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The Norfolk Priory is located in the state of Nebraska in the midwestern USA. Three stations belong to it: Wayne and Winnebago, Nebraska, and Graceville, Minnesota.
The sisters’ apostolates are various. They’ve been engaged in education since 1923 and health care since 1931. Three hospitals and two nursing homes belong to the priory. Today the hospital in Norfolk is incorporated in a regional, ecumenical healthcare center: Faith Regional Health Services (see www.frhs.org ).
Retreats, courses and meetings of every kind take place in the priory house. Many people come and go, seeking rest and peace and finding a spiritual home. In addition, the sisters work in the parish and school, help in a soup kitchen for the poor, and several devote themselves to service on behalf of the Mexican immigrants. Their fluent Spanish enables them to help in many ways.
In Winnebago, a Native American Reservation, the sisters take care of the children and teach in the mission school.
A special characteristic of the Priory is the large number of lay persons of all denominations who have joined the sisters as Benedictine Oblates. Although some live far away, many meet monthly for conferences and retreats in the priory house, and pray Vespers with the sisters. One of the sisters is the oblate directress.
The Norfolk Priory has always been generous in hospitality towards co-sisters from all over the world who come for language studies, formation or education. American sisters have been sent to Africa, China and other parts of the world.
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