.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Sister Miriam Cosgrove, O.S.B.
Sister Miriam moved from Michigan upon her high school graduation to join the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 1960. She taught for 20 years in Florida schools that the Benedictine Sisters staffed. Her career path led to becoming an elementary school guidance counselor in the Pasco County Public Schools. She helped children and families in that role for 23 years. Sister’s artistic talents include creative art projects, painting, calligraphy and handmade knit hats for Detroit soup kitchen patrons. Retiring from the school system in 2010, Sister’s education continued as she grew vegetables and papayas for the Community. Reading about aquaponics convinced her that this state of the art farming was going to be her new ministry. She is now Director of the Aquaponics Program at Holy Name Monastery.
Sister Mildred Gelis, O.S.B.
Sister Mildred hails from Slidell, Louisiana and came to the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 1942. She began her undergraduate studies at Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison, Kansas and completed them at Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana. She also holds a graduate degree from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Sister Mildred taught Parochial school for four years and then worked as a teacher and principal in public schools for 31 years. After her retirement as an educator in 1981, she began working in the Saint Leo University Print Shop. Eighteen years later, she again “retired” and focused her energies at the monastery. A knack for mechanics, Sister saved the Community considerable money over the years by fixing their cars and other equipment. She was the official airport driver and still answers the phones at the receptionist desk. Sister Mildred is known for having ridden a motorcycle and later a scooter to and from work locally. She has a quick wit, unimposing smile and is an avid reader.
Sister Mary Romana Gomez, O.S.B.
Sister Mary Romana is originally from Belize, Central America. She joined the Benedictine Sister of Florida in 1984 and proudly became a United States citizen in 1997. Sister taught early grade school for 5 years and for 22 years worked for the Community infirmary caring for the elderly Sisters. Currently she volunteers at DayStar and cultivates one of the Community gardens. Her “green thumb” brings forth colorful flowers that keep the Community dining room inviting for the Sisters and our guests. “No hurry, No worry” is a spicy axiom that gives Sister Mary Romana her calm, peaceful composure. Sister responds lovingly and compassionately to those who are entrusted to her care at the monastery. Her shrine with candles dedicated to all the saints of heaven is testimony to her prayerful compassion.
Sister Mary David Hydro, O.S.B.
Sister Mary David entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida at Holy Name Monastery in 1964. She has a BA in Religious Studies from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and a Masters in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Sister began her career as a second grade teacher in Catholic elementary schools in Sarasota and Ocala. She served as Director of Religious Education at Blessed Trinity parish in Ocala for several years and has been an adjunct professor in the Religion Department at Saint Leo University, teaching a variety of religion courses over the years. Sister Mary David has held leadership roles in the American Benedictine Formation Conference, Pax Christi, Florida and continues as a member of the Benedictines for Peace national steering committee. She was recently appointed to the board of the Alliance of International Monasticism which helps the poor in third world countries. Currently, Sister Mary David serves as the Vocation Director for the Community and serves on the Liturgy, Peace and Justice, and Corporate Commitment Committees. Her responsibilities include Director of Oblates and Volunteers. In addition, Sister hosts Reflection Days and provides spiritual direction for retreatants to the monastery.
Sister Helen Lange, O.S.B.
Sister Helen Lange was born in Olfen, Texas in 1913 and came to us in 1930 with four cousins who would come to be known as the “Texan Five.” She got her BA in Music Education with a minor in Secondary Education and English from Barry University) in Miami, Florida. She did post graduate work at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, Texas and Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and San Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas. Sister Helen worked in elementary schools contributing to parish liturgical music through the training of choirs in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Florida. She was an educator, principal and music teacher for 46 years. Upon “retiring,” Sister then studied gerontology and held a position as Pastoral Minister, was coordinator for our Elderhostel Program and later joined the Hospice Program and was the Community Archivist. Sister always enjoys arts and crafts, helping in health care and the Development Office. Presently Sister Helen resides at Heritage Park and ministers to many of the residents there.
Sister Elizabeth Mathai, O.S.B.
Sister Elizabeth is originally from Kerala, India. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 2009 and made her perpetual monastic commitment on April 11, 2015. When she was 18 she entered the Missionaries of Charity but after many years of service, had to leave to care for her mother. Sister Elizabeth came to the U.S. seeking a religious community and eventually found her way to us. She worked at Ava Maria Preparatory School in Sarasota for five years. She currently works with “little ones” at Sacred Heart in Saint Joseph, FL. Sister also volunteers at DayStar Hope and her monastery responsibilities include assistant sacristan and serving on the Peace and Justice Committee.
Sister Margaret Mary Roberts, O.S.B.
Sister Margaret Mary was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts and came to the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in 2002. She has a BA Degree in Education and was a Paralegal until she recently changed her 14 year employment at a New Port Richey law firm to work as a Deputy Clerk at the Dade City Courthouse. A superb jazz musician, Sister Margaret Mary also enjoys reading and exercising. “My call to religious life was a childhood dream,” says Sister. A professional career in music and having a family were roads God intended for Sister Margaret Mary to travel before joining the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.
Sister Tracey Adams
Sister Tracey Adams became a novice at Holy Name Monastery in June 2018. After spending a year discerning and travelling to a number of Communities throughout the country, she felt the Benedictine Sisters of Florida was right for her. She is from Greene, New York and living for the past several years near family in Saint Petersburg. A former nurse, Tracey’s path to us has been a journey of happenings guided by God. From the age of fifteen when invited to church by a friend (the first time she heard about Jesus), Tracey has hungered to understand God’s role in her life. Advice from family, her priest, the Saint Leo Monks would eventually land her at our monastery.
After several week-long visits, Tracey asked to stay. “Living here is a balance of prayer, work, community and personal time,” says Tracey. After six months she made the decision to ask the Sisters if she could begin her Postulancy. Then on June 21, 2018 she was accepted into the Novitiate. “I arrived at Holy Name at the right time in my life’s journey,” says Sister Tracey.
AFFILIATES
Being an Affiliate is the first stage of growth and seeking for a woman who has been accepted by the Community to seriously discern her call to our monastic life through visits, correspondence and retreats.
Jennifer Hofer was born in Texas and moved to Florida at the age of two as the family wanted to be closer to grandparents and cousins. She received a BA in History and Classics from the University of Florida and a MA in History from the University of South Florida. She is currently a professor of American History at Hillsborough Community College.
In 2001 while at school in Gainesville, Jennifer realized there was something missing from her life. It was the realization that she had been neglecting her spiritual life. She began attending Mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Church and became a member of the parish through the RCIA program. In 2010 Jennifer felt very drawn to Benedictine spirituality and its emphasis on finding balance between work and prayer. She is grateful to the Sisters “as their support during my discernment process has been invaluable.”
Barbara Molloy has been with us as a live-in volunteer and oblate for over twelve years. She is a devoted Catholic who practices her faith with dedication and is happy that she can attend Mass every morning at the monastery. Barbara has six grown children and eighteen grandchildren! She worked in sales with her beloved husband until his passing. In trying to decide what her next steps would be, Barbara saw an advertisement in her parish bulletin that the Benedictine Sisters of Florida were starting a Live-in Volunteer Program. Well…the rest is history…she brings so much to the Sisters and the lives of those who visit us.
BIRTHDAYS and FEAST DAYS
The Catholic Church assigns a date out of the year for each and every canonized saint – usually on the day of their death or birth. The saints are remembered on their individual feast days with special mention, prayers and possibly a scripture reading. A Benedictine Sister chooses a saint and she then celebrates their feast day.
Sister |
Birthday |
Feast Day |
S. Roberta Bailey |
October 24 |
January 26 |
S. Mary Clare Neuhofer |
November 1 |
August 11 |
S. Mary David Hydro |
June 11 |
March 1 |
S. Jean Abbott |
October 11 |
June 24 |
S. Eileen Dunbar |
August 3 |
August 18 |
S. Dianne Wansley |
November 22 |
July 26 |
S. Miriam Cosgrove |
February 11 |
September 12 |
S. Donna DeWitt |
April 30 |
August 29 |
S. Mildred Gelis |
June 23 |
July 13 |
S. Mary Romana |
April 14 |
March 9 |
S. Helen Lange |
September 28 (105 this year) |
August 18 |
S. Elizabeth Mathai |
May 22
|
May 31 |
S. Mary Margaret |
November 14 |
October 16 |
S. Jerome
|
October 21
|
September 30
|
