Infant Jesus

Christmas Lessons

When I realized that my next blog was to be posted on December 29th my first thought was, “What did I have to offer for follow-up of such a beautiful celebration of God’s love for all creation?” I paused and took to prayer my memories of Christmas past. My earliest…

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Wise Man figurine

The Other Wise Man

Benedictine life at its core is about seeking—seeking God, seeking Christ in our everyday lives. Seeking God is not just a momentary experience, it is a lifelong quest. As Christmas approaches this week, I am aware that so many people in our country and around the world, myself among them,…

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Chapel light

Winter Light

In the early afternoon, one can step into chapel and witness an amazing light display that happens only during the late fall and early winter months. The southerly-angled sunlight beams through the clerestory windows and splashes itself on the north wall of the chapel. Although there have been multiple attempts…

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Immaculate Conception Chapel Window

Full of Grace

The Gospel message we just heard this past Sunday (Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C) awakens us to John the Baptist’s role of prophecy: “John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book…

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The Power of Helping Others

When my husband retired from driving in 2020, we traded in our other vehicles and bought a new one. In the process of downsizing to one vehicle, we had two sets of new jumper cables still in the boxes, waiting for a failed battery rescue. They were premium, twenty-four feet…

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Autumn leaves

Autumn leaves

It was a downpour, but no need for a raincoat! Leaves were furiously raining down upon me during my morning walk – reds, yellows, browns, oranges. The bright sun enhanced the colors like jewels glimmering as they fell. Gusts of wind sent them swirling, twirling, dancing across my path, some…

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Sister Magdalena reading

Sister Magdalena

Sister Magdalena (Donna) Craig has a deep appreciation of beauty. Although she does not consider herself particularly creative, she creates beautiful liturgies by pulling together the creative works of others. Her love for liturgy has been a constant in her life. At her golden jubilee celebration, Sister Tonette observed that…

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Icon of Martha and Mary with Jesus

Hospitality and Discipleship

A beloved story that appears only in the Gospel of Luke is that of Jesus visiting his friends Martha and Mary at their home in Bethany (10: 38-42). Many have interpreted this narrative as dealing with the active life versus the contemplative life; however, I will consider it through a…

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Sisters gathered in the cemetery

All Souls’ Day

All Saints’ Day gets so much hype, but my favorite day is All Souls’ Day on November 2nd.  Maybe it is because it is doubtful that I will ever make the saint status, but I’m sure I will be an “All Souls'” participant! Seriously, working with different cultures over the…

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Fra Angelico Predella Alterpiece left panel

All Saints

The season of Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. The turning of the seasons gives us a wonderful visual experience of the beauty of God’s creation. Many years ago, I was blessed to have a sabbatical experience in the northeast, outside Boston, in Dover, Massachusetts. The…

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