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
By Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
“Prayer … is a practice of attention, of attentiveness, an attitude of receptiveness to God’s sustaining presences.” Martin Poulsom, SDB
Reading a paper by Poulsom yesterday made me ask myself how I am coming to prayer. Am I paying attention? Am I coming to pray with an open heart, mind and soul?
I admit sometimes I’m off track. My own worries and distractions can undermine my attentiveness and receptiveness. 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
Welcome to my home … and to Sister Jackie’s and Sister Mary Jane’s and Sister Claudia’s and Sister Sheila’s home, too!
It belongs to all of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery. We have chosen to make our life here, with our shared prayer and purpose.
We have chosen to seek God together.
We welcome you to learn more … to discern whether your call might bring you here, to seek God with us. Contact us anytime!
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Are you discerning? Although I’ve found my home, this quote from Michael Casey, OSB, still resonates for me:
“The Lord’s call to follow him has an effect on us similar to that which it had on the first disciples. Once we heed the call, we willingly leave behind whatever we are doing and walk with him, wherever he goes. We are not dragging our feet, but walking and running, full of happiness to be called.”
Let’s talk when you have time!
Blessings,
Sister Stefanie
“To Isaiah, the voice said, ‘Go,’ and for each of us there are many voices that say it, but the question is which one will we obey with our lives … Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
We are called eventually to get up, pull off the covers, get out of our comfortable existence. It is life-giving to go outside. – Br. Guy Consolmagno (Give Us This Day)
I remember the day as clearly as yesterday. I was sitting in a meeting with my superintendent, my principal and other teachers learning how wonderfully our Catholic school system was doing. We were thriving; the future was bright. My future was … unknown, to say the least. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
This morning we celebrated the 50th Jubilees of 2 Benedictine Sisters. Sisters Judith Ann and Rachel said “Yes” to God 50 years ago. What a difference their “yeses” have made to us all!!
Many people remember their milestone Yes moments – no matter what their call. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Today is the feast of Pentecost. What does that mean? As Father Karl Rahner wrote, “God is ours…he has given us His whole being without reserve; He has given us the clarity of His knowledge, the freedom of His love and the bliss of His Trinitarian life. He has given us Himself. And His name is Holy Spirit. He is ours … God is our God: that is the glad tidings of Pentecost.”
If God is ours and has given God’s whole being to us, what does it mean? What should we do?
We hear that God expects nothing in return, which is comforting but not an answer.
Think how much we expect from God. Should we not give back? Should we not live our lives as we are called? Continue Reading
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