The week began with the bread of life story from Scripture at Sunday Eucharist. It is the one where the apostles tell Jesus they have only a few loaves and fishes to feed such a large crowd gathered to hear Jesus. In His usual calm way, Jesus simply tells the apostles to feed them. Amazingly, all are WELL fed with plenty left. Continue Reading
It was a great 10 days with E at the Monastery. She left this morning on the early flight and was sad to go, I think. The Sisters so enjoyed her personality, enthusiasm and sharing of her life experiences. Indeed, E and I had many insightful conversations about Benedictine life as well as life in general. She was eager to learn and receptive to just about any idea. Being so open will help ensure that her discernment will be authentic and lead her to the right path. Continue Reading
The time is sure going quickly. ‘E’ has been here since Monday and the week has been packed. Two afternoons she went with Sr. Mary S. and helped her prepared for next week’s summer bible school at Sacred Heart Church in Davenport. I think they finished repairing the camel and painting the walls of Jerusalem. E works as an educational assistant so she was really up to the job! Continue Reading
Today a young woman, ”E,” arrived for a 10-day visit at the Monastery. She is from Toronto and found our Benedictine community through VISION Magazine and the internet. She has been discerning religious life for nearly 5 years and has visited quite a few communities. We have been in contact since August 2008.
In Spring Green, WI, there is an attraction called the House on the Rock. When I was a kid my family went up there for a visit. I remember being awed by the architecture and how the house really was oddly shaped yet intriguing. In addition, it was build on a huge rock and part of the house kind of hung in mid air.
Pamela wrote a response to my last blog. She is caring for her mother during cancer treatment and just started a new position working with special needs adults. Her realization is ”I cannot do it alone”. It struck me from yesterday”s Gospel that the apostles had to learn to trust Jesus and realize they had no power on their own. When they failed to trust they fell into the water!!!
On Memorial Day weekend, two women visited the Monastery to get a glimpse into our Benedictine life. Once again, it was a valuable experience for both the two women and for my Sisters. The 2 women, KO and MS, had 2 different personalities but one heart as both are learning where God wants them to be. KO has worked and lived on her own for nearly 28 years. She converted to Catholicism in the early 90’s, owns her home and enjoys involvement in many church related activities. She is not dissatisfied but is still wondering if God is nudging her to find more. MS has lived in the U.S. for 9 years. She was born, raised and educated in the Philippines but is a US citizen. She loves teaching and is working on her Illinois certification.
Over the weekend a 29-year-old woman came to the Monastery for a ”Live-in” experience. Pamela is early in her discernment about religious life. She knew from the time she was young that she wanted to do something for God. She was active in several protestant churches and discovered the Catholic Church about 5 years ago. She recently attended RCIA and was welcomed into the Church at Easter Vigil Eucharist. She has visited other Benedictine communities and plans to visit a Franciscan community.
As we embark on this Holy Week, we begin a dramatic journey with Jesus that moves from celebration as he arrives in Jerusalem to unspeakable tragedy as he dies on the cross. On the way, we experience the highly emotional scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, the arrest, the trial and, finally, the condemnation of Jesus. His closest friends betray and deny him. Continue Reading
A young woman visited the Monastery over the weekend. She is a college junior and keeps returning to the idea of religious life. ‘S’ contacted us after looking at our website. In fact, we were the 4th religious community she has visited. She has been looking for a balanced community. Continue Reading
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