Growing up in a small town, Sunday Mass was like a family reunion on my mom’s side. We would always sit in the same section about 10 rows back. Most of the time my aunts were together in the row behind, and another set of relatives ahead a couple of pews. Then there were the relatives who sat on the other side. Continue Reading
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A Monastery Visit
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.
Never Alone
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!!!
Jackie''s Reception into our Novitiate
The Spirit as it Swirls
I have a glass paperweight on my prayer table that a wise women I know gave me years ago. It is round with a rich dark blue interior. The only object inside is a splash of white. It has a swirling appearance, hanging in mid air and little white specs surround it. It is almost like the energy of the object released little spots of energy.
Another Great Visit with Inquirers!
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.
Inquirers from 11 to 48 Visit the Monastery
Well, I had my vocation hands full on Tuesday!!! 60 fifth graders from Jordan Grade School came for a vocation awareness morning at the Monastery. It was a wonderful challenge – I love those little kiddo”s. The 5th graders are learning about vocations in school and so this was a great field trip for them. They were utterly attentive – asking questions as we toured the Monastery, bringing their vocation questions with them and eating us out of juice and cookies.
Foundations of Faith
How fundamental family is to our faith. I am sitting on my mom”s porch in Galena, Il, where I grew up. In more recent years, since we moved closer, I have been able to spend Mother”s Day with her. She so appreciates it, I know. We don”t do a lot but just ”hang out” together. Our tradition is to plant her porch with flowers. It is small but lovely and refreshing for her. We will go to Mass tonight and go out to dinner.
Sister Veronica Shunick, O.S.B.
Sr. Veronica died peacefully last night.
New Growth, New Hope
The week after Easter brings out the best in Spring. I love these days when the morning has a chill and the days warm up slowly. Tips of green plants poke their heads up in my garden. Slow process this transition to Springtime. Continue Reading
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