Ecumen St. Benedict's Community - Monticello

03/23/2026

WEEK 3!
We’re continuing to celebrate National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that healthy eating is possible for everyone, regardless of budget or resources. This week’s focus is all about practical, affordable ways to stay nourished and support your wellbeing. Read more and try this week's recipe (garlic herb shrimp)!

We’re continuing to celebrate National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that healthy eating is possible for everyone, regardless of budget or resources. This week’s focus is all about practical, affordable ways to stay nourished and su...

03/16/2026

It was great meeting so many wonderful people at the Big Lake Community Expo!
💚

03/16/2026

We’re continuing our month‑long celebration of National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that good health begins with reliable, science‑backed information. With so much nutrition noise online, it can be hard to know what (or who) to trust. That’s why Week 2 is all about finding guidance rooted in evidence—not trends.

Read more and try this week's recipe!

We’re continuing our month long celebration of National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme— “Discover the Power of Nutrition”—reminds us that good health begins with reliable, science backed information. With so much nutrition noise online, it can be hard to know what (or who) to tru...

03/10/2026

We’re excited to share some big news at Ecumen!

Ecumen’s Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Cyrus Batheja, EdD, MBA, RN, FAAN, as our next President & CEO.

With this selection, Ecumen is building on a long and powerful legacy of mission-driven work serving older adults and strengthening our position as a leader in a rapidly changing health care landscape. A registered nurse, Dr. Batheja brings deep experience – starting at the bedside in senior living and leading large clinical teams.

He’ll officially join Ecumen on March 23, and we can’t wait to welcome him across our communities.

As she retires from Ecumen, we extend our sincere gratitude to Shelley Kendrick for her outstanding leadership and service to Ecumen and those we serve. She guided us successfully through COVID, hospice expansion and the transition of St. Benedict’s Communities from CentraCare to Ecumen. She championed a people-first culture and mentored countless team members during her tenure. We wish her all the best!

Join us in welcoming Cyrus to Ecumen. We’re excited for this next chapter and the continued growth and strength of our work.

Read more in our blog.

SHOREVIEW, MN (March 10, 2026) — Ecumen, a nonprofit provider of living spaces and services for older adults, today announced that its Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Dr. Cyrus Batheja, EdD, MBA, RN, FAAN, as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. [read the ful...

03/09/2026

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—is all about simple, everyday choices that help us feel our best. This month we’ll be sharing weekly highlights featuring practical nutrition tips and spotlighting on one of our amazing Ecumen dietitians—plus their favorite healthy recipe! Are you ready to Discover the Power of Nutrition with us? 🌿🥗💪
Read more and try this week's recipe!

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme—“Discover the Power of Nutrition”—is all about simple, everyday choices that help us feel our best. This month we’ll be sharing weekly highlights featuring practical nutrition tips and spotlighting on one of our amazing Ecumen diet...

03/02/2026

Peter Gallatin, our Director of Spiritual Care, shares this Spiritual Thought for the Week:

I love watching the snow and ice melt no matter where I am...on a lake, by the river, or even into the storm drain in front of my house.

Nothing stays frozen forever. In our lives sometimes we feel "frozen" unsure of what to do next. We too are invited to trust gentle small movements of our own lives as we begin to "thaw." Each moment can be a moment of renewal, no matter how big or small.

May you recognize the grace in slow melting!

02/25/2026

Join us as we explore the many transitions life brings—both the challenges and the opportunities for growth. These supportive gatherings offer space for grief support, education, and meaningful connection with others who have experienced losses of various kinds, including the death of a loved one, shifts in independence and residence, changes in relationships, and other significant life changes.

Led by Ecumen Hospice staff, our time together provides a compassionate environment to share stories, learn new insights, and walk alongside one another as we navigate grief and discover new beginnings. There is no cost to attend and these events are open to the community. No registration is required.

Learn more here --> https://ow.ly/zR7a50YmauZ

02/17/2026

Residents and their families were invited to our movie theater to watch “Happy Feet” over the weekend. Everyone enjoyed the movie, popcorn and beverages! 🎥🍿

02/16/2026

Thank you to Mayor Lloyd Hilgart for the heart shaped chocolate chip cookies! Our residents had a "sweet" Valentine's Day because of you. ❤️🍪

02/13/2026

Team Members were grateful to join forces with "Wish of a Lifetime from AARP" to deliver roses and cards to our residents making sure everyone felt loved and honored today. They received lots of smiles and appreciation in return. 💞

02/13/2026

Wondering what the newest Dietary Guidelines really mean for your daily nutrition? Explore the simpler, whole‑food‑focused updates designed to support healthier habits—guided by the expertise of Toni Swanson, Ecumen’s Corporate Dietitian. Read more here:

Wondering what the newest Dietary Guidelines really mean for your daily nutrition? Explore the simpler, whole‑food‑focused updates designed to support healthier habits—guided by the expertise of Toni Swanson, Ecumen’s Corporate Dietitian. [Read the full story here]

02/10/2026

Our residents enjoyed a fun-filled day with blackjack, roulette, War, dice, and horse races—all paired with some delicious chili! 🌶️

It was a great way to break up the winter blues and share some laughs together. Everyone had a fantastic time!