September 27, 2010 – As mentioned in our recent newsletter, Sister Therese Gilmour, from Jamberoo Abbey, Australia, has been with us.

Our meeting conferences with Sister Therese began on September 27, 2010, which included topics that she referenced back to the Rule of St. Benedict. The sessions were in the mornings, which included group discussions and input.  Encouraged to participate individually, some of the topics included:

Our History
Communication and Listening in Monastic Life
Authenticity in Monastic Life
Patience
Day-To-Day Community Life
Re-Building
Looking Back and Looking Ahead in Hope

To end our meeting conferences, we had a community celebration and blessing with the recitation of Vespers on October 27, 2010.  Mother Benedicta opened the ceremony with a prayer:

O God, You call us to live your way of love through Stability, Obedience and Conversion of Life.  May we open our hearts to the gift of peace you offer us, so that we may be healed and strengthened to live in union with you, and in loving and compassionate care of each other in the spirit of our holy father, St. Benedict.