The Narrow Road

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

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

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

The Christmas Can Can

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

Christmas Can Can!

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

Public Radio Rap Video = Hilarious, Geeky Fun

Enjoy this! Loving the Ad from NPR!

Public Radio Rap Video = Hilarious, Geeky Fun

Her Sacred Story & Vocation Sails On...

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