Happy New Year!

I returned from my Midwestern trek on December 30th - just in time for our community retreat day of prayer for peace. It was a wonderful trip. Having lived in the Midwest for three years, I anticipated a warm welcome and some hearty fare. I was right on both counts.

I traveled with Mary Clark, who will enter this monastery on February 8th. It is customary to "meet the family" at some point in the discernment process as things get mutually serious. We spent two and a half days in the car and two and a half days with her kin. The travel was uneventful - praise GOD. The visit was worth every mile of road.

I stayed near Mary's sister's home in Henderson, KY. Pat is a gracious hostess and a wonderful mother. I'm still seeing the faces of her children - Tracy and Miriam - and wondering if they'll be too grown up to want to hang around with Sister Vicki if ever I'm passing through. (And, Aunt Mary, of course.)

Mary surprised us all with an outing to a wonderful German restaurant in historic downtown Evansville, IN. It's just 20 minutes over the state line. I haven't had real German food like that since Helmer's in Hoboken, NJ.

Our second day was spent across another state line. We spent all of the Feast of the Holy Family in Mount Carmel, IL. It takes about an hour to get to "Me-Maw's" house. Mrs. Mary Diebler invited us all to Sunday Eucharist at the parish our Mary grew up in. Then, she took the whole family to the K of C Hall for Sunday dinner. After an afternoon of visiting (people in the Midwest still know how to visit), we ordered a pizza for supper and then said our goodbyes.

It was an important day for all of us, I think. Hopefully, Mary's family has a better sense of who we are.this visit will hold everyone until there can be another such reunion. Mary's life is about to shift. But, with GOD's grace, and the prayers of all who love her, she will stay the course. I will remember this family visit for a very long time The Diebler family has blessed me...with their faith, their hope and their love.

It's good to be back. Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

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Christmas at Bristow...

Midnight Mass...














...our subprioress reads the Christmas Proclamation by candlelight.

Our monastic schola is enhanced by the voices of children who bring their finest gift to the newborn king.

The altar is lovingly dressed for the feast.

When dawn comes we gather for the Christmas Day Eucharist. Msgr. Chester Michael was the presider for both Christmas liturgies. We have been blessed by the simplicity and power of his preaching.

"Glor-or-or-or-or-or,
or-or-or-or-or,
or,or-or-or-or-ria!





Every gift, every instrument was used to proclaim the glad tidings.

Our Vigil began at 11:30 PM Christmas Eve. We invited our guests in for Sister Pat's AMAZING Christmas breads. By 2:30 most of us when asleep. Christmas comes early for us (about four hours later.) By 2:oo PM Christmas dinner is cleaned up and we all take a much-needed nap!

I am traveling now. Our Mary Clark will enter on February 8th. I have gone home with her to meet her family. More on the Midwest trek after the New Year. I'll be back on-line January 2nd. Enjoy the 12 days of Christmas. Hold fast to the peace and joy He brings. He is born again in those who love Him.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

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Already...but not yet.

It was the day before
the night before Christmas,
and all through GOD's house...


...there were sisters on ladders, and on top of the house.

The wreaths were all hung with the greatest of care,

and lights strung abundantly, their glory to share.

When what to my

wandering eyes should appear,

but a Monastery Coordinator on our roof without fear!

The tree was adorned by Sister Henry Marie,

the lower half left to our Sister M.P.

Tonight we will bless,

it's branches and bows.

We'll open our presents

as the fake fire glows.

We'll dress for the Babe

who is coming this night.

We'll light all the candles

and wait for His light.

We'll take up the the flute and together we'll sing

of God's most gracious gift - the small King of kings.

To those dear to this household - our oblates and friends -

may this night bring you peace and a joy without end.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

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The Weekend that Wasn't...

Sometimes, GOD just has another plan. We were scheduled to welcome four wonderful women for a vocation retreat this weekend. All four, one by one, expressed regrets for a variety of good reasons I was coming up the driveway of the monastery Friday morning when I received word that the one remaining guest was held captive by bad weather four hours southwest of Bristow. “OK, Lord,” I said. “This just wasn’t meant to be.

I trust we will see all four of these lovely women down the road. Certainly, their presence among us would have been gift. But, there are always blessings – even in plans gone south. I found myself with a free Saturday. Me. Home at the monastery with no program to run or task to accomplish. What in the world would I do? Well…for starters, my Christmas cards will actually go out before the Nativity. Yup. Can’t believe it, myself. I have spent the last twenty-four hours simply being here with my sisters. I have lingered at table and in Chapel. I have slept long and deep. I have reclaimed my winter clothing from the bowels of the house and rejoiced at the prospect of soft, comfy warmth. I have enjoyed Saturday breakfast with the sisters who eat late (after Morning Prayer) – which can go on for an entire hour if the coffee is fresh and the conversation unrelenting. In short GOD’s plan has turned out rather nicely. Do you think the good Lord goes to such great lengths to slow me down? I think not. But, I know that when my plan gets the boot, GOD has a blessing in mind. So, to all the dear ones we missed this weekend, not to worry. Your Vocation Director has been gifted with rest and the comfort of just being in the place that always returns me to my best self. See you soon, we hope.
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki

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Tis' the season...

I woke up feeling a bit down this morning. It occurred to me that it doesn’t really matter why or if it makes sense. It’s just a feeling. I don’t expect it to last long. Like weather patterns, my feelings usually move through rather easily. I tend to give them a wide berth – allow them to be in spite of what I’d rather be feeling. Most of the time my feelings give me important information – give me clues to what’s going on deep within. So much of our inner life is unconscious or put to the side for “more important things.” When we squash a feeling we don’t want to have, it just comes back to the surface with greater gusto. So, I’ve learned to reverence my feelings and give them space to bring their wisdom.

Many people have a hard time during the holidays. Remember that Elvis song, “Blue Christmas”? I know of some churches that actually have a blue Christmas tree for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or enduring a clinical or situational depression. I think it’s helpful when the Church can tangibly acknowledge pain and suffering – especially the kind that’s hard to see.

Oddly enough, I feel my unexplained mood is perfectly compatible with Christian hope and the joy of this holy season. Hope and real joy run deep in us. It’s the stuff we do that defies the circumstance of our days - a smile given because it’s needed, a kind word when we feel a bit empty, the food, clothing and toys we gather for the poor in spite of the pressures of the season. Christmas will come in our hearts if we accept that there is only one gift worth giving – our love. So, to all of you feeling a bit blue today, we can be blue together, you and I. And GOD, who so loved the world, will be with us as we await the Light who pierces every darkness.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

http://www.sisterbloggers.blogspot.com

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It's the little things...

This morning I learned how to open up a tin of black shoe polish. It was an absolute revelation! Have you ever tried to pry one of those things open? First, there are no helpful hints on the can. They give plenty of instruction on how to rub the stuff into your shoes, but no help, whatsoever, if you want to open the tin first. I probably should say that I have polished my shoes before – many times, in fact in the last 40 years. Our Catholic school uniforms included a pair of saddle shoes that had to be polished for Church on Friday morning. The polish we used back then came in a plastic bottle. It had a little sponge top. When you squeezed the bottle, the black or white would seep through the applicator. It was so easy and kind of fun, truth be told. I wasn’t exactly neat about it, but I got the job done. That said I feel better sharing my joy at this new discovery. I bought the good stuff in the tin because it looked serious. I go through a pair of black shoes every year or so. I try to make them last as best I can. So, in an effort to be a better steward of the things entrusted to me, I decided to by the KIWI can. Talk about frustrating… There’s this little metal thing on the edge. It looks like a miniature bottle opener (for ®Barbie & Ken.) I had no idea it could spin! When the lid shifted a fraction, I knew I had discovered the secret. A small triumph in design, the little metal thing creates leverage. How brilliant!

Why am I writing a blog about a tin of shoe polish? I guess it struck me that at 45 there are so many little mysteries I haven’t unraveled. (There are, as you might imagine, some not-so-little mysteries I’m working on, too.) I guess, at midlife, the moments of wonder have become increasingly particular and attached to rather mundane endeavors. As silly and small as these new learnings are, I seem to get such a charge from them. It’s as if the world has become more miraculous or my time in it has become more precious. Either way, I feel drawn to the mysteries – big and small. Maybe, it’s the small victories in life that make a day so sweet.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki

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Stream of Consciousness...

When I was a child, I was a total goof around “famous” people. Living right across the Hudson River, my family frequently drove into Manhattan for special events, and often, we’d spy some poor, unsuspecting celebrity. I chased Jane Pauley, then, anchor of the TODAY Show, around Tavern on the Green restaurant. I caught up with her easily because her leg was in a cast. A few years later, I shook hands with Placido Domingo during intermission at a Met gala - VERY cool. But the most fun was seeing Carly Simon at Kate’s Paperie in SoHo. I was in my twenties by then, but no less a fool. I didn’t speak to her directly. I just followed her around the store humming, “You’re So Vain” until her entourage gave me dirty looks. True story, I’m afraid. Carly came to mind this morning, as I was thinking about Advent. Remember the single, “Anticipation”? It was huge in the late 70’s. “Anticipa-a-tion is making me late. It’s keeping me waiting.” That was my leap to the four weeks of preparation for the coming of the Lord. (I know. My mind is frightening place!)

As we anticipate joyfully the coming of the Lord, there is so much cultural-Christmas everywhere, it’s difficult to stay in the graced place of waiting. Difficult, yes, but not impossible. Gabriel settled that score in his visit to the poor maiden of Nazareth: “Nothing is impossible for GOD (Luke 1:30).” It’s much easier in the monastery where Advent is strictly observed. There are no Christmas carols sung until Christmas Eve. Our Chapel bears the colors of the season - purple pink and blue. The hymn texts themselves provide rich theology for our private lectio. But out “in the world,” Christmas came before the turkey was eaten.

What to do… Well, there is much to be done in these weeks for loved ones and for the poor among us. Perhaps, it’s how we do our holiday tasks that will make all the difference. Advent makes all waiting holy. So, the next long line you’re on in a department store? Pray the text of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” to soothe your frustration and return your soul to a peaceful place. When someone stops you amid an important task, remind yourself that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John, Prologue.)” Try to see Him in that person who needs your time, attention and listening heart. Here’s one more. Lots of wrapping to do? As you wrap each gift, ask GOD to bless and heal the person it will go to. If these suggestions don’t help, ask GOD to help you hold the spirit of Advent in your heart – the hope, the joy, the promise. It’s been my experience that when I ask for help, I get it. May these two remaining weeks be a blessing…and may your Advent waiting yield abundant joy when Christmas REALLY comes.

Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki

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