The holiday season, that begins after Thanksgiving (or Halloween) and stretches to Epiphany, can be a very hectic time–with too much rushing, shopping, partying, clutter and chatter. Indeed, too many things are done out of duty and too few with quiet, gentle love.
The simple story of the humble birth of Christ calls us, instead, to STOP–turn off the TV, radio, cell phone-- and contemplate God’s lavish love. When we do, we are overcome with awe at the Joy, Peace and Love of that holy night. We know we have no gift or love to equal God’s. All we have to give is our self. That’s the only gift God really wants or needs from us. Here’s a hint of a help: don’t let all the technological “chatter” drown out your spiritual life; take some quality time each day to pray. Make a date with Jesus, 15 minutes or a half hour just for being with Him.
We can also celebrate the Holy Child by caring for his kin: the lonely elder, widow, teen or child, the poor and hungry next door or around the world.
Why not start the New Year with cleaning the garage, a closet or a drawer and giving to a Thrift Shop? Or you could take the time to really listen to another, to your own heart, and to the Child in the crib.
In 2010, daily, offer yourself, your day, work, words and thoughts to God. In doing these things you will find Christ present with you, and others will find Christ present in you, too.
The Word became flesh in Jesus. He gave himself completely for love of each of us.
How will you give yourself to God?
If you’d like more ideas or support consider the different ways you can share the life of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida: Oblate, Volunteer, or vowed member.
Ask about a chance for a visit with us.
Contact: Sr. Mary David, OSB
http://www.floridabenedictines.com/ or
call: (352) 588-8320
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
“Christmas Peace” by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB
What do those Benedictine Sisters do? Here’s one answer– We have quite an active peace/justice committee: we pray for peace, work for peace by lobbying our legislators, try “to respond with the compassion of Christ” as our Corporate Commitment says, to human “hungers” –we feed the poor, teach, encourage, welcome...
As part of a nonviolent, loving community we live in peace together. This in itself is a witness to our fearful, violent, individualistic society of another way.
We know Peace is one of those human hungers that the world is in great need of today.
Since the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq, it is almost 2 years now, several of us vigil out in front of the Monastery on Mondays with signs, “Pray for Peace”.
On a chilly, late December afternoon, standing on the street as hundreds of cars passed, I thought of Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem and the cold they endured. It was only 50' here, but that is cold for Florida. I offered the briskness to God as I prayed for peace in the world and in the hearts of those passing by. I am certain we will never have peace in the world if we don’t have peace in our hearts. Many waved and honked; they seem encouraged by seeing our faithful reminder. This simple act of standing out and standing up for peace is prayer indeed. The waves and honks brought smiles to our faces and were returned with a wave that was truly a Benediction. Could they sense the prayer for peace we offered for them and all they hold in their hearts?
We call the Holy Child born in the stable in Bethlehem the Prince of Peace. We wish family and friends Christmas Peace. We are called by God to be people of peace. What does that mean for you?
For Christians who share the gifts God has given–every day can be Christmas–every day our prayer “Christmas Peace to you!”
Come Join the Benedictine Sisters–in our praying/working for Peace, in our Corporate Commitment actions. Share in the Benedictine spirit and community as an Oblate, Volunteer, or vowed Sister.
Check our webpage http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
or Call: (352) 588-8320
As part of a nonviolent, loving community we live in peace together. This in itself is a witness to our fearful, violent, individualistic society of another way.
We know Peace is one of those human hungers that the world is in great need of today.
Since the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq, it is almost 2 years now, several of us vigil out in front of the Monastery on Mondays with signs, “Pray for Peace”.
On a chilly, late December afternoon, standing on the street as hundreds of cars passed, I thought of Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem and the cold they endured. It was only 50' here, but that is cold for Florida. I offered the briskness to God as I prayed for peace in the world and in the hearts of those passing by. I am certain we will never have peace in the world if we don’t have peace in our hearts. Many waved and honked; they seem encouraged by seeing our faithful reminder. This simple act of standing out and standing up for peace is prayer indeed. The waves and honks brought smiles to our faces and were returned with a wave that was truly a Benediction. Could they sense the prayer for peace we offered for them and all they hold in their hearts?
We call the Holy Child born in the stable in Bethlehem the Prince of Peace. We wish family and friends Christmas Peace. We are called by God to be people of peace. What does that mean for you?
For Christians who share the gifts God has given–every day can be Christmas–every day our prayer “Christmas Peace to you!”
Come Join the Benedictine Sisters–in our praying/working for Peace, in our Corporate Commitment actions. Share in the Benedictine spirit and community as an Oblate, Volunteer, or vowed Sister.
Check our webpage http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
or Call: (352) 588-8320
Friday, December 18, 2009
"The Choice Is Yours” by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB
The number of priests and Sisters is down. Why?
Times have changed from pre-Vatican ll days. The Church does not hold the same central place in a family’s social life today. Many youth are unchurched. Yet for the active/practicing Catholic, there are many more opportunities to serve in the Church than in years ago. Our society today offers many more temptations to materialism and individualism. Our busy lives can even keep God on “call waiting.”
I don’t think God is calling less persons to religious life today. You know what the Gospel says, “many are called but few are chosen”. When Jesus calls, people don’t always listen. Jesus is very respectful of our freedom, so he waits and wants us to make the choice to follow him. His is a daunting challenge. He wants all of us–no turning back if you choose to follow him. His is a call to holiness/wholeness, to really sharing his life by giving him All of yours.
He gives us the courage to follow him in the Eucharist and in community with Sisters. Will you dare to be open to the call? Can we help you listen and respond?
For further information check out
http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
Times have changed from pre-Vatican ll days. The Church does not hold the same central place in a family’s social life today. Many youth are unchurched. Yet for the active/practicing Catholic, there are many more opportunities to serve in the Church than in years ago. Our society today offers many more temptations to materialism and individualism. Our busy lives can even keep God on “call waiting.”
I don’t think God is calling less persons to religious life today. You know what the Gospel says, “many are called but few are chosen”. When Jesus calls, people don’t always listen. Jesus is very respectful of our freedom, so he waits and wants us to make the choice to follow him. His is a daunting challenge. He wants all of us–no turning back if you choose to follow him. His is a call to holiness/wholeness, to really sharing his life by giving him All of yours.
He gives us the courage to follow him in the Eucharist and in community with Sisters. Will you dare to be open to the call? Can we help you listen and respond?
For further information check out
http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
Monday, December 7, 2009
Vocation Article:"The Challenge" by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB
A Youth Minister recently told me how she felt compelled to ask a woman in her parish, “Have you ever thought of religious life?” The reaction was tears and the statement, “Yes! And your seeing the potential in me helps a lot. I’ll stop wondering and just
do it!”
A national survey reports that young adults say no one ever invited them to consider a religious vocation.
Well–I’m inviting you to think about a religious vocation! Will you take up the challenge? Ask the question? Encourage others? Jesus invites, “Come, follow Me.”
If you (or someone you know ) is a single, Catholic woman 20-50 years old, and is looking for a way to “Seek God” in Community (as the Rule of St. Benedict says) and to serve the Church through a life of Prayer and Ministry, check out the Benedictine Sisters of Florida http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
For a Vocation Discernment Information contact:
Holy Name Monastery - St. Leo, FL (352) 588-8320
email: vocation@saintleo.edu
do it!”
A national survey reports that young adults say no one ever invited them to consider a religious vocation.
Well–I’m inviting you to think about a religious vocation! Will you take up the challenge? Ask the question? Encourage others? Jesus invites, “Come, follow Me.”
If you (or someone you know ) is a single, Catholic woman 20-50 years old, and is looking for a way to “Seek God” in Community (as the Rule of St. Benedict says) and to serve the Church through a life of Prayer and Ministry, check out the Benedictine Sisters of Florida http://www.floridabenedictines.com/
For a Vocation Discernment Information contact:
Holy Name Monastery - St. Leo, FL (352) 588-8320
email: vocation@saintleo.edu
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
“The Best of Both Worlds” by Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB
The woman on the phone was confused. “I know God is calling me, but I don’t know what vocation He is calling me to. I’ve visited an apostolic group but they are all so busy they don’t even pray together sometimes. I could live in an apartment and serve the Church now–why be a Sister and do that? I have visited a cloister and that was too-–it just wasn’t me!” she admitted. “Tell me about your Benedictine community.” “We’re monastic,” I said,”we live in community together, celebrate Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours daily and participate in varied ministries ranging from education to social work. We try to ‘feed the physical, spiritual, emotional and social hungers of the people of God”, I quoted from our Corporate Commitment. “Monastic means a balance of the active and contemplative life.”
“Wow!”she said, “that sounds like the best of both worlds!” “I think so!” I said, “Come and see!”
I recall that conversation when I think of the siblings at Bethany. The Gospel tells us Jesus loved both Martha and Mary. Often we’ve set them apart and compared them trying to say which is best or more important.
Jesus loved them both; we need to see it’s best to cultivate the part of us that is the active Martha AND the prayerful part that is Mary. They both welcomed and attended to Jesus. We, too, need to listen to Jesus, learn from him, grow in love/insight and serve him actively (and all those others who come with him). It’s all about mutuality–discovering the complementarity of the active/contemplative dimensions in our life. As a monastic it seems to me that this is the “best of both worlds”. What do you think? Come and see!
For a Vocation Discernment Retreat contact:
Holy Name Monastery - St. Leo, FL (352) 588-8320
email: vocation@saintleo.edu
“Wow!”she said, “that sounds like the best of both worlds!” “I think so!” I said, “Come and see!”
I recall that conversation when I think of the siblings at Bethany. The Gospel tells us Jesus loved both Martha and Mary. Often we’ve set them apart and compared them trying to say which is best or more important.
Jesus loved them both; we need to see it’s best to cultivate the part of us that is the active Martha AND the prayerful part that is Mary. They both welcomed and attended to Jesus. We, too, need to listen to Jesus, learn from him, grow in love/insight and serve him actively (and all those others who come with him). It’s all about mutuality–discovering the complementarity of the active/contemplative dimensions in our life. As a monastic it seems to me that this is the “best of both worlds”. What do you think? Come and see!
For a Vocation Discernment Retreat contact:
Holy Name Monastery - St. Leo, FL (352) 588-8320
email: vocation@saintleo.edu
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