Sr. Paula Helenthal, OSB

Sister Paula Helenthal, OSB

Sister Paula Helenthal, OSB, was born in Keokuk, IA, daughter of William and Mary (Krogmeier)  Helenthal and sister to Cathleen and Joan.  She graduated high school from Alleman High School, Rock Island, IL in 1965.        

Sr. Paula received a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA 1974 and attended St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI for additional post graduate studies.  She entered the community on September 5, 1965 and made her perpetual profession on August 20, 1972.  Sister is the only present member of the last group to receive the full Benedictine habit. 

As an educator in Illinois, Sr. Paula served at St. Roch’s School, LaSalle, St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo, St. Boniface School and Holy Family School, Peoria, Holy Trinity School, Bloomington, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Monmouth.  She also taught at St. Thomas More School in Munster, IN.  For several years, Sr. Paula visited the homebound and elderly at Immaculate Conception Parish in Monmouth, IL and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Nauvoo, IL.      

Sr. Paula enjoys reading, writing, working with plants both indoors and outdoors and her pet fish!