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 »
Few readers of this blog experience hunger unless self-imposed for various reasons. Today’s statistics report that 1 in 11, or 770 million people suffer chronic hunger. The United Nations in 2015 set as a Sustainable Development Goal to achieve zero hunger by 2030. It is a known fact that enough food is produced to feed Read more »
Sr. Mary Rabe was born on November 5, 1940 to Henry and Louise (Harper) Rabe and given the name Mary Louise. Mary was the oldest of eight children, five sisters and two brothers. The Rabe family were members of Blessed Sacrament Parish, where Mary attended elementary school. Mary entered St. Walburg Monastery after her graduation Read more »
On June 8th the community celebrated the service given by employees, independent contractors and volunteers at an Appreciation Luncheon. Sisters, nursing assistants, nurses, maintenance crew, and food service personnel mingled in the dining room to share stories and good food. In times gone by the sisters might have prepared the meal. These days we rely Read more »