MONASTIC MOMENTS

2003-07-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Summer
Next week a Japanese candidate is coming for a month of discernment. She looks like a good candidiate.

2003-07-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I posted. We are in retreat and home visit season. Some novices left, some others entered.

2002-11-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

RETREAT
I made my annual retreat in Pennsylvania and now am back to attending to both administrative and spiritual needs, refreshed.

2002-09-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

ANNALS
With our foundation day approaching we have been reviewing our history. One memorable day in the 1860's: the roof was off to raise the building one story and of course it rained!

2002-09-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

RESPONSIBILITIES
My new role in leadership prevents me from attending to this site. However, one thought: the true peace of Christ is everything. One need no longer speak of quality of life, or human needs, etc. Christ's peace IS quality of life.

2002-08-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

TRANSITIONS
I have found that leadership is very administrative. Lord, help me to focus on the spiritual.

2002-08-03T06:15:00.000-07:00

CHANGES
Been gone a long time. My dear dad passed away. I have assumed leadership of my community.

2002-07-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

SICKNESS
Both my novice director and my dad are seriously ill at the same time.

2002-06-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

DAD
He is not doing well and I may be leaving the monastery on short notice to see if I can be of any help.

2002-06-28T03:15:00.000-07:00

TRIP
I'm back from a weeklong gathering of our communities, refreshed and hopeful and impressed. The Lord gave me a little gift; I discovered the book by Basil Pennington about Mount Athos, called O Holy Mountain.

2002-06-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Father's day
Our liturgy was offered for all fathers this morning.

2002-06-15T03:14:00.000-07:00

TRIP
Preparing for a trip to the midwest on Thursday, for a whole week, as we gather with the members of our other monasteries. Keep in prayer a monastery in Colorado, near the fire.

2002-06-12T02:45:00.000-07:00

YESTERDAY
Last night a CD was made in our chapel by a lay group and its choir.

2002-06-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

NOVENA 9
The last night of the Sacred Heart novena- it sure was powerful.

2002-06-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

GOD' S WILL
How to discover the will of God in determining whether a problem person has a vocation- Lord, help!

2002-06-05T02:57:00.000-07:00

BLOGS
There seems to be a wealth of Catholic and Orthodox blogs out there. Seminarians are writing too.

2002-06-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

NOVENA 5
Once more, a reference to Sept 11. Today my cousin visited from out West.

2002-06-03T02:59:00.000-07:00

NOVENA 4
Again, a powerful reference to Sept. 11th. A fireman suggested the Eucharist in the midst of the dust and terror and set up a table with a sign above, saying The Body of Christ.

2002-06-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

NOVITIATE COURSE
Father arrived today to give spiritual direction and to begin a course on Scripture for the novices tomorrow.

2002-06-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

NOVENA 2
The priest spoke of bringing Jesus to others as he witnessed in the terrible tragedy of WTC and the outpouring of love.

2002-05-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

NOVENA
The priest gave great insight yesterday. He also spoke of the concluding ceremonies at the NY firehouses for the WTC recovery conclusion.

2002-05-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

SACRED HEART
The Sacred Heart feast is on June 7 and we will begin to prepare with a novena starting tomorrow. I discovered an on line retreat for the sacred Heart at www.sacredheartprayers.com

2002-05-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

WORKSHOPS
Seven community members are out at a monastic meeting so the rest of us are pitching in to do the work!

2002-05-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

MEMORIAL DAY
How do monastics spend memorial day? With an outdoor barbecue, special prayer service and talking all day!

2002-05-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

VOCATIONS
It is a challenge to deal with candidates who do not speak the language of the country. Formation is an in depth process and no depth is achievable without language and communication.

2002-05-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

HOME VISIT
We have 7 days per year to visit family and here I am with them now. Miracles still abound. God answers prayers everywhere.

2002-05-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

PENTECOST
Today is the glorious feast of Pentecost. Thank uou Lord for a powerful retreat. Your Word spoke so loudly to me, from spiritual gifts, to my concern for the novitiate and even to the troubles in the Church. Thank you for your gifts.

2002-05-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

PENTECOST RETREAT
Tomorrow we begin our 3 day retreat in preparartion for the feast of Pentecost. I will not be back here until next week.

2002-05-13T02:44:00.000-07:00

HERMIT HEART
I believe I have a hermit heart. I came across an article by Bishop Kallistos Ware of the Orthodox Church who used that very phrase. It's a good thing monasticism has a wide berth of ways to be lived.

2002-05-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is a Person of Power in the Most Blessed Trinity and as Pentecost is next week, we prepare with 9 days of prayer and expectation. May the Spirit fill us all!

2002-05-11T02:46:00.000-07:00

SURPRISE
Yesterday during prayer a woman showed up at our door, from Asia, interested in a vocation. You never know who God will send. We will help her settle first!

2002-05-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

FREE DAYS
Tomorrow is a monastic free day; it means we pray in private and have permission to talk.

2002-05-09T03:46:00.000-07:00

VARIOUS
Lots of little news. The Russian Orthodox community was so grateful for our offer of the chapel even though they went to a larger one, that they sent us 2 bottles of Monastery red altar wine.I also heard from my orthodox monk friend who received the angelic schema; he has a new name as is their custom. Today is Ascension Thursday.

2002-05-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

MARY"S MONTH
The month of our Blessed Mother is spent with greater awareness of her unique role in our salvation, with prayer and reading.

2002-05-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

HOLY EVENTS
Today was the First Holy Communon of 15 little girls which was held in our chapel. A mystical and beautiful day.

2002-05-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

TREES
Two trees have fallen on or near our monastic property. No matter how much quiet one hopes for in a monastery, ownership of property usually includes natural accidents like these.

2002-05-01T02:49:00.000-07:00

JUBILEE
I'm back from the anniversary celebration; Eucharist, skits, and community gatherings. 50 Years!

2002-04-26T02:52:00.000-07:00

TRIP
Off to another Monastery in our Order this weekend and won't be back for a few days.

2002-04-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

DISAPOINTMENT
Well, we got word the Russian orthodox group won't be coming here after all. But it brings to mind once again this tremendous draw to Orthodoxy I've had for 3 years. I feel I must become as familiar with it as my own tradition.

2002-04-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX PASCHA
I am filled with joy! A Russian orthodox church has asked to use our chapel for its Pascha services. I hope to experience them too.
Can't wait to share this with my Orthodox monk friend in Europe.

2002-04-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

SISTER MONASTERIES
Today we are receiving a guest who is a nun in one of the other monasteries of our Order. We offer retreats to one another. I call it Monastery hopping sometimes.

2002-04-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

INFIRMARY
Getting sick in the monastery usually involves calling upon the Infirmarian within the community, and for special treatment, we leave the enclosure to go to doctors.

2002-04-18T02:56:00.000-07:00

PRAYER STYLES
The contemplative life incorporates many prayer styles; vocal or devotional prayers, the chanting of the psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharist, centering prayer, Jesus prayer, shared Scriptural prayer and in our community, monthly, charismatic prayer and most especially, REVIVAL.

2002-04-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

RETREATANTS
Another way to share out daily life for a short period is by coming for a weekend or week long retreat, praying with the community and sharing at table. Meditation, Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharist are all part of the day. Private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament or on the outside grounds of 7 acres is another option.

2002-04-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

ASSOCIATES
An associate to our monastery is a lay person who provides for her own means of economic support and home, but comes to the monastery for prayer, spiritual sharing and community life. It's a great way to slowly become familiar with the community

2002-04-13T06:44:00.000-07:00

DISCERNMENT
A candidate is coming for the first time this weekend to experience monastic life. The first step in our discernment process is simple- are the eligibility criteria met? One must be free from marriage, a member of the Church, free of debts and dependents and a permanent resident of our country. A retreat weekend opens up the opportunity to experience community life, prayer, silence, enclosure and work. Reflecting upon this experience with a spiritual director is key, and repeated visits to the monastery essential. After several months, arrangements can be made for an extended live in period, usually for a minimum of one month.

2002-04-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

Lots going on, and missed a day. The 8th grade class reunion news is a phenomenon of sorts, with a website and all. Four classmates have gone to the Lord.

2002-04-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

CANDIDATES
One never knows whose heart God is touching, or what their circumstances are. I find that the Lord is calling people from many different life experiences and all we expect is that all difficulties be ironed out before beginning momastic life.From conversion experiences, divorces and annullments, immigration difficulties, etc. God may truly call a person to monastic life.

2002-04-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Spiritual direction is a key component of the contemplative life, and for that reason we have a priest coming twice a month for sessions with individual sisters. I have discovered the depth of this tradition most profoundly in the Eastern Orthodox rites, in which spiritual fatherhood is greatly revered, The Internet has some exquisite sites with articles on this topic which provide much food for thought.

2002-04-06T02:48:00.000-08:00

DIVINE MERCY
We are preparing for the Feast of Divine Mercy. How the world needs God's mercy at this time! Saint Faustina was basically a contemporary, 1905-1933, and the prayer style given to her to share with us probably brought many through World War 11. May it bring us through our times of trial.

2002-04-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

DIVINE OFFICE
Preparing the Divine Office is a holy task and it is best to immerse oneself in prayer. The selection of opening hymns, if Spirit led, will match the reading or psalm in theme and help to keep all recollected when they are prayed. Special feasts are always more difficult with a variety of prayer books and hymnals but they are usually powerful.

2002-04-04T02:34:00.000-08:00

APRIL 4, 2002
Polyphonic chant truly raises the inner spirit to another realm, even with elderly and untrained voices singing! This Easter season provides many musical opportunities for us as a community. We had our talented lay musician come to practice with us. Trained in a music conservatory in Europe, she is a very talented and professional musician and raises our capacities to new heights. Although in the past I have been reminded of the movie "Sister Act" as we redoubled our efforts, now I always recollect a prayer image a novice had several years ago. No matter what kind of crooked note emanated, she imagined each passing through Our Lord as the note made its way to heaven, inevitably becoming a perfect note and sound.

2002-04-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

APRIL 3, 2002
My eighth grade class is still planning on a reunion. Being cloistered I will not be able to attend, but I can certainly share in their day of memories with prayer. The religious school I attended was no doubt the early influence on my vocation as a religious, although it took many years before I made the decision.
It's a sunny day today, filled with the sweet smell of the lilies. They cover our altar too. This easter Octave is one long Easter day, with the Easter Sunday Liturgy of the Hours being sung or chanted the entire week. How blessed we are!

2002-04-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

APRIL 2, 2002
Lord, I write this for Your Glory!
Easter Sunday was glorious with the reception of our new novice. We celebrated yesterday with daffodils at her place at table and a special Eucharist for her intentions.
These two days after Easter are recreation days, when we speak throughout the day as opposed to keeping a recollected silence.
Our "alleluias" resound in the choir with such joy yet we remain conscious of the state our world is in.