Sister M. Honora Elsen, SSND

Our beloved Sister M. Honora Elsen, 99, died about 12:30 a.m., Friday, December 29, 2017 in Notre Dame Health Care, Good Counsel Hill, Mankato, Minnesota. Up until about a week before her death, Sister Honora experienced good health, participating fully in Notre Dame Health Care activities, so even though she was 99, her death was somewhat unexpected. The funeral liturgy, with Father Eugene Stenzel as presider, will be held Thursday, January 4, at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel, followed by burial in Good Counsel Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with a vigil prayer service at 7:00 p.m. We extend our sympathy to her sisters-in-law, Eileen Elsen and Betty Elsen, her nieces and nephews and their families, her friends, former students and colleagues, and her sisters in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and SSND Associates. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth (Becker) Elsen, her sister, Sister M. Flavia (Marie) and her brothers Nick, John and Al. Sister Honora, the second daughter of John and Elizabeth Elsen, was born August 27, 1918, on the family farm just outside Loretto, Minnesota. Her parents desired that she have the grace of baptism as soon as possible, so on the day of her birth, she was baptized Cecilia Elizabeth at SS. Peter & Paul Church, Loretto. Sister Honora wrote, “I have always been proud of the fact that I was baptized on my birthday.” She wrote of her early years, “The carefree days of early childhood passed happily under the loving and watchful care of my good parents and in the companionship of an older sister and three younger brothers. The Holy Names of Jesus and Mary were among the first words I learned. . . . Living on a farm gave us splendid opportunities for spending much of our time in the healthful out-of-doors.” Cecilia entered first grade at SS. Peter & Paul School in 1923. She later wrote, “I grew to love the sisters more and more as school days passed, and I shared my little joys with them.” As she grew older, she continued, “My early decision that I would be nothing else but a sister like my own teachers was becoming stronger. . . . My older sister entered the aspiranture at Good Counsel when I was eleven. How I envied her.” Two years later, Cecilia entered the aspiranture, and following high school graduation in 1935, she entered the SSND candidature on her birthday, August 27. The following June, her sister Marie, who had to leave the candidature because of illness, re-entered the candidature. In August 1936, Cecilia was missioned to St. Matthew, St. Paul, to do her practice teaching in grade three. This was the only time that she taught elementary students. Cecilia returned to the candidature in spring to prepare for reception. On July 21, 1937 she was given the name Novice Mary Honora, in honor of a former teacher, Sister M. Honorine Gonnoring. Her sister Marie received the name Novice Mary Flavia. Sister Honora treasured her time in the novitiate as she looked forward to profession of vows. Following profession in 1938, Sister Honora’s classmates received teaching assignments, but she did not. She was asked to visit with the Mother Superior and offer herself for anything that was needed. Sister Honora recalled, “I went promptly, but even my liveliest imagination could not have surmised the outcome of the interview. I was destined to go to school at Mount Mary and major in home economics.” For the next two years she attended classes at Mount Mary and came to experience the unity of SSND, as there were student sisters from all areas of the country in residence. She earned her degree in home economics in 1940 and was missioned to Good Counsel Academy where, in addition to home economics, she also taught religion and English. She had additional responsibilities involving supervision of boarders in study hall, dormitory and dining room. She remained at Good Counsel until 1954 and, as she gained experience, she also assumed responsibility for several extra-curricular activities including Sodality, Catholic Students Mission Crusade (CSMC), Mother-Daughter Tea, Senior Tea and Laywomen’s Retreats. As Sodality moderator, she played a large role in the annual Chicken Dinner. In 2012, she was able to recall even the smallest details about the dinner for the celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Academy. She considered it a blessed experience to live in the motherhouse with its opportunities for spiritual growth. In 1949 she earned her masters degree in home economics from Stout Institute in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Sister Honora’s next teaching assignment was at St. Michael High School, St. Michael, where she again taught home economics and religion from 1954 to 1962. She earned a masters degree in theology from Notre Dame in 1961. In 1962, she was appointed Postulant Directress and Vocation Directress for the Mankato Province. She appreciated the opportunity to work with young women who answered God’s call to religious life. From 1966 through 1970, she was the full-time Vocation Directress, traveling to schools and parishes. She also visited the homes of young women interested in joining SSND. Sister Honora became motherhouse local leader in 1970 and, in 1971, returned to high school teaching at St. Mary’s High School, New England, North Dakota, until 1976. She spent the 1976-77 school year as food service director for Good Counsel Academy and then completed her final stint as a home economics teacher, this time at Notre Dame High School, Cresco, Iowa (1977-81). In 1981 Sister Honora began parish ministry work, serving one year at St. Wenceslaus Parish, New Prague. At this time, her mother reached the age of 90 and needed help. Sister Honora asked to care for her mother in her home at Loretto and began this work in 1982. While caring for her mother, she became actively involved in Loretto parish life, joining the religious education staff and the choir, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Sister Honora was grateful for this opportunity to be with her mother during this time. She returned to Good Counsel in 1987 and served as motherhouse community leader with Sister Sylvia Borgmeier until 1990. Sister Honora moved to St. Paul in 1990 and became a volunteer pastoral minister to the elderly at St. Mary’s Home. She was part of a team who worked under the direction of Sister Mary Martin Tobias, and offered a variety of services. Sister Honora commented in 1992, “After many happy years of teaching and in various areas of community service, I appreciate a ministry with less responsibility which gives me some extra time for prayer, reading, enrichment and hobbies in a small community setting with other sisters at or near retirement age.” She viewed her time at St. Mary’s as a “way of being a sign of God’s love, not only to the residents, but also to the staff members. I still feel I am an educator as I help bring persons to the fullness of their potential, even those nearing 100.” Beginning in 2002, Sister Honora again called Good Counsel “home.” For several years she helped in the sacristy, volunteered in the Development Office and other areas, and enjoyed her Loyola Catholic School third grade pen pals. She continued her hobby of embroidering dish towels and pillowcases for the Craft Fair. A dedicated Minnesota Twins fan, she also enjoyed fishing when she had the chance. After moving to health care, she daily scanned the paper for interesting news and the Family Circus comic, writing notes on small pieces of paper to share at breakfast. She was also known for her repertoire of jokes. Always positive, gracious and grateful, she possessed joy and excitement about life. Her family members were very important to her and were frequent visitors at Good Counsel. At the time of her 75th Jubilee, Sister Honora reflected, “I have learned to trust in God in all circumstances. God is ever faithful!” Sister Honora knew God’s call early in her life and was faithful to that call in return. May she now experience God’s eternal presence (and share some news and humor, too).