Meet Ben and Maggie Sonnek: Embracing Stewardship and Life Together in Sauk Centre

When you move to a small town like Sauk Centre, it can be difficult to get to know people, and introducing yourself can feel slightly awkward. It may seem easier to simply slip into the background — unless, of course, you move to town to work at the local newspaper. In that case, you have no choice but to get to know people and introduce yourself. Our Lady of the Angels parishioner Ben Sonnek found this out when he moved to Sauk Centre in 2019 to write for the Sauk Centre Herald.

“I had to go in headfirst,” says Ben, who is now the editor at the Herald. “I had no choice.”

Ben’s wife, Maggie, moved to Sauk Centre after the couple married on Aug. 23, 2019.

When Ben first interviewed for the Herald, one of the places he visited was Our Lady of the Angels.

“I told the Lord, ‘I did my part, and now it’s Your turn,’” he says.

Ben and Maggie love Sauk Centre and the strong Catholic community and parishes. They have found home here and are thankful to have been welcomed with open arms. Their son, Eoghan, is 18 months old.

The couple first met as students at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. Ben grew up in the New Ulm area, and Maggie spent much of her childhood in Virginia, though her family moved around because her father was in the Army and her mother was in the Navy. Maggie has six siblings, and Ben has three.

When Ben first interviewed in Sauk Centre, he noticed right away that the town was “not too big and not too small.” The Sonneks live within walking distance to both St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels, which they enjoy.

“We love the fact that there are two Catholic churches in town,” Ben says.

“The people here are just fantastic,” Maggie says. “Everyone is so friendly, and we have made some really great friends.”

The couple was quick to get involved at both St. Paul’s and Our Lady of the Angels in various ministries. Maggie shares her singing talents as a choir member and cantor at both parishes. She also helped with Vacation Bible School this past summer. Ben is a member of the Knights of Columbus and also serves as an usher and altar server. They also attend the young adult group, Breaking Bread.

“I’ve been singing all of my life,” Maggie says. “When I moved here, it was just natural that I would get involved in singing at church.”

Ben and Maggie both love small-town life. Maggie got a taste of small-town life in college, and she knew she’d love to one day make her home in a place like Sauk Centre. Maggie loves to visit local shops, especially Jitters Java Cafe and Hidden Treasure. She also enjoys drawing in various mediums, while Ben enjoys reading and writing. In their free time, they love to walk together to a local park.

The couple looks forward to continuing to teach Eoghan the Catholic faith. For now, he loves walking to and from church with mom and dad and listening to the bells during the Consecration!

Ben, Maggie and Eoghan Sonnek