|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
One might say that November is the month of gratefulness. Or rather "thank-you" needs to be woven into every fabric of our life. John F. Kennedy said: "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
And Psalm 136:26 comes to mind expressing our gratitude for the greatest of gifts, God's enduring love: "O give thanks to the God of heaven, whose steadfast love endures forever."
Yes, gratitude fills our hearts and minds as we have again experienced your generosity in numerous ways through the year! Watch our video to see how much we appreciate your contribution to Give to the Max, which raised approximately $96,500, about $20,000 more than last year. The total included the matching gifts. We had 590 gifts made on November 12 and one person made a gift 165 times. Heartwarming -- and not due to climate change!
Our annual appeal comes right on the heels of Give to the Max. It's our custom to send the appeal before the end of the calendar year. If you've already given your annual gift -- thank you. However, you may still have gotten the appeal as we wouldn't want to neglect anyone! We are already hearing from many of you and what a delight! If you haven't received a letter and would like to know more about the appeal, you can find out more on our Web site and make a donation online.
November is the month when we pray for the deceased. Would you believe that we have had five deaths of our dear Sisters since mid-November? Sisters Cathel Sefkow, Rita Marshall, Marie Brang, Romaine Theisen and Laurent Trombley.
It is our custom and a privilege to vigil with the sister who is dying. At times family members are also present. It's a sacred time and it is comforting to the one who is dying, but it can also have a lighter side. S. Cathel died about two weeks before her 100th birthday. One of the sisters who was with her during her last days asked S. Cathel if she was going to wait to be 100 and her response was: "Party, party, party!"
At the meal after the burial, relatives, friends and sisters share stories. This is an enjoyable time as the stories usually tell things we never knew which can both deepen our admiration and provide a little humor as they give us insights into the personality of the deceased sister. Remembrances of these sisters will be in the next Benedictine Sisters and Friends in February 2016
Again, I can't help but to be in deep admiration of our Pope Francis as he visited Africa. Pope Francis says it the way it is, while at the same time giving hope to people who are poor and challenging all of us as to what we can do to make a difference. With all the terrorist activities and violence in our world, the need for mercy is present.
How appropriate that Pope Francis has declared the Year of Mercy beginning December 8. Here are his words from the document on mercy: "Jesus is the face of the Father's mercy." Later he tells us: "It is time to return to the basics and to bear the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and sisters. Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope."
With confidence in God's mercy and forgiveness, let us prepare our hearts for the rebirth of Christ's love in our lives during this Advent season. May our hearts be open to receive God's love, forgiveness, mercy! Hope will prevail! This is our prayer for each of you.
|
|
|
|
|
Book of Life
|
The Book of Life is a record containing the names of those we have loved who have gone before us. During the month of November the Book of Life was displayed in our Gathering Place for our sisters and guests to sign. This November has seen death and tragedy throughout the world. Let us hold in prayer all who have died, for whatever reason and of whatever faith.
|
| Photo: Book of Life by Jennifer Morrissette Hesse
|
|
Oblate Sunday
|
Following our 10:30 a.m. Eucharist and brunch on Sunday, November 15, Sister Katherine Howard,
|
| | Photo: Carleen Schomer, OSB |
(pictured) presented Transformation in Love, According to the Rule of Benedict, Part II: Focus on Humility to our oblates (women or men who associate themselves with Saint Benedict's Monastery).
The love of Christ is the heart of the Rule of St. Benedict. S. Katherine spoke on how Love invites us into a way of life that will change us radically as we faithfully and sincerely enter into the exterior and interior practices of the Rule. The Love of Christ will become the ever-expanding heart of our own lives.
If you would like more information on being an oblate with us, please contact S. Laureen Virnig at lvirnig@csbsju.edu.
|
New Spirituality Center Brochure
|
The winter months ahead offer an opportunity to join the rhythm of the earth in a time of stillness and deep-down quiet energy. During this Advent season, spend one or several days and nights in a personal retreat at the Spirituality Center for half price. This offer is good December 1-19 inclusive. An opportunity to meet with a spiritual director is available. You are also welcome to spend time with us for a variety of retreats or to spend time in our Spirituality Center, Studium or hermitage for your own quiet, prayer or study time. For more information go to http://sbm.osb.org/ministries/spirituality_center/programs/.
|
Benedictine School
|
The Sisters of Saint Benedict invite you to become a part of the School of Benedictine Spirituality and  join other seekers in exploring the dynamic world of the Benedictine way. The School provides four courses, each of which will include 16 hours of class time. Courses will be offered in a variety of formats. One session for two hours each week for eight weeks, three weekends or a four-day week. Living Benedictine Values, is a prerequisite for the other courses. A minimum class size is eight and a maximum is 20 students. Other classes include History and Spirituality of the Benedictine Tradition, Lectio Divinia and Prayer and Worship in the Benedictine Tradition.
Registration for winter courses is open now at: http://sbm.osb.org/index.php/ministries/other_ministries/additional_ministries/benedictine_school/.
|
Discernment Retreat
| Saint Benedict's Monastery hosted a weekend retreat for single Catholic women. The women experienced prayer in the Oratory, meals in the dining room and living in community at our welcoming house. Together we reflected on Psalm 139, sharing our thoughts and experiences. The women heard the vocation story of several sisters and they shared their own journey in regard to listening to God's call. If you would like to learn more about exploring a call to Benedictine life, e-mail Sister Lisa Rose at lrose@csbsju.edu
|
Advent Is Here
| Pipes and strings, flutes and organs, dulcimers and harps ring in the rich season of Advent carols and antiphons with a flavor of waiting and joyful hope. The deep blues, purples, greys and the smell of evergreens surround our Advent celebrations each week. The Advent candles get lit, one each week, until we experience the multiple Christmas lights. Advent Sundays at Saint Benedict's Monastery begin in the Gathering Place at 10:30 a.m. each week. All are welcome for the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours.
This year on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the public is invited to be part of the Monastic/CSB community as we welcome in the Church's Jubilee Year of Mercy. The doors to our Gathering Place will be blessed and opened as all year we reflect on God's mercy.
"O Maranatha, we long for your peace. O Maranatha, we long for your mercy. O Maranatha, we long
for your coming O God."
|
North Star
|
Eleven of our sisters, together with monks from Saint John's Abbey and people from faith communities  throughout the greater St. Cloud area, attended Finish Northstar, a GRIP/ISAIAH convention supporting the Northstar rail link between St. Cloud and Minneapolis. The rail link will help people who do not have access to a car to find work in the Cities as well as providing a "green" means of transport for all.
Photo shows, left to right standing, Sisters Mara Faulkner, Bernadette Weber, Janet Thielges, Mary Weidner, Ruth Ann Schneider, Karen Rose, Thomasette Scheeler, Eunice Anthony, Theresa Schumacher and, kneeling, Mariterese Woida
|
|
Thank you again for sharing your time, talent and treasure with us as we respond to the needs of the world. Your partnership is vital to us as we strive to bring a ray of hope to a dark world. To make a secure online donation to the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, click here.
Sincerely,
|
|
Gen Maiers, OSB
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
|
|
|
|
|
