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
