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
At last the sun is shining as we gather on our final morning for retreat. The sky is a brilliant blue, the leaves below are many shades of green waving in the breeze. Heaven!
After 4 days of wandering in the Old Testament wilderness, we come into the New Testament. Here, the word for wilderness is cross. Our way now is to follow Jesus … to complete the interior dying that he modeled. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
The scent of coffee fills the dining room as the Sisters gather, by foot and by wheelchair, for our 4th day of retreat. Today we are treated to the story of Jacob, which we are reminded to read as our own story.
Jacob, whose name means “to grab,” spends a goodish portion of his life taking advantage of others, and controlling whatever he could control. Indeed, when God visits him, Jacob says he will worship Him if God makes good on his promises. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Overhead lamps cast a warm glow in the dining room where we have gathered for Day #3. It’s been raining, gently and intermittently, for 2 days. Sister Mary Schmidt’s lettuces are thriving!
Abbot Jerome opened our session this morning by saying there are 2 steps to accepting a vocation. The 1st is to ACCEPT it, but we can get stuck there when we accept it with bitterness or halfheartedness. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
As a light, gentle rain fell on the patio outside our dining room, Day #2 of our retreat began. Abbot Jerome continued his talk on our journey through the wilderness, noting that we need a guide. We need God.
Even when we know that, we can go the wrong way. How? By avoiding the journey entirely. How? In denial, escape, and control. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
At long last, retreat time has arrived at St. Mary Monastery. A profound quiet fills our hallways and rooms. Many smiles and pats on the shoulder replace conversation. The sense of relaxation is palpable.
What do we do during retreat? In some ways, nothing different from usual. We follow our same schedule, give or take an hour. That is, we gather for Lauds, Noonday Prayer, Vespers and Eucharist. We pray Lectio Divina. We take our meals together at noon and 5:30. Continue Reading
When Sister Mary Core’s youth group began hatching a plan to stay overnight at Camp Loud Thunder along the Mississippi River in Illinois, she knew who to call for help. Sister Stefanie MacDonald loved to camp; she had taken her nephews every chance she got. But now that her nephews were grown – and her own students were just preschoolers – Sr. Stefanie missed cooking and sleeping outdoors.
So when Sr. Mary asked her to help out, Sr. Stefanie said yes. Together with 9 youth group members – and a few parents and siblings – they created a delicious, fun, Benedictine and memorable experience. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
We all want a sign from God … and some people get one. Moses, for example. Never me, though. That would be far too easy.
I thought about this again last Saturday as I read a wonderful reflection by C. Vanessa White in “Give us this Day” (a monthly magazine of daily prayer and reflections by Liturgical Press. I read the print version, but there is an e-version for those of you with IPads and Kindles.) Continue Reading
The Benedictines recently hosted a discernment experience that was amazing! Women from Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kansas gathered to learn about some of the different communities that are available to them here in the Midwest. They also enjoyed a film that explores the role of – and stereotypes associated with – the habit. Finally, they toured a local version of the national Women and Spirit exhibit sponsored by LCWR. Here’s a recap of the experience. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Lately I have had a number of people ask how I knew I had a call to religious life. Boy, I always find this hard to explain. I can explain how I chose this particular community. It felt like home; I was comfortable. But the call itself? That’s hard to articulate.
Michael Casey’s book, The Road to Eternal Life, helps. He says, “First of all, we are invited to ask ourselves, ‘Am I the sort of person who is truly seeking the fullness of life and happiness?’ and to hear what answer to this question resounds in the depths of our hearts.”
Wow, he’s right. But how do we get there? How do we hear the answer? Continue Reading
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