Sister Marie Ballmann, OSB
I grew up in Missouri, the third of six children. My older sister entered the community ahead of me. Although we served in various locations around Oklahoma, we now live together at the monastery.

My life in community has seen many and varied ministries - elementary and high school classroom teacher, elementary school principal, parish pastoral ministry, Benedictine Peace House Staff, Prioress of the Sisters of Benedict for twelve years. Today I am Ministry Coordinator for the Community's ministry of spirituality. I am a spiritual director, trainer of spiritual directors, and a retreat director.

In 2003, I was privileged to be part of a two member AIM (Alliance for International Monasticism) team to go to Mtwara, Tanzania to teach English in a secondary school for native sisters for three months. During the summer of 2005 I returned to Tanzania for six weeks to work in three locations with the same community to strengthen English skills among the sisters and to teach workshops on Lectio Divina.

For relaxation, I enjoy reading, a good conversation, doing needlepoint, computer games, and strolling our beautiful grounds to enjoy nature. I enjoy watching movies, television, ice skating, and attending the symphony and the ballet.