Updated: 7-4-2020
Dear Friends, Family Members, Employees, Alumnae, Oblates, and Volunteers of St. Scholastica Monastery:

In this life of constant flux, we have more COVID-19 news to give you.

It has been nearly four months since St. Scholastica began to shelter in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in the community, and we are grateful that no sisters have been infected.

Unfortunately, we learned today that one of our employees has tested positive for the virus. As a result, sisters will be taking further precautions and quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus. We will be in strict quarantine through July 18th. The Monastery gift shop will not be able to assist with online shopping during this time. Every sister will be tested, and all of our on-site employees will be required to get tested. If anyone who has been in contact with the community and holds concern, we encourage you to please get tested.

Please pray for our employees and us during this challenging time!

Again, we want to emphasize that no sisters have been diagnosed with the virus at this time.

As a result, the monastery will be closed to the public for the foreseeable future. We believe that in these uncertain times to keep great faith. Thank you very much for your prayerful support!

Sister Ethel Marie Sonnier, OSB

Sister Ethel Marie Sonnier, age 85, died June 14, 2020, at Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

The family of John L. Sonnier and Isabelle Thibodeaux Sonnier welcomed their daughter, Ethel Marie, into their family January 13, 1935, in Church Point, Louisiana. Sister Ethel Marie entered Immaculate Conception Convent in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 2, 1950. On June 17, 1973, she transferred her vows to St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sister Ethel Marie taught at St. Anne’s High School for one year she served as Religion Teacher at St. Gabriel Parish in Kansas City, Missouri and at Maria Immaculata School in Houma, Louisiana. For nineteen years, she served on the core team at Hesychia House of Prayer in New Blaine, Arkansas. In 2014 she moved to the monastery infirmary and later to Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Sister Ethel Marie’s gentle and quiet, gentle presence and deep spirituality endeared her to many. She loved playing the guitar and composed many spiritual songs. She became involved in clowning ministry and loved to dress up as ‘Tot’ and perform simple mime programs at the monastery and in area nursing homes. She had a deep love for her French Acadian heritage.

Sister Ethel Marie is survived by her sister, Clara Darbonne, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Allen Joseph Sonnier, Wilber Joseph Sonnier; and sisters Rosa Mae S. Williams, Marie Louise Sonnier, Mary Leora S. Oak-ley, Mattie D. Sonnier, and Betty Ann S. Sparks.

The Mass for Christian Burial for Sister Ethel Marie will be a private cer-emony due to Covid-19. Please remember Sister Ethel Marie in your prayers.

Many Thanks To You!

We would like to thank you for checking in on us and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We are grateful and we will continue praying for the needs of the world.