Thursday, June 5, 2008

June means graduations...


Last night I attended the commencement exercises of Saint Gertrude High School Class of 2008. It was my second graduation, but this one felt a whole lot different. After spending nine months with the SGHS community, my ability to celebrate the achievements of this class and our faculty was greatly enhanced. Sharing the day-to-day life of a school community changes the heart and allows love to grow. I will miss these wonderful young women, but I trust that their years at SGHS have given them the skills they need to succeed and the strength of our Benedictine values to live well before GOD.

One of the highlights of the evening for me was hearing Sister Charlotte Lange, OSB, give the graduation address. Sister Charlotte was principal of SGHS for nearly thirty years and retired at the end of this class’ freshmen year. Her return was natural as it was her 50th anniversary of her graduation from Saint Gertrude, but she was specially invited to address this class and give them some wisdom for the road. Her delightful speech made the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia proud! She received several standing ovations. It was a great night for SGHS and for our community.

Today, I pray GOD’s blessing on these young women as they begin a new leg of their journey. In the words of the prophet, Micah, may they “do justice, love tenderly and walk humbly with [their] GOD.” (Micah 6:8)

Blessings and love to you all…

- Sister Vicki



Monday, June 2, 2008

No place like it...


I am home at the monastery for THREE WHOLE WEEKS! Clearly, I am happy about that fact. I found myself beginning to cry before Morning Prayer – NOT because it was 6:00 am, but because I was HOME – praying with a big circle-full of sisters. One great grace of living on mission is realizing just how much our common life means to me. A three-week dose of the monastery is just what I need to regroup and renew my own promise of stability. Last night I called the convent in Richmond because I missed the sisters I’ve been living with for the last nine months. But there is something about this place that speaks a new word to my heart. I took a walk this afternoon to nurture my friendship with these acres. I hope you enjoy the beauty of Bristow.

Blessings and love to you all…

- Sister Vicki

PS – If you’d like to reach me by e-mail, I’d love to hear from you. vocations@osbva.org