Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

Well, we have two full days of meetings with architects to discuss our renovations. We are so very blessed to be partnered with people who are equally committed to our environment and are working side-by-side with us to make the deconstruction as painless as possible.

On another note, some of our Sisters participated in the 15th Annual Abbey Trails 5K Run/3M Walk last weekend. We love supporting our friends, the monks, at nearby Conception Abbey. The Abbey Trails event is sponsored by the Conception College Seminary to support its wellness program. The program supports positive health practices and provides information to surrounding communities on learning skills to benefit physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Sisters and a friend of the Clyde community participated in Abbey Trails

Every day is Earth Day for us as we practice good stewardship of God’s earth.

From day one of Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories we have kept the word ‘earth’ in our minds. Deconstruction of the Marian Wing provides us with many opportunities to recycle, which is vitally important to us. We are recycling many of the materials from the process, including wood, hardware, windows and bricks. Plus, we’ll add a geothermal heating/cooling system to greatly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

This is just one more piece of our environmentally friendly portfolio. Over the years, our green projects have included the addition of a wind turbine on our property. While we don’t directly receive energy from this project, we are content in promoting the uses of alternative energy.

We also use re-sealable plastic bags and recycled materials to package our altar breads, drive hybrid vehicles, compost and garden, replaced our light fixtures to use T-8 ballasts and compact fluorescent bulbs and installed energy-efficient windows. Stormwater run-off from roofs, roadways and parking areas is diverted and stored in special ponds.

Our Tucson community has also stepped up. Recent efforts include the addition of solar panels and rainwater collection tanks along with the recycling of gray water from laundry to water our orchard.

We each must play a part to ensure God’s earth is viable, productive and beautiful for the generations that follow. It is our blessing to do so.

‘The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses.’ – Hanna Rion

Nowhere is that more true than here at our Clyde monastery. The warm weather has brought new life to flowers and gardens around the monastery. Tending to many of these beautiful blooms is our dear Sister Mary Edward who is legally blind.

It’s wondrous to see the fruits of her labor, which become a sight to behold as the months turn into spring, summer then fall. Magnificent colors and sweet fragrances are daily reminders of God’s presence here.

One of the projects of Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories will be the relocation of our vistor’s entrance. Currently located on the west side of the monastery, it will be moved to the south side and include a large parking area for guests and buses.

In addition, it will include beautiful new gardens to welcome our guests. Sister Mary Edward cannot wait!

For the past several months, we have been asking our Most High God to grant us listening and obedient hearts to hear His will for our future. Today, we stepped through that doorway into the future in a very real way.

We gathered in a room in the portion of the building that will be deconstructed and taken down, with Abbot Gregory from Conception Abbey presiding. Prayerfully, we gave thanks to all that took place in there and for all the people who walked the halls or worked or lived in the rooms (*please see prayer below).

Then, taking two bricks, we chanted a litany of our history as we walked through the halls to our main chapel.

Entering this beautiful and life-giving space, we placed the bricks in the sanctuary. We knew this would be our last Mass in this chapel until the renovations are finished.

Abbot Gregory said, “Sisters, today we take leave of the chapel during the time the monastery will be renovated. We are God’s pilgrim people, never fully at home in this world until we reach our lasting home in heaven.”

At the end of the Eucharist, the prioress took the flame from the sanctuary lamp and led us from the chapel, the doors closing one last time on our community’s procession.

This is not the end but the beginning. This is the doorway leading to our future. This is the doorway leading to life. May God be praised.

* Prayer of Thanksgiving

For all who taught, learned, ate and prayed in the Academy Classrooms, Dining Room and Chapel.

For all who served and all who were cared for in the Infirmary and Tuberculosis Rooms.

For all who prepared meals in the Infirmary Kitchen and ate in the Infirmary Dining Room.

For all who spent time in prayer and adoration in the Infirmary Chapel.

For all who meditated and prayed in the Oratory.

For all who found knowledge and inspiration in the first floor Community Library.

For all who shared and together discerned God’s will for our community in the Chapter Room.

For all who went to night adoration from the Postulants’, Novices’ and Sisters’ Dormitories.

For all who rested and prayed in our Bedrooms.

For all who recreated, ate and worked in the Postsulant’s Recreation Room, Refectory and Dishhall.

For all who slept in boxes and enjoyed fresh air on the Courtyard Porch.

For all who prayed, learned and laughed in the Novitiate Rooms.

For all who served and were served in the Guests’ Dining Room.

For all who shared their creative gifts in our veil room, embroidery department and sewing rooms.

For all who peeled, prepared popcorn or baked in Room 108 and the Bakery.

As we continue preparations to break ground on July 1, we find ourselves in somewhat of an upheaval. Sisters are beginning to move from the motherhouse into guest houses and other converted spaces. Our Adoration Chapel will close to the public in a couple of days. Boxes are packed, things put into storage, furniture moved, lives in chaos!

However, we find strength and quiet in our beloved St. Benedict’s Rule. Because of this, we remain centered, grounded in prayer. We continue our community gatherings for prayer five times each day. We also have opportunity for private prayer, and the monastery grounds provide so many beautiful places. A grove of pine trees on the hill. The small pond located behind the house. A bench on a small lane.

And here – in the grotto, a quiet, serene place to spend time in prayer.

We are reminded of our blessings and remember all those in prayer.

While the renovations are underway, our formation program will be moved to our community in Tucson. So our Sisters there have been busy making room and preparing spaces for those who will arrive in a couple of months.

Our Tucson community will temporarily host our formation program

The make up of the Tucson community will change for a time, blending professed Sisters with those in formation. However, the Tucson community welcomes this additional opportunity to share hospitality. With this upcoming travel, we are reminded of the choices made by our pioneering Sisters on their own journey: what to take and and what to leave behind?

Anyone who has lived through a hot, muggy, humid Missouri summer knows that air conditioning is a MUST! So we’re very excited that our renovations will include central air conditioning.

Up until now, only a few offices and community areas in the motherhouse have been blessed with air conditioning. No longer will we have to move mattresses into the refectory (dining hall) or an office in order to get a good night’s rest when the temperatures hit 100 degrees.

Saying goodbye to dozens of AC window units

So many things are changing and morphing that we all need to exercise our stability in the unknown, like growing sea legs. What anchors us in our monastic life are those things that do not change - prayer, Eucharist, common table and hospitality.

We continue to sort out, clean and pack up various rooms. Paintings from our archives were aired out then stored away. The vestry feels cavernous as shelves and closets are emptied.

Artwork and carpeting were removed from the oratory. Indeed, it reflects Chapter 52 of the Rule of Benedict: ‘Let the oratory be what it is called, a place of prayer; and let nothing else be done there or kept there. When the Work of God is ended, let all go out in perfect silence.’

The oratory has been cleared for renovations

We are also removing items to recycle from the second floor porch of the Marian Wing. As our Sister Sophia remarked, ‘It was a favorite prayer space for me for many years.’

So we remind ourselves that while change is difficult, we remember our vow of stability and look toward the future with excitement.

Recyling items from 2nd floor porch

Praying before the Blessed Sacrament is in the lifeblood of our Benedictine contemplative life. We often receive questions and advice from others who wish to do the same thing. “How do you do it? Is it hard? What do you say to Christ? What can I say to Christ?”

It isn’t difficult. It’s about spending time in quiet thought. Your prayer doesn’t need to be eloquent. Only heartfelt and true.

Today as we honor the Passion and the Death of Christ, his sacrifice that led to the redemption and salvation of our souls, we offer you this prayer. If you choose to pray before the Blessed Sacrament today, please think of these words offered by our Sister Sarah:

“I have come here to this quiet place to pray, taking an hour out of my busy day to come to you. I come to pray for my family and friends, for myself, for all people, for peace and justice in the whole world. I want also to be still so I can listen to you. Maybe I’ll read a bit of your Word, to give me some food for thought.

Food for thought – that’s an interesting phrase. Food is what nourshes us; it keeps us alive and gives us energy. Thinking doesn’t keep us alive, but no one can do without food. After all, we all know hunger and thirst. And you became food and drink for us. You gave us your body as bread to eat and your blood as wine to drink. Isn’t that a wonder? I marvel at this mystery. And I receive you as food whenever I go to Mass. It’s you even though I can’t see you. I can see the bread and know you are somehow present. I don’t have any fancy words. I simply want to pray and to just sit here and be still, gazing at you.

So be with me, Lord, this hour. Keep me from restless anxiety, from worry or fear. Let me feel your presence and your peace. Give me strength to meet this day’s challenges. Fill my heart with love, and my mind with insight. Let me know what you want me to do, so I can share your love with all. Amen.”

We will temporarily close our Adoration Chapel to the public on Wednesday, April 14, for the duration of the Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories project.

Adoration Chapel to close during renovations

With Sisters on the move, building temporary living and office spaces and heavy construction equipment to arrive on-site soon, we feel it’s best to ensure everyone’s safety by closing the Adoration Chapel to guests during this time.

We look forward to opening our doors once again after this project is completed.