Sister Stefanie places a vigil light in front of the Memorial Wall.
By Sister Mary Core, OSB
When I was growing up I loved All Saints Day, probably mostly because we didn’t have school.
It also gave me a chance to review – and enjoy – my Halloween trick-or-treat stash.
I still love All Saints Day and All Hallows Eve, but for different reasons! Continue Reading
One of the ways Ove shut others out was to talk only to his deceased wife … and plan ways to be with her again by killing himself.
Well, we had our last discussion on A Man Called Ove and we decided the old curmudgeon is likable after all.
Like every other week, there was lots to discuss! Continue Reading
By Sister Mary Core, OSB
Who would have guessed that we would grow fonder of Ove … and yet we have! Continue Reading
Sister Stefanie MacDonald plays with a young monastery guest.
Maintaining a welcoming stance is sometimes a little challenging. We don’t always feel like it!
Nevertheless, we are called to hospitality for good reason.
By greeting all as Christ, we keep our own hearts soft. We invite others to respond with openness and gentleness. And we extend God’s own welcome into the world.
Sister Stefanie MacDonald offers this 3-part method for practicing hospitality with everyone. Continue Reading
Ove and Parvaneh as depicted in the movie.
By Sister Mary Core, OSB
This session we began our discussion with heavy hearts, praying for the victims of the Las Vegas Shooting, and the continued suffering of the victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, and wild fires. Continue Reading
Sister Catherine Cleary prepares for guests at Benet House.
Hospitality opens the door of the human heart.
It makes way for deep connection.
And although we cannot expect mutual welcome, we can expect change to occur for both. Continue Reading
A “Cat Annoyance” … according to Ove.
Sister Mary Core, OSB
Our first discussion of A Man called Ove was delightfully interesting! Continue Reading
Sister Jackie Walsh says her ministry is serving Benet House guests and making them feel comfortable.
There are times when our hospitality will be stretched beyond what we feel we can offer.
It can be a fine line between others’ needs and our own.
“We have to be vulnerable enough to let someone else mess up our house for a while,” Sister Mary Core says. “To invite them in with mud on their shoes. Continue Reading
Being in a hospitable relationship with God is the first step toward being able to offer hospitality to ourselves – and vice versa!
Welcoming Jesus – while also accepting Jesus’s welcome of us – leads us to practice honesty, acceptance and kindness to ourselves.
It leads us to love ourselves, as Jesus himself commanded in Matthew 22. Continue Reading
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