By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Sitting next to the fireplace in the community room recently, I could hear the heat kick on, the cold wind blowing outside (which has given me extra days off school), voices rising and falling in the kitchen. I heard but did not listen. Listening means much more.

As a Benedictine Sister, I deeply value listening. St. Benedict begins his Rule with, “Listen with the ear of your heart.” It means active listening … active pondering … active supporting, or obeying, if appropriate. It means, ultimately, doing. Continue Reading

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

During my last few days of Christmas vacation, I drove to Chicago to visit Sister Belinda, a friend I have made through Benedictine conferences and gatherings such as the Under 55 group. She’s a member of St. Scholastica’s Monastery in Chicago. We stayed at the monastery’s lake house.

We enjoyed long conversations, coffee (and the internet) at a little cafe, and daily hikes. One hike was in a beautiful, snowy forest preserve … only I missed the beauty for a bit. The snow was too deep – and the path too uncertain – to look up! Continue Reading