Monastics On A Journey...

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

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.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

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

Thursday, December 18, 2008

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.

Monday, December 15, 2008

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.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

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

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Sister's cooking show is live...

We filmed the one and only episode of "Nun Better: Cooking with Sister Vicki" on Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. It was more fun than I anticipated. I hope you enjoy the segments - five including the credits. At the very least, we've sent a wonderful recipe out into cyberspace. In my dreams, we find a chef who longs to be a nun. Oh...technical difficulties were many. Segment 2 was filmed on its side. Don't ask.

Blessings and love to you all...

- Sister Vicki