SEEKING GOD - A BENEDICTINE BLOG

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from
The Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel

and
The Benedictine Foundation of Oregon

ANGELS we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains. And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria In Excelsius Deo! Shepherd why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria In Excelsius Deo!

Dear Friends

May the celebration of Christ's birth fill you with peace and joy! May each of us join the angels in singing "Glory to God in the Highest" and peace to all those of good will.

Please join us for the Christmas Vigil on December 24th. There will be Christmas Carols at 7:40 PM and Eucharist will begin at 8:00 PM. Both will be held in the Queen of Angels Monastery Chapel.

We thank you for all your support during this past year. May the New Year be filled with God's blessings for each of you.

The Benedictine Sisters
The Staff and Board of the Benedictine Foundation

BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF MT. ANGEL

840 S. Main Street

Mt. Angel, OR 97362

503-845-6141

BENEDICTINE FOUNDATION OF OREGON
PO Box 912
Mt. Angel, OR 97362
503-845-2556

ADVENT REFLECTION

2011-12-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

CHRIST, OUR LIGHT, IS COMING

December has appeared, and in the northern hemisphere winter is approaching with its shortest of days and darkest of nights. The farther north we live, the more likely we are to experience cold, rain, and gloomy weather. It is the season of the proverbial "dark and stormy night” when the landscape becomes gray and bleak. Some of us even feel like we are moving into a time of hibernation, silently slowing down and patiently waiting for a time when we can wake to spring and new life.

As we move toward the end of the calendar year, the season of Advent (the beginning of the Church year) has begun. We appear to be moving in two divergent directions: toward both an ending and a beginning. The world around us is dying and being put to rest, while the Church encourages us to experience beginnings and the new life seen in the birth of Christ, the Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Not only is there the disparity between conclusions and commencements, there is also a profound contrast: the starkness of the winter weather and landscape stands out against the images of light that are used during Advent and Christmas. Throughout this time, there are references to Christ as the light in the midst of our darkness and the brightness along our way to the reign of God. The contrast with the world around us invites us to notice more acutely the images of light.

We often think of Easter as the time when the Church remembers Christ as the light of the world, as we celebrate his being raised from the dark tomb into the glory of Easter morn. However, this image of light, and insight into the effect of the Messiah's presence among us, is seen throughout the life of Christ. Yes, Easter is the culmination, but the message that Christ is our light is woven into the events of his whole life.

As we celebrate this Advent, waiting for the arrival of Christ, let us reflect on what God has told us about divine light. May we come to know more deeply the One who is light, who continually comes into our world, and who daily appears in our lives.

Light is associated with God from the beginning of the scriptures. In Genesis, God's first words are "Let there be light." Already there is an association between God's word and light. Throughout the Bible, there are many passages in which light symbolizes the divine presence and blessing. In Numbers 6:25, God tells Moses to bless Aaron by praying, "May the Lord's face shine upon you and be gracious to you." In Psalm 18:28, we read, "For you light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lightens my darkness;' and in Psalm 67:1, we pray, "May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face shine upon us!'

Often God's light is used to symbolize revelation, guidance, salvation, and the personal relationship with the chosen covenantal people. In Psalm 43:3, we pray for God's light and truth to be a guide that will bring us to God's holy mountain. This theme of guidance is repeated in Psalm 119:105, in which God's living word is seen as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. In Psalm 27:1, God is spoken of as our light and our salvation, and in Psalm 31:16, we request, "Shine upon your servant and save me with your covenantal love." Isaiah 9:2 enlarges upon God's light that leads us, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." Often the New Testament authors apply these passages to Christ, emphasizing Christ as God's light in the darkness of sin, God's path to salvation, and God's blessings of presence, life, and new creation.

Matthew writes about the Magi who follow the light of a star that is the symbol of the new king of the Jews whom the wise ones seek. The light leads them to the One before whom they bow in homage. We resemble these Eastern sages, seeking and journeying in faith, wishing to gaze upon Christ, and wanting to be guided by the light of faith.

Luke also includes the symbol of light in his stories of the Christ Child's beginnings. Zechariah's prayer (Lk 1:67-79) refers to Jesus as "the rising Sun" who will "give light" and "guide our feet into the way of peace" (vv. 78-79). On the day of Jesus' presentation, the "upright and devout" Simeon comes to the Temple. He holds the child in his arms and prays, "My eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel" (Lk 2:29-32).

Later in his life, Jesus speaks to his followers and connects light and discipleship. As Christ enlightens the world, so should his disciples be light to those around them. This light of Christ must be shared so that others, too, will become faithful Christians. Jesus tell us, his present day disciples, "You are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14-16). He encourages us to be like him, doing good works that lead others to the praise of the Father. Jesus enlarges upon this theme (Lk 11:33-36), commanding that we not hide the light, the grace, the life of God that has been placed within us. We must "put the light on a stand,” that is, out in public where it may inspire others. The gifts that God provides for each of us are to be used for others, to lead them into the realm of light and grace. Advent invites us not only to recognize the light of Christ coming into our world, but also to make sure that light is evident. The light becomes unmistakably apparent when we have welcomed it, allowed it to take up a home within us and then offered it to others.

John's Gospel, more than any other, speaks of Jesus as the Light. In his prologue, John writes that the life within Jesus is the light for everyone of us, not just for some (1:4-5). This light shines upon the darkness, on everything that separates from God. This true light illumines every person (1:9), allowing each of us to be a faithful disciple, one who knows, loves, and serves the God who fills our lives with that light and grace.

Christ offers us a choice: the light of God's life or the darkness that symbolizes the opposite. Will we choose the light and become children of God, or will we reject the light and accept the dark separation? As we struggle with the choices of life or death, light or darkness, we realize that we are not in that battle alone. The Father has sent the Christ into the world that we might "not be lost, but have eternal life." He came not to condemn but to save each of us (John 3:16-18). God's intent is to save, to offer light, to bring us into eternal life. Advent is a time to renew our acceptance of this gift.

Jesus clearly invites each of us to make that choice. "I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This "I AM" is one of John's Christological statements, identifying Jesus with the God who, at the burning bush, reveals his name as "I AM" (Ex 3:14). As the light of that bush draws Moses to God, so the illumination of Christ attracts each of us. If we follow Christ, even in what seems like the dark of winter, we truly walk in the light.

This light in our midst can be understood by an allegory.¹ Imagine a group of friends, each holding a small mirror. Some of the mirrors are broken with cracks deep into their surface and so they reflect imperfectly. Other mirrors are covered with duct tape, eradicating their ability to reflect. Others are spotted, dusty and need a dose of window cleaner. Then there are those who shine and reflect very well. The leader has a laser whose small red beam can be pointed at the small mirrors. On a foggy night, the beam of light is particularly apparent. It reflects off the clean mirrors so well that it is passed on to other mirrors. However, the covered mirrors don't receive the beam, and the cracked and spotted ones only partially pass on the light. God the Father is holding the laser and Christ is the light being passed from each mirror (disciple) to another. The fog is the world around us, our experiences, and every grace that allows us to see light more clearly. The cracks in the mirror are imperfections of our spirits and the duct tape is the sin that isolates us from God. Our job, with God's assistance, is to fix the mirrors of our lives, to polish, glue, or unwrap them, so that each experience of Christ can be passed on to another disciple. This is the call of Advent: be the instrument by which the Light of the world can continue to shine for all to see.

Advent invites us to move closer to the light. We are encouraged in the midst of the dying days of the year, in the starkness and dreariness of winter, in the darkness of sin, to respond to the coming light. We are invited to enter into that light of Christ's presence, forgiveness, and life that show us the path to eternal life.

May each candle of the Advent wreath remind us of the light of grace. May each week, with each additional candle and increased light, enhance our experience of God's presence. May this Advent bring us closer to the God who moves closer to us, to the God who is constantly inviting us to intimacy, the God who is light in our midst.

Sr. Jeanette von Herrmann, OSB

Reprinted with permission. This article originally appeared in the November-December issue of Spirit & Life. For additional articles please click here: http://www.benedictinesisters.org/spirit-and-life-magazine-home.php

1 Thanks to Donald Kelley, Esq, of Silverton, Oregon, for this insight.

TAIZE PRAYER FOR ADVENT

2011-12-07T16:28:00.000-08:00

TAIZE PRAYER

This coming Sunday, December 11th, from 7-8PM

Benedictine Sisters' Monastery Chapel

840 S. Main

Mt. Angel, OR 97362

All are welcome!

ADVENT THOUGHTS

2011-12-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

ADVENT - THE COMING OF OUR GOD

[A Reflection by Novice Mary Harp]

Advent is a time of waiting in anticipation for the coming of Jesus. For me, when I reflect on this season, I am reminded of all I need to do.

One thing is a "spiritual clean-up." I think about where my heart is and what I need to do to polish all the rough spots so that it truly shines.

This is a time when I remember those whom I love and those who are in need of my love. Jesus comes to all of us regardless of our background, experiences, age, race, gender, or religion. We are all one people, living for the same God.

During this time I am reminded to pray, receive Communion and the other Sacraments, and to spend time with those whom I love and are in need of my love.

May Advent be a time of blessing for each of you!

ADVENT - A TIME OF ATTENTIVENESS

[A Reflection by Sr. Dorothy Pulkka, OSB]

Advent is my favorite season. The darkness, the cold, the bareness of winter is "alive" with the premise of new hope. As St. Augustine explains: "God speaks to us within. He speaks to us in our inner self when we are attentive to him. Without words he instructs us in silence, drenching our souls with the light of understanding. He stirs in us an eager longing for the beautiful intimacy of his presence within." What better preparation for the birth of the Son of God in my [our] hearts this Advent Season.

May the attentiveness in our inner selves bring us deeper into the awareness of God's Presence.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-23T16:45:00.000-08:00

The Benedictine Sisters of Queen of Angels Monastery

wish you a

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I thank my God whenever I think of you; and every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy, remembering how you have helped to spread the Good News." Philippians 1:3-4.

We do thank our God whenever we think of all of you: Oblates, family, friends, benefactors, retreatants, employees, etc. You are a blessing in our lives. It is appropriate to tell you this during the season when we celebrate God's bounty with grateful hearts and spirits. May each of you be blessed in turn and have a Thanksgiving full of gratitude and peace.

SR. REBECCA PIRKL I'm thankful for... family and friends... good health... kindness and smiles... music and art... beautiful things... sunsets and rainbows... oceans and waterfalls... fall leaves....balloons and bubbles... long legged birds... bright colors... popcorn and chocolate... and the daily grace of God.

SR. MAUREEN NIEDERMEYER There are many things to thank God for: a growing delight in all the unexpected beauty in my life; a new taste at the dinner table; the sight of a flaming red-leafed tree; a phrase that jumps out of a poem; a friend's perceptive comment about a passage of scripture; the unexpected smile from a stranger that I meet on the street. These are all like Moses' burning bush that grace my life, reminding me that God is present everywhere! I can expect to be surprised and delighted many times each day!

SR. DONNA MARIE CHARTRAW Most of us remember to be thankful for family, friends, blessings, etc. Let us also be thankful for God’s unfailing presence in our lives, for the guidance and nourishment of our souls.

POSTULANT LEANNE SANDALL Moving through the day, I pause to give thanks, pause in awareness of the good in life. I thank God for the rising sun that will warm the earth, the fertile soil that will bear fruit, and the rain that will nourish all. I thank God for our times of laughter, our quiet smiles exchanged, our voices united in song. I thank God for the innumerable minuscule ways people choose to cultivate and spread peace in our not so peaceful world.

SR. HILDA KLEIMAN This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for: the liturgical traditions of the Church; the support of my monastic community and my family; formal and informal opportunities for continued education; and for my colleagues and students at the seminary.

2011-10-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

About the 2011 Car Raffle

This was the Benedictine Foundation of Oregon's 17th Annual Car Raffle. A beautiful new 2011 Honda Civic LX, valued at $20,221 was offered as the grand prize. This year we had 1250 tickets, and were delighted to be sold out 10 days before the October 30th drawing.


Sr. Donna Marie pulls out the winning ticket

Thanks to all of you who so generously supported us and contributed to the success of this raffle. We are very appreciative. We use the raffle proceeds to help care for our older sisters and to reach out for new members.

2011 Honda Civic LX Winner

The winners of this year's car raffle are Bob and Jean Fessler of Woodburn, Oregon. Congratulations!

Steve Ritchie, Executive Director of the Benedictine Foundation of Oregon, reads the names on the winning ticket

Other Prizes....

The Foundation also offered three additional prizes:

-Amanda Beyer

of Mt. Angel, Oregon, won a Wood Pellet Patio Heater ($399 value)

-Leslie Weatherill
of Woodburn, Oregon, won a 2-night stay at a Lincoln City beach house ($400 value)

-Dot Sander-Ziegler

of Renton, Washington won a dinner and overnight stay at the Oregon Garden Resort ($150 value)

NOVEMBER PRAYERS

2011-10-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

November begins with the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. Many saints are know to us and are recognized by the Catholic Church as having led saintly lives worthy of our imitation. Of course, there are many more saints who aren't as well know and haven't [yet] been publicly recognized. Many of us have known family members and friends who led holy lives, and who have helped us on our way to God. Aren't we fortunate to have both known and unrecognized saints in our lives? May they intercede for us and continue to provide inspiration.

November is also the month that Catholics traditionally remember and pray for all of those who have died. Here at Queen of Angels Monastery, we pray for deceased sisters, oblates, family members, and friends. Additionally, we add to our prayers those for whom others ask us to pray.

If you would like the sisters to pray for any one in particular, please send their name[s] to us at QAM1882@gmail.com

May we all journey together toward that eternal life that God so graciously provides for us.

A Day of Rememberance

2011-09-11T00:50:00.000-07:00

As we all remember 9-11, please join the Benedictine Sisters as we pray for all those who lost their lives on that day,and in subsequent days. Let us pray for peace, and an end of violence and war. Let us work for justice, Let us live in faith and hope that those of us who believe in peace and justice can make a difference in our world.

MATER DOLOROSA

2011-09-11T00:39:00.000-07:00

The Mother of Sorrows

A first time mother, joyfully carrying her new-born son, comes to the Temple in Jerusalem. Her intentions are faith-filled. She wishes to observe the spiritual requirements of the Torah, and so she presents her child to God, and asks for purification for herself. It is a happy occasion and the parents come in rejoicing.

As the family comes into the Temple, an elderly, righteous man by the name of Simeon greets them. Luke's Gospel tells us that the Holy Spirit rested on Simeon, promising that he "would not see death until he had set his eyes upon the Messiah." Simeon takes the new baby, and stirred by the Spirit, he recognizes Jesus as "The Salvation ... for all the nations."

Both of the parents deeply ponder the meaning of this declaration and prayer, and all too soon, Simeon explains himself and God's plan. Suddenly, a shadow moves over the pilgrimage to the Temple, the offering of their first-born, and Simeon's welcome. The message is about future suffering and pain, especially for the Christ and his Mother: "You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected. Also, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the secret thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare."

You can imagine the pain that entered Mary's heart that day, and that which came into the heart of Joseph as well. Like any parents, they probably were devastated by this message. The day ends with the family returning to Nazareth, where "the child grew to maturity, and was filled with wisdom; and God's favor was with him" (Lk 2:39-40). However, Simeon's prophecy stayed in the parents' hearts. No doubt, Mary daily remembered it, looking for signs and events that would lead to the predicted sorrows. Perhaps her suffering grew as the days went by without any more knowledge of the future and without any solace except her faith.

The Gospels record various sorrowful events in Mary's life. Simeon's message was the first and by no means the most painful. Christians over the centuries have meditated on seven of these stories and have prayed to Mary as the Sorrowful Mother. This image of Mary is particularly appealing for parents. How painful it is for parents to hear that their child is seriously sick, or has died. How difficult it is to know that your child will struggle with challenges each day of life. Every good parent would take that suffering on themselves rather than have their child endure it. Mary was no different. Yes, her life was also one of joy as she saw her son grow to maturity as a good person, wise, caring, and holy. However, she also knew not to be a "Pollyanna;' since leading a life that proclaimed the Father's message was not destined to be an easy or pain free one.

The second of Mary's recorded sorrows is told in Matthew 2:13-15,19-23. Joseph is the central figure in this story. An angel of God, in a dream, tells Joseph to take the child and his mother into the safety of Egypt because Herod wishes to kill Jesus. This sorrow is like the hardship of women immigrants who travel with small children into unknown lands, or like mothers who are homeless and struggle to provide for their children. Let us pray for young displaced parents, for those fleeing oppression and poverty, and for those who give up their own heritage and employment for the safety and future of their children. Let us pray for the homeless, single parents, who are without family to help them, and for the children who often must act like adults at a very young age.

The next "suffering parent" story (Lk 2:41-50) recounts the days during which Jesus was lost to his parents, but safe in the Temple. After the Passover feast, when everyone is headed home, Mary and Joseph also leave. They presume that the 12-year-old Jesus is with relatives, but he isn't. After hunting for three days, they finally find him in the Temple. Notice Mary and Joseph's emotions: "overcome;' "worried," and "did not understand." Meanwhile, Jesus doesn't understand either. Why were they worried? Wasn't he doing exactly what he was born to do: the work of his Father? Doesn't this sound like typical teenagers who don't understand the fuss when their parents are worried because they are late and haven't called? Mary and Joseph were real parents and understood the challenges of raising a son at the brink of adulthood. Jesus was divine, but he also was a growing boy, learning and maturing, advancing in wisdom, stature and favor with the Father and others.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to ponder all these events in her heart. Her heart knows the love of God and the goodness of her son, but it also struggles, fears and hopes like all mothers and fathers. Surely, Mary and Joseph seriously pondered how to parent their son when they didn't fully comprehend the path he walked. Let us pray for parents, especially parents of teenagers and young adults, who walk with and guide their children while worrying about them step-by-step and day-by-day. Let us pray for those young people who are seeking to know their mission in life, that they will have the assistance and support they need even when parents are still pondering the meaning of their choices.

The next four sorrowful incidents in Mary's life all occur during the passion and death of her son: Jesus on the way to Calvary (Lk 23:26-27); Jesus dies on the cross (John 19:25-30); the body of Jesus is taken from the cross (Mk 15:42-45); and the body of Jesus is placed in the tomb (John 19:38-42). Except for the passage in John's Gospel, Mary is not mentioned specifically in these passages. However, over the centuries, Christian faith and art have recognized that Mary's loving heart could not have allowed her to be any other place. No doubt, she was among the other women who faithfully stayed with Jesus when others abandoned him. What could be more painful for a mother than to watch her son suffer and be executed? Mary watches as her son walks toward the place where he will be killed, she stands by his cross giving what comfort she can, perhaps she holds his broken body after his death and walks with it to the tomb. This truly is the suffering that Simeon had predicted those many years before. This is the pain that any parent experiences as a son or daughter dies, be it from disease, in war, or by accident. Let us pray that, as Mary walked by her son, she will also be present to and comfort those who are moving toward the last days and hours of their lives, and that she will accompany those who sit with the sick and dying, praying for healing or peaceful death.

John's Gospel is the only one that reports Jesus speaking with his mother from the cross. Mary, along with several other women, is standing there with the Beloved Disciple. Jesus tells her, referring to the Beloved Disciple, "Woman, this is your son." Additionally, he says to the Beloved Disciple, "This is your mother." While this portrays Jesus as the loving son who takes care of his mother even as he dies, there is an additional message in this passage. The disciple can be seen as an image of all followers of Christ, and Mary can be interpreted as the new Eve, the mother of all those who live in the redeemed new creation. The dying Christ suggests that his mother now watches over all Christians who in turn can view her as the Mother of the Church, a Church that looks toward eternal life but remains a suffering Church in many lands at many times.

As we approach the tenth anniversary of September 11,2001, let us remember all those families who suffered as their innocent mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, or children died that day. Let us also pray for all those who continue to be the victims of violence for religious, political, cultural, racial, or various other excuses.

Christians, remembering Jesus' mother and her sorrows, pray to her asking that she implore her son's help for them. One mother can understand the pain of another mother, and so Mary knows the suffering of the world's mothers as they raise, guard, teach, protect, and inspire their children. Mary's love and devotion, her faithful standing by her son, inspires us also to remain with those we love even when it is most difficult. Let us pray to Mary, asking for her prayers to her son, so that each of us may remain steadfast in the face of suffering, ours and others'. May we comfort the sorrowful, pray with the dying, rise up against violence, teach our children to love peace, and may we reach out and offer solace to all in need.

Sr. Jeanette von Herrmann, OSB

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15th, a day after the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, and this year, four days after the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon outside of Washington, DC, and United Flight 93 that crashed in western Pennsylvania. This article was written with that national sorrow in mind.

Reprinted with permission. Spirit & Life, September-October 2011, is a publication of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Back issues can be viewed on line at www.benedictinesisters.org or at www.spiritandlifemagazine.com .

WELCOME!

2011-09-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO
POSTULANT LEANNE SANDALL!

On September 8th, the Benedictine Sisters gathered to welcome Leanne Sandall, 23, as our newest member. Postulant Leanne comes to us from Spokane, Washington ["Postulant" is a term for a woman in the initial stages of formation, a stage that usually lasts from 6-12 months. See our web page for more information about formation and its various stages]

Postulant Leanne officially began her formation in monastic life in a ceremony that comes from the 6th century Rule of Benedict. That Rule, in Chapter 58, speaks about a newcomer knocking on the door of the monastery and being granted admission if she "shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials...that will lead to God."

Thursday evening, Leanne knocked at the door of the monastery. That door was opened by the Prioress, Sr. Donna Marie, who asked: "Leanne, what do you seek?" Leanne responded: "I seek God."

Sr. Donna Marie then asked: "Will you truly seek God and show eagerness for the Word of God, for obedience and for trials?" To this, Leanne responded: "Yes. Drawn by the grace of God, I have come here to learn your way of life. Teach me your Rule and help me to live out the Gospel every day of my life, that I may follow Christ in this Benedictine community." Sr. Donna Marie then welcomed her: "On behalf of the community, I invite you to enter this Monastery, joining us on our journey to God."

Leanne entered the monastery and with the rest of the monastic community processed to the chapel for Evening Prayer and the rest of the ceremony.

After praying the Psalms, Sr. Donna Marie addressed the community: "Leanne wishes to live with us to further discern her call to monastic life. She seeks admission to the Postulancy in preparation for vowed membership. Leanne is committing herself to seek God in our midst through prayer, community, conversion, formation, and ministry. Through these experiences, walking side by side with us, she hopes to be able to know more clearly her call and through our support to respond generously. Will you accept Leanne into our community as a Postulant?" The sisters responded: "We will." Sr. Donna Marie then asked: "Will you support Leanne and take seriously your responsibility as a formative monastic community?" Again the sisters said: "We will."

Sr. Donna Marie [standing next to the altar before which was a Bible and a copy of the Rule] then addressed Leanne: "Both the Scriptures and the Rule of Benedict guide our lives. As a sign of your desire to enter into life with us and to deepen your commitment to Christ, please place your letter requesting admittance to our community near these words of inspiration. Leanne, on behalf of this community, I welcome you. Receive this medal of St. Benedict as a sign of our welcome to this community."

Sr. Donna Marie then blessed Postulant Leanne: "As you join us in daily prayer, may the words and voices strengthen you and draw you closer to the Divine Word [all the sisters responded "Amen"]. As you enter into community with us may new strength, love, and joy be released in you [all the sisters responded "Amen"]. Receive this rule of St. Benedict as a guide to opening your mind, heart, and soul to God's formative work and call to conversion, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. [all the sisters responded "Amen"]. May Christ bring us all together to life everlasting. [again, all the sisters responded "Amen"].

As the ceremony came to a close, the community blessed Sr. Joseph Fennimore who as the Formation Director will be working closely with Postulant Leanne.

Our New E-Newsletter

2011-08-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

Our new E-Newsletter was sent out by e-mail on the 12th of August. If you didn't receive it please look in your spam box. Unfortunately, that is the "final resting place" for many unexpected e-mails. If you didn't find it there and would like to receive it, please send a note to qam1882@gmail.com and we will add you to our mailing list.

Following is a copy of that first E-News.

Web-site

About Us

What's New?

Vocations

Volunteers

Oblates

Shalom

St. Joseph Shelter

Monastery Mustard

Support Us

Contact Us

AUGUST 2011 E-NEWS

Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel Oregon

Going Green

A Newsletter

Environmentalists Can Love

Welcome to the Benedictine Sisters' E-News! This is the first issue of their electronically delivered "going green" newsletter. As most of you know, the Sisters have had a printed [and USPS delivered] newsletter, Reflections, for more than 35 years. Now they are branching out and will be "publishing" this e-newsletter. Reflections is published three times a year [Winter, spring, and Fall] and this E-News will come out about once a month.

The E-News serves several purposes: it offers more timely news since it will come out more frequently; it saves printing and postage costs, and by using fewer natural resources it supports the Benedictine value of reverence for creation.

News of the Sisters and their ministries can also be found other places on-line. You can see them on Facebook [Queen of Angels Monastery] as well as on their two blogs. The first blog focuses on the Sisters and their spirituality. The second highlights Shalom Prayer Center, St. Joseph Shelter, Mission Benedict, Monastery Mustard, and the Benedictine Foundation of Oregon. Please note the links to the left and below.

The Sisters hope that you enjoy this E-News and invite you to forward it to family and friends.

Mario Diaz Performs for Packed House

Those attending the concert featuring guitarist extraordinaire Mario Diaz at Queen of Angels Chapel on Friday, July 22 were not disappointed. Mario kept the sold-out crowd enthralled with a virtuoso display that encompassed many styles and genres.

Sponsored by the Shalom Prayer Center board of directors, the concert was a benefit for the proposed outdoor labyrinth at Shalom Prayer Center. The concert proceeds of more than $2,100 and subsequent donations have pushed the total raised to within $1,000 of what is needed for the outdoor labyrinth!

Calling All Golfers!

St. Joseph Shelter's Third Annual Golf Marathon is less than two months away. The event, in which participants will secure sponsors and attempt to play 100 holes, will take place on Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Charbonneau Golf Club in Wilsonville.

Anyone who enjoys golf and might be interested in this fun way to support the Shelter's ministry to the homeless is invited to the TEE OFF DINNER on Thursday, August 18 at 5:30 pm at Evergreen Golf Club in Mt. Angel. Pizza will be served during a short program about how the Golf Marathon works. Afterwards, you are invited to play 9 holes at Evergreen free of charge! The Shelter is offering the free golf as a thank you for your time and interest in participating in the Golf Marathon. Learn more at www.stjosephshelter.org

Thank You for Your Support!

The 2011 Sisters' Retirement Appeal has been a tremendous success, thanks to the generosity of so many caring friends of the Sisters. To date, nearly 300 people have donated and nearly $45,000 has been raised. This amount represents an increase of over 10% over the previous year, and each gift is deeply appreciated by the community.

It is not too late to contribute - you can donate online at www.benedictine-srs.org or mail a check to the Benedictine Foundation of Oregon, P.O. Box 912, Mt. Angel, OR, 97362. Retirement appeal funds help provide for the care and living needs of the senior Sisters at Queen of Angels Monastery. The 15 Sisters here who are 80 and older have served as religious for a combined total of 927 years, an average of over 61 years each!

It's Berry Time at the Monastery

The Sisters are blessed each summer by an abundant crop of berries - blueberries, raspberries and blackberries - from their Monastery garden. While the berries were a little later than usual this year, the crop was a good one and the berries were enjoyed by all!

Look for Queen of Angels Monastery

This blog focuses on the Sisters' and their spirituality.

This blog focuses on the Sisters' ministries: Shalom Prayer Center, St. Joseph's Shelter and Mission Benedict, Monastery Mustard, and the Benedictine Foundation of Oregon.

PRAYER REQUESTS: At the entrance to the Benedictine Sisters' chapel, there is a book where anyone can request the sisters' prayers. If you would like the sisters to pray for you or your intentions, please e-mail your request to QAM1882@gmail.com

LET US PREFER NOTHING TO CHRIST AND MAY CHRIST BRING US ALL TOGETHER TO EVERLASTING LIFE.

Forward email

One of our connections to the world

2011-08-27T16:02:00.001-07:00

STEVE RITCHIE, the Director of the Benedictine Foundation of Oregon, is on a working vacation this week. Steve is in Daegu, South Korea, at the IAAF World Championships in Track and Field. He is working as a free-lance correspondent and will write a column for five different newspapers plus posing articles to his blog [www.steveritchieontrack.com].

Berry Blessings

2011-08-04T00:31:00.000-07:00

This year has been a particularly wonderful one for berries. We have been so blessed with an abundant crop of raspberries. The blueberries promise to be as prolific and the Marion berries and other cane berries have also made their way to our dinner table. There isn't anything better than freshly picked ripe berries. Another good reason to live in Oregon!

Novice Mary, Sr. Theresa and Sr. Robin Lynn


Not all the berries make it to the dinner table

E-NEWSLETTER ON THE HORIZON

2011-08-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Queen of Angels Monastery is in the midst of planning for an additional newsletter.

As most of you know, we have had a printed and delivered via the USPS our newsletter, Reflections, for more than 35 years. Now we are branching out and will be "publishing" an e-newsletter; this one you can receive by e-mail. Reflections is published three times a year [Winter, Spring and Fall] and the new e-newsletter will come out about once a month [but not more frequently].

Sound interesting? Would you like to receive it? If so, we need your e-mail address. If you don't think we have your current e-mail address, please send it to us at qam1882@gmail.com.

For those of you not familiar with the QAM abbreviation, it stands for Queen of Angels Monastery.

MONASTIC WORSHIP FORUM 2011

2011-07-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Sister Maureen Niedermeyer attended the Monastic Worship Forum at St. Meinrad’s Archabbey in Indiana from July 14-16. It was titled Ancient Wine in New Wineskins: Celebrating Eucharist with Twenty-First Century Documents.

Every two years Benedictine priests, brothers, and sisters from across the US and Canada gather to share music they have written for Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours. Sister Maureen composed a Mass with the revised words from the New Roman Missal and an Easter hymn and presented these compositions to the group for their use.

The participants also discussed liturgical issues that pertain to their monastic communities. This year two speakers, Dr. Paul Ford and Dr. Julia Upton, offered insights on the New Roman Missal. They presented the changes effective the First Sunday of Advent 2011, and suggested ways to catechize in our Benedictine communities and the parishes where we minister.

Each time this group meets, they renew friendships, pray together, share new music and learn more about the celebration of liturgy in their communities.

Oblate Picnic 2011

2011-07-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, July 17th, the Oblates of Queen of Angels Monastery joined the Sisters for the annual picnic. Over the years we have learned that "inside picnics" tend to be drier, more "bug-free," allow for a wider menu, and are much more fun. This year was no exception.

This year we celebrated Sr. Antoinette Traeger, who is "retiring" after many many years as the Oblate Director. This picnic was an opportunity to thank her for her spiritual leadership and friendship. We toasted Sr. Antoinette and many of the Oblates spoke about how she has been a blessing in their lives.

Sr. Robin Lynn Evans, who has been meeting with the Oblate inquirers, has been asked to be the new Oblate Director. Sr. Dorothy Pulkka will continue being part of the Oblate program, and of course, Sr. Antoinette will continue to be close to the Oblate members.

If you would like information about Oblates please see our web page: www.benedictines-srs.org.

SHALOM PRAYER CENTER - FALL CALENDAR

2011-07-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

The fall calendar is now posted on our ministries' blog. Just click the link to the right under the section labeled "Favorite Websites and Blogs" or go to http://qambenedictines-ministries.blogspot.com

Benefit Concert for Shalom Prayer Center

2011-07-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

You are invited to.......
        Evening Meditation with
                 Mario Diaz
                           solo guitarist

The board of directors of Shalom Prayer Center proudly presents an evening of solo guitar featuring Mario Diaz.

Friday, July 22nd at 7 p.m.
      In the chapel of the Benedictine Sisters
              840 S. Main Street
                      Mt. Angel.

A social hour in Agatha Hall will follow the concert.
Mario is on faculty at Portland State University and will be performing works from various composers. An award-winning guitarist, Mario has made a name for himself as one of the rising talents in the Northwest over the last ten years. You are sure to enjoy his energetic and eclectic style of music.

Tickets in advance: $10; $15 at the door. Proceeds from the concert are for an outdoor labyrinth at Shalom Prayer Center.

Call Shalom Prayer Center for more information: 503-845-6773

NAABOD - North Ameircian Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors

2011-07-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

NAABOD CONFERENCE

Queen of Angels Monastery was represented by Oblates Mary Nelson and Sharon Barnes at this summer's North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors, held July 1-6 at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. The following is Mary Nelson's report.

We arrived at St Meinrad Archabbey just before vespers on the first day. Every monastery is different from the translation of the psalms to the intonations and chants. The monks processed in statio on this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The magnificent gothic church echoed as they intoned their psalms.

Sharon Barnes and I stayed in the Guest House, which is an entity unto itself. It contains a number of guest rooms, as well as a large dining room and chapel. There were 82 of us, plus about 30 oblate volunteers from the local oblate groups.

Sister Antoinette Purcell from Beech Grove, IN (Our Lady of Grace Monastery) is the current national president of Oblate Directors. She set the tone for our topic which was “Embracing Creation with Reverence and Hospitality.” The other focus of this conference was “Leadership Development and Support for Oblate Directors.” For about half of the people present, it was their first time to attend. There were quite a few Associate Oblate Directors as well as a number of Oblates representing their monasteries without their directors.

Sister Antoinette main points were:

How can monasteries share their resources through hospitality while maintaining their unique autonomy?
It is possible to live in hope and joy in a world of chaos. We can be a presence of love and peace by our example of how we live in the world. and
It is a Benedictine value to respect the person, the environment, and the world.

We ended the session with a time of reflection using a video of oblates and directors who have died this past year.

This conference felt like a retreat. We slept in, walked the beautiful grounds before breakfast, and joined together for Morning Prayer at 8:30. Mass was celebrated each day at 11: 15. Our cantor, a St. Meinrad oblate and Judge, shared her beautiful voice with us at each liturgy.

Sister Katherine Huber, from Monastery Immaculate Conception [Ferdinand IN], was our first key-note speaker. She spoke about Benedictine values concerning the stewardship of creation. Her key points were:

Our experiences shape us
All created life is gift
We celebrate nature in our liturgies and it is in our mystical traditions
We hold all creation in reverence as “The sacred vessels of the altar” RB 31
All of creation is God’s work and we share in that work
The intentional and intense living of Christian spirituality is the corner-stone of caring for the earth
Remember that we are pilgrims on our earthly journey
The RB encourages a life of commitment
Balance, respect and right relationship is a path that converts an ordinary life into one of extraordinary worth
We acknowledge the presence of God everywhere
We believe that a harmonious group of people will strive to do the right thing and
We practice a common-sense approach, which acknowledges and utilizes the most recent advances, while not discarding things that continue to work for us.

In Scripture, we read “dominion” over the earth. Initially, that implied the care of the earth. We regard all as gift. We need to listen and to come to know the living presence of God in all the happenings of our world.

We processed these values in the light of three thoughts. What can I do to impart these values to the world? How can our monasteries reflect these values to the world? How can monastics and oblates work together to foster these values in practical ways.

Our second key-note speaker was a young man named Kyle Kramer. He is an organic farmer as well as the Director of Lay Degrees Programs at St. Meinrad's School of Theology. He described a shift in consciousness from a need to control and utilize resources to a way of living in the world that is sustainable and more in harmony with nature.
The key Benedictine values at work here are stability, hospitality, obedience, poverty, conversion, prayer and work. For Kyle, stability is his commitment to the land—not to exchange it for a better piece somewhere else; but a commitment to work to improve what he has. Hospitality is sharing the fruits of his labors; and his involvement in the life of his community. Obedience is about listening to the land; and planting appropriate crops. Spirituality is the connection among God, self, others, and creation.

Kyle referred to monasteries as “arcs” of example for people around them. By their example they can demonstrate a way of living that is sustainable. By the value of poverty or non-attachment we remember that the land belongs to God. It is not ours to destroy, but to reverence as God’s own creation.

Prayer and work belong together. Without work nothing is accomplished. Without contemplation there is no vision to accomplish God’s work. Conversion is an ongoing process. It is a continual turning towards God. It is an intentional stance to work together to do the right things. It is the humility to understand the truth in what is yet lacking in our endeavors.

Above all, be patient with the time you are given. Don’t try to accomplish everything in a single day. Trust in the slow work of God, while everyday trying to do the right things.

Sister Sheila Marie Fitzpatrick gave the last talk of the conference. She said it was her intention to integrate what the first two speakers had said. She focused on our interrelationships with nature and God. Everything we do and the attitudes we carry have consequences in our world. We need to think about our actions and our choices. For instance, with modern technology, it is possible to isolate ourselves from a summer day in our closed-up air conditioned offices. A consequence is more green house gases in an already fragile atmosphere.

We simply need to be more aware of our actions, choosing them wisely. "Thinking globally and acting locally" acknowledges that we can only affect our own choices. Through our example and conscious decisions to make choices for the earth, we can make a difference. One thing we can do is build bridges between the “mass utilization concept” of the 20th century and the sustainable concept that is yet a dream for many in this world.

Sister Sheila Marie left us with a quotation from St. Hildegard:

“We are dressed in the scaffold of creation:

In seeing, that we might recognize the world

In hearing, that we might understand

In smelling, to discern

In tasting, to nurture

In touching, to govern
(which is the outward reach of involvement)

On July 5th, the directors elected a new NAABOD president and vice-president. Sister Bonita Gacnic [from Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, SD] is the new president and Father Pascal Molino [from St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA] will serve another 4 year term as vice president. The president and vice president will now be chosen at the same time and their term of office will be the same.

That evening we had our final banquet and installed the new officers who will begin their service on January 1, 2012.

On the morning of July 6th, we all departed. We are full of new awareness. We have networked with old and new friends. We are ready to put our awareness into action. It was a blessing to have represented Queen of Angels Monastery. Thank you for sending me.

Oblate Mary Nelson

HAVE YOU NOTICED?

2011-07-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

You can now subscribe to this blog. Please register by entering your e-mail address in the above long white box and hit the submit button. Then each time we post something you will receive an e-mail.

ICONOGRAPHIC ARTS INSTITUTE 2011

2011-07-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

The 24th Annual ICONOGRAPHIC ARTS INSTITUTE was held this last week. Sponsored by Queen of Angels Monastery and Shalom Prayer Center it was held in Agatha Hess Hall. As you will see in the pictures below, the hall was filled with iconographers.

There were three workshops going on simultaneously: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

For more information, dates for the 2012 workshops, and/or an application please write to: iconinstitute@msn.com.

HAPPY EASTER

2011-04-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

Roll Away the Stone, See the Glory of God

Matthew 28:1-10

It had been a traumatic weekend for Mary of Magdala and the other Mary. Their faith in Jesus had been sorely tried as he died before their eyes [27:56]. They had spent the Sabbath in mourning. Now, it is almost dawn on that first day of the week. The Sabbath day of prayer and rest is over; it is a time for new beginnings. Nonetheless, they hardly recognize the newness as they make their way to the place where they believe Jesus’ body to be entombed. It is undoubtedly a sad time and journey. There is a sense of ending rather than beginning. It is a lonely trip, just the two of them, unaccompanied by any of the other disciples.

Other versions of this story tell us that women came with a specific purpose: to anoint Jesus’ body, part of the ritual of burial that hadn’t been possible on Friday as the Sabbath approached. Matthew’s version is different. He relates that Pilate, on Friday, had ordered that the tomb be made secure by sealing the stone entrance and mounting a guard. Therefore, access to the body was not possible and the women could not have come to anoint it. In this version, the two Marys come to visit the place of burial, much as we visit and pray at the site of a loved one’s grave.

The women expect to see a sealed tomb and the gruff and commanding guards. However, what they expect and what they find are not the same. As we know, our God is a God of surprises and these women experience an astonishing event. Though Jesus had told the disciples that he would be raised, the reality of the Resurrection still comes as a surprise and causes great wonderment. This is still the reaction of most of us. We have heard the Gospel of Jesus’ Resurrection, we believe firmly. Yet, there is still great amazement that this should have happened, and that we, too, are included in this rising from the dead. Our God continues to surprise us with the unexpected. Often we think as though we are in sealed tombs, believing that we are cut off from life, health or happiness, that we are isolated from love or comfort, that we are behind the stone and therefore unable to see the light or perceive those who come to stand with us. However, as in this story, God remains a God who raises us to love, community, and life. This raising will come at our deaths, but it also comes daily as God rolls back the stones in our lives and invites us to emerge from darkness into the light.

As Matthew’s story continues, we learn that the women’s visit doesn’t begin peacefully. There is a violent earthquake and an angel comes and rolls away the stone. Earthquakes and angels commonly appear in the scriptures, usually as signs of theophanies, that is, times when God breaks into human lives. Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, an angel had proclaimed Jesus’ coming birth to Joseph [1:20-23] and later returned to warn Joseph to escape to Egypt with Mary and the baby [2:13-15]. At the death of Jesus, “the earth quaked; the rocks were split; the tombs opened and the bodies of many holy ones were raised from the dead” [27:51-52]. Angels and earthquakes seem to occur at times of significant change.

In our own time, we don’t usually see earthquakes as divine interventions, and visions of angels are rare. Nonetheless, we do have experiences of God rolling away the stones of our blindness, ineptitude, brokenness, and isolation, and as he does so Christ’s glory is revealed, “the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” [John 1:14]. We, like the Marys, see the glory that is released when stones roll away. Each time a stone is moved, God’s presence is revealed to us, the light of his love is made known, and we are changed.

Notice the guards, who were sent to guard the tomb of a dead man. As they come face to face with the angel, they are so frightened that they are “like dead men.” These guards were to watch over the dead Jesus, who now is known to be alive. Meanwhile, the guards themselves are like the dead. Matthew presents another challenge to us. Either we can believe in the Risen Christ and thus share in that new life, or we can stand outside the tomb, too frightened to accept the life given us. We can believe in the Risen Christ, or we can try to return the stone to where it was so that the news of the resurrection is still entombed. Will we help to roll away the stone and reveal God’s glory?

The angel speaks directly to the women. The angel seems gentle with them. It is almost as though the angel says: “It’s OK, things are alright. I know that you have come because you have loved and followed Jesus, even to the point of not deserting him at the crucifixion. Don’t worry that the tomb is empty. What he promised you has happened: His Father has raised him from the dead.” It is a comfort for the two Marys and should be a comfort for us as well. When we are fearful, perhaps even “scared silly,” or even moved to disbelieve that Christ is with us, then the Father sends us consolation. now Christ is among us, upholding us, leading us through any pain, promising us his grace and life eternal. God continues to roll away the stones so that we too can hear the message that “There is no need for you to be afraid.” Jesus’ words confirm this presence: “I am with you always” [28:20].

The angel is practical. Before giving the women a commission to tell the disciples what has occurred, he insists that they look at the tomb. That look gives the women a concrete image that they could carry with them, along with the angel’s words. It was both the words and the image that they preach to the other disciples. Like all good teachers, they are able to both “show and tell” what they had experienced so that their pupils could more fully understand. The resurrection is not a theoretical, allusive concept, but a real concrete event and person.

The two Marys filled with joy and amazement quickly come away from the empty tomb, which no longer has any attraction for them. They run with excitement to share the good news. As they hasten away, Jesus himself comes to meet them. Christ moves toward them and they run toward him. It isn’t that Jesus is standing waiting for them to arrive. This Gospel confirms that Christ doesn’t expect us to make all the effort. Our God doesn’t just stand and wait for us to change, grow and approach him. Rather, God continually moves toward us, greets us first, encourages us, rolls away our stones so we have the freedom to move toward him.

In many of the English translations, Jesus says to the women “Greetings” a word that we tend to understand as “Hello” or something similar. However, the translated Greek word has the sense of a salutation that wishes joy, peace, and blessing. This is like the Hebrew word “Shalom” that possibly stands behind the Greek. Jesus’ word implies a relationship with these women, a relationship that is symbolized by their bending before him and clasping his feet. Jesus, as the angel did, commissions the two Marys to go and bring his message to the other disciples. These Marys are the first apostles to experience the Risen Jesus, and the first to tell others about him. Notice that in Matthew’s version no men ever see the empty tomb, only these two women are witnesses. It is only later [when they return to Galilee in response to the directive that Jesus gave to them through the women,] that the eleven disciples encounter the Risen Christ.

Jesus’ directive for the disciples to meet him in Galilee is also a message for us. It is not enough for us to know about the resurrection; it is not enough for us to believe or even for us to meet Jesus on our way. We, like the women, are commissioned to proclaim so that others may have their stones rolled back, see the empty tomb and come to know the Risen Christ. We, like the women, are commissioned to proclaim the possibility of a personal relationship with our God who wishes us “Shalom” – a life of love, blessing, peace, and joy.

So let us roll back our stones and see the glory of God; and having seen God’s glory, may our lives proclaim that glory to the world.

Jeanette von Herrmann, OSB

[1] This is the Gospel reading for the Easter Vigil of Cycle A.

[2] Unless otherwise noted, all references are to the Gospel according to St. Matthew.

Reprinted with permission. Spirit & Life [March-April 2011], a publication of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Sr. Donna Marie Chartraw Re-Elected Prioress

2011-04-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, April 10th, the Benedictine Sisters of Queen of Angels Monastery re-elected Sr. Donna Marie Chartraw, to a second four-year term as Prioress.

As Prioress, Sr. Donna Marie is responsible for providing spiritual leadership for the Sisters, and for overseeing the life and work of the religious community.

The election completes a discernment process by the Sisters. Consistent with monastic values, major decisions are made by the entire community, and are based on a process of discernment which includes individual and group prayer, reflection, and dialogue. The community seeks to determine who is being called by God to be their Prioress at this point in their history.

The election was guided by facilitators, Sr. Aileen Bankemper, OSB, from Covington, Kentucky, and Sr. Maria Tosto, OSB, from Ferdinand, Indiana. Sr. Joella Kidwell, OSB, President of the Federation of St. Gertrude, served as the presider at the election. This is the federation of Benedictine women's communities to which Queen of Angels Monastery belongs.

Sr. Robin Lynn Evans [center] was the Secretary of the Election, so she oversaw the election and drew up the official documents. Sr. Angela Meister [on the left] and Sr. Hilda Kleiman [on the right] were the tellers, counting and announcing each vote.

During the election, each sister placed her written ballot into a slotted election box [see below].

Sr. Dorothy Jean Beyer

Sr. Marie Grainer and Sr. Julia McGanty.

Once all the votes were cast, the Secretary of the Election and the Tellers, read, announced and tabulated the votes.

Sr. Hilda Kleiman and

Sr. Angela Meister.

Once the results of the election were announced by Sr. Joella, and each sister had a chance to speak briefly but privately with the Prioress-elect, Sr. Donna Marie was asked if she accepted the election. The election ritual was concluded with the community blessing the newly re-elected prioress.

Sr. Donna Marie was installed as Prioress during Evening Prayer which followed the Chapter of Election.

As part of her Oath of Office, [Sr. Donna Marie to the right and Sr. Joella to the left] she was asked by the Federation President, Sr. Joella, if she would promise to encourage the sisters to love God, to live the Gospel and to observe the Rule of St. Benedict. She was also asked if she was resolved to encourage her sisters to be faithful to the traditions of the monastic way of life by example as well as by words, and if she was resolved to promote the spiritual good of the sisters.

The community responded to this Oath of Office by stating: We, the sisters of Queen of Angels Monastery, have elected you, Sr. Donna Marie, to continue as our Prioress. We believe that you are the spiritual leader of this community, a visible sign of Christ's presence among us. We look to you, our Prioress, to unify, teach, heal and minister by your love and service. Help us to live the monastic way of life according to the Rule of St. Benedict, the Norms of the Federation of St. Gertrude and the charism of our monastery. Together, through prayer and work, may we extend the reign of God in peace and justice that in all things God may be gloried.

Sr. Donna Marie says she looks forward to serving over the next four years. "With the help of my sisters and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I accept this opportunity, along with its challenges, to continue serving my community as we do the work of God together.”

Sr. Donna Marie is a native Oregonian, born in 1941 in Lebanon. One of five children of the late Gareld and Marie Chartraw, she attended St. Mary’s School in Albany before moving on to Mt. Angel Academy for her high school education. She entered the Benedictine Sisters’ community and made her Monastic Profession on July 11, 1960.

Sr.Donna Marie received a bachelor’s degree from Mt. Angel College in 1963 and a master’s degree in education from the University of Oregon in 1970. She taught in Catholic grade schools for 40 years before retiring from teaching in 2001. Most her teaching career was spent at St. Mary’s School in Albany, where she taught first grade for 27 years (1975-2001). She also taught in parochial schools in Lebanon, Shaw, Silverton, Portland, and Oregon City.

MORE SIGNS OF SPRING

2011-03-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

We continue to be blessed with many signs of spring. While it is still rather wet here in Oregon [yes, it rains a lot during the spring], the beauty of God's creation continues to blossom forth around us. They are often very small signs [like the violet in the grass], and it takes some thought and close looking to see those signs, but when you walk around our grounds and all the many signs keep showing up, they all add up to the glory of God manifested in our own backyard. Spring reminds us that even in the midst of rain and dark days, God is still in our midst giving us many signs of divine love and care.

More pictures follow:

SIGNS OF SPRING

2011-03-15T23:15:00.000-07:00

THE SONG OF SONGS tells us in chapter 2 "For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone, flowers appear on the earth, the season of glad songs has come."

Well, in Oregon, the winter might soon be over, and the flowers have begun to appear on the earth, and with Easter on the horizon we will soon be singing glad songs but the rains are definitely not over and gone... yet.

However, we thank God each spring as the beauty once more graces our lives. Here are some of the early signs of spring around the Monastery.

ASH WEDNESDAY - BONA OPERA

2011-03-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

The Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 49, instructs us about Lent. It concludes with the following paragraph:

Everyone should, of course, submit the details of these personal offerings for Lent to the prioress for approval and a blessing. This is important. Any individual obligation undertaken in the monastery without permission of the prioress will be counted as the result of presumption and vainglory and so no reward can be expected from it.

Each year, the sisters are invited by the Prioress to submit BONA OPERA slips to her on Ash Wednesday. The following, written by Sr. Susan Casey, explains this spiritual practice.

The Bona Opera [or good works] is a formal way of writing down our intentions during Lent. We make this declaration to the Prioress so that she is aware of our Lenten endeavors. This is customary for Benedictines. We focus on prayer life, or personal struggles. This is a way to get in touch with our own weaknesses and pray for healing. The Bona Opera papers are blessed at Morning Prayer on Ash Wednesday. They are then offered at the Eucharist that same day. They are then returned to us with the signature of the Prioress, indicating her blessing.

ASH WEDNESDAY, #2

2011-03-08T17:58:00.000-08:00

According to Benedict our lives ought to be a continuous Lent. He asks that a community strive as best it can, to do what is of the essence: to keep its life most pure and to wash away any negligence. In other words, we are to turn from evil, shrive for conversion, and approach life with purity of heart or a single-mindedness, knowing our God is the center, the focus, of our lives.

Our Bona Opera slips are evidence that we have heard that call to conversion and are striving to turn once more toward God. The Prioress blesses each individual sisters' Lenten choices. Additionally, each community member prays for the other sisters' longing for God and Lenten spiritual effort.

May we turn from our sinfulness and claim the life God offers us.

May we find the strength from God's grace and our sister's love to fulfill what we have offered God during this holy season.

May our longing and striving bring forth fruit, the fruit of our own holiness and the fruit of charity. May we look forward to Easter with holy joy.

May Christ bring us all together to everlasting life.

ASH WEDNESDAY #1

2011-03-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

Ash Wednesday Reflection Suggestions for Quiet Time

1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Get comfortable. Become in tune with your body. Try to relax if you are tense. Breath slowly, in and out, remembering that the Hebrew word for breath [ruah] is also the one for Spirit, God’s life within you, sustaining, and upholding.

2. Pray for the guidance of God’s Spirit, for enlightenment and wisdom. Of the following, only use what is most helpful for you in your prayer. Don’t try to “do it all.”

3. Read Amos 5:4ff. “Seek me and live... see the Lord and live... seek good and not evil...” Reflect on how you have sought God in the past. Where and when has GOD found YOU in this search? Reflect on the following quote: “There is no such thing as seeking God, for there is nothing in which God cannot be found.” Is this true for you?

4. Read Luke 9:18-22. Notice how Jesus speaks of his passion -- always in terms of how it is connected with Resurrection and Life. What have been your experiences of passion? How have you been lead through pain to new life?

5. Read Matthew 27:45-50. Jesus prays Psalm 22, crying out to his Father, feeling forsaken. Spend some time praying about how our life is like Jesus’ life: we often know that somehow the Father is with us, and yet we don’t always realize the specific way God in his care will bring us to Life. Note how Jesus expresses his sense of abandonment [“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”]. Read the rest of Psalm 22 to see a fuller picture of Jesus’ prayer.

6. How can Lent be a time of moving from death [and pain and sin and other negatives in our lives] to a choice for Life [and healing and grace and presence]? Be specific in your own life. Talk to God about your personal commitment to turn and be faithful during this Lenten season.

7. Spend some time thanking God for this time of prayer.

70th PROFESSION JUBILEE

2011-02-10T22:03:00.000-08:00

Today, the Solemnity of Saint Scholastica, the sisters of Queen of Angels Monastery, and various family and friends, joined together to celebrate Sister Marie Grainer's and Sister Josephine Schultz's 70th anniversary of Profession . They first made their monastic promises to God of Obedience, Stability and Fidelity to the Monastic Way of Life on February 11, 1941.

The day of celebration began with Morning Praise, the singing of Psalms and special prayers for this feast. At Eucharist, Sr. Marie and Sr. Josephine renewed their Profession promises and in response the community sang the Suscipe ["Sustain me, O Lord, as you have promised. Do not disappoint me in my hope" Psalm 119]. We sing this prayer at every profession and jubilee, to remind us that it is God's sustenance that allows us to be faithful. After Mass we continued the celebration with a festive lunch.

Following are some photos from today's celebration.

Sister Marie renewing her Profession.

The lei is a gift from her niece in Hawaii.

Sister Josephine renewing her Monastic Profession

Sister Marie enjoying the homily.

The sisters and guests blessing Sister Josephine and Sister Marie.

Sister Josephine

Sister Josephine and Sister Marie greeting one another just before Eucharist begins.

A view of the chapel during the first reading, done by Sr. Dorothy Pulkka.

Sister Marie during the meal after Eucharist

Sister Josephine enjoying family during the luncheon after Eucharist.

HAPPY PROFESSION ANNIVERSARY!

2011-02-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

HAPPY PROFESSION ANNIVERSARY
TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SISTERS

SISTER JOEINE DARRINGTON-1937

celebrating 74 years

SISTER AGATHA MEISSNER-1940
celebrating 71 years

SISTER CORINNE CLAY-1940
celebrating 71 years

SISTER MARIE GRAINER-1941
celebrating 70 years

SISTER JOSEPHINE SCHULTZ-1941
celebrating 70 years

SISTER ALBERTA DIEKER-1942
celebrating 69 years

SISTER ANTOINETTE TRAEGER-1945
celebrating 66 years

SISTER JULIA MCGANTY-1949
celebrating 62 years

SISTER MECHTILDE FENNIMORE-1950
celebrating 61 years

SISTER DOROTHY RAUSCH-1952
celebrating 59 years

SISTER CHRISTINE RAUSCH-1952
celebrating 59 years

SISTER IMMACULATA TUMA-1954
celebrating 57 years

SISTER REGINA RAUSCH-1955
celebrating 56 years

Other sisters have profession anniversaries on July 11th, the feast of St. Benedict, or on other days throughout the year.

February 10th - Solemnity of Saint Scholastica

2011-02-09T21:21:00.000-08:00

Saint Scholastica

Woman of prayer, Woman of wisdom, Woman of love

Christians remember holy women and men because their lives are models of Gospel discipleship, showing us how to translate the words and actions of Christ into our own daily lives. These holy lives give us a deeper message, one that is more than simple history or biography. Their example issues a call biding us to become virtuous, to live with faith and charity, and in turn to communicate that invitation to others. St. Scholastica is among these holy ones and her life and virtues can inspire us to wisdom, prayer, love, and single hearted devotion to God.

We actually know very little about St. Scholastica. What we do know comes from two sources: tradition and Book II, chapters 33 and 34, of the Dialogues of Pope St. Gregory the Great, written in 593 CE.

According to tradition, St. Scholastica and her twin brother, St. Benedict, were born into a wealthy family living in Nursia [in the mountainous area of central Italy] in the year 480. Benedict, after living in a few other locations, founded a monastery in Monte Cassino, about 60 miles south of Rome. Also according to tradition, Scholastica either founded or joined a monastery for women in Plombariola about 5 miles south of Monte Cassino. Other scholars insist that instead she was part of a small convent at the base of Monte Cassino. In either case, we know something of her personality and gifts from the Dialogues. Gregory portrays Scholastica as having been dedicated to God from her youth, who, as will be seen below, was a strong woman, holy and prayerful. She is shown to be willing to assess situations in new ways and take risks with her words to both God and her brother.

The context of Gregory’s chapter on Scholastica is worthy of note. He refers to St. Paul’s three requests to God that are denied [2 Cor 12:7-9] and then states that Benedict also had a desire that went unfulfilled by God. Since Gregory refers to Benedict as a “man of God,” this comment makes us curious. Why wasn’t Benedict heard when he appealed to God? Gregory doesn’t reveal the answer immediately, but continues the story recounting how Benedict and Scholastica met outside the Monte Cassino grounds [as they did yearly] for holy conversation and prayer.

As the day comes to a close, Scholastica requests that Benedict stay with her and continue speaking of God. Benedict responds that he cannot stay outside the monastery for any reason, the implication is that this was one of the monastery’s rules. Though the weather was clear, Scholastica repeats the request but this time to God directly instead of to the man of God. A fierce thunder and lightening storm occurs immediately in response to this prayer. According to Gregory, Benedict was annoyed, but Scholastica tells him “I asked you, but you were unwilling to listen to me, I asked my Lord and He listened to me. Well, then, go if you can. Leave me and return to the monastery.” It sounds almost like she is daring Benedict to leave when God so obviously wants him to remain. According to Gregory, Scholastica was heard by God, “by the greater strength of her love.” This is the love of a woman who had spent a lifetime both talking and listening to God as God has spoken and listened to her heart.

The lesson of this encounter of Scholastica and Benedict is reinforced by the two Gospel readings suggested for the Solemnity of St. Scholastica [February 10^th]: Matthew 25:1-13 and Luke 10:38-42.

Matthew tells us of ten women who were waiting. Five are described as “foolish” and five are referred to as “wise.” The foolish have to go off to get more oil while the wise are prepared and can meet the bridegroom when he appears suddenly. This is not a “boy scout/girl scout story.” It is not about “always being prepared,” and its message is not “Be practical, look ahead.” It is about wisdom, but not in the sense of being smart or knowing the right thing to do.

The Hebrew Scriptures, especially the Wisdom Literature, help us with the imagery of this story. The foolish are the sinful people, those whose folly leads them away from God, turning away just at the time of God’s presence. Conversely, the wise are those who follow God’s Word, and being virtuous, they are led towards God. So these wise women show us not practicality but readiness and openness to follow Christ whenever, however, wherever. Wisdom is the knowledge of how to live a holy life, connected with God, aware of God’s presence and grace.

Luke’s gospel for this feast, the story of Martha and Mary, is an interesting parallel to Gregory’s story of Benedict and Scholastica. Mary, the image of the Christian disciple, is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him, with the “ear of her heart” [Rule of Benedict, Pro. 1 ^“Listen carefully…to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart”]. Meanwhile, Martha is fussing, and like Benedict complains that the holy talk needs to stop. Jesus’ reply to Martha is “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Mary, like Scholastica, is one of the wise women of Matthew’s gospel. Both Mary and Scholastic know what is essential, know how to be single hearted, are aware of the person to whom they should listen and to whom to commit their lives. Jesus alone is worthwhile. They combine the virtues of wisdom, prayer, and love.

As Gregory the Great recounts in his Dialogues Scholastica was a woman “dedicated to God,” one who “praised God,” and had a great “strength of love.” The story of the violent rainstorm tells us something very significant about what it means to be wise, and what it means to “choose the better part.” It also challenges us to that wisdom and single-heartedness. Benedict, in Gregory’s story, is concerned about the rules. “I certainly cannot stay outside my monastery for any reason.” Additionally, though Benedict’s Rule begins with the word “Listen” and admonishes his followers to “Listen with the ear of your heart,” Benedict seems not to be doing so in this situation. He symbolizes, in this story, the person who is more concerned with the laws than with listening to the Spirit. He also is similar to Martha, fussing at the late hour and then at the storm. Scholastica, on the other hand, having an inner wisdom and desire for the holy, appeals to God and she is the one God listens to that night.

This story of Benedict and Scholastica, and Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospel passages, ask us to reflect on our decisions and motives. Do we decide how we should act based on “What are the rules? What will people think? What will keep me out of trouble? What would the ‘good person’ do?” Or do we, in prayer, respond because we have listened to God, have known God’s love and therefore can love one another and act with that love? Do we respond because Jesus is so essential to our lives that we can hardly do anything else? Sometimes a loving, holy response means that, like Scholastica, we risk the displeasure or judgment of those whom we love most. But wisdom calls us in love to follow Jesus, to sit at his feet as Mary did, to be ready for this presence like the five wise women, and to be women of prayer, wisdom, courage, and love like Scholastica was. Sr. Jeanette von Herrmann

This article was reprinted with permission. It was originally published by Spirit & Life, a publication of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

Prayer for the New Year

May each of us enter this New Year with the understanding that we are making a fresh start.

May we leave behind thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that are not consistent with a God-centered and holy life.

May we let go of whatever caused pain, sin, or alienation and begin again to rely upon God’s compassionate healing love.

May we open ourselves to new insights, actions, and relationships and be mindful that our God calls us to be his Word and Presence in our world.

Each day of this New Year, may we experience God’s indwelling life. May we act in response to God’s inspiration received in prayer and from one another. With God’s enfolding love, let us enter this new year with optimism, joy and enthusiasm.

So we pray:

O, Lord, give us the kindness to hear with compassion, to offer support, loving comfort, and care.

O, Lord, give us the courage to do what is needed, and the wisdom to choose what is right and fair.

O, Lord, give us the vision to see what is possible and what you, our God, wish for us to do.

O, Lord, give us the faith that will help pave the way for a present that is hopeful, and a future that is peaceful.

O, Lord, give us a heart to bring joy to each day.

Each of us wish each of you a wonderful, God-filled, and peaceful New Year!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

2010-12-22T21:59:00.000-08:00

The following article was published in the November-December issue of Spirit & Life, a publication of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. You can view past issues on their web sit www.benedictinesisters.org. It is reprinted here with permission.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

The geese are getting fat.

Won’t you please put a penny in an old man’s hat?

If you don’t have a penny, a ha’penny will do.

If you don’t have a ha’penny, then God bless you.

The Christ is coming, and this changes how we see the world around us. His approach and presence are not just memories, but are events in our here and now. Christ can be seen in our lives, in the poor, in the sick, in the scriptures and the Eucharist, in the people around us, in those we love and perhaps even in those we don’t particularly like. This Christmastide is an opportunity to be more mindful, more vigilant, more aware of Emmanuel, God-with-us.

The above quoted traditional song calls us to acknowledge that Christmas invites us to be insightful and charitable, and to recognize and assist the Christ who shows up in the needy. The geese represent the food, festivities, gifts, and blessings that often accompany the celebration of Christ’s birth. The song also portrays an old man begging for coins [even the smallest or half of the smallest]. It shows a person in need, requesting whatever we are able to offer, but also a person who offers his own blessing if we are more in need than he is. Such is the meaning of Christmas in any age: to recognize Christ in others, and to act as Christ that others might be blessed. We are reminded: “Behold our God to whom we look, let us be glad that he has saved us” [Isaiah 25:9].

The God of Beginnings. With the birth of Jesus the Christ, God entered into our world in a profoundly transforming way. It is astounding that God has become God-with-us, that he has come as the Present One, as Gift as well as the One who is in attendance, nearby at all times. This presence and transformation continue into our own time. Christ remains the One who walks with us daily, and daily makes possible whatever renewal is needed in our lives.

God speaks to each of us “Behold, I make all things new” [Revelation 21:5] – including our hearts, our wills, our responses to God, and our relationships with others. That was and is a divine promise, a divine commitment to be with each of us daily, to be present to us, to walk along side us as we progress on our way of life toward eternal life. That “being-with” is a gift that allows us to be the ha’penny, to offer God’s blessings to those who wander with us along the road of life.

God tells us to “Behold” all that he does. Wisdom, the gift to see clearly and correctly, is essential to recognize the Present One. If we “behold” with God’s eyes we will not overlook the old man who begs for pennies, or ignore the friend who asks for help, or walk past our family or friends when they need an expression of God’s blessing from us.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke [the only ones that tell “baby stories” that is, the Infancy Narratives] tell us about the first people who beheld the Christ child. As we read those stories, we should ask “What did they see or perceive?” Additionally, we need to ask “What do I see? What is God planting in my heart as I read of Jesus’ birth? What new perception is God offering me this season?”

The Magi. The characters in this story are not unlike folks we know. Herod, the scribes, the Pharisees, the chief priests [all the folks “in charge”] seem to have all the answers. They know the scriptures but at the same time, somehow they are ignorant and blind. They are examples of those who miss Christ in their midst, who walk by the needy, who refuse even the penny donation of charity when they live in abundance.

Those wise people from the East are a contrast. They are poor in spirit, searching, seeking, and asking questions. They don’t have all the answers, but they do know what it means to be open so that revelation can enter their hearts. They don’t just see a child, they recognize the Christ. Once they have beheld who he truly is, they worship and offer gifts. Returning home, they go by a different road. They don’t just take a different freeway. It is their own being that has been altered; they have changed because they have met and been touched by the Christ child. They are different people now, and can never again be the same.

Isn’t this very much like us? The Magi were looking for the coming Christ, just as we are asked to seek him each day in the coming year. They found him in an unlikely place, and so might we. Like the Magi, we know some of the signs, we know some of the ways to seek. Also, like them, we will find the Present One in unlikely places, people and events. Will we also have the ability to behold the Christ when we least expect? What kind of new ways lie open for us in this coming year? It cannot be a repeat of last year. If we have met the Christ then he will continue to change our lives and renew us, often in new and unexpected ways. Can we accept the grace that allows us to be wise and thus able to notice and behold God at work in our lives? Can we proceed on a different way as the Magi did?

Shepherds. These [Luke 2:8-20] are the first people in Luke’s Gospel to learn about the birth of the Christ. The angel, shining with divine glory, tells them to “listen” to a message of great joy, a joy to be shared with all the people: the Messiah has arrived! The angel instructs them: go and behold the child. Once they have beheld him, they make the message known to others so that everyone who heard them was astonished. What they have beheld is proclaimed so others too might see and believe.

The shepherds were simple folk who because of their openness to the message of the angel could hasten to behold the wonderful act of God in their midst. Like the Magi, the shepherds show us the need to be attentive to the voice of God and the divine promptings that lead us daily to encounter the Christ, in the various fields or mangers of our lives.

Anna and Simeon. After Magi and shepherds, they [Luke 2:22-40] are to first to recognize who Jesus is, in faith, since as yet there were no outward signs, sermons, or miracles.

As Jesus is carried into the Temple the Spirit has already touched Simeon’s heart and opened his eyes to see what others had not. Simeon’s faith is the fertile receiving ground for an even deeper faith. Simeon hopes that God will break into his life and into the history of Israel. He believes that God will create a new history, a new future. He believes that things will not remain as they are and yet he doesn’t have the specifics of what the future will look like.

The Spirit breaks into Simeon’s hope, most probably not as Simeon had expected. This is the way with God in our own lives. God continues to act as he has promised. However, God does not always give what we expect or in the way we expect it. The Spirit helped Simeon make the connection between his hope and the reality of Christ. This is the link we need as well so that we can perceive God’s presence in the new and varied ways that God approaches us.

Anna also meets Jesus in the Temple. She is a poor widow who receives the Word of God coming to the needy, the most open, the ones with the least grounds for resistance. Anna offers all that she has: her thanksgiving. She does not have faith due to abundance for she is one who is without. However, she can correctly behold who this child is because of her single heartedness and her dedication to the God who opens eyes.

Anna and Simeon inspire us to behold with eyes of faith and with heartfelt openness to Christ, so we can allow God to act within us, lead us into the future, and be aware of how God is present in many ways, often not when and how we expect. Both of them remind us to be thankful and open to the Spirit rather than telling God how he must act and when. Additionally, their “old age” reminds us that our seeking for the Present One is a life long journey, not one that is finished quickly, but one that our God promises will end in beauty and life eternal.

Christmas is coming, and the geese are getting fat. Won’t you see the Christ in the old man with the empty hat? Won’t you behold the God who lives among us as you see anew how he acts in your life? Won’t you offer your blessing to those who need the voice of God? Won’t you offer your presence and love so that God can come into this world again?

We are asked to recognize Christ in others, and to act as Christ so that others might be blessed. It is that recognition and response that are central to the Christmas celebration. “Behold our God to whom we look, let us be glad that he has saved us” [Isaiah 25:9].

Sr. Jeanette von Herrmann, OSB

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

The Benedictine Sisters

Queen of Angels Monastery,

Mt. Angel, Oregon

Wish each of you a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s peace and love.

ADVENT - A TIME OF WAITING - PART III

2010-12-18T14:49:00.000-08:00

Today you will know

that the Lord is coming

to save us

and in the morning

you will see his glory.

[Exodus 16:6-7]

THE OLDER I GET the quicker I am to "opt-out" of our culture's rush, rush, rush; hurry, hurry, hurry. It feels S-O G-O-O-D to slow down and treasure each moment. God is present in the moment - in the Advent waiting. The only way to be open to God's gift in the moment/in the waiting is to be "present" to the moment. In chapter 55 of Isaiah the "call" is to "listen carefully to me; incline your ear, and come to me; listen so that you may live."Sr. Dorothy Pulkka

OUR ADVENT HYMNS -- For me, Advent in the monastery is special. Something of it is felt immediatly the moment the Vespers hymn is begun. I can sense the deep inner joy that comes with the season. From the years of singing [with me only a few years], again and again, the same melodies of the monastic chant for each feast or season, those sounds have grown into us, giving the awareness of how beautifully they express the rich meaning of the season. The hymns have a simplicity, and a serene beauty that have a way of transforming our vocal sounds into acts of praise and adoration of our God, into praising God in thankfulness for all his wonderful deeds and everlasting love.
Sr. Angela

ADVENT - FOURTH WEEK

2010-12-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

Let the clouds rain down

the Just One,

and the earth bring forth

a Savior.

GOSPEL FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Matthew 1:18-24

   This Gospel starts out with the line: “Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” What follows is the closest thing that Matthew has to the annunciation story in Luke. Notice that in Matthew’s version the angel comes to Joseph not to Mary. But the angel only comes after things are a bit messy, reminding us that God often shows up in the midst of ordinary life… in the “everydayness” of life, in our messy world. God doesn’t wait until we have everything cleaned up, neat and ready, but finds us in the midst of worry, confusion, doubt, or hard times.
     "She was found with child through the Holy Spirit," is one of Matthew’s subtle hints that while this is an ordinary baby story it is also an unusual extraordinary baby story…. God is directly involved.
     In verse 19 the focus shifts to Joseph where it stays for the rest of the passage until vs 25 [which is not included in the lectionary reading] “she gave birth to a son.” Then it reverts back to Joseph “and he named him Jesus."
     So what does Matthew tell us about Joseph:
   1. He is righteous – which means he is ethical, has integrity, believes correctly but also acts correctly. Joseph is one who is obedient to the commands of God, an upright person, a person of character.
   2. Joseph was unwilling to expose Mary to shame and so decides to divorce her quietly. The penalty of fornication with someone while betrothed to another was death for both guilty parties. Thus, Joseph acts out of his integrity and value system but also out of his compassion. In other words, he acts with righteousness.
     Then… the angel comes. Often in the OT, the understanding of an angelic appearance is that it really is God who comes, not just one of his creations. In the NT the word has more of the connotation of messenger, one sent by God with his message. Either way it is God breaking in upon our world.
     With Joseph, the angel speaks in a dream, which gives us more of a sense of a hidden purpose. The dream motif should remind us of other biblical characters who were dreamers, the most prominent was Joseph the patriarch, who also was compassionate and just. Joseph's dream might have been the kind of inspiration that comes as we sleep. But it might have been a way for Matthew to indicate a contemplative experience, or a vision of the godly.
     Matthew tells us that what the angel says has a purpose: To fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet Isaiah [7:14]. "Behold the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” then Matthew translates for those who do not know Hebrew: "God-with-us." Matthew wants his community to see the continuity of God’s action. Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, so there are connections in all sorts of ways to the history of Israel’s spirituality.
     Joseph, when he awakes, promptly does as the angel told him to do.
     So how can Joseph be a model for us during Advent? First of all, Joseph is a man who is going about daily life… seemingly with no major plans, no extraordinary revelations expected. He is just a simple, righteous person who can be still enough [even if it takes sleep] to put worry and embarrassment aside when directed by God to do so. He is an example for us of listening to God speaking deep within us, of trusting what God says to us even when we don’t really get the message clearly. He is an example of responding with a whole heart and soul, even when he doesn’t see immediate results… and in fact probably didn’t see the end of the story during his earthly life. He is a man who can take risks with “what will the neighbors say”, what is legally right vs. what is morally right, how he envisioned his life vs. how it was turning out.
     Joseph is a great image for us at Advent. The coming of Christ into his life, the advents in his life [from Mary, to angels] didn’t come with advanced notice, or with written procedural manuals. He might have felt like he was muddling through, just doing his best day-to-day, but still watching, listening, responding. But he also demonstrates that even when we have no idea of the long term effects of our actions or whole life, still the results can be gradually growing, gradually become effective, gradually becoming God’s way of presenting Christ to those around us. Even when we are not aware of how God works through us still he continues to do so.
     So as we walk through what remains of Advent let us be mindful of the myriad small but significant ways that God becomes Emmanuel in our lives.
     Let us make this advent one in which we open presents daily – not those wrapped in Christmas paper but
those gifts of God that come to us when we least expect them and in unusual and often subtle ways. Let us make this an advent of awareness, perception and gracious acceptance of God in our midst. Let us pray for one another that each of us arrives at Christmas with a deeper awareness of Christ walking with us, within us, and among us.

Sr Jeanette from a retreat teaching given at Shalom Prayer Center

ADVENT A TIME OF WAITING PART II

2010-12-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

WAITING IN SILENCE, WAITING IN HOPE....
We invited our Oblates to submit reflections on "Advent: A Time of Waiting." You might wonder who or what is an Oblate. The following is a short explanation. For more about Oblates, please see our web page.

Vowed membership is not the only way to formally affiliate oneself with a Benedictine community. At Queen of Angels Monastery and many other monasteries, lay men and women 18 or older may become Oblates. Oblates continue to live and work in their own home community, but essentially become "lay members" or "extended members" of a particular Benedictine community and promise to share the Benedictine way of life. We are fortunate to have many Oblates who have blessed our lives in many ways.

Prophets told the future through the Law: Four thousand years of mystery played out in the lives of chosen people who waited in darkness for redemption. Today I forget that I know the ending of that saga and who fulfilled the Law. Instead, this year I will walk the four weeks of Advent reflecting on the expectant waiting of an innocent virgin who is heavy with child as she prepares her heart, spirit, and body to humbly birth and to love the infant "God with us." Mari Miller, Oblate

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This time of waiting beckons me around the advent wreath with God's word and prayer in darkneyet not alone to anticipate the first light. As the match touches the wick, I am drawn closer into a timeless tradition of the circle of life. The flame is small and grows with the promise of hope, joy, peace, love and forgiveness in all circumstances. It is a mystery of new beginnings with conversions and fulfillment. May the promised light find us all in unity and fellowship. Ginny Yankoskie, Oblate

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Lord, come

A woman lies on a bed stricken and God breaths life in response to our prayers. A pulse signals the coming of Christ. Air begins to flow more abundantly through the passages of the body and the staleness of the past intermixes with the moments of life interjected. Calmly, the woman responds to the spirit, yet still succumbed to the weakness of being stricken. Another breath resuscitates and God’s life quickens the pulsation. The skin softens and a creamy color begins to emerge as the lifeblood surges through her veins. God continues to breath His precious breath of life into the woman, who in her strengthening begins to respond drawing on all. She is aware of the heartbeat within her bosom and clings to each breath as the spirit moves within to rescue her from death; the beginning of peace.

Her skin begins to pink, her eyes begin to open and she sees a unique beauty surrounding her that she had never noticed before. Love, again, quickens and her heart feels the love within and shares with God’s moments of life. The hue of various lights twinkling in the distant air brings a rainbow of colors. Blue, red, yellow and purples adorn the cool air. Another breath and the sound of children playing and singing nearby bring a warmth and further peace in the awakening.

As Christ comes in fullness the awakening of full life continues to emerge. The onlookers and those who faithfully prayed begin to feel the life within them. Sharing in the rebirth of the stricken coming alive radiates to those who have been brought into the witness of resurrection. We stand around this manger of Hope. We nurture it, encourage it and continue to pray for it. The glow is awesome and overwhelming as peace comes to all knowing that God fulfills His promises. Peace becomes stronger and more faithful within and when in stillness, the growing flame of joy emerges and abounds.

These moments are the ‘comings of Christ’.

Kerrie Harwood, Oblate

ADVENT - THIRD WEEK

2010-12-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

GOSPEL FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Matthew 11:2-11

The Gospel for the 3^rd Sunday of Advent in Year A [the year of readings from the Gospel of Matthew] is, like the 2nd Sunday, about John the Baptist. He is no longer baptizing, but is in prison for speaking the values of God, for being a prophet, that is, someone who speaks on God’s behalf. He sends his disciples to ask Jesus “Are you the one who is to come, that is, are you the Messiah? Or, should we keep looking." Notice that Jesus does not answer directly but suggests that they notice the evidence. What he has been doing is proclaiming the Kingdom of God by action rather than just words. “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” Things are being put back in right order, as they should be. These are the very signs of the Messiah that appear in the writings of the Prophet Isaiah, especially in chapters 35 and 61. Matthew is rather clever, and in his Chapter 25 he pictures Christ asking if those before him have acted in a similar way. This is the last judgment scene and we are asked to examine our actions… have we, like Christ, put things back in right order by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing shelter for the homeless, visiting the sick and imprisoned? Essentially, Christ is asking “What are you doing to be good news not just talk about it.” This is the same repentance question that John asked the Pharisees and Sadducees on the First Sunday of Advent. Our actions prepare the way of Christ’s coming, in today’s world, in our homes and neighborhoods. This is the hard saying that comes to reside in our hearts as we get deeper into Advent. Who are we becoming? In very practical terms, have we so centered on buying or making presents that we forget how to be the image of Christ with presence? We aren’t usually called to great deep upheaval type conversions….but we are called during this season to be mindful of acting justly, kindly, lovingly, to be doers of the Word not just hearers. We are called to be the location where Christ takes up a home this Advent; we are called to be the manger, the Bethlehem, the holy family, the church, where the Christ is found.

Sr. Jeanette

from a retreat teaching given at Shalom Prayer Center

ADVENT A TIME OF WAITING - PART I

2010-12-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

WAITING, PATIENCE, LONGING, LOOKING, WATCHING, REFLECTING, LISTENING, PREPARING, PRAYING -- all words to reflect the Advent season.

MARANA THA -- COME LORD! is the prayer of Christians as we journey through Advent. This season celebrates the historical longing for the Messiah, the present awareness of God with us and the patient waiting for God's coming into our future.

MARANA THA -- COME LORD! is the cry of the early Church, in Aramaic, begging the Lord Jesus to return to them both now in the daily experience of Scripture, Eucharist, and small everyday ways as well as looking forward to Christ's coming in glory.

Both sisters and oblates have been invited to share with you their reflections on Advent as a time of waiting. Following is the first of three postings. Please let us know if you enjoy them.

ADVENT LONGING

Advent is a time of waiting for Jesus, the Savior

Autumn winds beckon me

Leaves circle in the breeze

Green, orange, yellow, red

A magnificent array of color

Raindrops fall softly - the leaves scatter.

Joyful anticipation heralds the coming of winter.

A solitary figure in contemplation

Glory bursting forth at His coming.

Sr. Susan Casey

We are all fascinated by watching a plant grow, especially a house plant that we are tending. We watch for new shoots, leaves, and new buds. When one does appear we keep an eye on it, checking it everyday. We wait eagerly for new life to show in a plant. This waiting requires patience and attention. while we wait we nourish the plant with water and plant food. Our consistent attention pays off. The shoot emerges into a new branch with eventually a flower on the plant. There is new life there to appreciate and enjoy.

We have a time of waiting also in our spiritual lives. Advent is that time of waiting each year. We wait for the new life of Christ to come to us. With the help of the Holy Spirit we open ourselves to the nourishment of grace. We wait and we hope. We wait for the shoots of virtue and Christian practices to emerge. We long for more Christ-like life, and a better relationship with God and others. Nourishing our spiritual lives during these weeks of waiting with prayer, the sacraments, and good works will make our waiting fruitful. We will grow a bit more in good habits or virtues. We will be ready for Christ when he comes at Christmas.

Sr. Joseph Fennimore

Advent Week 2 - Sunday Gospel

2010-12-05T20:46:00.000-08:00

Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent

Matthew 3:1-12

Composed by Sr. Donna Marie

This Gospel reading focuses on John the Baptist… the herald…the one who calls the people to repentance, to conversion, to change. This is the essence of the Christian vocation: listen to God calling you to be who he has made you to be. John goes about proclaiming… “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.” Like the reading from the 1^st Sunday of Advent, we once more are encouraged to prepare, get ready, let God get to us easily. Don’t put up road blocks.

John, in his speech to the Pharisees and Sadducees, questions their sincerity, and suggests that until their repentance produces good results it's sincerity will be questionable. You can’t count on your ancestors, religious beliefs, church affiliation, good reputation, etc. It is your sincerity of heart and how you live that is “the proof of the pudding.” At the close of this passage, John does what all Christians do: he doesn’t take credit or focus on his gifts or preaching. Instead he points to Jesus, and turns the focus to him.

Christ, the Word of God, also speaks to our hearts and asks the same of us as he did of John: be the one who announces his [Christ’s] presence, prepare the way so that others too may recognize Jesus in the midst of our everyday lives. This doesn’t mean giving homilies or standing on our soap boxes. Usually it is exactly the opposite. Each of us is called in our own unique ways to be the image Christ to family, friends, co-workers, the stranger etc. We are discovered by God, we become aware of God’s presence, we speak of him by who we are and how we treat others. So, how can each of us be an Advent of Christ this Advent?

Sr. Jeanette, OSB from an Advent retreat teaching

Advent - Week 2

2010-12-05T08:52:00.000-08:00

May the dawn of His coming find us rejoicing in His presence

and welcoming the light of His truth.

Advent begins the new church year, and is a time that anticipates Christ’s coming, is that time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and perhaps the time that makes us crazy with shopping and gift wrapping and parties and decorating the tree and the house…

However, Advent, is really a time “set apart” when we can, spend some time reflecting on what our God has done for us and continues to do for us, a time of being mindful of how God resides in our present time, in the midst of our lives, busy or not.

Advent is a season when we can give God some time to “get under our skin” – to get our attention so that we will have a better chance to recognize him in the various ways he will come to us between now and Christmas day – and of course, beyond that. It is a time when we try to be quiet enough that God’s voice can be heard. It is a time to focus on the essentials, to watch, wait, and be attentive.

I’m sure that all of us have been taught or heard a homily or said it ourselves: Advent is three fold. (1) We look back at Jesus coming in history, (2) we look forward to his second coming at the end of time, and (3) we celebrate his coming to us in our lives today, in Word and Sacrament but many other ways as well. Each of these aspects requires that we see beyond the obvious, to notice what is beyond the surface, and to perceive with our hearts and souls not just with our eyes and ears. We are challenged to experience the interior advent of God not just the Christmas carols, trees, and bright lights [those can also be great reminders of what we look forward to] That is exactly what the Advent liturgical readings try to help us accomplish as they speak to us of each of those perspectives.

(1) All the Christmas carols [that we have already begun to hear], and the Christmas cards etc. all increase our focus on the Jesus of history and emphasize the Baby. (2) Many of the end of the liturgical year Sunday readings and even some of the modern media put the end of the world/time before us. (3) But often we don’t realize sufficiently the coming of Jesus into our everyday, common place lives. However, God tried hard to make the point of “everydayness” to us. Look at the manger scene. Yes, it is historical, but think about the reality. It wasn’t what you see in religious art or on a Christmas card. The stable was probably dirty, cold, smelly, filled with animals that certainly would not show up in a Disney film. God, Emmanuel, came into the real world, the everyday ordinary, typical life… so that he really could be “God with us.” So look for God in the ordinariness of this season, at the grocery market, while cleaning house, while preparing dinner which someone interrupts with a need. As you progress through the next three weeks… notice all the comings, all the appearances, in the regular things in life that become extraordinary.

Sr. Jeanette from an Advent retreat given at Shalom Prayer Center

ADVENT - THE COMING OF OUR GOD

2010-11-29T19:05:00.000-08:00

ADVENT

Each year we begin the season of Advent shortly after Thanksgiving. It is a special season for us as we remember the coming of our God, Jesus the Christ, breaking into human history more than 2000 years ago. Unlike most of the culture around us, the sisters concentrate on Advent, reflecting on the comings of Christ [in history, presently in Word and Sacrament, and his eventual return at the end of time]. Generally, we don't decorate for Christmas or anticipate its arrival until right before December 25th [Of course, Christmas cards are another thing. We are already addressing envelopes, writing cards, and sending good wishes and prayers through the mail].

On the first Sunday of Advent, we bless our Advent wreath. Each year Sr. Julia creates one in our dining room. It is made of fresh bows of greens that give off a wonderful smell, and includes the three purple and one pink candles that Sr. Julia also makes for us. Each evening, after Evening Praise and before dinner we gather around the wreath and pray that we might be more mindful of the many ways that our God is alive in our midst.

THANKSGIVING GREETINGS

2010-11-24T14:33:00.000-08:00

All the Sisters at Queen of Angels Monastery wish you, your families and friends a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! May God bless you with "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" along with peace and the presence of God in your lives. [The picture above is the Monastery altar, ready for Thanksgiving Eucharist. Decorations by Sr. Julia]

Several sisters were asked to reflect on "Thanksgiving - What are you thankful for?" Following are their responses.

Sr. Dorothy Jean Beyer

This Thanksgiving time, I am aware that all that I have is a gift from our loving, gracious God. I can only say a humble Thank you each and every day and to live my life as a thanksgiving prayer to God.

Sr. Judith Bloxham

A Lectio of Thanks-giving (Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 52:8-9)

Sometimes, we are the last leper

running back to Christ.

More oftentimes, we hang on…

hang on to all “our life,” our gifts,

hardly seeing…our hearts so hard.

We miss the blessing, and the healing touch.

In the crowd, we forget to pause,

pushed on by self and others' gain…

being last, at times, a stranger to the crowd,

such loneliness leans against our heart and mind.

Perhaps, the purpose of it all

brings us back to Christ, and

now we see, now we know,

we have come Home.

Give thanks, you strange ones, you last ones

whose hearts turn round and run to Christ.

You will know him, when you see him,

Life-Gift for us all.

Let your eyes feast upon the Gift—

“I trust in the steadfast love of God

For ever and ever.

I will thank you for ever,” Eucharistia.

Postulant Mary Harp

Thanksgiving is a time when people come together to give thanks to God for the many things he has given them. I am most thankful for my family and friends. Their love, support, and encouragement has really helped me become the person I am today. Also, the love and support of the sisters here at Queen of Angels Monastery has meant so much in helping me to make the adjustment since my entrance day, this past September 8th. May God bless all of you and may you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Sr. Alberta Dieker

For me, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder to live in gratitude. As I grow older I realize more and more that every day is a gift. Every person I meet is a gift. I am surrounded by gifts of beauty in nature, in music, in story, in conversation. Even the aches and pains, the sadness and trials, the petty annoyances are gifts from which I can learn patience and seek to find a loving God within. All is gift. Be grateful!

Sr. Maureen Niedermeyer

I am so thankful for my faith which puts the events of my life in a proper perspective. One can easily get discouraged by all the confusion, pain, sadness and evil in our world. Yet, the gift of faith reminds me that Jesus walks with all of us and says, "Do not be afraid; I am with you always." It is God's presence which strengthens, heals and gives meaning to my life. It is from this faith-stance that I remain as a grateful and committed member of this community.

Sr. Judy Henigin

The holiday which we dedicate to Thanksgiving is open to anyone's interpretation of who is being thanked and what we are being thankful for. It is not a religious celebration as such but a spiritual one. Being thankful, being grateful, is that part of our being human that expresses our nature to love and be loved. My list of what to be grateful for can be like an unlimited Christmas wish list. The core of my gratitude is being thankful for God's love which I have come to understand in unlimited and unshakable. Knowing that God is the One who has charge, not me, frees me to be open to whatever He wills. He lets me be free to make mistakes but still loves me when I make them. All the things He wills for me come from His love for me and my thanksgiving is my response of my love for His love.

We invite all of you to reflect on what you are particularly grateful for this Thanksgiving. You might like to share those thoughts as you sit around your dinner table. If you would like to share who or what you are grateful for with a wider audience, please send us an e-mail or make a comment about this posting. Again, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

OBLATE TEA

2010-11-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Each year in the fall, the Queen of Angels Oblates invite the sisters to a special afternoon tea. This year was no exception.

Sunday afternoon many of the Oblates and most of the sisters gathered in Agatha Hess Hall where we visited and had a good time with one another.

The Oblates had made special treats and served the sisters before sitting down and joining in the conversations.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the Oblates who treated us so royally!

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

2010-10-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

THE ROSARY AS LECTIO

“The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christ-centered prayer. It has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety.” Pope John Paul II, apostolic letter The Rosary of the Virgin Mary.

“Mary pondered all these things in her heart” [Luke 2:52]. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the first to remember, ponder, and hold in her heart the events of Christ’s life. Over and over during her lifetime, she spoke to the Father about her Son, the meaning of Jesus’ life and what that life called her to be and do. In our own lives, we too are called to ponder the effect Christ has in our lives and what God calls us to be and do. The Rosary is one form of prayer that assists us in that encounter with our God. Lectio Divina, or Holy Reading, in another.

Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7. While many of us use the Rosary as a method of prayer, we don’t always remember how it was given to us or how it became such a popular form of prayer over the centuries.

Initially the Rosary’s 150 repetitions of the Hail Mary prayer was an imitation of the recitation of the 150 Psalms. The Psalms were prayed daily from the earliest of times by both Jewish and Christian believers. Some writers believe that in the Middle Ages, when Christians became less literate the Rosary [a form of prayer that did not require the ability to read] replaced the prominence of the Psalms as daily prayer.

The Rosary became more popular in the 16^th century when Pope St. Pius V established the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This feast was to encourage Christians to pray to Mary in gratitude for the victory over the Ottoman Empire at the battle of Lepanto.

Somewhere along the line, probably rather early, Christians began to associate various Gospel events with the praying of the Rosary. However, it wasn’t until the 16^th century that the Rosary came to its current organization: 15 mysteries [or Gospel events] each remembered while saying ten Hail Marys and one Our Father. These Gospel events are grouped into three sets: joyful mysteries, sorrowful mysteries and glorious mysteries. Pope John Paul II added the Mysteries of Light or Lumination in 2002.[1]

Those praying the Rosary are encouraged to keep these mysteries in mind, pondering their meanings, rather than just focusing on the specific words of the Hail Mary or Our Father. The main object of the Rosary is not petitionary prayer, telling God what we need or asking for divine assistance [though, of course, this is another fine way to pray]. Rather, the Rosary is meant to be a prayer during which God has a chance to speak to us, to address our hearts, to call us to conversion and to a deeper of relationship. We are meant to “hear” the Gospel as we reflect on the mysteries, and allow the Gospel message to take up a home within us – just as Mary “listened” to the Gospel events as they happened and allowed them to be stored in her heart.

The Rosary while unique, is similar to most repetitive prayers. It allows our minds to quiet down, it permits the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts once the interior chatter diminishes, and it encourages us to experience God’s presence. As quoted above, this prayer is “at heart a Christ-centered prayer.” By setting our thoughts on the messages of the Gospels, while quietly repeating the prayer to Mary, we find our Christ knocking at the door of our hearts, entreating us to let him in, and offering to sit down with us in peace, inspiration, and reconciliation.

Lectio Divina [or Holy Reading] is a similar prayer experience. Lectio [the shortened name] is also an ancient way of prayer that helps us to connect to God by listening and reflecting on the Divine Word. It too is a Spirit-filled practice for encountering the mystery of God in our lives.

There are five aspects to Lectio, which do not necessarily occur sequentially except that we begin with the reading of a passage of scripture. Or [as we do when praying the Rosary] we call to mind a passage that is familiar enough that we can remember it accurately [not adding our own details] and can pray with it without undo effort. Another aspect of Lectio is meditation or thinking about the mystery, trying to understand what God is saying to our heart in this passage. Then there is a time of prayer, a response to God’s invitation or message, a sense of gratitude for inspiration and grace. At any time during Lectio, we can experience a time of short or lengthy contemplation, a sense of God’s presence, and an experience of God being with us. The last aspect is compassion, which is really the result of this time of prayer. This is the missionary or apostolic aspect of Lectio. It is the realization that a response or action flows from our time with God. If God has truly been with us and we have really “listened with the ear of our heart” then our lives must be different, even if not in major or very noticeable ways. That change then can become a gift to the rest of God’s people.

These aspects intertwine, can occur more than once, don’t happen in any particular order, but are the various ways that the Spirit invites us into deeper connections with God as we ponder the Word.

Praying the Rosary is a similar type of prayer. It too is based in scripture and the Word of God that explains to us the life of Christ. Lectio has a broader base in that it includes all of scripture while the Rosary focuses on the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Yet, in both, we are immersed in scripture [either reading a passage or calling to mind the mystery for a particular decade of the Rosary]; we meditate upon the words; we pray about its message; and we spend time in contemplation, meeting our God in the quiet and peace of the prayer. The Rosary’s recitation of the Hail Marys provides the “white noise” that allows our spirits to meet the Spirit while reflecting on the Gospel messages. It helps to diminish the distractions that are not of God, and it brings us into union with Christ so that his life may move into our minds and hearts.

When we pray the Rosary or do Lectio, we can do so either individually or in a group. When praying the Rosary individually, we call to mind each mystery as we begin to pray that decade of prayers. When the Rosary is prayed collectively, at the start of each decade a leader reminds us which Gospel event should attract and hold our attention. Lectio always begins with the reading of a passage of scripture, but proceeds differently if done in a group that if done by oneself. If done alone, the Spirit more freely guides one along the various aspects described above. If done in a group a leader should offer some structure. Once we have heard God’s Word, there is a time of silence in Lectio and with the Rosary there is the recitation of the Hail Marys that should help create an interior silence. In both cases, this silence provides an opportunity for meditation, prayer, and contemplation. With Lectio the same passage is repeated three or four times [each followed by silence and often a sharing of the passage’s meaning] while the Rosary focuses on a new passage with each new decade. Lectio and the Rosary both encourage us to ponder the meaning of the Scriptures for our own lives.

Shared Lectio, that is Lectio done with a group, has some additional possibilities. Sometimes after the initial reading and a time of silence, each person shares a significant word from that passage. No one responds or discusses these words, they are just quietly mentioned. Often we are inspired by the words that the Holy Spirit puts in another prayer’s heart and mouth. Frequently, this reading-silence-sharing sequence is done a second time, either again speaking just a single word or perhaps a phrase. A third reading and time of silence is followed by a sharing of what God has said, the message that was received, and the call to conversion that was heard. The sharing is only when and if the person is comfortable. Sometimes no one speaks and the blessing of silence continues. Lectio comes to a conclusion with a time of vocal prayer, either in the form of praise or gratitude or both.

When your small group gathers to pray the Rosary, you might want to experiment with an addition that incorporates some of Lectio’s aspects. After the first decade, you might want to share with one another what word God has given you when you have pondered the mystery of that decade. After another decade, you might want to share what image God has placed in your mind as you prayed with that decade. At the end of the five decades, you might want to spend some additional time in silence and contemplation or you might want to share the message that has come to you during this special time of prayer. When you finish your time of prayer, offer God words of praise and gratitude. Check with the group to see what is beneficial, what has moved their hearts and deepened their prayer.

The Rosary and Lectio are both divine gifts to us. They are intended to strengthen our spiritual lives and unite us more closely with Christ. They both give us opportunities to be more like Mary, reflecting on the events in Jesus’ life. There is the added benefit when we use these forms of prayer in a group. Then, praying together, going to God together, forms us more deeply as a people of God, the Body of Christ.

No matter how we pray, may we continue to give glory to God and “may God bring us all together into life everlasting” [Rule of Benedict 72:12].

[1] Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Birth of Our Lord, The Presentation of Our Lord, The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple; Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony in the Garden, The Scourging at the Pillar, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord; Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Coming of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of Mary, The Coronation of Our Lady; Lumination Mysteries: The Baptism in the Jordan, The Wedding of Cana, The Proclamation of the Kingdom, The Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist.

This article was originally published in Spirit & Life, Sept-Oct 2010, published by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, www.benedictine-sisters.org

Sr. Jeanette von Herrmann, OSB

2010-09-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO POSTULANT MARY HARP!

On Wednesday, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, the community welcomed Mary Harp as our newest member. Postulant Mary comes from Maryland where she has taught for many years. ["Postulant" is a term for a woman in the initial stages of formation, a stage that usually lasts from 6-12 months. See our web page for more information about formation and the various stages]

Postulant Mary officially began her formation in monastic life in a ceremony that comes from the 6th century Rule of Benedict. That Rule, in Chapter 58, speaks about a newcomer knocking on the door of the monastery and being granted admission if she "shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for testing...that will lead to God."

On Wednesday, Mary walked up the stairs and knocked at the front door of the Queen of Angels Monastery. That door was opened by the Prioress, Sr. Donna Marie, who asked: "Mary, what do you seek?" Mary responded: "I seek God." Sr. Donna Marie welcomed her: "On behalf of the community, I invite you to enter this Monastery, joining us on our journey to God."

Each new woman who joins us has been drawn by the grace of God, and comes here to learn our way of life. We teach them about the Rule of Benedict and help them to live out the Gospel daily, so that they may follow Christ in this community.

Mary came into the monastery and with the rest of the monastic community processed to the chapel for Evening Prayer and the rest of the ceremony.

After praying the Psalms and listening to chapter 58 of the Rule of Benedict, Sr. Donna Marie addressed the community: "Mary wishes to live with us to further discern her call to monastic life. She seeks admission to the Postulancy in preparation for vowed membership. She is committing herself to seek God in our midst through prayer, community, conversion, formation, and ministry. Through these experiences, walking side by side with us, she hopes to be able to know more clearly her call and through our support to respond generously. Will you accept Mary Harp into our community as a Postulant?" The sisters responded: "We will." Sr. Donna Marie then asked: "Will you support Mary and take seriously your responsibility as a formative monastic community?" Again the sisters said: "We will."

Sr. Donna Marie [standing next to the altar on which was a Bible and a copy of the Rule] then addressed Mary: "Both the Scriptures and the Rule of Benedict guide our lives. As a sign of your desire to enter into life with us and to deepen your commitment to Christ, please place your letter requesting admittance to our community near these words of inspiration. Mary, on behalf of this community, I welcome you. Receive this medal of St. Benedict as a sign of our welcome to this community."

Sr. Donna Marie then blessed Postulant Mary: "As you join us in daily prayer, may the words and voices strengthen you and draw you closer to the Divine Word [all the sisters responded "Amen"]. As you enter into community with us may new strength, love, and joy be released in you [all the sisters responded "Amen"]. Receive this Rule of St. Benedict as a guide to opening your mind, heart, and soul to God's formative work and call to conversion, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. [all the sisters responded "Amen"]. May Christ bring us all together to life everlasting. [again, all the sisters responded "Amen"].

As the ceremony came to a close, the community blessed Sr. Joseph Fennimore who as the Formation Director will be working closely with Postulant Mary and our other new member, Postulant Patricia.

FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME

2010-09-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, "What about us? We have left everything to follow you. What are we to receive?" Jesus responded, "I tell you solemnly... Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life. Many who are first will be last and the last, first." Matthew 19:27-29

“For the sake of my name”

Not for the thrones and glory

Not for the hundred fold

Not for eternal life, per se

ONLY for the sake of the name

In scripture, The Name is a reverent way to refer to the Lord, to God made manifest to us as Father, Son, and Spirit. In this Matthean passage, Jesus tells us that there is only one reason for which we live and that reason is God present to us in the person of the Christ.

This is the Person to whom we Monastic women have dedicated our lives. We came to monastic life and we stay in monastic life for the sake of the Name, for the sake of the Christ who calls us to be his completely, for the sake of the God in whom we live, move, and have our very being.

It is the person of Christ who has called us, it is the voice of Christ that we have heard, and it is the presence of Christ to which we have responded. Christ has called, spoken, and been present to each of us, through and among this community – especially in the Prioress, the sick, the stranger, and the needy. For any number of faithful years, each of us has heard that Voice and each of us has responded with our whole heart. We strive to be women who “truly seek God… and show eagerness for the Work of God, obedience, and humility” [RB 58:7]. In that search for God, we have been sustained as God promised and have not been disappointed in our hope [RB 58:21].

Various numbers of years ago, each of us promised obedience, stability and faithfulness to the monastic way of life – three aspects of our public statement and promise to live only for the sake of God. This monastic way of life calls us to center, focus, be attuned to, the God for whom we live. We do this daily, hourly, being mindful of the Person for whom we labor. Our obedience is a listening with the ear of our heart, a listening to hear the Voice of Christ in the voices of others, a listening to hear the Voice that calls us to life. Our stability is a permanency of commitment, we promise not to forsake our God or this way of life that leads more deeply to our God.

In the above Matthean gospel passage, Jesus gives a long list of people and things to be left behind: houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children, and lands. While it is not said directly, the message is “leave everything!” These people and things are to be abandoned, not because they are worthless, or evil, but because they cannot be compared, even vaguely, to the love of Christ, which is past all understanding and comparison. This relationship with Christ is the one thing necessary that Jesus reminds Martha of when she is worried about many things. It is only Christ, who alone is our salvation, life, and resurrection.

But in this gospel passage, Jesus does promise rewards for those who faithfully follow a life of commitment. However, these rewards are not the reason for a dedicated life, they are merely the consequences. One does not follow Jesus so that one benefits, but because one loves the One who first loved us. The result of that life of love and commitment to love is a permanent binding of love in eternal Life. As in Paul’s image of the race, we run on towards and with the Christ who is our one sure reward. “As we progress on this way of life and in faith, we run … with our hearts overflowing, with the inexpressible delight of love” [RB Prol. 49] towards the One who calls us. As we are consumed with this love all else pales in comparison and is left behind for the One who is the essence of our being. In the end this journey toward and with God, becomes the reward as well. If we seek God with our whole being, if we live our lives for the sake of the Name, the reward will be life eternal with that Christ who calls us.

This is the call that each of us has heard and to which each of us has responded. This is the call we have received as a community of monastic women. “Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may Christ bring us all together to everlasting life” [RB 72:11].

Sr. Jeanette von Herrmann

FORMER MEMBERS REUNION

2010-08-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

A REUNION OF FORMER MEMBERS of Queen of Angels Monastery was held this past Saturday, August 28th. About 20 women who had been a part of our community joined us for the day to renew friendships.

SEEKING GOD - A BENEDICTINE BLOG

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT REFLECTION

TAIZE PRAYER FOR ADVENT

ADVENT THOUGHTS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

NOVEMBER PRAYERS

A Day of Rememberance

MATER DOLOROSA

WELCOME!

Our New E-Newsletter

One of our connections to the world

Berry Blessings

E-NEWSLETTER ON THE HORIZON

MONASTIC WORSHIP FORUM 2011

Oblate Picnic 2011

SHALOM PRAYER CENTER - FALL CALENDAR

Benefit Concert for Shalom Prayer Center

NAABOD - North Ameircian Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors

HAVE YOU NOTICED?

ICONOGRAPHIC ARTS INSTITUTE 2011

HAPPY EASTER

Sr. Donna Marie Chartraw Re-Elected Prioress

MORE SIGNS OF SPRING

SIGNS OF SPRING

ASH WEDNESDAY - BONA OPERA

ASH WEDNESDAY, #2

ASH WEDNESDAY #1

70th PROFESSION JUBILEE

HAPPY PROFESSION ANNIVERSARY!

February 10th - Solemnity of Saint Scholastica

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT - A TIME OF WAITING - PART III

ADVENT - FOURTH WEEK

ADVENT A TIME OF WAITING PART II

ADVENT - THIRD WEEK

ADVENT A TIME OF WAITING - PART I

Advent Week 2 - Sunday Gospel

Advent - Week 2

ADVENT - THE COMING OF OUR GOD

THANKSGIVING GREETINGS

OBLATE TEA

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME

FORMER MEMBERS REUNION

A REUNION OF FORMER MEMBERS of Queen of Angels Monastery was held this past Saturday, August 28th. About 20 women who had been a part of our community joined us for the day to renew friendships.

Photos by Sister Susan Casey