Brittany Petrik
A monastery's legacy lives on through an intergenerational campus that reimagines care across the lifespan.
“We were never designed for empires. We were made for the village. For soil beneath our feet. For eyes that see us. For relationships where we are known—not followed, not marketed to, but truly seen. For circles that remember how to care.”
—Angell Deer
This belief—that we thrive through care, connection, and community—has always lived at the heart of The Village of Harmony Hill. Today, that heart beats louder, as children and elders grow side-by-side.
A New Chapter of Care: Harmony Hill Breaks Ground on a Generational Legacy
On a sunlit evening, the air at The Village of Harmony Hill was filled with something extraordinary: the squeals of toddlers, the quiet pride of community leaders, and the knowing smiles of women who have dedicated their lives to service. In that moment, the mission of the Sisters of the Mother of God Monastery came full circle—not ending, but expanding.
Their vision, planted decades ago in the sacred soil of Watertown, South Dakota, has grown into something no one could have imagined: the county’s largest early learning program for children from birth through 4th grade, built on the grounds of a monastery known for elder care. But to those who know the Sisters, it makes perfect sense. “We’ve always been about care,” said Sister Barb Younger, Prioress of the Mother of God Monastery. “Whether it’s infants or elders, our mission is to serve life at every stage.”
At the grand opening ribbon cutting, Sister Barb led the crowd in prayer–hands raised to the heavens as a blessing over Our Little Village Learning Center.
From Monastery to Model Community
What began as a quiet religious community has become a 485-acre campus unlike anything else in the region. The Village of Harmony Hill now brings together a Catholic religious community, a nonprofit organization, senior living, and early childhood education—each woven into one layered, faith-rooted mission of holistic care.
More than just buildings or programs, The Village of Harmony Hill is a living model of intergenerational community. Children at Our Little Village Learning Center reach for helping hands just steps away from the very monastery where generations of Sisters once quietly lived out their mission of service. Retired residents stroll past playgrounds where children laugh, climb, and explore. Moments of everyday joy now unfold in places once reserved for contemplation and quiet purpose—bridging the past and present in gentle, meaningful ways.
This isn’t just a childcare center—it’s a strategy. By anchoring an early learning program within an aging services campus, the Sisters are meeting the community where its needs are most urgent—and most interconnected.
By offering on-campus childcare, The Village of Harmony Hill is not only supporting working families, but also retaining caregivers, attracting new team members, and easing workforce shortages. This effort directly strengthens elder care by sustaining the caregiving workforce and infusing it with renewed purpose. Just as importantly, it revitalizes the Sisters’ faith-centered legacy—ensuring that as their population ages, their mission continues to serve life at every stage.
Michael Klatt, Strategic Advisor and Chief Operating Officer at The Village of Harmony Hill, noted that what makes this project so unique is that most aging services providers wouldn’t attempt it. “But we believe in building an aspirational aging services model—one that inspires hope, supports working families, and brings new energy to senior care through intergenerational connection.”
A Vision Rooted in All Stages of Life
At the heart of Harmony Hill’s expansion lies a belief that care should never be confined to a single generation. The Sisters of the Mother of God Monastery have long devoted themselves to aging services—but with the addition of Our Little Village Learning Center, their mission has come full circle.
“This isn’t just a childcare center—it’s part of our campus vision,” said Sister Barb Younger, Prioress of the Mother of God Monastery. “It’s intergenerational. It’s deeply rooted in what the Sisters have always stood for.”
That vision lives not only in the architecture of the 485-acre campus, but in its spirit—where elders and children share space, purpose, and even laughter. Sister Barb captured this beautifully, noting that the presence of both children and elders on campus creates a spectrum of wisdom and wonder—“from the innocent insight of a child to the lived experience of a senior.” She reflected that this intergenerational design gives us “great bookends,” and that “how we fill in the rest matters. What an honor it is to bring meaning and purpose to people of all ages.”
Sister Eileen shares a playful moment with a little one at Our Little Village Learning Center.
A Community-Wide Commitment
The journey to opening Our Little Village Learning Center wasn’t without challenges. It took a coalition of state, city, and county leaders, nonprofit partners, donors, and business owners coming together to address a community crisis.
When a beloved local childcare center faced closure, the Sisters turned to a guiding question that has shaped their ministry for decades: “How can we serve?” With a campus already meeting healthcare and senior living needs, adding a childcare center aligned seamlessly with their intergenerational vision. But early momentum proved slow, and funding was uncertain.
Everything changed when the Sisters stepped forward—pledging $500,000 of their own funds and donating both the building and land. Their act of faith became a catalyst to change. Soon after, city and county officials, the South Dakota Works loan program, and numerous local businesses and individuals stepped forward in support of their vision, igniting one of the most significant community investments in Watertown’s recent history.
Watertown Mayor Ried Holien captured the spirit of the moment during the grand opening, reflecting, “In the Bible, God rejoices to see the work begin… I’m pretty sure that today, God is going to rejoice in seeing the work mostly done. I’m just so thankful to see this begin and the blessing that it’s going to be for years to come.”
The Road Ahead
Krista Beauchamp, Senior Living Administrator, reflected on the significance of this evolution: “With the addition of Our Little Village Learning Center, The Village of Harmony Hill is now a place where people of all ages can thrive together. Few healthcare environments can claim that. It brings joy, purpose, and connection in ways that are deeply human and profoundly healing.”
It also underscores the legacy the Sisters are leaving in Watertown: not just in ministries past, but in the continued, evolving care that will define the 485-acre Harmony Hill campus for decades to come.
More development is already on the horizon. And just as they have for generations, the Sisters remain faithfully focused on what’s next—listening closely for the knock, and answering with open hands.
“The Sisters want to influence a legacy that reflects their work, but asks us how we can make a difference in the lives of others. If we can use this land and resources to continue investing in our team, develop the best in leaders and strengthen governance, we can carry out their vision and mission. There will come a day when the last nun departs from this earth in this community. We need to be ready to say we are prepared and ready to carry forward on that day and do our very best to honor their legacy.
—Michael Klatt, Strategic Advisor and Chief Operating Officer, The Village of Harmony Hill
And so, The Village of Harmony Hill continues—quietly bold, deeply rooted, and preparing to carry forward a legacy of care that will shape generations to come.
Sister Teresa Ann enjoys a sunny moment with little ones, bringing care and connection to the youngest at Our Little Village Learning Center.
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