September 4, 2016

Sister Marlene’s Lasting Wisdom

marlene

Sister Marlene at a festive dinner in the dining room of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois.

By Sister Marlene Miller, OSB

Sister Marlene served as Dean of Students at St. Mary’s Academy, the Benedictine boarding school in Nauvoo, Illinois, until it closed in 1997. Josephine Barrett ’80 said, “Sister Marlene had a wicked laugh that came straight from her heart. When she was tickled everyone knew it. She gave girls their allowance and pink slips for infractions (generally work cleaning the school or dorm). She really was a very quick thinker and seldom missed anything … spoken or implied. I liked Sister Marlene from day one.”

Other students said, “Sister Marlene shaped my life at St. Mary’s.” And, “Sister Marlene was there when I needed someone to talk to.”

Here, Sister Marlene reflects on her work with the students, sharing the still-invaluable wisdom that undergirded her life with them.
Continue Reading

July 6, 2016

Wisdom Story #7: Open to God in Silence

centering

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 7th story in our Wisdom Series.

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

(Centering Prayer) is a way of tuning in to a fuller level of realty that is always present and in which we are invited to participate. The fundamental disposition in Centering Prayer is opening to God. – Thomas Keating

One of the wisest decisions I ever made was to commit myself to daily Centering Prayer. Continue Reading

June 29, 2016

Wisdom Story #6: Listening for Wisdom

sitting-in-hermitage

A retreatant reads on the Benet House hermitage patio at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois.

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 6th story in our Wisdom Series.

Making decisions about major life changes can be tough. What’s best? How can we recognize the wisest path?

“Well, if you are asking the question you are a seeker, so you already have some wisdom,” Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB muses. Continue Reading

June 20, 2016

Wisdom Story #5: Claim Your Miracles

mary-jean,-margaret-and-rita-on-mj-birthday

Sisters Mary Jean Feeney, Margaret Murphy and Rita Cain enjoy coffee in the monastery dining room.

Ask a Catholic Benedictine Sister for her wisdom, and she’s likely to tell you a story. Why?  Because wisdom comes through listening and being. This is the 5th story in our Wisdom Series.

On her first visit home after joining the community, Sister Rita Cain, OSB remembers being full of religious fervor.

She had brought a Benedictine medal to pin to the sleeper of her sister’s new baby. He had been quite ill and Sr. Rita wanted to help him get better. Continue Reading