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
Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
The following excerpt comes from the excellent book, “Catholics on Call.”
The quote below is from Bishop Robert Morneau, who is quoted heavily in the book.
There comes a time in the process of discernment when we have to make the best decision that we can, according to the lights that we have been given. Continue Reading
Angie* had lost her job and was five days away from losing her apartment. She and her three kids – ages 11, 8 and 4 – were soon to be out on the street, hungry, cold and scared. She sat across from the Project NOW outreach worker and held her breath.
Angie had nowhere else to turn. Continue Reading
Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
I had a strange experience while reading Matthew 8 last week. As Jesus said, “Follow me,” I had a sudden vision of Whoopi Goldberg dressed in full habit singing “Follow Me” in the movie Sister Act. This sure isn’t an image I want people to see when they think of Sisters! Talk about stereotypes. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
I’ve been thinking about the game Jenga ever since our recent reading about the fool who built his house on sand.
Have you ever played Jenga? You start with a strong tower of wood blocks, removing the blocks, one by one, till it falls. Obviously, the loser is the one who causes the tower to fall. Continue Reading
Sr. Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
Wow! I’ve been thinking about this since last week’s gospel. It’s hard to do … even as a Catholic Sister!
We all have people in our lives we’d rather not have to deal with. Maybe they have been harsh with us, maybe they have been cold. Maybe we’ve been unkind to them in return. 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
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