Annual retreat

June 4, 2016

Renew Your Spirit Here, Now

claudia-singing-with-prayer-book-open

Our annual summer silent retreat – directed by Father Joel Rippinger, OSB – was a graced time. Father Joel Rippinger, OSB shared topics that stem from our common life as Benedictine Monastics.

We share his talks here, as an online retreat for you. We hope they speak to you, and help lift you in whatever direction God calls.

Enjoy, and God bless.

Day #7: Peace and Joy in Community

Day #6: Work: Making Something Beautiful for God

Day #5, afternoon: The Grace and Mercy of Reconciliation

Day #5, morning: Hospitality: A Sacramental Grace

Day #4, afternoon: What Makes a House a Home?

Day #4, morning: Celibacy: Our Radical Choice

Day #3, afternoon: Need the Latest iPhone? Maybe Not!

Day #3, morning: The Ultimate Reality Check

Day #2, afternoon: Why Practice Obedience, Silence, Humility?

Day #2, morning: Why pray?

Day #1, opening: Being Who We are Meant to Be

June 12, 2015

Day #5: Where does Jesus fit in?

sunrise-for-blogBy Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

In every age we need to rediscover Jesus. Who is this person who so changed those he lived with that his legacy changed the course of human history?

The Incarnation

First, if God is in all – sun, moon, river, creatures – then where is God not? The entire created matter of the universe is incarnate. Jesus did his best to help us see this. Continue Reading

June 11, 2015

Day #4: Sin in an Evolving World

apple-and-sinBy Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

To define sin according to what we might remember from our grade school days may not be useful.

That is, despite what we may have been taught, sin is not the result of the devil trying to lure us away from God. (Just recently, one of my preschoolers claimed the devil made him do his misdeed. I set him straight.)

Sin is our own doing.

Continue Reading

June 9, 2015

Summer Retreat Day #2: Our Creation Story

By Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

sunrise-over-treesAn overnight rain gave way to dappled sunshine and diamond-tipped grasses bobbing in the morning breeze.The Sisters gathered in the community room for Day #2 of our silent summer retreat, coffee in hand, smiling and nodding at one another.

We relish this time together to just … be. And today’s talk addressed the meaning of that word, “be.” Who – what – are we? Continue Reading