A Mug for All Seasons ....by Sr. Julian
Our lives here at St Placid Priory have a daily rhythm which is guided by a liturgical calendar. Isn’t a calendar just a calendar? Well, no, not always. The liturgical calendar is both different and similar to a normal everyday calendar. Both the liturgical and secular calendars mark special seasons such as Christmas and Easter. But the liturgical calendar also reflects which days are Catholic solemnities and feasts and seasons such as Lent and Advent.
Fallow Time ....by Sr. Monika
The psalmist wrote, “. . . the hills are arrayed with flocks; the fields are blanketed with grain. ” I enjoy these images. Blankets of grain. It isn’t hard to imagine such a glorious scene. The earth in our part of the world is bursting with new life right now–hyacinths, violets, fruit trees, big leaf maples.
What Is Love? How Do We Do It? ....by Sr. Dorothy
“I did not understand that love is primarily a language of presence. And that the nature of any form of love is revealed in its acts more than in its words. ” --Michael D. O’Brien, quoted in On the Edge of Eternity, A Biography of Michael D. O’Brien by Clemens Cavallin.
Read the full post: What Is Love? How Do We Do It? ....by Sr. Dorothy
SMU Students Come Visiting ....by Sr. Paz
Last Tuesday, April 2, was a wonderful evening. Seven young women from Saint Martin’s University visited us along with Campus Minister Nick Hoffman. I welcomed them at the Priory’s entrance, where it was very nice to meet familiar faces--Reine, Nick, Bianca, and greet new faces--Lillian, Daniela, Carina, Carmelina and Delaney. I gave them a tour of the Spirituality Center, and the Stations of the Cross—created and donated to the Priory by artists Renata and Walter Siegl.
Read the full post: SMU Students Come Visiting ....by Sr. Paz
An Encounter at Midnight ....by Sr. Anna-Camille
One year when I was teaching 6th grade, King County offered free worm bins--worms and all--to any interested classroom. I was definitely interested so that year became the year of the worm bin. As you might expect, some of the kids were fascinated, some grossed out beyond their ability to put into words, and a few were mostly indifferent. In their experience, teachers often did inexplicable things, and this was just one more thing to add to the list.
Read the full post: An Encounter at Midnight ....by Sr. Anna-Camille
What I notice ....by Sr. Monika
When I finish a piece of art, I'm not really finished with it. I like to look at it now and then and see if I notice more in it than I originally thought or intended. Often, I find more than I expected. In this example called Hearts A-Blossoming, I see motion--lines swirling around the heart of things. Hearts blossoming, flowing out from the center. God's heart, my heart, the hearts of everyone.
Care of the sick—Again ....by Sr. Paz
St. Benedict, in Chapter 36 of The Rule, tells us “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may be truly served as Christ, for [Jesus] said: “I was sick and you visited me” (Matt 25:36) “The music that arrived to stay” is the title of a radio station in Mexico City that my mother loves to listen to.
Where is the Kingdom? ....by Sr. Dorothy
Our community has had Associate members for many years. One of them has a sister who is a member of Madonna House in Canada. Madonna House was founded by Catherine de Hueck Doherty, whose writings we have used sometimes as readings in our chapel. Catherine was an inspired and inspiring woman, and her faith, work and heritage live on at Madonna House and in its members.
Read the full post: Where is the Kingdom? ....by Sr. Dorothy
Early Lent? ….by Sr. Raphaela
We seemed to have begun the season of Lent early this year. Sisters moving from one bedroom to another or moving into different office spaces as they transition into new jobs and responsibilities. In most cases each of these sisters had occupied their office or bedroom space for over 20 years.
Community is a Verb ....by Sr. Monika
When I was vocation director many years back I wrote a little reflection on the topic of community. I called it, “Community is a Verb. ” I want to revisit that reflection. Community life is beautiful. Prayer calls us together three or four times a day.
