Today a young woman, ”E,” arrived for a 10-day visit at the Monastery. She is from Toronto and found our Benedictine community through VISION Magazine and the internet. She has been discerning religious life for nearly 5 years and has visited quite a few communities. We have been in contact since August 2008.
Month: June 2009
Building our Faith Homes
In Spring Green, WI, there is an attraction called the House on the Rock. When I was a kid my family went up there for a visit. I remember being awed by the architecture and how the house really was oddly shaped yet intriguing. In addition, it was build on a huge rock and part of the house kind of hung in mid air.
Never Alone
Pamela wrote a response to my last blog. She is caring for her mother during cancer treatment and just started a new position working with special needs adults. Her realization is ”I cannot do it alone”. It struck me from yesterday”s Gospel that the apostles had to learn to trust Jesus and realize they had no power on their own. When they failed to trust they fell into the water!!!
A Daily Challenge: To Live with Our Eyes Really Open
The third Thursday of the month is when a group called the Challenge meets. Everyone in Challenge attended a retreat I helped direct in January that was about finding peace in difficult experiences or turmoil in life. I never dreamed that the 10 participants would find so much meaning in the retreat. Two women experienced real life giving energy from the weekend and have made significant changes in their lives. Amazing what happens when we listen to God and are open to receiving God”s love.
Jackie''s Reception into our Novitiate
Summer Benedictine Rhythm
Gardening is contemplative activity. We have beautiful grounds at the Monastery and many Sisters have their own gardens. You can often see a Sister here or there tending her garden. I have a great flower/herb garden at the Monastery and am also working with some friends to plant a new veggie and flower garden to help St. Joseph House, a home serving homeless women and children.
Scenes from the Monastery Chapel
We’re just starting to experiment with a new little video camera, and will post clips as we shoot them. Here are a couple of scenes from the chapel!
The Spirit as it Swirls
I have a glass paperweight on my prayer table that a wise women I know gave me years ago. It is round with a rich dark blue interior. The only object inside is a splash of white. It has a swirling appearance, hanging in mid air and little white specs surround it. It is almost like the energy of the object released little spots of energy.
Another Great Visit with Inquirers!
On Memorial Day weekend, two women visited the Monastery to get a glimpse into our Benedictine life. Once again, it was a valuable experience for both the two women and for my Sisters. The 2 women, KO and MS, had 2 different personalities but one heart as both are learning where God wants them to be. KO has worked and lived on her own for nearly 28 years. She converted to Catholicism in the early 90’s, owns her home and enjoys involvement in many church related activities. She is not dissatisfied but is still wondering if God is nudging her to find more. MS has lived in the U.S. for 9 years. She was born, raised and educated in the Philippines but is a US citizen. She loves teaching and is working on her Illinois certification.
monasterywisdomvocationblog.smmsisters.org 