“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31 (Sunday’s Gospel) These are appealing words spoken by Jesus many times in the Gospels. However, in this instance of Mark’s Gospel we know that what Jesus desired and hoped for didn’t happen. Due to the pressure and the of the crowds Read more »

On Thursday, July 11, we celebrate the feast of St. Benedict. This is always a special day for us, but perhaps more so this year as we celebrate 165 years in the diocese of Covington. Benedictine history goes back to 450 AD and a lot has changed in all those years. Having had the privilege Read more »

Our family has developed some lasting traditions.  Family Picnics is one of them. Each year on Memorial Day and Labor Day, we have been invited to my sister Joyce and Ken’s home for a picnic in their large lovely rolling yard, with shade trees and play equipment for the children to climb on.  After these Read more »

AIM – Alliance for International Monasticism was the focus of presentations given this past weekend, June 22-23, by Sister Cathy Bauer and me. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to represent the sisters and monks around the world who follow the Rule of St. Benedict in Benedictine and Cistercian communities. Cathy and I Read more »

Sometimes it seems as if our lives are riddled with guilt. A feeling that one is guilty is like a bad verdict read out in court. But our internal jury is tougher. Fender-bender: No getting around it. You have to come home and report it. Everyone can see the damage. You trip on your shoe, Read more »

“And suddenly you know: its time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings.” These words of Mister Eckert ring true in my experience of trying new things in recent months. I am 9 months into a new job which has been filled with a learning curve, new opportunities and so many Read more »

by: Sr. Colleen Winston   The title of this poem always draws me into it. Like my father and the poet, I am reluctant to dispose of broken things. For dad and I, there was always a hope that it could be useful again, either by being fixed or by being re-purposed. For the poet, it’s Read more »

Several weeks ago,  Sr. Deborah’s Blog described her journey with Fr. James Martin SJ in his recent book, Come Forth.  I happen to be reading the same book.  Martin  surveys possible answers to the question, “Who is the beloved disciple?” ( I spent all by conscious years thinking it was the apostle John.)  Martin would Read more »

As we come to the end of the Easter Season with the Feast of Pentecost, let us pause to reflect on Jesus’ final discourse that is found in the Gospel of John, chapters 14 through 17.  Let us especially look at John 14:6 and following. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and Read more »

by: Sr. Nancy Kordenbrock We are coming to the end of the school year. Some graduations have already taken place and more will be coming in the weeks ahead. We wish the graduates congratulations on all they achieved and wish them well as they move on to college, graduate school, the military or the work Read more »