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Member Spotlight

Jill Ackerman from Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation

Jill Ackerman
Director of Development and Communications
Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation
Bismarck, North Dakota
NCNWR Region 11

How long have you been with the Benedictine Sisters? I have been with the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery for six years. Prior to that I had the privilege of getting to know them through my work in marketing for one of their sponsored ministries, St. Alexius Medical Center.

What is the mission of your congregation? As women claiming our humanity, redeemed by Christ and empowered by the Spirit, we strive with others to respond to the challenges of the times and to further the mission of Jesus by prayer, lectio and service.

List the major ministries in which your congregation is engaged. The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery sponsor St. Alexius Medical Center and the University of Mary (Bismarck, North Dakota) and Garrison Memorial Hospital (Garrison, North Dakota). Our other sponsored ministry is Annunciation Monastery's Hospitality Center, a place of enrichment and hospitality that offers a peaceful, prayerful environment to all who come for a retreat, spiritual direction, or to participate in a spiritual enrichment program. Faith-based groups are also welcome to meet in this location.

What do you find most rewarding about your work? To me, the rewards of working in this prayerful environment are innumerable. My own faith and spirituality are deepened through the sisters and their ministries. This is indeed a ministry, not just a job. I feel called, as a layperson, to assist the sisters in advancing the mission of Jesus. I enjoy seeing and hearing about people who have been touched by the love and support of these sisters. Our sisters have been here since 1878 and they actually BEGAN education and healthcare in this region! Their courage, faith, and belief in the power of leadership among women, is a motivator in my own quest to make a difference. In this chaotic world, the sisters remain a prayerful presence on the Dakota prairie—a gentle reminder that God is always with us.

What is most challenging about your position? Recently we began our development program, which was entirely new to us, not the thought, but the action. We have made some concrete moves forward and it is rewarding to know the people of this region acknowledge the contributions the sisters have made and continue to make. All of this is a challenging process, however. I, like many (or most) of the NCNWR members, am a "Jill of All Trades" juggling development, communications, PR, database, web site and whatever needs doing. This mix of meeting deadlines, keeping up with trends and technology—always a challenge! As communicators, boredom is never an option. This is a good thing though!

What aspects of your NCNWR membership are you most appreciative of? NCNWR is truly one of the greatest assets for any communicator for women religious. The listserv has been an amazing resource for questions when you need feedback on technology or issues. This dialogue enables you to connect to someone who has already "walked through the fire" and found a better way. I have found members to be more than generous with their expertise, information and time. I can't say enough about that. Also, the conferences are terrific—packed with great information and networking opportunities.

Educational background: Associate in Arts, Marketing from Bismarck State College, North Dakota; Bachelor of Science, Mass Communications from Moorhead State University, Minnesota. Volunteer activities: Catechist and Eucharistic Minister at Corpus Christi Parish, Bismarck.

Family: My husband, Tom, is communications director at the University of Mary (sponsored by Annunciation Monastery sisters) so he considers the sisters part of our family, too! We have two daughters, Halli and Hanna, and a son, Hunter. Hunter spent the first few months of his life with me during my work at the Monastery, so we call him our little monk.

Past Member Spotlights:

Debbi Della Porta. Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community READ MORE >

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF. Sisters of St Francis of Philadelphia READ MORE >

Lisa Helene Donovan. Sisters of Notre Dame READ MORE >

Pamela Brookens. Sisters of St Francis of the Holy Family READ MORE >

Teri Bockstahler. Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo Province READ MORE >

Louise Koselak. Sisters of the Holy Cross READ MORE >

Jane Comeau. Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration READ MORE >

Tricia Buxton. Sinsinawa Dominicans READ MORE >

Kim Cavallero. Society of the Holy Child Jesus - American Province READ MORE >

Russ Mancl. Holy Cross Sisters READ MORE >

Jill Ackerman. Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation READ MORE >