Refocus for a Deep, Sacred Lenten Season

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Deer stroll along our lake in plain view every day … yet if you don’t look for them, it’s easy to miss them!

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

We can all go on autopilot during the year, right? Lent is the right time to get out of it … to go deep, to seek – and see – the sacred.

In my Benedictine community, the Sisters give a lot of thought to their Lenten resolutions. They choose spiritual reading to help guide and support them. Maybe some of their thoughts and suggestions will help you!

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Today’s Focus: Nourishment of the Soul

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By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

We celebrated Madri Gras last night, and as always, we had a terrific time.

Sisters Mary Jane (above) and Margaret won 1st prize in the Best Mask Contest. We enjoyed some treats, played a few mean games of Bunco, and laughed a whole lot. It was the perfect way to bid farewell to Ordinary Time (for now) and enter the season of Lent.

We’ve put away our treats for now, to focus on nourishing our souls. Continue Reading

Are you listening?

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From left, Benedictine Sisters Sandra, Stefanie, Sheila, Susan and Jackie study a spiritual text together in the library.

By Susan Hutchens, OSB

“Obedience” is a word that sometimes gets a bum rap. We’ve come to see it as a negative thing, requiring a response because of a directive – Do this! or Don’t do it! Or else!

But it has a very positive side too. I choose to ‘obey,’ to do what needs to be done, out of love for another, or belief in a principle. Continue Reading

A “Motley Crew” at Prayer? Jesus is There Too!

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By Sister Mary Core, OSB

“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  (Matthew 18:19-20)

Jesus’ familiar words are a reminder that the power of our prayer is enhanced when we pray with others.

It happens when we share a blessing before a meal we are about to enjoy. Continue Reading

No more oatmeal bowls in the sink: Monastic life vs apartment life

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Sister Stefanie shares some thoughts about what Monastic Benedictine life has meant to her … and how it differs from life on her own.

What have you found to be most challenging about your new life?

Living with other people means I can’t let my oatmeal bowl sit in the sink till I get home from work in the afternoon! Continue Reading

Stars and Dreams

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By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

The word Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphainein, ‘to reveal.’ We use it – and its cousin, Theophany – on Sunday to describe the showing of the Messiah to the Gentiles.

It’s an important celebration, as God came not just to the Jewish community but to the whole world. Continue Reading