Discussing aging is not a popular topic! Don’t you think that most of us settle with telling ourselves, “aging beats the alternative!” I am struck with Ronald Rolheiser’s insights on aging and dying. For example, he discusses the challenges in shifting one’s perspective in our later years from the drive of the ego to self-giving. Read more »
Solid as a rock, a familiar metaphor, communicates strength, stability and dependability when applied to a person, a relationship or an object. According to an AI search the word rock or stone appears in scripture approximately 500 times. At times Scripture uses rock as a verb, other times as a noun, and thirty to forty times Read more »
Recently I was telling my brother, Bob, about so many friends asking for prayers as they face illnesses or family crises. It seems that my list gets longer daily. I don’t want to forget anyone, but I guess at that point it was somewhat overwhelming. My brother, always a source of good advice, said, “I Read more »
Sr. Ann Middendorf was born on October 30, 1926 to William A. and Mary E, Brueggen Middendorf and given the name Margaret Ann. Ann was the fourth of five children, with two sisters and two brothers. Ann graduated from Villa Madonna Academy in 1945. She received her BA degree in Music from the College of Read more »
Throughout my 27 years in community I have prayed and contemplated what it means to trust God. I’ve prayed the word trust as a question in moments of uncertainty or sometimes incredulous disbelief when my prayer includes the phrase “really God?”. Some days, I’m living into my ability to trust, repeating “trust” to myself almost Read more »
Summer always seems like Holiday Season, not just because of the warmer weather with picnics and outdoor activities, but also because we celebrate the three big national holidays, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. This year, the 250th Birthday, is especially significant. A recent article printed in the Messenger by Archbishop Thomas G. Read more »
I had thought of writing a reflection on the Year of Hope that Pope Leo proclaimed. It is something that all of us need and something I sometimes find to have. Recently, Sr. Kimberly was able to join a Benedictine pilgrimage to Italy, visiting sites where Benedict had lived and meeting Benedictines living it Italy. Read more »
The path used to lead to a house that now lies under the earth, a house to which many sisters, young in the life, came for further training in being a sister. Long ago now. The house was a waystation on a journey, for the young, for sisters choosing small group living, and later, for Read more »
On July 3rd, we celebrated the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. St. Thomas is known for coming full circle in faith, from unbelief in Christ’s resurrection to faith and believing. St. Thomas needed something concrete and Jesus offered it to him. I am amazed how the apostles were able to carry on Jesus’ life Read more »
Life in God is received not achieved (Mark Strobel) There is much to ponder in this statement! Our human tendency is to see ourselves as our own agents, striving for success in whatever endeavors we engage in. Then it becomes all about me. . .what “I” have accomplished is what “I” deserve! This leads one Read more »