December 31
Our
New Year's Eve was a Day of Recollection. We savored the silence/solitude
to list the blessings of 2009; then we thought of welcoming 2010--listing again
hopes and making resolutions to bring the hopes into being. The Community had a
New Year's Eve Vigil at 7:30 pm, followed by a "Nun" party--mostly eating
and chatting. We pray that all people, especially our family, friends and
benefactors, be blessed with a
Happy New Year of health, happiness, peace and love!
December 26
We spent the day trying to tidy up our rooms, put away gifts and write thank you
notes. We took naps, too. Karen, our newest affiliate, came to live with us
until she finds a place closer to her work; she has a new job at the University
in Tampa
December 25
Christmas + A Celebration of Christ's Birth – A half hour of caroling
preceded a wonderful liturgy; a good meal followed with several desserts. Little
gifts littered the halls by everyone's room. That night the luminaries (sand
bags with candles) lining the sidewalk were lit, after sung Vespers and supper.
A "nun-style party" followed and was a gift exchange. Each had picked the name
of a person for whom to buy a special gift. The fun was discovering who had your
name and then to watch the person whose name you had open their gift and
discover it came from you. Again we went to bed tired but grateful for a
good day and knowing that we'd sleep a little later the next day.
December 24
Cards, wrapping, delivering gifts, the solemn closing of Advent and First
Vespers of
Christmas, that's what this day held. We ate supper in the Community Room
lest we disturb the decorated Dining Room.
December 23
Employee Christmas Luncheon–prepared by Sr. Donna a large spread of good
foods didn't all fit on the table. That evening with all working together we got
the halls, various rooms and even the stairs decked with holly, tinsel, colored
bulbs, wreaths, bows ... We relaxed later with refreshments before all went up
to bed grateful we'd sleep a little later the
next day.
December 20-29
Sr. Jane visits with two Benedictine Sisters from Ndanda, Tanzania, who work
with her in Indiana.
December 20
Oblate candidate Maxe Millery dies. She had cancer; her "two months to live"
lasted Six. RIP. Maxe was the 2nd Oblate to die this month; Barbara Haviland
died on December 5th.
December 15
Advent Penance Service - Eight guest Sisters join us for Vespers, supper and
the service.
December 13
For the 3rd Sunday of Advent, our recorder group played a lovely, prayerful
prelude before Mass.
December 12
We had Community meetings (Sr. Germaine was home-- and is doing well with the
chemo for cancer--she looks great and has fancy head coverings. In the afternoon
we wrapped gifts for the "Adopted" needy Family --clothing; a toy for each
child, blankets and a book, too, purchased with the Sisters' alms. This is one
of our Corporate Commitment actions and a great way to get into the
Christmas Spirit.
December 7
Many Sisters were out shopping today. Among them, were two sisters who were
buying clothes and a toy for children of a family we have "adopted" for Christmas.
This is another Corporate Commitment action of ours. After identifying a needy
family, Sisters give alms, go shopping and then we have a gift wrapping party. This
is a wonderful way to get into the spirit of Christmas. Jesus is the reason for
the season! As God gave us the great gift of his love in Jesus, we try to give
the gift of love to others who might not have the means to celebrate. How are
you preparing the way of the Lord to come into your own heart and the hearts of
others? Happy Advent!
November 26
As a Corporate Commitment action we again invited others to feed their
"physical, spiritual, emotional and social Hungers" at our Thanksgiving Dinner.
This year there were 308 served. (121 "boxes to go" were delivered to the
homebound or those unable to attend) God bless the many volunteers who helped
out and made the dinner a true experience of the Kingdom of God.
November 22
Oblate Sunday–At the end of the meeting which focused on Humility as a way to
"prefer nothing to Christ" Gloria Duggan made her Oblation. Other Oblates in
attendance publicly renewed their oblations, as well.
November 21
At the beginning of the Vespers for
Christ the King, Karen Bray, was received as an affiliate. She promised
to continue to discern her vocation; the Sisters promised to support her with
our prayer and good example.
Affiliate is the first step toward becoming a
Benedictine Sister. In her
public statement of intention, a woman is welcomed by the Community to consider
a vowed life with us.
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November 6
We made our annual visit to the cemetery to visit our deceased Sisters, to
pray and to lay roses or wild
flowers on their graves. The number able to go was few but we were joined
by 3 siblings of Sr. Pauline who are visiting.
November 3-10
During this week over half of the Sisters were sick with some kind of "bug".
November 2
At Morning Prayer on
All Souls Day, we placed before the altar the basket of names of deceased
for whom we have been asked to pray. These beloved dead will be remembered daily
at Eucharist and in our
prayer.
Later we shared Eucharist and lunch with the monks at the Abbey. It is always
good to be together.
November 1
All Saints Day was celebrated with a nice liturgy; we displayed the many
relics we have. We had a sense of the presence of many
saints gathered with us to
pray.
Notes for October:
There have been many goings/comings to conferences/meetings or "time away" this
month. Our greatest concern and prayerful support has been focused on our
Sister Germaine who is in the hospital in St. Petersburg for treatments for
cancer that has reoccurred. Please keep her and us in your prayer.
At the end of October our newsletter, the TIDE, went out again. This is a special issue with vocation stories and cute pictures. The TIDE is now on line. Give your friends our website and tell them to check us out.
October 31
Benedictines love to party; each month we celebrate birthdays and feast days
with a party. The latest was a
Chinese Dinner Party. Sister Donna, with help from Volunteer, Barbara,
outdid herself with homemade
wonton soup, egg rolls,
Chinese chicken with beer batter,
and pineapple sherbet with almond cookies. Nothing from a box–she's amazing! We
played Chinese gift exchange–a rousing/fun-filled time!
October 16
-17
Alumni Weekend for
Holy Name Academy and St. Leo Prep gave time to
share memories for classmates. Eleven Sisters and Volunteers attended the
special luncheon at the University where Sister Dorothy received a special
award.
That same weekend was the 43rd Rattlesnake Festival in
San Antonio. Thousands
came for fun and to visit the many craft booths set up around the circle.
Several Sisters walked down to investigate and to visit with friends.
October 15
Eight of us went to the local
Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil. The Benedictine Sisters were on the
program and sang "Let there Be Peace On Earth" at the outdoor service.
October 13
We had our first Thanksgiving Dinner planning meeting. This will be our 14th
year of hosting this Corporate Commitment action to feed the many hungers of
others. We expect to serve about the same number as last year, 300+!
October 2-3
Community Weekend- This was a time for the whole Community to come
together; we discussed an article we'd read re: Discernment/Election. Although
one among us will become prioress in May 2010, each of us was challenged to show
to each other the qualities we need in a prioress: fidelity to prayer and work;
presence, approachability, acceptance, encouragement, understanding...
As in our Philosophy Statement: "...we form bonds of mutual love and respect and
call forth the best in one another. "The weekend also gave time for reports and
meetings of special groups. It concluded with our monthly Recollection Sunday.
September 21
UN International Day of Peace - we observed a
minute of silence at noon, had prayer during our Monday vigil with "Pray
for Peace" signs on SR 52, and used a call to worship at Vespers recalling the
day's focus.
September 20
Oblate Sunday--A new series, "Preferring Nothing to the
Love of Christ" began by focusing on Listening/Obedience as a way of
"preferring Christ" We had a record turn out and welcomed 4 women to their first
Oblate meeting. At the closing prayer in the Chapel at the end of the meeting,
we accepted 3 new Oblate candidates: Karen Robertson, Barbara Boucher, and Linda
Wathen.
September 16
Sisters Mary Clare, Mary
David, Roberta and volunteers, Barbara Molloy and Elizabeth Mathai attended the
presentation by Nola Theiss at the University on "Human
Trafficking"; it was sad, yet very informative. There are more "slaves"
involved in this "illegal modern-day slavery" than legal slaves 150 yrs ago.
After drug trafficking,
human trafficking is the biggest money-making "industry" 80% of victims are
women; 50% are children. They are forced into
hard labor or used as sex
objects.
Here is a web site:
www.humantraffickingawareness.org
September 1
Jane Maitski and two 8th grade students from
Saint Anthony School joined the Sisters for Noon Prayer and Lunch.
They came to receive a Corporate Commitment donation from the Benedictine
Sisters for "School Support". Saint Anthony School is a partner in "feeding
spiritual, emotional and social hungers".
August 27
The Sisters met for 3 hours with
Strategic Planning consultants
from Zielinski Companies (1 live and 3 by phone conference) This is part of a
process in which we are envisioning and planning for our future. Areas reported
on/discussed included: Vocations, Development/Marketing, and evaluation of
properties and the present Monastery building. At meeting's end all were
hope-filled, grateful to be Benedictine Sisters of Florida, and ready to move
forward, like the pioneer Sisters before us.
August 24
Twenty (20) Saint Leo University freshmen were here for a Service Day. They worked hard! Together with a few Sisters they washed windows/screens in most of the Monastery. Some cleaned ceiling fans, slatted doors...Others washed dishes or cars or cleaned the basement. All had a mid-way coke and cookie break, too. It was smart to send a whole SLU 100 (college 101) class--it gives the students time to work together and bond.
August 21
University Ministry, Student Chaplains and staff, were here for "Tour," to share Noon Prayer and lunch with the Sisters.
August 19
Sr. Mary David gave the first of 15
Monastery "Tours" to the
Director of University Security.
August 12
Oblate Summer Day–17
participants shared the day with Sr. Mary David "Listening with the Book".
Reflection, small group sharing on Gospel parables was enriched with some Tai
Chi, viewing an AIM DVD, listening to Swahili music from Peramiho, Tanzania, and
sharing prayer/lunch with the Sisters. At the end, during the Prayer Service
Oblate friends made commitment as
Benedictines
for Peace.
August 10
Sr. Mary David was interviewed and video taped for a presentation on the Benedictine Legacy for an up-coming University Faculty Development Day. She gave a "tour" and shared reflections on Benedictine values. University faculty, staff and students may get to see the "show".
Aug. 7-9
While "listening with the ear of the heart" to God's call to religious life,
four participants learned about discernment. They valued praying together, the
quiet, guidance, and personal conferences.
August 7th
Leadership Saint Leo had a class day from 9 am - 4 pm here at the Monastery.
This group of 18 were specifically chosen from different departments and centers
to learn more about Benedictine values.
Sr. Mary Clare gave a power-point presentation. Sr. Mary David gave a
"tour". Participants prayed Noon Prayer and had lunch with the Sisters before
continuing with an afternoon class.
July 30-August 2
Our Community Days, were a nice mix of Community and Committee meetings, prayer and party. We heard a report on our 4 Affiliates whom we all consider a "Sign of Hope" A presentation by Sr. Dianne stirred our zeal for vocations and promises more Community involvement in that area. An Election/Discernment Committee was named to outline a program of preparation for the election of a new prioress in May 2010. There was a renewal of commitment to Benedictines For Peace at Vespers. At the party Sisters racked up points for prizes by answering Trivia questions and doing a Puzzle, "Where do you find certain items in the Monastery?" Besides the earned prizes, everyone won an ice cream treat!
June 28-July 5
An Affiliate is the first stage of seeking to become a Sister. June 28-July 5
we had an Affiliate Week; our 4 hopefuls were here for a relaxed time of prayer,
work, and play. It rained on our picnic but Pam, Laura, Elizabeth and Ryann
loved it and said they really got to bond with each other. There were sessions
of Lectio with scripture and of honest sharing of questions and answers. They
liked the
Tai Chi, writing haiku, and art making Mandalas. All had fun with card
games (you really see how a person is when you play with them :) The week went
quickly; at the end these women got a special blessing. All want to continue
being affiliates and we plan to have some Affiliate Days every several months.
Do keep them all (and others discerning a call) in your prayer.
"Affiliate
Week" +
Haiku by participants
Affiliate Week
These days bind us together
It was wonderful!
These days are God's gift
I fell in love with Jesus
Affiliate Week.
Affiliate Week
not alone in discerning
It was God's planning.
June 7-11 Community Retreat with Sr. Jean
Maher, OSB, from Duluth, MN.
Her talks on "Eucharist: A Gift That Keeps Giving" went right along with the
Eucharistic Initiative of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Two conferences a day,
Eucharist,
Liturgy of the Hours, and holy leisure marked these days as "gift". At the
closing liturgy the Sisters renewed their vows. Oblate friends volunteered to
do serving and dish washing so the Sisters could give themselves fully to the
retreat. Volunteers were grateful for the opportunity to share in retreat
conferences and prayer, making it a retreat time for them also.
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May 22-24 Oblate Retreat, "Lectio & Beyond:
Living Christian Prayer" 9 participated. On Oblate Sunday Veronica Jhang
and James
Won become candidates and Lisa Rosser makes Oblation.
May 18 We celebrated Employee Appreciation Dinner
with 50 employees and their family members. Sr. Donna cooked so our Chef Shawn
could sit down and enjoy the meal.
May 9 S. Roberta celebrated her
Golden Jubilee and renewed her vows before 60 guests. It was a wonderful
day! Among the many friends who attended was Sr. Glenna Smith, OSB. from
Bristow, VA Father Henry
Riffle was the main celebrant.
Sr. Mary Clare gave the homily. Sr. Roberta's sister, Cathy, her niece
Laura and her 4 children were guests at the Monastery for 4 or 5 days.
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May 2 Sr. Winifrida graduated from St.Leo
University. She was a student Sister with us for 3 years earning undergraduate
and
graduate degrees. At her graduation, she had 3 Sisters from her Tanzanian
community, and a niece with 2 children from London as guests at the Monastery for
a number of days. She and her Sisters cooked an African meal for us that night. We
all enjoyed an international meal and entertainment. We miss Sr. Winny who has
left us now to return to Tanzania
to open a high school for girls.
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April 18-19 Sisters joined
St. Anthony School students' team for the American Cancer Society's Relay
for Life in downtown San Antonio. Ss.
Roberta and Mildred were honored at the Survivors' Dinner and did the Survivors'
Lap. Sisters Mary David, Donna, Jean, Winny and volunteers Ryann and Elizabeth did laps
morning/noon/night. Luminaries were lit in Tim Brown's honor.
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