Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois
| April 2013
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Steps
Discerning your path in life
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How I Found Peace as a Catholic Benedictine Sister
Sister Stefanie MacDonald (above, center) will make her final monastic profession this summer, 6 years after she entered our Benedictine community. Although her ministry hasn't changed - she has taught kindergartners and preschoolers since she got out of college - her lifestyle is radically different. You can follow her spiritual journey - and enjoy some preschool antics - at Sister Stefanie's ABCs!. Can you share some ways your life has changed?
My schedule is a lot different than it was before I entered the Benedictine community. Every morning I go to prayers before leaving for work. It's amazing to have all these women telling me to have a good day as I leave. It's not just me alone, turning off Good Morning America and locking the door. I have a family now.
What surprised you about your new life?
 When I get to school, I am so much more relaxed and at peace than I ever was. I always loved teaching, but never experienced peace like I do now. It took me by surprise.
Another thing that took me by surprise is how much I look forward to going home. Back when I lived alone, I would stay at school until 6 or 7 some nights to get my work done for the next day. Why not? No one was waiting for me. Now, for the first time in my life, I go home as soon as I can.
And when you get home ...?
Well, my first stop is the chapel. After a day with preschoolers, I need to spend quiet time  with God and get my head cleared out. The Sisters welcome me home, ask me how my day was. After Vespers and supper I have a whole crew to help me get my work done. A couple of weeks ago, they helped me cut out bunny ears for Easter while we watched a movie together.
Any final thoughts?
"I used to think I had my life figured out. I loved teaching, I was active in the church. But there was always something missing. Now I feel complete. I feel whole. I am who I'm supposed to be, a teacher and a monastic woman who is seeking God with this community.
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Follow us on our Blogs, Facebook and Email
Read reflections from the Benedictine Sisters. Follow Sister Stefanie's ABCs. And join us on Facebook: You'll enjoy excerpts from the Psalms we pray at Lauds every morning, reminders of upcoming retreats and programs, photos from around the grounds. It's another way to begin to get to know us!
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Is our Benedictine Community right for you?
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We live a balanced life of prayer, work and leisure, together.
We go out for ministry - to teach, serve in parishes, work in social service agencies - but we come home for prayer, meals and leisure. That is, we pray 4 times daily together, we take our meals together, we enjoy quiet time and companionship together. And for those who work in administration or our retreat center, we work together too!
If you are drawn both to outside ministry and contemplation, and if you are drawn to monastic life in community, please contact us.
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What are you waiting for? Join us for a day or a weekend!
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Try out life as a Benedictine and find out for yourself whether the life is for you!
Make arrangements to visit during an upcoming Benedictine Experience Weekend
April 26-28 or May 31-June 2!
You'll pray, dine, and enjoy leisure time with us. You'll learn about our life. You'll
stroll the grounds and have time for silent reflection.
It's a great chance to try out Benedictine monastic life for a limited amount of
time, no strings attached.
Reply to this email for more information ... and visit our Web site
at www.smmsisters.org!
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