Christmas Greetings! I hope that you had a joyous Christmas Day filled with laughter, song and the presence of family and friends. As we recall the birth of our Savior then and now in our hearts I could NOT let the year's end pass without sending my prayers for a New Year of peace, good health and faithfulness as you walk with our Lord Christ, a Benedictine spirit in your heart.
I hope you find the newsletter interesting and helpful.
Blessings now and always,
Jane
P.S. I 'm working on another book and won't be able to send you another newsletter until the Spring.
10th Anniversary Edition of
St. Benedict's Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday
"Lose 20 pounds" or "Get my son to pick up his room" or "Go to the gym three times a week to work out?" These are helpful, but I'm talking about something deeper that will be like a beacon for the coming year, pointing out where to turn, what to seek, what to do, what to say, and how to spend your time.
So, let me ask again - What is the desire of your heart for 2016?
Would you like to reflect on what the real desire of your heart might be?
In my article "Living the Desire of Your Heart" I shared ideas from the Rule that could give us some guidance on discerning our own desire of the heart. If you haven't read the article I invite you to by clicking here.
*Randy passed into the Feline Paradise Cloister in 2013. I thought I would share his rendition of this song with you again in memory of Randy and shed a tear as I do so.
The Book Corner
A Recommended Read
Seventy-Four Tools For Good Works: Reflections on the Fourth Chapter of Benedict's Rule
by Michael Casey, OCSO
Are you looking for a good Benedictine read to start the new year?
Look no further than Michael Casey's book Seventy-Four Tools for Good Living. This wise and readable Cistercian author and monk is offering us a tool to unpack the Tools for Good Works. This book is not to be read quickly but slowly and thoughtfully. As Fr. Casey explains, the book is not a commentary on the Tools but a "book of reflections" that will help all of us reflect on how the Tools can be for our own good works.
"It is enough, we believe, to provide all tables with two kinds of cooked food because of individual
weaknesses." RB 39.1
Tired of the same old recipes? Try cooking the "Benedictine Way" with Jane...Lots of garlic and onion. These are VEGETARIAN recipes but meat may be substituted if you are ill (RB 36.9).
Easy Benedictine Butternut Squash and Apple is a perfect side dish to zip up those endless Christmas leftovers.
If you would like to read about Benedict's instructions regarding food and drink, click here.
To read about the whys and hows of these recipes, read here.
Bring Jane to your Church, Monastery or Organization
Donna and Bill discuss the Rule
St. Benedict's Church - Bollingbrook, IL.
Jane is available to lead retreats and programs on spirituality and the Benedictine way. Content is personalized. Programs will bring the ideas to life in a practical and down-to-earth way.
Retreats are modeled by Benedictine balance of time alone and time together and time for rest, study and prayer.
Contact Jane at 908-233-0134 or cell 908-463-3252 or email Jane.
For information about programs, visit Jane's website and click on "Retreats
Joe LaVela and Mary Hill compare notes on RB 40 at Holy Cross Monastery
and Programs" on the main menu. Here you can learn about current and past programs. Click here to go to the website.
St. Benedict's Toolbox
The Nuts and Bolts of
Everyday Benedictine Living
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The Rev. Dr. Jane A. Tomaine | St. Benedict's Toolbox Ministries | 908-463-3252 | janetomaine@stbenedictstoolbox.org | www.stbenedictstoolbox.org
