Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

It's not our mountain. It's God's mountain.

As we begin this Christmas season, Clyde Prioress Sister Sean shares an Advent reflection with our Sisters each week.

Here is this week’s offering….

Advent Vigil – wk 1, Nov. 27, 2010

“In days to come, the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills.”

“I rejoiced because they said to me, ‘We will go up to the house of the LORD.’”

“For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man . . . So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

We have a mountain to climb. And we’re not talking about hills. It’s a mountain. And we have begun.

Hiking up a mountain is not easy. It’s a good way to describe the spiritual journey, which is not just some sort of mental abstract.

It’s real. It’s hard. It requires constant vigilance. Preparations and vigilance are critical for survival. The mountain climber will often encounter rain, sunshine, intense heat, freezing cold, possibly disorientation at times, ice on parts of the path which are always in the shade, severe storms, tremendous lightning and wind, and above 8,000 feet – the beginning of an awful thing known as “altitude sickness.”

And from about 10,000 feet on up, in order to keep going, it’s important to pause after each step and just breathe. And above 11,000 feet there are no more trees for shade or shelter (but also there are fewer bears to encounter).

Water is often scarce and must be carried from one source to the next. And with so many turns in the path, as well as sudden weather changes and a multitude of unforeseen events and circumstances, the actual time of arriving at the summit is unknown.

And the holy mountain of the Lord is so much higher. It’s that mountain we have begun to climb – together. It’s real. It’s hard. This journey requires constant vigilance – spirit and body, soul and heart.

Each Advent, we have a chance to pause, reflect on the mystery of it all, and continue the journey up the mountain, refreshed – rejoicing in the knowledge that whatever is not possible to us by nature the Lord will supply by his grace.

And we all know how often that grace is needed – primarily for human interactions. As we have often heard, the twelve Apostles are good examples of the broad range of dynamics among very different personalities, and along with the joys and blessings, also the difficulties and challenges inherent in living and working so closely together.

Some people may think of the spiritual journey as something disconnected from life as we know it, something which is “not of this physical world,” something totally “up there somewhere, in the spirit.”

However, one of the gifts we have is the constant awareness that the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us.

In the Prologue of the Rule, 22: St. Benedict tells us – If we wish to dwell in the tent of God’s kingdom, we will never arrive unless we run there by doing good deeds. But let us ask the Lord with the Prophet: Who will dwell in your tent, Lord; who will find rest upon your holy mountain? – the answer is basically those who do what is good, rejecting all that is evil.

“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.”

The climbing is choosing and accepting those instructions and walking in those paths – they are the Way that leads to the summit of God’s holy mountain. And the most profound of those instructions, which clarifies all the others, and which we have been shown by example, the most sacred path leading up this mountain, is love.

And it’s the oil, which must be in our lamps as we keep vigil all along the way as we climb this holy mountain. The path, the instructions for following it, have been set out for us. And each step is our choice, our decision, the effort we continually put forth to say “yes.” And all along the way, we must be prepared for the unexpected. Only then we can truly celebrate the journey.

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. . .”

Each Advent, we celebrate this -

Long ago, the messenger was sent; he has cleared the way.

This journey up the mountain is not a solitary climb by individual persons alone; it’s all of us together. At times, each of us will need to be carried by someone else, and we also will each have opportunities to carry another.

And as God so often has ways of surprising us, perhaps unexpectedly we might find ourselves being carried by one whom we’ve had the most difficulty getting along with.

And just as unexpectedly, we might find ourselves doing the same. What is not possible to us by nature, God’s grace will provide.

We need to remember – It’s not our mountain. It’s God’s mountain.

“So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Let us all rejoice – we are going up to the house of the LORD – together.

“And the Lord whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple.”

Taking in all the changes

The Friday after Thanksgiving was a quiet day at the construction sight.  The work crews had the day off, which gave us Sisters the chance to do a guided walk-through lead by Sister Sean, our prioress.

Sisters see changes made from the summer

About 15 Sisters took the opportunity to see inside the building for the first time since we had vacated it back in June.

Eyes were open with wonder and surprise by the vast changes already in place.  Questions bubbled forth, and all were grateful for someone who could read architect’s plans!

New duct work in the attic

Crews are busy installing new heating and cooling duct work throughout the attic.

New ducts installed in the attic

We are now heating the lower floors for the winter with portable units, and we’ll need to keep the heat from going out through the attic and other areas.  Crews are busy installing plastic sheeting along the lower levels to prevent the heat from escaping to the attic. We’ll need to maintain the interior temperature at about 55 degrees to prevent water lines from freezing during the cold Midwestern winter.

Trenches containing new electrical conduits

New conduits will 'up' our electrical service

This trench shows where the new electrical conduits are located for the larger electrical service for our Clyde monastery.

This new, larger service will take care of all the new heat pumps as well as what was on the existing service.

Our Sister Cathleen Marie is one of 24

When she opened the package Sister Cathleen Marie Timberlake, OSB felt she had just received a “wonderful, beautiful present.”

The gift was a copy of the book, “Art of Soap,” which showcases the lives of handcrafted soapmakers from around the world. Sister Cathleen Marie, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and affectionately called the Soap Sister, is one of 24 artisans profiled in the book.

The chapter that tells Sister Cathleen Marie’s story details how she became interested in soapmaking 10 years ago, how she weaves a life of prayer into her craft and how creating that first bar turned into a successful business for her contemplative community.

“It was very exciting to see the book for the first time and to see – in writing – where my journey as a soapmaking monk has taken me,” she said.

Editor Debbie Chialtas said the book was inspired by and was written for “those who love to make and use soap, and anyone who appreciates handmade arts.”

“In ‘The Art of Soap’ I wish to represent a little of everything: Philosophy, Inspiration, Technique, and Presentation,” she writes on her website. “Artisans from all over the world have contributed their work and personal stories to the book.”

Meanwhile, Sister Cathleen Marie, whose soaps sell under the Benedictine Sisters’ Monastery Scents brand, continues to be amazed by how her soap has been received and is excited about what the book will offer.

“I hope people will realize the beauty and talent that goes into making something as ordinary as soap,” she said. “As can be seen through the photos and writings of others, we approach it from many varying points of view, but there is also a commonality that brings the 24 of us together and that is the love for the craft and the experience of creating something so precious.”

To learn more about Sister Cathleen Marie’s soaps, please click here. “Art of Soap” is available for purchase here.

Our sweet Caeli

Our beloved Caeli passed away on Saturday. For 15 years, she was a faithful friend and companion to our Clyde family.

She was aptly named, as Caeli (pronounced CHAY-lee) is Latin for heaven. Her sweet spirit, special smile and those big ears shall be missed by us all. But we are joyful she has been released from pain to run and jump and frolic with those who have passed before.

Those who have know the love of a good dog, who have witnessed loyalty, unconditional love and a friendship like no other, understand the place pets hold in our hearts.

Even though they leave, a small part of them remains with us. And with them, they take a piece of our hearts as well. It is a treasured exchange that transcends our time on earth to last for eternity.

Not the least hard thing to bear when

they go from us, these quiet friends,

is that they carry away with them so

many years of our lives. Yet, if they

find warmth therein, who would

begrudge them those years that they

have so guarded?

And whatever they take,

be sure they have deserved.”

by John Galsworthy

Two bedrooms becoming one

With some walls completely taken out and some cut through partially, old spaces are in varying stages of renovation.  In one part of the monastery, two small bedrooms will become one larger one.

Making a bedroom a suite

One old bathroom and bedroom will make room for a bathing suite.  Excitement builds as we glimpse what will be.

Removing a ramp exposes uneven floor levels

Proof that the monastery was built at different times lies under wall and floor treatments.  Workmen removed a very steep ramp that made it possible for Sisters to access another wing of the old building (photo above).  This hallway will be reconfigured so that a proper incline will make movement even more accessible.

Walled in window

A bricked in window was found when our workmen took out the cedar paneling in this closet.

Sister Gladys (left) and Sister Sarah

Our San Benito Sisters in Dayton, Wyoming, enjoyed a successful business weekend at the Holy Name Catholic Church Fall Boutique in nearby Sheridan.

The annual event invites local merchants and vendors  to showcase their items. San Benito Superior Josetta Grant, OSB remarked that the Sisters’ booth was especially popular, resulting in the largest amount of business they’ve ever done at the event. You can order many of their items online at our store here.

Sister Josetta (left) and Sister Hope

Some of the items for sale included these baby sets crocheted by Sister Sarah

Hand embroidered items by Sister Benita

Helping other communities sell their items

Lip balm, soaps and lotions...OH, MY!

We even offered treats for four-legged friends...inspired and approved by our own dog, Annie

Former library becomes a new space

What used to be the vestry and the library are being framed into smaller rooms such as bedrooms, bathrooms and offices.  The new library will be on the first floor.

Vestry before remodel began

The former vestry today during the renovation

There will not be a new vestry.  There will be storage closets throughout the building, but each Sister will also have a larger closet in her bedroom.  We are fortunate to have these large spaces to re-invent into usable spaces.