Sister Joanne Yankauskis, OSB.
My name is Sister Joanne Yankauskis. As a member of Red Plains Monastery I find that our prayer and work, community and solitude, hospitality and leisure give me the balance I need in my journey of seeking God, while also reaching out to others in service. My vocation to monastic life was given birth within my family. We worked, played and prayed together and that is what a monastic community does in its search for God.

Most of my ministry takes place here at the monastery. Being vocation minister for the past 13 years enabled me to walk with women in their search for God. Developing and maintaining our community website has been a challenge and one that I have learned from others experience and also just plain trial and error. Keeping it updated and informative keeps me on the alert. Facilitating group retreats and the first year of spiritual direction training are other areas I find enjoyable.

One of my hobbies is photography. You will find my pictures on our website and also on greeting cards available at the monastery. It gives me joy to share some of God's beauty around us with others.

I came to Oklahoma from Massachusetts in 1979 to participate in a summer missionary experience. When I met the community I decided this was where God wanted me to be and where I felt I belonged. Even after 25 years in Oklahoma, I still miss the lapping and breaking of the ocean waves and the seasons of the year in New England.