Friday, October 3, 2008
A BIG "thank you"...
Gratitude is the posture of the Christian life. The gift of the Paschal Mystery continues to unfold in our lives – day, by day – and for the gift of life that never ends, we can only be grateful and live good lives in response to this enormous mystery.
Last night the Saint Gertrude family gathered to recognize friends who have supported our school so generously. We gathered to say, “thank you” and acknowledge the power of those gifts in the lives of our students. Our donors are faithful friends who believe in the blessing of a SGHS education. They understand that we are still becoming…still growing…still dreaming Saint Gertrude forward. May GOD bless all those who have been so good to our school. They have become partners is GOD’s continuing creative work at Saint Gertrude. The Benedictine Sisters are so very grateful.
Blessings and love to you all…
Sister Vicki
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Praying for our Congress...
Benedictines have been around over 1500 years. A benefit of such longevity is the “long view” of history. We are rarely rattled by theological debates or mandates of contemporary culture. We have witnessed nearly the whole of Christian history and have acclimated to its many graces and struggles.
As we stand before the tumult of our economic system and pray for all those who may be endangered by the poor choices of others, we believe that, ultimately, “this too shall pass.” Crisis comes with opportunity. There are changes to me made and work to be done. It behooves all of us to breathe deeply and remain as calm as possible given the unnerving situation. As hard as calm may seem, “with GOD all things are possible.”
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki
Monday, September 29, 2008
"In the presence of the angels, I will praise you, LORD"
Today the Church celebrates the archangels – Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Michael – who gives Satan “the boot” from heaven – figures large in the Book of Revelation. Gabriel, of course, is the messenger sent to a maiden in Nazareth in the Infancy Narratives. And Raphael is the archangel of the Old Testament – a central “character” in the Book of Tobit. Although these three are rather well known to us, there are, of course, the multitudes whose only job is to sing the praises of GOD in glory. I am especially interested in these nameless, faceless voices who sing, “Hosanna in the highest!” before the Maker of all, the eternal Word and their Spirit. What a great job! Imagine…being in the presence of the triune GOD and filling heaven with your joyful song. If angels were not a wholly different creation, I’d want wings myself one day. (Actually, as monastics we have an "angelic charism". When we pray the Liturgy of the Hours three times a day, we believe that we are leaving time to join the unending hymn of praise in heaven. As we chant or recite the psalms, we add our voices to the heavenly host. I like thinking about it - remembering that we are always in the eternal now, always before GOD especially when we pray.)
When I was small – 2 or 3, perhaps – my big sister and I shared a bedroom. I remember having these strange metal bars that my Mom slid between the mattress and box spring to keep me from falling out of bed in the night. (Lizzie was a big girl by then so she was free to escape her rack if she so desired.) Anyway, over each of our beds was a heavy, ceramic angel. Every night we would say our bedtime prayers with my Mother and she would direct our attention to “our” angels who would protect us all night long. She called them our “guardian angels.”
Now, the guardian angels have their own feast day, but I can’t think about angels without remembering their comforting embrace. Some adults still talk their guardian angels. I’m afraid I’ve long since let go of that nightly practice. But, I am grateful for having been raised with the angels – taught from the very beginning that GOD loved me so much that there were actually special beings assigned to care for me and keep me out of trouble. I do remember being in my early twenties – a young high school teacher – and running a stop sign I didn’t see in town. I remember my heart racing as I slowed to a stop and realized what could have happened. And I remember feeling that “someone” had saved me – kept watch as I made a life-threatening mistake. It was one of those “goose bump” moments when you feel the divine in action on your behalf. I am twice that age now. But, I will say a prayer of gratitude tonight as I lay down in bed. I will remember the ceramic angels of my childhood and send some love to my “guardian” who, I am certain, goes before me still.
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki
When I was small – 2 or 3, perhaps – my big sister and I shared a bedroom. I remember having these strange metal bars that my Mom slid between the mattress and box spring to keep me from falling out of bed in the night. (Lizzie was a big girl by then so she was free to escape her rack if she so desired.) Anyway, over each of our beds was a heavy, ceramic angel. Every night we would say our bedtime prayers with my Mother and she would direct our attention to “our” angels who would protect us all night long. She called them our “guardian angels.”
Now, the guardian angels have their own feast day, but I can’t think about angels without remembering their comforting embrace. Some adults still talk their guardian angels. I’m afraid I’ve long since let go of that nightly practice. But, I am grateful for having been raised with the angels – taught from the very beginning that GOD loved me so much that there were actually special beings assigned to care for me and keep me out of trouble. I do remember being in my early twenties – a young high school teacher – and running a stop sign I didn’t see in town. I remember my heart racing as I slowed to a stop and realized what could have happened. And I remember feeling that “someone” had saved me – kept watch as I made a life-threatening mistake. It was one of those “goose bump” moments when you feel the divine in action on your behalf. I am twice that age now. But, I will say a prayer of gratitude tonight as I lay down in bed. I will remember the ceramic angels of my childhood and send some love to my “guardian” who, I am certain, goes before me still.
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki
Friday, September 26, 2008
"To everything, turn, turn, turn..."
If you are middle-aged (somewhere between 40 and 70,) then the excerpt from Ecclesiastes, in the Lectionary this morning, probably started the juke-box in your mind. The Byrds version of this scripture passage belongs, now, to several generations and takes us all back to some place or time when the power of those words changed us. “To everything (turn, turn, turn,) there is a season (turn, turn, turn,) and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Once a song starts playing in my head, I’ve found there is only one way to make it stop. I need to let it play through to the end. Then, with the last note, I can bid it goodbye for the day. It works for me. Give it a try when you feel possessed by a favorite tune.Although this passage is very familiar to me, the end of today’s First Reading was not. It was a very short verse at the end, that I’ve never really heard before, that grabbed my attention this morning.
“[GOD] has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts…”
(Eccl. 3:11)
I am in awe of this GOD who created time for our blessing and, at the same time, wired us for eternity. When the seasons of human life shift with birth, death, love and longing, it is wise to remember this verse. In time, we know joy and pain, laughter and suffering. But, we know at our deepest core, that our true home is in GOD’s timeless heart. In prayer, can we enter that time beyond time – the perfection of the present moment in which we simply are before our GOD. May your prayer be blessed with such a stillness and your days, weeks, and years be marked by the gratitude with which you accept all time as gift.
Blessings and love to you all…faithful friends!
- Sister Vicki
(Eccl. 3:11)
I am in awe of this GOD who created time for our blessing and, at the same time, wired us for eternity. When the seasons of human life shift with birth, death, love and longing, it is wise to remember this verse. In time, we know joy and pain, laughter and suffering. But, we know at our deepest core, that our true home is in GOD’s timeless heart. In prayer, can we enter that time beyond time – the perfection of the present moment in which we simply are before our GOD. May your prayer be blessed with such a stillness and your days, weeks, and years be marked by the gratitude with which you accept all time as gift.
Blessings and love to you all…faithful friends!
- Sister Vicki
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Time for some "good zeal"...
The people of Haiti, Cuba and Texas continue to recover from the devastating effects of “Ike”. The American financial system seems on the brink of disaster. And, presidential politics has raised our national blood pressure and sparked graceless disputes among family members and neighbors alike. In times like these people of faith are more important than ever. We are, if we’re willing, icons of hope.
How can we share our faith in these troubled times? Well, for starters, we can do something for the victims of the hurricane – here and on the islands. As a monastic community we make many contributions each year that are mutually agreed upon and reflect our Benedictine values. “Catholic Relief Services” is among those organizations. A contribution to CRS will reach those who need it most outside our borders. To help those in Texas, the domestic branch if this organization is called, “Catholic Charities.”
Although my Dear Old Dad is a CFA – certified financial analyst – I know less than nothing about the workings of Wall Street. I can, however, pray for those who represent me as they struggle to do the right thing. My anger and frustration will get me nowhere. Prayer will change me and, perhaps, change the hearts of those who have been greedy or less than honorable in their financial dealings. Prayer is not the "last resort." It is the best thing we can do for one another – the most powerful sharing of our loving energy, of all that makes us like GOD.
Presidential politics? Well, we can start by being respectful of one another as Election Day draws near. We can have conversations instead of screaming matches. We can allow one another to make a different choice and not try to bludgeon each other into submission. The basic fact is that we all love America and want what is best for her people and the world in which we live. If we, in our heightened state of political fervor, can be civil and gracious to one another, what lovely example we could give our children. Freedom requires participation and prayerful reflection as we use the voice we have been given. May each one of us, as followers of Christ, be the first to show respect to the other (RB 72:4). And maybe, heart by heart, we will change the world with our hope - the hope that is our birthright by baptism and a gift that must be shared.
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki
How can we share our faith in these troubled times? Well, for starters, we can do something for the victims of the hurricane – here and on the islands. As a monastic community we make many contributions each year that are mutually agreed upon and reflect our Benedictine values. “Catholic Relief Services” is among those organizations. A contribution to CRS will reach those who need it most outside our borders. To help those in Texas, the domestic branch if this organization is called, “Catholic Charities.”
Although my Dear Old Dad is a CFA – certified financial analyst – I know less than nothing about the workings of Wall Street. I can, however, pray for those who represent me as they struggle to do the right thing. My anger and frustration will get me nowhere. Prayer will change me and, perhaps, change the hearts of those who have been greedy or less than honorable in their financial dealings. Prayer is not the "last resort." It is the best thing we can do for one another – the most powerful sharing of our loving energy, of all that makes us like GOD.
Presidential politics? Well, we can start by being respectful of one another as Election Day draws near. We can have conversations instead of screaming matches. We can allow one another to make a different choice and not try to bludgeon each other into submission. The basic fact is that we all love America and want what is best for her people and the world in which we live. If we, in our heightened state of political fervor, can be civil and gracious to one another, what lovely example we could give our children. Freedom requires participation and prayerful reflection as we use the voice we have been given. May each one of us, as followers of Christ, be the first to show respect to the other (RB 72:4). And maybe, heart by heart, we will change the world with our hope - the hope that is our birthright by baptism and a gift that must be shared.
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
RB 36 falls within a section of The Rule that concerns itself with meals [RB 35-42]. Though the chapter deals primarily with the relationship between the sick one and the server, Benedict sets the tone of this very practical instruction with the first two verses: Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ, for he said: ‘I was sick and you visited me (Matt. 25:36),’ and, ‘What you did for one of these least sisters you did for me (Matt. 25:40).’ As with his emphasis on “good zeal” in our dealings with one another and the primacy of hospitality to strangers, Saint Benedict clearly understands that the sick one is a unique incarnation of the Christ. (See, I really did go to my classes in Rome!)
When I visit our Infirmary at the monastery, it’s easy to find Christ in my sisters. Though their days of active service have come to an end, they have become the spiritual power-house of the community. They give me good example in the way they accept the many sufferings of aging and gratefully receive the kindnesses of the staff and sisters who care for them. Anyone who works in healthcare or hospice can tell you more than I about the presence of Christ among the sick and dying. It is real presence in the most sacramental sense of the word.
Since most blogs are “all about me,” I’ll tell you where these musings are coming from. I took a “sick day” yesterday. I can hardly believe it myself, but it’s true. I was all dressed and ready to go to work. I joined my sisters for Morning Prayer and even croaked out the canticle. But, Sister Andrea took one look at me and suggested that I needed to go to bed and just be sick. What a concept - actually skip work for a day and do NOTHING! I’m pretty good when it comes to taking care of others, but Benedict would give me a big, fat “F” for being the one served in sickness.
One of the many gifts of community, for me, is the mirror I never had before. Yes, Sister Andrea could see that I looked like a piece of bruised fruit, but, more importantly, she could see my inner self. She knows I love work and have a super-sized notion of responsibility. She knows I am less able to give myself permission to stop and be the unproductive member of the household. Her loving glance and wise words enabled me to have a “Mary day” – to be still at the Lord’s feet and know His rest. The Rule is an ancient document but alive and well in our lives. For its common-sense, gospel-girded, “people-come-first” attitude, I am truly grateful.
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki
When I visit our Infirmary at the monastery, it’s easy to find Christ in my sisters. Though their days of active service have come to an end, they have become the spiritual power-house of the community. They give me good example in the way they accept the many sufferings of aging and gratefully receive the kindnesses of the staff and sisters who care for them. Anyone who works in healthcare or hospice can tell you more than I about the presence of Christ among the sick and dying. It is real presence in the most sacramental sense of the word.
Since most blogs are “all about me,” I’ll tell you where these musings are coming from. I took a “sick day” yesterday. I can hardly believe it myself, but it’s true. I was all dressed and ready to go to work. I joined my sisters for Morning Prayer and even croaked out the canticle. But, Sister Andrea took one look at me and suggested that I needed to go to bed and just be sick. What a concept - actually skip work for a day and do NOTHING! I’m pretty good when it comes to taking care of others, but Benedict would give me a big, fat “F” for being the one served in sickness.
One of the many gifts of community, for me, is the mirror I never had before. Yes, Sister Andrea could see that I looked like a piece of bruised fruit, but, more importantly, she could see my inner self. She knows I love work and have a super-sized notion of responsibility. She knows I am less able to give myself permission to stop and be the unproductive member of the household. Her loving glance and wise words enabled me to have a “Mary day” – to be still at the Lord’s feet and know His rest. The Rule is an ancient document but alive and well in our lives. For its common-sense, gospel-girded, “people-come-first” attitude, I am truly grateful.
Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki
Monday, September 22, 2008
I'm back...
...and I'm sick. Yup. I've managed to cook up a lovely little sinus infection. (I'm not contagious - just pathetic.) I did, however, manage to be faithful to my commitments this weekend. I spent Sunday at our annual "Family Picnic" at the monastery. Each year the sisters invite their family/friends to share a meal with us on the patio. Our families bring salads and wonderful desserts. We provide hot dogs and hamburgers, tea and lemonade. (GOD bless Greg Evans, Obl. SB, who grilled three cases of meat in the late summer sun!) We ate every morsel. And, I got to "table-hop." Three of the women in our Live-In Program invited family to the picnic. I was able to spend spend some time with each family over the course of several hours.
This morning, despite feeling like Peter's mother-in-law, I made it to the Church of the Epiphany for a short talk on the Beattitudes. The WINGS program is active in several parishes in our diocese. It's a faith-sharing community of women within the larger church. They meet once a week for prayer, some imput and some heart-to-heart conversation. I was overwhelmed by the number of participants this morning and delighted in the din of their laughter and conversation beforehand. Their kind attention was a blessing for me. I am certain that these women know the LORD. I know "holy" when I see it. I am grateful to the WINGS women. I may be a bit under the weather and croaking light a toad, but thanks to them, my soul feels like singing!
Blessings and love to you all...
- Sister Vicki
This morning, despite feeling like Peter's mother-in-law, I made it to the Church of the Epiphany for a short talk on the Beattitudes. The WINGS program is active in several parishes in our diocese. It's a faith-sharing community of women within the larger church. They meet once a week for prayer, some imput and some heart-to-heart conversation. I was overwhelmed by the number of participants this morning and delighted in the din of their laughter and conversation beforehand. Their kind attention was a blessing for me. I am certain that these women know the LORD. I know "holy" when I see it. I am grateful to the WINGS women. I may be a bit under the weather and croaking light a toad, but thanks to them, my soul feels like singing!
Blessings and love to you all...
- Sister Vicki
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