Sister Norma Jean, Bishop Persico, Sister Rosanne
Seventy-year jubilarians Sisters Norma Jean Kingsley and Rosanne Lindal-Hynes with Bishop Persico at the diocesan-wide celebration of 2026 jubilarians. Sisters Claire Marie Surmik and Joachim Frey were unable to attend the celebration. Read about each jubilarian below.
“Sister Norma Jean, our eldest sister in age, continues to model for us what living a full monastic life looks like. Her rhythm of life is set to community prayer, meals, and events as well as Sunday afternoon drives and enjoying strong connections with family and friends,” said Sister Anne McCarthy.
Sister Norma Jean was a member of the St. Benedict Academy Class of 1949. She worked for several years before entering the monastery where she made her final monastic profession on July 16, 1959. Sister Norma Jean taught elementary and secondary school in the Erie Diocese until 1974 when she became an administrator at Camp Glinodo for a few years before returning to teaching. She eventually moved into pastoral ministry, first at St. Patrick Parish in Erie and then at Ecclesia Center, an outreach of the Diocese of Erie to religious and priests in need of spiritual renewal. After Ecclesia closed, Sister Norma Jean taught at St. Benedict Education Center for five years. In 2004 she returned to pastoral ministry at Heartland Hospice, and then at Lakeland Area Hospice, where she ministered until her retirement in 2015. In her community, Sister Norma Jean served as secretary to the prioress and as Scholastic Director for sisters in temporary vows.
“Sister Rosanne has spent her seventy years of monastic life embodying Benedict’s call to ‘listen with the ear of her heart’ and that heartfelt listening has allowed her to respond to her sisters, friends, and especially the poor with love and compassion,” said Sister Valerie Luckey.
A native of Oil City, Pennsylvania, Sister Rosanne entered the Benedictine Sisters two years after high school graduation and made her final profession on July 16, 1959. After many years teaching in Erie Diocesan elementary schools, Sister Rosanne transitioned into ministry with the poor as Director of Social Services at St. Martin Center in 1976. In 1978 she helped begin the East Coast Migrant Head Start Program which eventually became St. Benedict Child Development Center. Sister Rosanne heard a new call to work with women in need, first as a counselor at Community House for Women and then at Emmaus Ministries where she served as women’s advocate for thirty-five years. While living at the Erie Benedictines’ Pax Center, an intentional community that engaged in peace education, action for nuclear disarmament, other social issues, and offered hospitality to homeless women, Sister Rosanne was a founding mother of Emmaus Soup Kitchen in 1974. Though formally retired, she continues to volunteer at Emmaus, offering welcome and hospitality to guests. She is a constant presence at demonstrations and vigils calling for justice.
“Sister Claire Marie has always generously offered her genuine ‘million-dollar smile’ to everyone she meets; it is a real gift to all of us and it reflects her joyful spirit,” said Sister Lucia Marie Surmik.
Sister Claire Marie entered the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pennsylvania, in 1953. With degrees in English, education, and administration she was an elementary school teacher, a principal in a number of dioceses, and an assistant superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Scranton. A desire to serve the poor and work for peace and justice brought Sister Claire Marie to Erie and in 1988 she began the transfer process, making her final incorporation as an Erie Benedictine in 1991. For thirty-three years, until her retirement in 2020, Sister Claire Marie worked at Emmaus Ministries as Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry Coordinator. She also drove the Emmaus truck, picking up donated furniture and other goods that she delivered to the homes of the poor. For twelve years Sister Clarie Marie served as Oblate Co-Director with Sisters Karen Kosin and Lucia Marie Surmik. Sister Claire Marie was a strong advocate for the poor and for issues of peace, justice, and the climate crisis, participating in rallies and vigils for decades. “Sister Claire Marie has always generously offered her genuine ‘million-dollar smile’ to everyone she meets; it is a real gift to all of us and it reflects her joyful spirit,” said Sister Lucia Marie Surmik.
“Sister Joachim takes living Benedict’s rule very seriously,” said Sister Jacinta Conklin. “In her role as treasurer at St. Joseph Monastery, she cared for the resources of the monastery. Now in Erie, she does the same as she assists in our recycling efforts.”
Sister Joachim, a native of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, entered the Benedictine Sisters of St. Marys at St. Joseph Monastery after high school graduation. She made her final monastic profession on June 29, 1959. Sister Joachim taught preschool, elementary, and high school in the Diocese of Erie for almost thirty years before transitioning into other ministries including administrative assistant work, pastoral care coordination, and internal ministry at St. Joseph Monastery in St. Marys. She served as treasurer for her community and at Elk County Catholic High School. In January 2014 the monastery closed and Sister Joachim moved to Mount St. Benedict Monastery in Erie with several of her sisters. She transferred her vows to the Erie Benedictines and was fully incorporated into the Erie community in 2015. In the Erie community, Sister Joachim has taken on a number of responsibilities and continues to offer support services in various monastery offices.
