Not All That Special

Growing up I somehow got the idea that I was special...really special. SO special that I probably could have given uniqueness a new meaning. Well, of course everyone is special and unique in their own way...but can you imagine a family, an office, a classroom, a community of perpetually UNIQUE persons. I could be pretty chaotic.

Everyone would feel entitled to special priveleges. Everyone would always fight to be first or center stage. Everyone would want to lead and no one would want to follow. Everyone would insist on their own way or not participate at all. There would be no room for team players here. I think you get the idea.

Benedict in the 8th Step of Humility suggests a system by which there is one designated leader and all do only what is prescribed by the superior. In this system there is order and cohesion.

I am grateful that I do not always consider myself perpetually unique anymore. I have found that my own uniqueness comes out best in working as part of a team.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

A Special Day

Today, we are celebrating the birthday of one of our older Sisters, Sr. Mary Cabrini Boland, OSB. She is turning 90 today. She originally had a huge party planned with relatives and friends coming to visit her for the day--but God had other plans. Thanks to a huge snow storm last Thursday and Friday her family was not able to come but the plans for the party are still happening.

Today, Sr. Cabrini is my example of humility. When she found out that her family could not be here for the birthday, she began planning with the health care staff and some Sisters to video tape her celebration so that her family could enjoy it also--just as if they were here. She did not want her younger brother to miss anything. So...at noon if all goes as planned we will tape the celebration and email it to her family.

She is my example of humility because even when things don't quite go as planned she is always ready to praise God for what has happened and to find the beauty in whatever comes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER CABRINI!

Sr. Catherine, OSB

FLEXIBILITY=Mutual Obedience in Community

One of the outstanding characteristics of our community is our flexibility and adaptability. Guests and friends are often surprised how easily our Sisters seem to be able to take present circumstances in stride, make adjustments and make the best of everything--always having tons of fun in the meantime.



A recent example comes to mind: The Christmas Blizzard of 2009.



Why were we surprised that we started on Dec 24th with just a few raindrops that slowly turned to sleet that quickly turned to blowing snow? We had life neatly planned for ourselves--we would celebrate Midnight Eucharist (as we always have; and had invited just about everyone we know to come and celebrate with us), have our Christmas reception with tons of cookies, candy and spiced cidar, and continue celebrating leisurely throughout the following day. We had put it on Facebook, on Twitter, and every other social media available and still at 5:30 pm on Dec 24th we decided to cancel for this year...or at least readjust. We did it out of a concern for the safety of our guests and friends and also taking into account the raging blizzard outside.



SO...what did we do instead? We called the media to post our closing, and we contacted our friends again through texts, email, Facebook and Twitter and spread the word. We gathered at 8pm for a modified Christmas snack of cookies and cider and watched the blizzard continue. We made plans for a late morning Eucharist (which almost got cancelled also when our celebrant called to say that his car was stuck in BA). We readjusted again and found a different celebrant for our Eucharist.



Throughout all this, we remained faithful listening to one another and to what was happening around us. We were faithful to who we are and who we have become.



Please pray for the young men and women attending the Focus Conference this weekend in Orlando.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Want VS Need

Fr. Mike Roethler OSB was president of St Gregory’s University when I began teaching there. He was a kind and gentle person. Whenever any of us went to him with a request to spend money, his response was always: “Is this a WANT or a NEED”?

I think St Benedict is asking us to do the same thing—to consider if our request is a WANT or a NEED. After thoughtful consideration we may find that most things we think we need are really just wants to make our lives more comfortable.

Sr. Veronica, OSB