BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE

Sr. Verona Weidig,  OP

Born -- April 17, 1917
Professed-- April 30, 1937
Born to Eternal Life -- September 11, 2005

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Gertrude Rose, the youngest of nine children, was born to Nicholas and Anna Kauth Weidig on April 17, 1917 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She is survived by her sister Anne and nieces and nephews.

She was introduced to the Dominicans of St. Catharine, Kentucky by her sister Genevieve (Gene) who was in the novitiate at St. Catharine. Gertrude entered the community on September 5, 1935, and was given the name Verona. She was professed April 30, 1937.

After her profession, Sister Verona went "West" where she remained for thirty-one years teaching in the Nebraska towns of Greeley, Spalding, Ogallala, Omaha, Grand Island, Lexington and also in Missouri Valley, Iowa.  While in Nebraska, Sister Verona earned her Bachelor's Degree at Kearney State College and her Masters' Degree at Creighton, University.  In 1970 she returned to Kentucky to teach at St. Catharine College.  Her ministry expanded to the role of staff person for the Center of Reconciliation and Ecumenism and Director of Communications.  For seven years Sister Verona was the editor and publisher of Day-by-Day and Dominican News.

After the pressure of publishing she found real peace and joy in the silence and beauty of the Desert House of Prayer in Cortaro, Arizona.  At the end of her Sabbatical year of prayer, Sister Verona returned to Nebraska to begin a new ministry with Sister Elizabeth Glynn as members of the South Loup River Pastoral Team.  Along with two priests they served six parishes in all the varied roles of pastoral ministry. 

Continuing as a Pastoral Minister, Sister Verona left the plains of Nebraska in 1983 for the hills of Kentucky in St. Clare Parish in Berea.  When a request came for a principal at Kearney Catholic High School, Sister Verona responded and returned to Nebraska.  After two years she offered her services to the Las Casas Ministry in Clinton, Oklahoma.  There she tutored Indian children in public schools and worked with adult Indian classes.  Again she returned to Kentucky as the Director of Communications for seven years.  Then once again she sought solitude and prayer at the Cedars of Peace Hermitage at Loretto, Kentucky.

In 2002 Sister Verona retired to Sansbury Care Center where she continued to take an active part in the community life there and as always continued to live her life to the fullest.  In each of her ministries she gave of her heart and her talent.  Through her gift of words she shared her deep spirituality with us in journals and poetry. From her poem, "Trinity" she leaves us with this prayer fulfilled:

Father, keep the covenant you have made with me
So this gift of myself,
The very work of your hands,
Returns to you as gift.

Verona was a lover of the Earth and served on the Earth Committee for many years.  She thirsted for peace that was built on justice.  In the picture above she is shown tolling the bells as another human being from Death Row was executed.  She truly lived Pope Paul VI's words, "If you want peace, work for justice."

Sister Engelbert Allewelt, OP born to eternal life November 25, 200

Elinor "Ellie" Hartnett, OPA  born to eternal life November 17, 2005.

Sister Mary Regis Cullen, OP born to eternal life November 16, 2005.

Sister Sheila Buckley, OP born to eternal life October 9, 2005.

Sister Antonia Gallagher, OP born to eternal life September 28, 2005.

  Margaret Riedel, OPA born to eternal life September 27, 2005.

Sister Rose Vincent O'Brien, OP born to eternal life September 26, 2005.

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