By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Jesus’ discourse goes on to reveal that there are certain family traits – ways of thinking, acting, and speaking – that identify us as God’s people and his brothers and sisters. Fr. John Meoska, OSB
Families do tend to share traits, don’t they? Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
“We live in a world that talks about individualism and then expects everyone to conform – in styles, in priorities and in ideas.(Sister Joan Chittister, Following the Path)
How ironic, to herald individualism as a badge of honor but expect everyone to be just like us. Let me tell you, choosing religious life gets you off that wheel fast. Continue Reading
By Sister Marlene Miller, OSB
Stability is one of 3 promises Catholic Benedictine women and men make at our final monastic profession.
The vow of stability is to the Sisters to whom we have promised to live, pray, support, and work with, in good times and bad, in sickness and health, into eternal life. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
“If we take it for granted that storms will come and that at various junctures in our lives we will experience real hardship, then we can prepare ourselves to endure what comes and be ready to bounce back at the first opportunity … Storms do not last forever and even in the worst storms there are interludes of respite that enable us to catch our breath and continue the struggle.” Michael Casey, The Road to Eternal Life Continue Reading
You may recognize Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB (far right) from past stories and photos. She entered in 2007 and has kept a blog for the past few years about her adorable preschoolers.
Beginning this August, she has agreed to take over vocation ministry, so she will be your Benedictine guide.
You’ll love her openness, humor, gentleness and willingness to be there for you. Here’s your first chance to get to know her a bit! Continue Reading
Register now for this informative and inspiring Labor Day Weekend Retreat
Have you ever wondered what makes an apostolic community different from a monastic community?
Come learn about the range of different Catholic Sisters’ communities located along the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
God looks down from heaven … to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 53
As we prayed this verse at Lauds recently, a question a friend had posed popped into my head. “Why have you made the choice to be a Catholic Sister when so few are doing so? Aren’t you afraid that your numbers are growing smaller?”
I’d be silly – and untruthful – to say it has never crossed my mind. But, then, there are a number of things I also think of. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
When I was visiting my aunt in Naperville, Ill., she asked me how the Benedictine Sisters recruit. Was it like the military?
I was happy to say no. We don’t stay at the door until someone signs. We don’t give the hard sell with out telling the truth that there will be difficult times. We don’t offer uniforms. Continue Reading
Photos and story by Leon Lagerstam, Dispatch-Argus
Sisters from religious communities along the Upper Mississippi River Valley stretching from the Quad-Cities to LaCrosse, Wis., are featured in the “Women and Spirit” display that’s open for public viewing from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays this month at Christ the King Church,3209 60th St.
The portable display was created a couple of years ago as a companion piece to the national “Women and Spirit” exhibit.
“It’s a valuable piece of history,” Sister Marlene Miller said. “It shows the women we have followed, and who built the foundation for the rest of us to follow.” Continue Reading
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By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
monasterywisdomvocationblog.smmsisters.org 