Paths Without Obstacles Lead Nowhere

The Narrow Road

2011-09-14T00:40:00.003-05:00

For the discerning heart the question remains one of many. One I asked and often hear is, 'How can I follow God and the path I am on the one I am called to step? The answer comes from prayer wrapped in faith. For there is no easy way-- for it is narrow at the outset. For those of us living the Benedictine way it's a path we trod not so much alone but because we are all one.

Community calls this out from within us and helps us along the way, and even when we think that no one understands or 'gets it' when we feel this call from our God there are those who do.

I am grateful to know that there are those who have walked before me and as I step and step and step once more moving in the spiritual leaning ever forward, looking toward the goal I know my gait is not only sure but good.

Twenty-one years ago, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross I came to the community seeking the God who first seeks us. My sisters are my spiritual guides, my modern-day GPS on the path of what is monastically right for me. I am still amazed at how I found this place. God's grace is exactly and perfectly enough! Looking at what has been and hoping for what will be I see that we walk the monastic life together albeit a bit slower but still a lit to this narrow little road that we have been blessed to find. Its covered in beauty, cracked, tired and sure. It's earth-given and worn to place of warmth if you look gently enough one kindly finds God in every bit and speck of it.

It is a path that is open to countless seekers. Do you hear God asking, "Come walk with me"?

Wisdom From Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB about Monastic Stability

2011-06-27T20:05:00.006-05:00

Recently, we hosted the Summer Discernment Retreat this week entitled,

CONSIDER YOUR CALL June 23-27, 2012 here at St. Scholastica Monastery and Subiaco Abbey.

One of the presentations was on the monastic vow/promise of STABILITY as given by Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB

As part of the presentation, the Abbot quoted from St. Clement which ties in well the importance of Stability via our faith and Christ's love for humanity. Jesus lived loving faithfulness and calls us to that very same love. How well might we all live loving fidelity? One way to help us do that is through the prayer as attributed to St. Clement.

Blessings to all who are striving to live monastic STABILITY and all that it promises...

2012 - The Revolution Has Begun

2011-04-21T13:37:00.002-05:00

Let us mediate on the command of God, that we are called to love one another as God loves us. What path will your heart and soul take you?
Listen with the ear of your heart...(Father Benedict) and listen as never before...
Ask yourself:
How responsible am I for this world and all its hurts--- How does it feel to be called to help? For me, it is one thing: to heal and love...love and heal... both lead to hope, an understanding and to a glory yet unknown.
May we teach our children as they innocently and rightly teach us?
What does your inner truth whisper to you?
Please share your thoughts and pass this video and vision onto others!

Blessed Easter to all...

The Christmas Story by Kids

2010-12-23T13:29:00.000-06:00

The Christmas Can Can

2010-12-20T15:55:00.001-06:00

These Gentlemen are amazing!
God bless your vocation and Merry Christmas to you!
Sister Kimberly

Christmas Can Can!

2010-12-20T15:54:00.001-06:00

These gentlemen are amazing! God Bless you in your vocation and Merry Christmas!!
Sister Kimberly

Public Radio Rap Video = Hilarious, Geeky Fun

2010-12-04T14:05:00.000-06:00

Enjoy this! Loving the Ad from NPR!

Public Radio Rap Video = Hilarious, Geeky Fun

Her Sacred Story & Vocation Sails On...

2010-10-04T16:32:00.016-05:00

Recently, we lost to this life Sister Mary Jane Fladung. Sister Mary Jane was one of our Sisters from our daughter house in Columbia MO. I was blessed the other day when Sister Barbara Bock shared a bit about Jane's vocation story. Lovingly we now share with you her story as given by Sisters Barbara Bock and Mary Jo Pollock.

Sister Mary Jane shares the following:

"I have been overwhelmed at God's goodness and love for me. I was born December 6, 1922.

I grew up in the country, vie and one half miles from the little Catholic settlement of Olpe. Kansas, where the church and school were located. I was the fourth girl followed by another sister and then four brothers. We all went to a one room country school about a mile and a half from home. When it was the year to may our First Holy Communion, we stayed with an uncle and aunt who lived only two and a half miles from the Catholic School and we could walk that far. It was at the the time of my first communion when I first felt the desire or call to follow Christ as a Sister. Now 60 plus years later, I know that it has been the best way for me to be Christ for others. We had Franciscan sisters and priests in all the surrounding parishes at the time. My Dad's sister, who died when I was five, was also a Franciscan. Hence, I really did not know there were any other kind; so I intended to join them. As I grew older, I learned that I had a Benedictine first cousin in Texas who could go home every three years and stay in her own home for a two week visit. This was much more lenient than the Franciscans. So I thought to myself. "In the scriptures Jesus went about doing good. He did not hide from the world." So when I was fifteen and ready to begin my junior year in high school, I entered St. Scholastica Convent in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on August 28, 1939 the same community where my cousin belonged. I knew nothing about St. Benedict or his Rule or his twin sister Scholastica. My Dad's mother was Scholastica so perhaps she was pulling some strings in heaven! However I learned that St. Benedict was a person of his time and that appealed to me very much and continues to do so.

This is certainly an entirely different world that when I entered and I have called to be involved in many different ministries to be Christ (as baptised) to others in several different situations. I have beautiful memories of such good happenings and I like to think that heave will be made up of wonderful memories and lovely people. This work is a ship and heaven is our home. Although it wasn't always easy, I have never once regretted the life (ship) on which I embarked many years ago and I intend to live with Christ forever."

--Sister Mary Jane Fladung, OSB

How wonderful the ship in which Sister Mary Jane sailed with her beloved Christ.
May the eternal seas of her heart flow on in glory... and remain a float in our hearts.

Submitted by Sister Barbara Bock, OSB (Fort Smith) & Sister Mary Jo Pollock, OSB (Now of Yankton)
Posted and adapted by Sister Kimberly

The Simplicity of Feasting

2010-06-06T12:08:00.007-05:00

Today is a glorious feast! How much God loves us to give us more than life it self! Taking 5 loaves and a few fish Jesus fed thousands. How does God feed your life? How might you feed another today?

Here are some images in our chapel in recent liturgical days. Come pray with us and feast your eyes upon the beauty of Gods love!

Nurturing the Vocation Seed

2010-06-06T11:58:00.005-05:00

For World day of Prayer for Vocations this year the vocation committee came up with a prayer service about planting the seed. We planted flowers with the names of each discerner in active contact with us. We had a sister representing each era of life to be our nurturing care-givers of the seeds we planted. Many of the seeds from daisies to cosmos are growing wonders! We are praying for you--those who are thinking about joining monastic life with us!

Sister Elise Forst Nurtures the Seed for Vocations!

Come and See how we have embraced you in the soil of the call... how magnificent the hope you bloom!

Embrace Life - always wear your seat belt

2010-06-01T09:00:00.002-05:00

When I saw this clip I was moved! May it touch your heart as it did mine. No matter where your vocation leads you may you travel there in loving saftey!

Washington Salmon Prohaska Style

2010-05-21T00:41:00.005-05:00

My Brother Frank! Terrific dinner the first night in Buckley Washington

Washington State Visit with Family and Friends

2010-05-21T00:13:00.004-05:00

My First night with my brother Frank, sister-in-law Deb and friends Diana and Bob.

We had a terrific dinner--and later played cards a fun game called NERTZ.

From Left to Right: Deb, Diana, Bob & Kimberly

Washington State Pugent Sound Ferry Trip

2010-05-20T23:55:00.017-05:00

Washington State Sites!

2010-05-19T18:12:00.018-05:00

Asked God for enough sunshine to let us see Mt. Rainier and the proof is here! My sister in law Deb and two other friends, Bob and Diana drove us up to the mountain. Two of the pathways or routes were closed so we could not go as far as we would have liked. The scenes were breath taking and I am thrilled to have finally walked the soils of this fine country. Enjoy!

Walking in Washington State: Where? Buckley & Enumclaw

2010-05-19T15:38:00.004-05:00

What's greater than being a Benedictine? A Benedictine Vocation Director on Vocation!
I have been blessed to come and visit family in the the wonderful northwest.
I love saying, 'Enumclaw'. I have since learned that Enumclaw means wicked winds. Being from Chicago, and the famous windy city I am sure this side of the country is its gentle cousin.

Anyway, coming from a large Catholic family can afford limitless possibilities.
I have the honor of spending time with my oldest brother Frank, and his wife Deb.
I will be at varying times of the week share moments from the trip. The travel here from Arkansas was uneventful but a bit taxing.

I was up at 4 am and felt the day progress until after midnight central standard time--and yes it did not help that I was eager to travel to Washington so I slept little the previous night and so life goes.

Frank grilled fresh salmon and we had steam carrots, cesar salad, homemade banana nut bread, fresh fruit and unbelievable from scratch cream puffs!! How good can life get?
When I can I will post pictures from this first evening. Time to walk to down-town Buckley a quaint place of 3.000 its so picturesque I am sure I will meet Andy Taylor or maybe Aunt Bea!

Queen Of Peace Nature's Retreat May 2010

2010-05-17T23:02:00.025-05:00

Take a walk with me at Queen of Peace Monastery.

Location: Columbia, MO. This the daughter house of St. Scholastica Monastery.

Gently calm your spirit as you encounter these sacred spaces. It has been a blessing to the world for a number of years and now it meets the challenge of change, transition and the glory of something new yet to be seen.

(All pictures here are taken by Sister Kimberly Rose Prohaska, OSB)

Beyond the Vocation Desk

2010-05-15T15:48:00.000-05:00

As most vocation directors will tell you our ministry takes us beyond that of the computer and the vocation desk. We are often called to visit elementary & high schools, colleges & universities, parishes, to make appearances or presentations for liturgies and convention events.

Attending such events are wonderfully time consuming and energizing for most of us. We meet new people and educate many on the calling of being a religious sister-- for both the old and young, the questions abound and people in general are glad to meet a 'sister' in the living breathing flesh.
We want to remind people that the path of religious life is a good track to tread, and how we express that can take on a variety of venues.

How that venue works for one may not work for another but flexibility is key and well the opportunities are endless. Want to know a sister? Can't make it to the monastery or convent? Well, maybe we can meet you on your familiar friendly turf. Most dioceses offer opportunities to learn about vocations, have you checked it out? Ask and you might be surprised at the response.

Here are some images from recent vocation events we have attended! Enjoy!

Smiles for St. Mathias

2010-05-14T15:14:00.000-05:00

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home. Author Unknown

Happy Feast of St. Mathias!

Steps, The Feast of St. Scholastica February 10, 2010

2010-02-10T20:04:00.001-06:00

Today is the feast of St. Scholastica she gave her all, living completely for the love of the one who loved her first. Take time, to listen my daughter to the words of the master... ( paraphrase of RB 80)

What saves a man or woman is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars, 1939, translated from French by Lewis Galantière

What step are you willing to take in discernment? What step are you willing to take for God?
What whisperings of the sacred would St. Scholastica encourage you to do?

Christmas Moments at the Monastery

2009-12-26T13:32:00.003-06:00

Christmas was extra special this year as we attended mass Christmas eve and went down to the dining room for Christmas stollen, samplings of fresh pineapple and strawberries and of course hot coco, we happily witnessed a blanket of snow all about the monastery grounds!

A genuine white (albeit rare) Christmas. The evening was sacred in the quiet and so I went from place to place to take a sampling of pictures. More will follow so please keep looking! I hope your Christmas was wonderful too!

Merry Christmas!

Honoring Veterans

2009-11-09T12:37:00.001-06:00

God Bless our Veterans and all who serve!

I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, "Mother, what was war?" Eve Merriam

Canyon Texas

2009-11-09T12:24:00.003-06:00

Three sisters from St. Scholastica Monastery are visiting our daughterhouse in Canyon, Texas.

The sisters in Canyon literally live on the RIM and how beautiful it is!

Sister Maria, Sister Vivian and I are enjoying our first hours here.

We have been welcomed by Sisters Mary, Marcella and Hildegarde and even enjoyed the company of two of their Oblates, Cheyenne and Ed. ( I apologize for possible miss spelling of names here!)

We are heading off to town to tour the canyon and visit a local friend who is hosting a open house as she sells jewelry!

Sister Vivian is going to take pictures of her time here and with her blessing we may soon see postings of our time here too! Who knows we may see deer, foxes along the way!

2009-10-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

"Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you." Richard Brinsley Sheridan

2009-10-09T21:20:00.002-05:00

The NATIONAL BENEDICTINE VOCATION DIRECTOR CONFERENCE 2009

Page One...
Its a great day! I am writing you from a terrific place that God created called Collegeville, MN. This sacred creation is known as St. John's or Johnny U as some say with great affection.
What is great about this place? There are far to many things about it to list! I am not kidding about this...St. John's is a blessing among the many lakes of beautiful Minnesota. What I love about St. John's is the quiet unassuming hospitality and the genuineness of the people one encounters here. Being at the National Benedictine Vocation Directors Conference (NBVDC) is more than just meetings with fine presentations, and reconnecting with other vocation directors who know all to well of the ministry of attracting or inviting searchers on the path of God's call.
It is a chance to breathe anew the importance of our life as Benedictines. It is a time to know that God is with us all in the holy common--common call, common life, common struggles, common humanity.
Our first night, at least for Sister Alice (who is attending the conference with me) and myself was a long one. We began at the lovely hour of 4 am so we could be at the airport at 5 and meet our flight at 6. That was the first leg of our journey. After flying from Fort Smith, our terrific monastic home and city, we soon found ourselves scanned and ready to go on our plane to Dallas. Have you noticed you cannot go anywhere by air without going to Dallas first? Yep, head West to go Northeast. Anyway, we arrived at Dallas, and there we found ourselves on a perpetual wait. For who? For what? The sacred weather. Yep, rain and other storms on the west and the east prevented flights into our beloved must go there-- Dallas. We spent about 4.5 hours there. Waiting, our airport advent.
Then came forth a song a sound so sweet to our longing hearts not to mention our loaded luggage-- that our number for boarding could begin. Our plane was soon eagerly allowing passengers of all sorts and sizes to embark to the great twin cities of Minneapolis St. Paul.The flight was nice, and the people on the flight ever nicer. I met a nice family man on a business flight, a family from Molene, IL with a cute little girl who was more than well behaved. I had a tiny pack of playing cards for her to entertain herself with her brother and mother. I can still see them playing 'Go Fish'--- and I was preparing to fish my way to a vocation conference! Sister Alice and I arrived in MN about 3 hours late but we made it. We took the shuttle and witnessed the glory of color happening here in the St. Cloud, and Collegeville area. We are staying at the Guest House and were greeted soon by our Sister Dolores Vincent who is studying here for her new role as formation director. We gave her approximately 61 hugs--why you say? There are at least that many sisters from St. Scholastica at home who miss her too! We came in soon enough for the last of the dinner meal at the Great Hall and a presentation by a new and terrific artist here at St. John's. (More about this artist later).
We then went to evening prayer and then to bed---rest, my favorite thing devotion to Our Lady of the Pillow, after unpacking and settling things to a sense of familiar!
The next morning we knew we were to hear Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB from Erie, PA
God is all Good.
The weather as been nice but we are to have a flurries by Saturday morning. Burr!
How wonderful to wear a winter coat again. Simplicity at its best.

Look for page two... See you soon!

Where There is Stress Please Don't Pounce!

2009-09-22T16:36:00.002-05:00

"No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it."
Harry Emerson Fosdick

This is something we all need to remember once in awhile!
I know even in monastic life one can feel like pouncing!
I think I need to take lessons from a sweet cat!

God on the Go

2009-09-15T19:51:00.007-05:00

God on the Go

I found God in unsual places today. I found God in my early morning sleepiness.

I found God in peek of the sun that was tickled by the hanging watered down clouds.

I found God in the psalms we chanted at prayer.

I found God in the pew that squeeked its hello.

I found God in the glory of the Eucharist.

I found God in the hungers of my day.

I found God in the familar people I met

I found God in the new friend I discovered.

I found God in the click of the email, a note from a friend.

I found God in the jammed up copier and the taco salad for supper.

I found God in the sounds my ears embrace and the hopes of a young

woman who is searching too.

I found God in the work and words left unsaid.

I found God as I tire from a full day of always on the go.

I found God a bit more in the moment than I did before.

God I am glad you are on the go, I am glad to love the God

in the graces of this life you've given in today.

I cannot wait for us to go again tomorrow...for don't ya know

God's love is always on the go?

Meditation after Mass Today!

2009-09-13T10:48:00.004-05:00

"When I am asked,

'What are you going to do today?'

I simply say---

I am going to walk on the road

that belong to the thoughts of God."

(Kimberly R. Prohaska)

GoD qUoTeS

2009-09-02T19:14:00.011-05:00

"Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees." Victor Hugo

"People see God every day, they just don't recognize him." Pearl Bailey

"I just hope God does not get bored of dreaming me." Author Unknown

"We strive to be God's worthy audience'. Candea Core-Starke

"Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." Garth Brooks

"God is not what you imagine or what you think you understand. If you understand you have failed." Saint Augustine

"Apart from God every activity is merely a passing whiff of insignificance". Alfred North Whitehead

"No pillow so soft as God's promise." Author Unknown

"The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too." Teresa of Avila

Follow

2009-08-30T17:33:00.006-05:00

I have just recently purchased a photo frame, of natural wood that looks much like a wall plaque that reads:

"We followed our hearts rather than our itinerary..."

Along side this saying I put a picture of our sisters. Now I ask you to follow.....

This picture perfect plaque is now placed proudly on the vocation director's door. Near the vocation office we have every professed sisters picture and name (according to rank or time of entry) so that those who come by the office can see the members of of monastery.

I love that the vocation office is located in both the Trinity Junior High School for grades seventh, eighth and ninth. The office is also a part of our monastery retreat center. Both the vocation office, and retreat center are full of sacred activity, but somehow we still Follow.

We strive to be as visible as we can, and I hope soon more people, students, retreatants, and seekers will come to know more about the Sisters of St. Scholastica. In our life of prayer in every aspect of ministry we are called to Follow. May God bless us as we continue to follow the heart of God rather than our human itinerary.

All one has to do is Follow. Is God asking you to Follow with us? Yep, just Follow.

Sisters

2009-08-28T22:38:00.004-05:00

"How do people make it through life without a sister?" Sara Corpening

I want to say this is true for anyone at all who knows something about sisters.

Having a sister, born in a family is a friend given you as decided by God. One you love unconditionally and forever. Why? Because she is my sister...

The kinship that ties you together by the deepest of souls forshe is you and you are her and yet unique to your own. Why... because she is my sister...

I remember my mom asking me and my little sister when we were young, why can you get along and be friends? My mother had no sister, and knew to the well the gift my sister and I held. We are the best of friends. Why? Because she is my sister...

Having a sister, given to you by the call is another grace given by God. For all the same reasons she is with you in vowed life as is your new monastic sibling. She is yours because you need her and she needs you. Funny how hard and easy it is to take on sixty new sisters as your own, whether or not you want them to be nonetheless, they become and are your sisters.

She is my monastic born sister, a Benedictine learner much like you through and through.

She, this new member of you life-like your natural born sister sees your features and flaws and still loves you too. I claim them all, from the small, tall, perky, serious, quiet, boisterous, educated to the innocent, from old and to the young. God made these my sisters--sisters each and every one.

Yes, "How do people make it through life without a sister?"

Sister Kimberly Rose Prohaska, OSB

Gratefulness

2009-08-27T19:13:00.002-05:00

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." G.B. Stern

Gratitude is a commodity that we cannot do without!
We need to embrace this wealth and give it away
it is a giving away that never hurts.
Thank you God for all the blessings of this life.
Monastic hearts are silent in the sacred and
singing in gratitude.

What do you hunger for?

2009-08-20T22:09:00.001-05:00

"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." Author Unknown

2009-08-19T09:58:00.000-05:00

"To know the road ahead, ask those coming back"
Chinese Proverb

God and the Dog

2009-08-19T09:40:00.004-05:00

Helena and Home Again

2009-08-18T20:32:00.007-05:00

St. Mary's Parish Church

A few days away is nice but its always great to come home!

Home is where the heart is, I am not sure of the origin of that clause
but it was one my mom used often.

My heart belongs to St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith. It belongs to the God with whom we seek. It belongs to those God has blessed me to know.

Recently, Sister Maria and I traveled back to our former mission. It was lovely to be with those who still reside there after our departure from St. Mary's Parish, located in Helena, Arkansas, just a short eight years ago.

St. Mary's has a new pastor, Fr. Charles Kanu who was once at my home parish, St. Peter the Fisherman in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He holds a dear place in my family's heart as he and the Dominican sisters visited my mother daily while in hospice during her final stages and battle of Cancer.

Sister Maria and Fr. Charles

So, seeing Father Charles was a light re-en kindled in my heart--knowing he loved my own mother in her last days as I did.

Our visit was brief and full of delight. We visited with the pastor with whom we worked and ministered to in the Delta. Fr. Ed, who has more life of God in him than I can express. Seeing the God in Fr. Ed and Fr. Charles is like watching Elvis Presley experience playing the guitar. It is just as natural to them as breathing to anyone of us.

I will be posting some pictures of these fine people I have been blessed to know while on the journey in the Delta.

To know God, is to experience the people of the Delta. If you need a mecca experience, a pilgrimage, a place to be of service where Holy Ground thrives....take some time and travel to Helena, Arkansas. You will find all you seek and more.

Proverb Posting

2009-08-15T12:39:00.003-05:00

"What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth."
Jewish Proverb

Helena Mission Visit

2009-08-14T12:11:00.002-05:00

Helena, Arkansas, the heart of the delta. Helena, Arkansas, home of Blues.

Helena, Arkansas, Birth place of King Biscuit. Helena, Arkansas home of Mr. Sonny.

Helena, Arkansas home of where history and today blend.

Helena, Arkansas, home of where southern hospitality lives.

Helena, Arkansas, were people steal your heart and keep it, and you are glad they did.

Helena, Arkansas, a place of potential hope. A place one can call home.

Wisdom Words

2009-08-14T12:08:00.002-05:00

"Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough but not baked in the same oven" Yiddish Proverb

2009-08-12T15:39:00.006-05:00

Friends,
I was not online this morning as I was lazy with a demanding headache and stayed in like a hermit on her way to sanctity.
Nonetheless, I am on line and will be here in the office for a while just writing letters or sharing thoughts that are dancing a lovely summer swirl in my head. It is with true passion that I hope to be more faithful in writing to those who take the treasured time to read.

I have a sister and dear friend in community who has en-kindled the need to be faithful in the writing that has truly spurred me on. I pray the spark that has be re-ignited with her excitement about her own blog that will keep me on the straight and narrow of blogging. I have a niece too, who blogs so wonderfully and is ever dedicated to her writing. I admire her for her tenacity and love of writing as she is quite busy with family and her children too.

As anyone blogs knows the task of blogging requires much more than desire to write and post. My posting here first began with the notion to reach out to those who are discerning a possible vocation to the monastic life. Albeit, as good as this goal is, I have learned that the venue of blogging is so much more. I do hope women come and learn a bit about our monastery, St. Scholastica and also about the women who live here. I want let those who read know more about the person who is writing and by welcoming the reader --- you--- not only into the life of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, but into my life as the one posting; a sister of St. Scholastica, unique and yet, belonging to something far greater than herself. Our community is rich in life, love and prayer and I hope one day many will come to know St. Scholastica Monastery as deeply as I have.

If you find that you wish to comment on the blog or have a creative suggestion please do not hesitate to let me know. I truly wish to hear from those of you who read!

On a personal note, I leave to go out of town to visit Helena, Arkansas for a few days in the morning.
So I will be on interstate 40 traveling toward Memphis and MS on the 46th day of my life.
I hope to come and or post some thoughts from this excursion and hopefully you will find a hidden treasure there as well.

Be assured of my prayers for you. Until next time.... Sister Kimberly Rose Prohaska, OSB

In and Out

2009-08-09T08:58:00.003-05:00

Hi Friends!
I am still here just not as faithful to the blog as I would like!
The summer is busy and so warm here at the monastery!
We had our summer come and see and it was great!
Consider Your Call is our annual retreat for both men and women
who are interested in learning more about monastic life and their
own possible call to living the life as a Benedictine.
Check out our web site to see what we have been up to!
We also have many vocation stories on line where the sisters
tell their story with wonderful visuals to assist in knowing more about the sisters.
I have added another link so check out the link page here too!
Will be back with more ponderings! Will miss you in the meantime!

Our New Prioress Elect

2009-04-28T19:17:00.010-05:00

Sister Maria Goretti DeAngeli, OSB

Was elected the 12th Prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery on Sunday, April 19, 2009 by the members of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Sister Maria is a native of Lake Village, Arkansas. She was born to Lois and Angelo DeAngeli on December 27, 1934. She is the eldest of seven in her family. Her brothers are Santo (deceased), Paul, Andy, and John David. Her sisters are Dianna and Regina. Sister has a host of nieces and nephews.

She entered the monastery at age fourteen and celebrated her golden jubilee just a few years ago with Sister Leona Marie Selig.

She is an educator, well traveled and holds a deep love for scripture and the monastic life. She has previously served the community as sub-prioress, formation director, manager of the monastery gift shop, parish administrator and director of religious education in many Arkansas parishes.

To learn more about our Prioress elect, visit our website at http://www.stscho.org/

To hear her vocation story go to the vocation page and click on vocation stories on the archive listing.

God Bless you Sister in your calling to lead our community these next four years.

ABFC In Beech Grove, Indiana

2009-04-28T19:00:00.012-05:00

ABFC BEECH GROVE, INDIANA APRIL 23-28 2009

DAY ONE: Traveling to Beech Grove, Indiana from Arkansas was wonderful, not to mention that my companions and sisters with whom I rode are easy going and enjoyable women in their own right.
We left as close to six in the morning on a cool albeit cloudy start and we hoped to see the sun awaken the earth as we traveled east from the monastery. We did see full clouds and even delighted in the Indian paint brush, and clover that dotted the Arkansas roadways as we journeyed. We opted to travel toward the other sacred land of Elvis Aaron Presley, yes, and Memphis Tennessee en route to Indiana. I believe one devoted man of God, Fr. Ed Graves, would be proud.
The trip north east allowed us to experience yet a second spring for us monastics from St. Scholastica, Fort Smith. How wonderful to witness again the birthing of the dogwood trees that dotted the sides of the expressway! The new green seemingly gave off a freshness that demanded our attention. The Red bud trees were also clamoring for our notice as well. What would the spring be without the reality of yellow green pollen soon dusting the car window and our sensibilities?
Eventually, we left the south behind and greeted Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana all the while the tires from our Chevy Impala rolled on, with one of us either driving, navigating or companioning us on to meet our monastic sisters at this next conference.
The drive led us to meet other travelers in cars and vehicles of all sorts, and destination. No matter the season or the purpose of travel the reality of construction on the roadways seemed as endless as ones calling to conversion.
Our ten hour and forty minute scheduled trip landed us at Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana some twelve, tired, hours later safe and sound. Was I glad to put my legs back in a more functioning motion.
We were welcomed warmly by the core team and by the host community. Our rooms and rest were sweet; despite our learning that we arrived in the area where time is an hour later and we ate supper at what we originally thought was 7:40 when it was actually 8:40! Brazil, Indiana we will love you for it.

Look for day Two of ABFC Beech Grove, Indiana tomorrow!

Presentation of Monastic Instinct: Sister Karen Joseph, OSB Ferdinand.

Sister Karen asked us us to note the importance of Culture. We explored the elements of monastic culture. What is culture?

Culture is communication. Communication is Culture.

Culture is symbolic communication Some of its symbols include a group's skills, knowledge, attitudes, values and motives. The meaning of the symbols are learned and deliberately perpetuated in s society through its institutions.

Culture is the sum total of the learned behavior of a group of people that are generally considered to be the tradition of that people and are transmitted from generation to generation.

In cultivating a monastic instinct there are three basic elements:

Conversatio
Prayer
Community

Sister Karen begins with the telling of the story of the three seekers as they presented themselves at the mouth of the cave of wisdom and life. Before being given entry each were asked the question: “How far do you wish to go?”
We are asked the same, as we travel on the road of monastic life, just how far do we wish to go, do we just want to peek in and place a foot or do we what to venture ever deeper and probe the heart of God?
As Benedictines we have 2 Elements that draw new life to us, these are prayer and community.
How do we live the monastic instinct via the lens of Benedictine life? We do things in certain ways. Our monastic instincts are guides and we are called to cultivate it. Note from Basil Hume’s text, Searching for God, there is an ‘innate un-acquired response or reflex toward God, some have a natural knack or gift to live monastic life’.
As Benedictines do we recognize the solid inner something that people have? Note it in your community--- Do all have it?
We are never finished with monastic instinct, we know what is authentic in our way of life as we live Conversatio, and we are called to live a certain way and our choices must reflect that.

We need to cultivate within an unrelenting passion for the monastic instinct.

We live in challenging times but God asks us to go further, to enter into the cave more deeply we are called to purify our communal Eco-systems.

What is our vision for the future? We must learn to ask the right questions, the right answers will come.

In looking at the monastic instincts we need to also ask about identity. The question must be defined, if we cannot define who we are we cannot know where we are going. We must live clearly and know what it means to be Benedictine.

We have a responsibility to teach the new members who come to us.

The prayer life and the spine of the community can be lost if we do not cultivate monastic life.

We are called to be women of prayer-- and actually pray, and not just talk speak or learn of prayer but to do and be women of prayer. Being mindful and faithful to prayer. We are called to keep God ever before us, as we do this we become changed, changed with prayer.

Being monastic is to love Scripture to love the Holy Rule.

The more we know it the more we are challenged. Our task is to cultivate this by listening and doing it.

Monastic Community: Life together... "Community is a privilege to be a visible sign of Gospel life, to be different because the life of Christ comes first." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) .

We are called to cultivate a purity of heart. (Rule of Benedict 4:21).

We are to be authentic, as we seek a life of virtue, and this is to be counter-cultural. We are to be conscious of what divides community as well as to what builds community. To have a purity of heart is the call of monastic life and of our profession to seek God and find eternal life. We have given our all. We need to remember too, as professional Christians we have a responsibility. What is that? To live out our baptismal call.

What are the Monastic Instincts? There are several but these listed 7 are key. To Be Blessing:

The Instinct of Listening:

Just as love of God begins with listening to the Word of God through Lectio so the beginning of love for one another is learned in listening to them; listening is at the very heart of obedience. We remember the value of our ministry of listening which as has been committed to us by our God, the Great listener in whose work we share.

The Instinct of Humility:

Is expressed predominately through other centeredness and not upon our own egos, needs, talents, and ideologies.

The Instinct of Holding One's Tongue:

Is the cessation of negative scrutiny allowing a sister to exist as a completely free person as God made her to be; 'the one who holds her tongue in check controls mind and body' (James 3:2)

The Instinct of Helpfulness:

Active helpfulness means a simple assistance in trifling, external matters we must allow ourselves to be interrupted by God; our promise of obedience at profession deprives us of the right to dispose of our own time.

The Instinct of Bearing:

To 'bear with one another' in the service of forgiveness rendered by one to the other DAILY

when we are bearing others, at the same time, others are bearing us; the only trustworthy sign of an authentic life is the extent to which one has learned to love.

The Instinct of Reverence:

A reverence present in our behavior in the oratory, in the greeting one another, in our tone of voice; a kindly stewardship and reverence for all things are holy and to be treated as sacred vessels of the altar.

The Instinct of Consistency:

Remember that. 'Words move, but example convinces'. (Mother Evangelista Kremmeter).

To be considered faithful to what we have professed ourselves to the professional living of the gospel the monastic way, with a monastic heart.

Happy Easter

2009-04-09T13:41:00.004-05:00

Happy Easter to you!

May the sacred of the season envelop you in the ways you need!

Please feel free to post questions or email me at anytime.

We are continually updating our web page http://www.stscho.org/

so please visit regularly!

Blessings and prayers go with you!

Sister Kimberly Rose

A Well Loved Pillar

2009-03-19T14:04:00.013-05:00

How many pillars stand tall in your life?

How many wisdom figures are allowed to enter into the door of your mind?

How sighted are those who view honestly the souls of everyone they meet?

Of the pillars that have been allowed to be constructed in the monastic life she is but one of them.

She stood tall and humble, hungry and never quite full to know the truth of every other 'you'...

She knew and understood more in her life than any millions of potential scholars to come.

How God did smile on us with the life of her, this Benedictine pillar! She who lived her life fuller than one has a right too, nonetheless, live she did and how she wanted that for every living thing she encountered.

She challenged, she endured. She was complete. She defined all that is considered good.

She laughed, she taught, she cried, she grew tired but expressed energy beyond her years.

Radiating a holiness that was subtle and secure, she grasped world by a love in which God placed her and she held on to the most important parts of life and released that which was needed by another.

The foundation of monastic life has endured well and long by many of our monastic ancestors and now it's all the better for her standing here on the path chosen less, but a path well trod by the woman, a pillar loved forever by us left behind and ever fond of by God.

Thank you, Sister Norbert, for being the woman of faith, the pillar you were-- loving and teaching and being all that and more. I will never forget you---and thank you and the many women of St. Scholastica Monastery for the foundation in which God graces me to build my life pillar upon.

Slipping Out Sideways!

2009-03-12T18:05:00.003-05:00

Hi Friends! I have been rather remiss about posting here but I hope through desire and determination to change some of that! If you enjoy this page let me know! I hope to have some fresh material soon so that the page will be all that it should! Thanks for reading! I appreciate you!

The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes

2008-08-15T22:30:00.001-05:00

Who Am I Casting Crowns

2008-08-15T21:22:00.001-05:00

Listening Links Visitors

2008-06-15T13:55:00.000-05:00

Time 2 Realize

2008-06-15T13:20:00.002-05:00

Ever wonder if time is on your side?
Turning and running out of time or having too much time on ones hands?

Time is gift, and somehow I find that it eludes or controls in so many ways. What does one take time for?

Is it really ours to take?

Ticking and yet silent we let it lead us when and where after we have determined the how of things.

Often one hears the statement, I wish I had more time for this,

or Where did the time go?

Or this is just taking too much of my time.

I have decided to honor God by blessing the gift given in time.

Sometimes, all we have is time.

PRAYER REQUESTS

2008-05-24T17:08:00.000-05:00

Do you have a prayer request?

I will be happy to pray for your intentions!

Post in Comment section of this post!

Thanks!

Sister K

Life Plate

2008-05-23T19:07:00.001-05:00

Everyone has a life plate....
Did you know that? Well its true. I have a life plate that changes in its constancy.
What does your life plate look like?
Is it full, partially containing things of taste or just what is plain bad, good, or indifferent?
Is the plate something you are happy to have or would you rather complain that the plate has worn
to a point of wise character? What does your life plate state wordlessly about you? What might it say, interestingly
enough about what is there meant for you? What do we hum, hem. haw or ever even hunger for?
I am thinking that this life plate thing may be something I want to ponder more about
at the very least, calories won't be a problem no matter what is on it.
I will return to this plate of mine. Nothing worse than an all consuiming empty plate, ya know?

Soul Writing

2008-05-23T19:04:00.000-05:00

I have the joy of belonging to a great writing group. It is a terrific way to be yourself and creative in writing, and here is one place where I will put some of what we call fast writes down for you. These are my fast writes only. These are composed in a short time and in my own hand only. These are taken in part or all of my fast-writes.

"Who do you think you are? All to often I feel I am not who I beleive who I need to be. Who is this daughter, this girl, this woman named me? Does she know herself doubtfully or deeply? I am so much more than I am not. There are times when I wish that others would know me enough to drink of the encounter well-within me and just drink. Do I even know myself enough to know the taste? I would hope, only hope that others would find what it is in me so that your exact thirst would be your need."
Dec. 12, 2006.

"How do you love someone into life's goodbye's just when all you want to say is hello?"
February 25, 2007.

Wonder you are such a complete cuisine of things! You are all things deliciously different and yet you are succulantly the same. Wonder you are an old friend and a new acquaintance all at once. Wonder you are both foreign and familiar; how I wish to emmulate you. Maybe, maybe, just maybe I already do. I like the idea of bumping into youI am grateful that you make me comfortable with you, whenever and however you arrive. There are questions I wish to have answered as I wonder at the wonder that is you. Do you wonder at the wonder that is me, and which is humanity? Somehow I wish I could embrace your completeness knowing too, that you need the privacy of your endlessness. I blunder at my baffleness; but you don't care. You are content in exploring my moreness. You tickle my tastebuds of life with words.... True Wonder, no one can keep you any more that one can contain the wind...who would want to?"
April 17, 2007.

For good measure... What is good masure and how we know but to measure it? For good measure...I wonder at this phrase, and what it really means. We measure much in this world, have you noticed it? We measure our height, or temp., weight, our recipes, and yes, even our worth. For isn't all for good measure? Sometimes we mis-measure, over measure, under measure, and then we have to but measure our re-measure because its all for good measure. We measure the length, the breadth, the width, the heighth and everything in between for good measure....society, culture, faith, purpose, being, breathing, call be measured, claimed, tamed, re-sized, re-filled to perfection and imperfection and to what measure will it matter in the end? For at brith we are measured into life until we reach our final measure and may it be but good."
May 26, 2007.

Writtings by Sister Kimberly R. Prohaska, OSB

Quotisms!

2008-05-23T18:56:00.006-05:00

"I quote others only the better to understand myself".
Michel de Montaigne

"I'm careful not to confuse Excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for, perfection is God's business". MJF

"A person who lives only at the active level is like someone who only breathes out, or like a heart that only releases blood. That would be a strange kind of life, if indeed it were even possible."

Brother David Steindl-Rast, OSB Work and Leisure

"I stand at my window and watch one by one the stars all leave me. I am having tea with the dawn the first ray of sun descending into my teacup into my heart. The steam of my tea ascending to the heavens into God’s heart. The yearning in my heart streaming to the heavens into God’s heart And God, standing in the heavens watching the sun rise in my heart leans down to breathe in the first rays of my yearning and names it morning prayer."

Sister Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB Seasons of Your Heart

"Humble people can do great things with uncommon perfection because they are no longer concerned about their own interests and their own reputation, and therefore they no longer need to waste their efforts in defending them".

Thomas Merton

"Nothing is in vain or without profit to the humble soul: like the bee,it takes its honey from the bitter herbs; it stands always in a state of divine growth, and everything that falls upon it is a dew of Heaven to it".
William Law

"Humility like darkness reveals the heavenly lights". Henry David Thoreau

"God can do great things through the person who doesn't care who gets the credit". Robert Schuller

"What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult to each other"?
George Eliot

"Let us. . . touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work".
Mother Theresa of Calcutta

"The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity" .
George Bernard Shaw

"The entire population of the universe,with one trifling exception, is composed of others". John Andrew Holmes

"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough".
Charles Dudley Warner

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak". Hans Hofmann

"It's possible to have too much in life. Too many clothes jade our appreciation for new ones; too much money can put us out of touch with life; too much free time can dull the edge of the soul. We need sometimes to come very near the bone so that we can taste the marrow of life rather than its superfluities".
Sister Joan Chittister, OSB

"I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people, that each protects the solitude of the other". Rainer Maria Rilke

"The most important education you get is your own--the one you learn in solitude". Erica Jong

"What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be".
Ellen Burstyn

"We visit others as a matter of social obligation. How long has it been since we have visited with ourselves"?
Morris Adler

"The first duty of love is to listen". Paul Tillich

"Listen, or your tongue will keep you deaf." Native North American Proverb

"One who cares is one who listens". J. Richard Clarke

"Balance is the perfect state of still water. Let that be our model. It remains quiet within and is not disturbed on the surface". Confucius

"In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness".
Mohandas Ghandi

"There are times when silence has the loudest voice". Leroy Brownlow

"Our task is to listen to the news that is always arriving out of silence".
Rainer Maria Rilke

"Silence is taking time to listen to the grass grow like love in the garden of your soul."
Sr. Kimberly R. Prohaska, OSB

"No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place". Zen Saying

"Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him, "Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know its nature is to sting?" "Because," the monk replied, "to save it is my nature."
Zen Saying

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow,you gotta put up with the rain".
Dolly Parton

"Worry is like a rocking chair—it keeps you moving but doesn’t get you anywhere". Corrie Ten Boom

"People are what they think about all day long". Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The difference between a grave and a rut are the dimensions". Dale Carnegie

"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced". James Baldwin

"If you realize that all things change,there is nothing you will try to hold onto". Tao Te Ching

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others".
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Be grateful for what you have, not regretful for what you haven't". Anonymous

"You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and the pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing, and grace before I dip the pen in the ink".
G. K. Chesterton

"If we could read the secret history of others, we would find in each person’s life suffering enough to disarm all hostility."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Women Called

2008-05-23T16:45:00.000-05:00

Women called.
Called by God to a greater love,
Love propelled these women beyond themselves.
Themselves, unsure of what was to be and what the future held.
Held in the certain hope that God would not let them down they gave.
Gave consent, a constant yes in all that they knew and experienced.
Experienced in what youth and hope could offer going forward in faith.
Faith in God, each other and the monastic call they embraced.
Embraced by nothing else for the world and work was harsh, unbending
Unbending but strong these women too, learning wisdom on the way, seeking.
Seeking out the God who calls women of yesterday and today.
Today we know gratitude for the ones, who went before,
Before us now are the women called beyond tomorrow
Tomorrow is unknown and quickly here
Here by a greater love God still calls women.
Women called.

Sr. Kimberly Rose Prohaska 2006