“We are mindful of You in our ways.”

anne-at-food-pantry

Sister Anne Newcomer, OSB stocks peanut butter at a food pantry.

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Sister Stefanie’s Advent Scripture Study begins today. Read the readings and ponder them. Feel free to comment here, or – if you’d rather have a private conversation – email her at smacdonald@smmsisters.org. She’ll get back to you right away!

Are we mindful of God??? This line from today’s first reading makes me wonder. Do we – do I – put God first? Or do we put our false idols first? Do we even know? Continue Reading

Be Watchful, Be Ready … Like Me

katie-and-audreyBy Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

The meaning of the words in the title of this reflection, “Be Watchful,” fills my heart with caution and trepidation this season. I have a personal reason.

Recently having just returned from a walk with my sister, Audrey, who has Alzheimer’s, I turned away to hang up our coats. In the instant my back was turned, I heard screams and thump, thump, thump. Audrey had started down the stairs and fell, bouncing on three steps before we could rescue her.  Continue Reading

When the Preparing, Waiting and Staying Awake are Over

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

Buzz words about Advent pop into our minds when we reflect on the season.  “Prepare, Wait,  Be Ready, Stay Awake.”

As Matthew asserts, “You must be prepared for at an hour you do not expect, the son of Man will come.”

My reflections this season have focused on this. My own Sister sister, my sister-in-law, Sisters dear to me here in the monastery have all faced God in ways that I have not (yet).

How do we stay alert and awake for the Lord’s undeniable coming? Continue Reading

Always preparing to meet the Lord

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

ADVENT 3rd Sunday, 2013: 1st reading Is 35:1-6a, 10; 2nd reading James 5:7-10; Gospel Mt 11:2-11

I was visiting my friend, a Benedictine Sister, who was being cared for on our Health Care Floor. Just the day before, she had tacked a note to our bulletin board telling us a Hospice nurse would be coming to the monastery to care for her.

While I had known she was seriously ill, she never indicated how bad it was and I did not ask.

The news caught me off guard.  Continue Reading

Using time – however long you have – wisely

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

ADVENT 2nd Sunday, 2013: 1st reading Is 11:1-10; 2nd reading Rom 15:4-9; Gospel Mt 3:1-12

John the Baptist makes striking appearance wearing camel’s hair, a leather belt, and eating locusts and wild honey.

But his words are more than striking. They are shocking: Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! Prepare the way of the Lord. He will gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire!

Again we hear what we heard last Sunday. BE PREPARED. Continue Reading

Emmanual: God is (personally) with us

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

ADVENT 1st Sunday, 2013: Ist Reading –Is. – 7:10-14; 2nd Reading – Rom 1:1-7; Gospel – Mt 1:18-24

Along with our wonderful health care nurses, I assist my younger sister, who has Alzheimer’s.

To me, Audrey is charming and precious and loving despite the ravishing diagnosis.

She is the personification of Emmanuel, “God with us.” Continue Reading

Called to be Bearers of Christ to One Another

By Prioress Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB

“Mary set out, traveled to the hill country … entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.”  So begins Sunday’s Gospel, the beautifully intimate encounter of these two women both holding within themselves fulfillment of longing and promise of blessing.

The fulfillment? For Elizabeth, an old barren woman, is finally with child. For Mary carries within her womb the fulfillment of ages of longing of the Jewish people.

And the Promise! Elizabeth, will bear John who will be great in the sight of the Lord. Mary will bear Jesus, who will be called the Prince of Peace! Continue Reading