Sister Nicole Kunze, Prioress
March 29, 2025
We gather as a faith community today to celebrate the life of Sister Andre. We extend our sympathy to Sister Andre’s siblings – Genevieve, Regina, Andrew, and Eva, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. You were all special to her. I also welcome Sister Andre’s friends and acquaintances from over the years. We sisters thank all of you for your prayers and support for us.
The Latin phrase Ora et Labora, Prayer and Work, is known as the Benedictine motto even though it does not appear in Benedict’s Rule. Prayer and Work would be an apt phrase to describe Sister Andre’s life in our community. You would typically find her working or in the chapel. During my time in community, her workspace was the lower-level laundry room at the former monastery. She was almost always the first sister in chapel prior to community prayer or Mass. The only time I remember seeing her watching TV was the reruns of the Lawrence Welk Show on Prairie Public.
In Chapter 48 of the Rule, the Daily Manual Labor, Benedict states, “Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the sisters should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading.” (RB 48:1) Idleness is not a word I’d use to describe Sister Andre. She was always on the move, often moving as fast as she could. Making her way through the hallways of our former monastery, you would likely just catch a glimpse of a flowing veil or habit making its way around the corner. It wasn’t unusual to see her run down a hall in her younger years. During my novitiate, I spent a morning each week working in the laundry with Sister Andre and other sisters. I can see her in my mind with the sleeves of her white habit rolled up above her elbow, allowing her to reach deep into the industrial washer full of wet towels.
In Chapter 31 of the Rule, Benedict reminds us that all utensils and goods of the monastery are to be regarded as sacred vessels of the altar (RB 31:10). Whether it was in a sacristy, her bedroom, or the laundry area, Sister Andre honored Benedict’s request. A priest commented on how you could always depend on Sister Andre’s work in the sacristy to be complete and well done. Nothing was out of place.
When our sisters finally vacated the common laundry area in our former monastery and Sister Andre’s main work went away, she seemed a bit lost. She replaced her work with a new ministry – assisting in the university sacristy and spending her mornings in the Marauders Cove coffee shop visiting with faculty, staff and students and coming home after lunch.
The first line of Mary Oliver’s poem Messenger is “My work is to love the world.” That phrase describes how Sister Andre interacted with the world. She wasn’t afraid to give anyone a hug. She also showed her love for others by sharing special treats with them. In her later years, we would find candy bars and bananas saved away in her bedroom to be shared with our housekeepers or her friends at the university. I always left my visits to see her at St. Vincent’s in a better mood because of her “love pats” on my cheeks and her forehead bumps. Those bright, dark brown eyes and warm smile always warmed my heart. Last Thursday was the last day she opened her eyes during my visit. She gave a faint smile and raised her head up off the pillow, which I interpreted as her attempt to move forward and bump my forehead. I bent down so we could do it one last time.
Sister Andre lived a full and faithful life in our Benedictine community for 72 years. Thank you, Sister Andre, for sharing your life with all of us. We are grateful for the gift you have been to us. We will miss your presence among us. May you now share in the glory of God with the saints in heaven.
