Here's Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Ind. ... my home for the next 3 weeks!!
Today begins my 3-week adventure at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Ind. The workshop and retreat is for Benedictine Sisters preparing to make Final Monastic Profession. My friend Sister Belinda (from St. Scholastica in Chicago) and I will meet in Joliet, have breakfast at Bob Evans, and drive there together. I’ll post a photo when I arrive. Continue Reading
Last Sunday we installed a new prioress. Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB (left) became the 14th prioress of our community in its 138-year history. What a beautiful and moving ceremony! Continue Reading
Growing up, we always had a special family night every week. Usually, it was Friday. My sisters and I couldn’t wait! Continue Reading
Bishop Joe’s final talk to us was on hope. As a Catholic school teacher and a young Catholic Sister, let me tell you, hope is very important!
In hope, I believe my students will continue to thrive as they grow up. In hope, I believe my Benedictine community will flourish for all time. In hope, I believe Jesus walks with us every minute. Continue Reading
Today Bishop Joe spoke on our Monastic Promises. This was good for me because it will lead me nicely into the Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat (BSWR) that I will be making in about two weeks.*
In fact, I’ve spent a lot of time since I entered 4 years ago studying the promises, so today was a wonderful opportunity for reflection. After Bishop Joe was finished, I made another cup of coffee and took my notebooks and books out to the patio to write about them. Continue Reading
Today Bishop Joe spoke on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I must admit Reconciliation has never been one of my favorite sacraments.
Why? Come on. Who wants to go tell another person and God what mistakes we’ve made to cause breaks in our relationship with God and others? Continue Reading
This morning Bishop Joe reflected on Mary, as a guide to our own discipleship of Jesus.
First, Mary listened, and heard God, and said Yes. This is Lesson #1. Continue Reading
This morning, as a soft rain fell outside the dining room windows, Bishop Joe talked to us about Eucharist. A few things he shared made me think about how the Eucharist, church and mission are tied together. Continue Reading
We are on retreat at the monastery. It’s an annual week of silence, a profound rest for body and mind and spirit. Our retreat director, retired Bishop Joseph Charron, is speaking on the topic, “Renewing the Desire to be Holy” all week, during morning and afternoon conferences. Continue Reading
I have gone back this week to start packing things up for the summer. This is one of my least favorite tasks … but the cleaning staff won’t touch my room until I get it done!
It’s got to be done, but I get very sad as I start to remove the children’s names from our tables and chairs. I get lonely for their sweet faces, young voices and big hugs as I take down the pictures they drew for me over the year. The room starts looking very empty. Continue Reading
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