Benedictine Oblates - Issue 3, September 9, 2012

Annual Oblate Retreat - September 7-9, 2012

Discipleship and the Rule of Benedict

Father Matthew Luft, O.S.B., Retreat Master

Sister Mary DiMeglio, O.S.B., Oblate Co-Director welcomed Father Matthew and inspired us with these words, “Keep your notebooks handy and your hearts open.”

Father Matthew began by noting we are called by Christ for conversion and we are called to witness, to proclaim to everyone we meet.  This is our discipleship – we have received a personal invitation to conversion, metanoia and we respond with a witness.

And how do we do this?  Father Matthew went through the following list, gave us examples from Scripture, the Rule, sometimes a few questions, and then gave us time to think about each:

• Love of Christ and Love of Neighbor – Luke 10:25-37, RB80 Chapter 4 v1-2, Chapter 5 v10-12, and Chapter 7 V67-69 [What initial motivation brought me here? What brought me to the oblate life? How does this influence how I interact with others?]
• Prayer – A life marked by liturgy, lectio divina, and mindfulness – Luke 11:1-4, Acts 2:42-47, RB Chapters 20, 43, 48 [What is my prayer life like? Where is my silent time? What is my experience of prayer with the sisters?  What would I like to learn from my prayer?]
• Discipline – A way toward learning and freedom.  Set time aside for God and for prayer.  Matthew 16:24-28, RB Chapter 7 v31-33, Chapter 39 [What is my routine? Is prayer among them? Where is my attention being focused?]
• Humility – Knowledge of ourselves and our relationship with God.

1 Corinthians 1:17-25, RB Chapter 7 [Who do I see myself to be? Who am I?] Every person we encounter is a piece of God, a reflection of God.  Wisdom is approaching God, not being God.

• Stewards/Stewardship – Reverence toward the creation God has made.  Regard all as sacred vessels.  1 Corinthians 4, RB Chapter 31 [What gifts has God given to me?  Have I taken care of them as if they were sacred vessels?]
• Hospitality – Openness to others, receive all as Christ.  Matthew 25:31-46, RB Chapter 2, Chapter 36, Chapter 53, Chapter 63, Chapter 72 [How have you welcomed people into your life? How have you been received?]
• Community – We are always in community and surrounded by others.  We all contribute to the living body.  Matthew 10:5-15, RB Chapter 1, Chapter 72
• Stability – these last three are all part of the other seven.
• Conversatio – In these vows we find our calling to follow Christ together
• Obedience – How do we actually live this life? What is this life about? We can go to Scripture and the Rule of Benedict (RB) for answers.

Special Thank You

It took so many to make this retreat possible, from preparations by our Co-Directors and their council to the Baker Bees, Richard Jordan and his crew for room set up, Sister Ann, Heidi and the housekeeping staff, Dona and Lisa, our cooks, Sister JoEl for the prayer space and display case, all the Sisters for their behind the scenes set up, ministries, and support.  Because of all of you we learned first hand, hospitality, community, discipleship, and the Rule of Benedict.

Front Row L/R – Catherine Wood, Lois Buesgens, Hetty Corrigan, Anne McCormick Adams, Cyndy Ingram, Pat Lafferty, Sister Mary DiMeglio, O.S.B., Co-Director, and Carmen Nieves

Back Row L/R – Rosemary Kinnamon, Elizabeth Owens, Helen Hadley, Trudy Dean, Roy Dean, Margie Palazzolo, Fran Lucas, Pam McElwee, and Jean Lewis.

Retreat attendees absent from the photograph -  Mary Kibler, Ann Haywood, Carol Russell, Justine Armstead, and Flo Petroski, Dick Palazzolo.

Note:  The camera gremlins erased our wonderful picture of the oblates giving a blessing to Father Matthew before his departure.  Thanks be to God, the blessing was not erased as well.

Benedictine Oblates - Issue 2 January 8, 2012

Celebration of Sister Roni’s Time with the Oblates

Continuing on the Journey with Sister MaryLou

Oblate Margie Palazzolo presented a Mass card and a plant with lovely bright, yellow flowers to Sister Roni Daniels, O.S.B., our Oblate Directress since 2008, and spoke of Sister Roni’s special ministry with us and all the memories we will hold in our hearts.  Oblate Cyndy Ingram, with a few words on illumination, the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment, and a concurrence of Sister Roni’s willingness to be obedient to God’s direction, ended with, “instead of adding material items to your backpack, we would each like to lay our hands on you and give you our personal requests for God’s blessings to encourage and uplift you as you continue your journey.” as the oblates processed past Sister Roni.

Sister MaryLou began the main meeting with a definition of epiphany – epiphaneia, a manifestation, Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. The Magi visited the baby Jesus – Balthazar, an Arab scholar, Caspar, a Persian scholar, and Melchior, a Babylonian scholar and then spread the word that the Messiah had come.

Then she gave us a few guidelines for our Lectio Divina:

• Pray daily – set time aside as we are creatures of habit
• Prayer space – use the same space each day, no need for elaborate set up but use items that will help you focus, bible, candle, sacred item, or just a quiet, peaceful spot.
• Relax – take a deep breath, be quiet, be at peace
• Ask God for a grace
• Scripture – Lectio Divina is Divine reading so be sure to use scripture; use one of the scripture readings of the day.  Choose a word, or a phrase. See an image, feel the story, hear the words.
• Remain with the passage, be with God, spend time as with a friend
• Listen – some things may fall into place for you
• Ask God to help you with the day

Lastly, in three groups we explored the following questions:

• What qualities should oblates exhibit? Obedience to the Rule; stand up for what is right; be welcoming, prayerful, grateful; listen with the heart and ear; be accepting of good and bad; connect with the Lord and his suffering; be a witness, share your faith, know through example of the sisters.
• What attracted you to become an oblate?  Divine guidance; hunger for more; we all came by different routes -  Bible study; visits to St. Martin’s Ministry; Sister Mary Paul; we knew the Lord and had a hunger for more.
• How do you live your oblate promise?  Help others; visit the sick; Lectio Divina; Mass, prayer for others; share welcome with others that the sisters share with us.

Benedictine Oblates - Issue 1 December 11, 2011

ANNOUNCEMENT of NEW OBLATE DIRECTRESS

Sister MaryLou Robino, O.S.B.

 

Sister Roni Daniels, O.S.B., our Oblate Directress since 2008, announced that she would be stepping down and that Sister MaryLou Robino, O.S.B. would be our new Oblate Directress beginning with our January 8, 2012 gathering.  We are very sorry to lose Sister Roni but we certainly understand that she is involved with many areas of St. Gertrude Monastery and we know that she has left us in capable hands.  Sister Mary DiMeglio, whom we have all known well over the years, will assist Sr. MaryLou in helping us travel the Benedictine way through the next several years.

 

Sister Roni expressed her joy in praying and working with us these last few years.  May we say that you, Sister Roni, brought us many moments of reflection, spirituality, wonder, and discernment.  You shared your stories and your life and the ebb and flow of the monastery.  You have been welcoming, a leader, a sister, and a friend.  We will miss you and we will always keep a part of you in our living of the Rule.  Thank you for giving us your time, and your talents, and your faith journey.

 

May the following from the Benedictine Sisters website, http://www.ridgelybenedictines.org/,, give you a short introduction to Sister MaryLou and Sister Mary DiMeglio as we continue our pilgrim journey with them and listen to their stories.

 

Sister MaryLou Robino, a native of Wilmington , Delaware , entered the community in 1955. Sister has a B.S. in Secondary Education and spent her early years as both teacher and principal. In addition, she directed the Girls' Choir for fourteen years. Because she felt called to work with people with social/emotional problems, Sister obtained a Master's Degree in Social Work and spent 26 years at a Catholic agency offering services to clients with a variety of needs. One of Sister's early desires was to be a school counselor; so in 1998, she became Holy Angels Elementary School counselor. Sister was a first-grade assistant at Saint Elizabeth's for six years where she enjoyed singing with and helping the children. Sister is very involved in community activities, and in her spare time she enjoys singing, theater, gardening, cooking, and crafts. She says reading and quiet times in prayer are what energize her most.

 

Sister Mary DiMeglio is the woman behind the music at Saint Gertrude's. You will hear her playing the organ, piano, or guitar during our liturgies. A native of Wilmington , Delaware , she has had many of our Sisters as her teachers at Saint Elizabeth. Sister entered the community in 1975. Sister Mary has an Associate Degree in Library Science and a B.S. in Communications. Sister earned her Masters in Special Education at Loyola College , Baltimore , Maryland . Sister Mary has been successful as a teacher of special needs children and teen-age clients. In addition to her role as community musician, Sister is the coordinator for retreats and housing arrangements for the Berg Center , a retreat center at the monastery. Sister Mary likes music and reading. In her younger years, she also had fun when she was whitewater rafting, hiking, and camping.

 

 

We were asked in our meeting to reflect on the first reading, Isaiah 61:2a 10-11.  We were asked as we read and reread this passage to ask How?...  When?...   Who?....How do I bring glad tiding to the poor, how do I heal the broken hearted, how do I proclaim liberty, how do I release the prisoner?  When was I poor, broken hearted, a prisoner? Who do I know that is poor, broken hearted, a prisoner?  What is liberty, what would free me, what would set my soul or heart free?  And REMEMBER, the spirit of the Lord is with each one of us.

 

 

Our main discussions in our groups were about caring for creation and all the things we can do to care for God’s creation.  We are asked to come to each gathering prepared to give tips about what we are doing in our own homes and in our lives.  Here are a few that were mentioned:

• Less chemicals on the grass and garden – science and technology have improved how we grow but many of the methods are harming the environment.
• Keep up with print, voice, and media – listen, don’t be afraid to write a letter or sign a petition
• Turn lights off, unplug appliances
• Wash larger loads of clothes or select less water options, take quick shower and less of them
• Make Christmas and holiday decorations from natural objects such as feathers, oyster shells painted, queen anne’s lace dried.
• Make one car trip to many places
• Share a meal
• Use public transportation
• Decide if you “need” or just “want” an item before you buy
• Serve fresh, local foods

 

Housekeeping –

^·          We would like to include more of the oblates in the presentation of topics throughout the year. Please consider speaking on one of our topics this year – if you think you might be interested send Sister MaryLou a quick email at marylourobino@hotmail.com

We pray for those who are ill, grieving, discerning, and thankful:

Hetty Corrigan’s daughters

Mary Schrecengost

Kibby Kibler

Flo Petroski & son Butch

Father Paul Mast

Sister Jeannette

Sister Catherine Higley

Sister MaryLou’s father

Others mentioned

  

Next Dates, Please Mark Your Calendars:

 

January 8, 2012

Gathering  - Oblate Brainstorming & Lectio Divina

 

February 12. 2012

Gathering  - Giving New Life to the Old Testament, Sister Patricia

March - no meeting

April 15, May 20

June 9, 2012 - Saturday - Day of Reflection, Sister Patricia Kirk, O.S.B.

 

September 7-9, 2012

Annual Oblate Retreat

St. Gertrude Monastery, Ridgely, MD

Retreat Master will be

Rev. Matthew Luft, O.S.B.

St. John’s Abbey

Collegeville, MN