Mon 25 Feb, 2013
Last week’s snow draped our Clyde, Mo., monastery. But, hey, it’s February. In Missouri. No surprise there.
However, Mother Nature did have a trick up her sleeve, bringing some snow to our community in Tucson, Arizona.
Sister Kathleen Clare took these beautiful shots from the roof deck of the monastery.
Mon 14 May, 2012
Enjoying dinner and friendship are (from left) Sister Deanna Maria Pavone, OSB, Sister Kathleen Clare Lahl, OSB, Sister Kathleen Gorman, OSB, Sister Marietta Crahan, OSB and Sister Marie Jona Yoo, OSB.
Prioress General Sister Pat Nyquist, OSB, opened the 2012 General Assembly in early May in Clyde, Mo., by recalling the legacy of prayer shared by all the BSPA members of the past 138 years.
“The wider world, whether conscious of it or not, needs us, as Thomas Merton intuited, to continue our mission of being monks who, like the trees, purify the air by our very presence,” Sister Pat said. “It is a legacy that we can surely be proud of and be privileged to be a part of.”
(From left) Sister Rosario Martinez, OSB, Sister Regina Arnold, OSB, Sister Bernardine Weis, OSB and Novice Erma Relunia.
Throughout the week, 55 Sisters representing each of the Congregation’s communities discussed current trends and future implications in areas of governance, finances, personnel and works related to their Eucharistic lives.
As always, the level of excitement rises with an assembly and brings with it an abundance of joy and great expectations for future generations in monastic life.
Sister Hildegard Zerwas (left) and Sister Mary Dawn Vercellino, who live at the Clyde and Tucson communities respectively, catch up during a break in meetings.
“Without knowing what the future will be, our call is to embrace the unfolding mystery and together find a direction that holds sacred our monastic, Eucharistic charism even as it evolves in the midst of a world undergoing constant transformation,” Sister Pat said.
Thu 16 Feb, 2012
There is a new light shining throughout the Tucson sky!
Our Arizona monastery is a little brighter after we installed a new light in the tower. It is set on a timer and shines brightly from dusk until dawn.
It joins the lights we already had on the chapel’s facade, which illuminated the Christ the King statue and the two accompanying angels (below).
As Sister Kathleen Clare said, “It looks so beautiful in the night sky.”
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Thu 27 Oct, 2011
Brother Loughlan Sofield, S.T. (standing) presents at the Diocese of Tucson’s annual Convocation for Religious hosted by the Benedictine Sisters.
The Benedictine Sisters hosted the annual Convocation for Religious for both men and women of the Diocese of Tucson on Oct. 22.
Brother Loughlan Sofield, S.T., author and consultant on collaborative ministry, personal development and leadership, presented “Models for the Gift of Discernment in Religious Communities.”
“He focused on recognizing our giftedness by our communities by giving us a model for gift discernment,” Sister Kathleen Clare Lahl, OSB said. “He also addressed the stages in the development of a community and walked us through the realities of anger management, forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas shared news from his office, addressed questions and concerns then finished by presiding at Mass in the Benedictine Monastery chapel.
“So many of the men and women religious seem to be approaching the point of burnout with the pressures and conflicts experienced with their various ministries,” Sister Kathleen Clare said. “The day was so uplifting and provided a lot of good, helpful input.”
The day included a nice lunch, presentations and Mass with Bishop Kicanas as celebrant.