I first met Kraig Windschitl three years ago when he came to Duluth to give an organ recital at a local church and sought hospitality at our Monastery. At supper on the first night of his stay he told the Sisters that he was form New Ulm, Minnesota. Knowing that New Ulm was just a stone’s throw from my hometown of Sleepy Eye, the Sisters invited me to join them at their table. Kraig and I have been fast friends ever since.
Kraig Windschitl and Lisa Maurer, “Fast Friends”
During our first conversation we talked a great deal about our families, friends, and old stomping grounds. Throughout the evening Kraig asked me numerous and probing questions about my vocation, my journey to St. Scholastica, and Monastic life. Somewhere in the discussion I asked him if he was discerning a vocation to religious life and he shyly said “yes.” Turns out that was the first time he had ever said that to anyone! The rest, as they say, is history. On September 11th I was privileged and most honored to be at St. John’s Abbey for Morning Prayer when Kraig was admitted as a Novice. During the service my “old friend” Kraig was given his “new name” Theophane and he was dressed in the monastic habit of the Monks of St. John’s Abbey. I pray that Kraig (I should say “Novice Theophane”) will be greatly blessed with grace and wisdom, patience and joy, courage and perseverance.
Sister Lisa Maurer
Sister Lisa Maurer was born and lived in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, before entering the Monastery, She taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa made her first Monastic Profession in August 2009. She currently ministers at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth.