Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all...
     from our house to yours.  For unto us a child is born.........

Blessings and prayers....
      Benedictine Sisters of Elk County.

Beauty and the Beast....Mother Nature

This is the beauty of the recent weather we have had.  The snow clings to the small thicket and appears so peaceful and serene.

This is one of the mysteries of God that we so often take for granted. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in the moment we forget to take a look at the beautiful picture of life....

This is the sky of the storm that is approaching.  You can actually see the moisture in the clouds....Oh what beauty awaits us as we watch.......


This is the advent of life....the time of waiting and watching...God gave some of us....a visual glimpse into this moment.....






The beast....two days of rain had the rivers and creeks overflow their banks....it was not pretty...schools in the area closed for the first time in 15 years for flooding...it is the dangerous side of rain.....


I thank God for the Beauty and the Beast....it tells of the preparation we all need to make this time of year.....

Give Thanks to the Lord.....

I love Charlie Brown and the many trials he went through.  This character, although just a cartoon, shows the perseverance and gentleness that we all need to have in this life. Charlie was thankful for the small, simple things that we often take for granted.  I remember Charlie thanking God for the Thanksgiving meal he was sharing with friends....it was a peanut butter sandwich but the message is still the same......Give Thanks.....

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am thankful for all of you as you are a gift from God in my life.  May the Lord continue to bless you all abundantly with His love...

A Big Project.....

They took a really ugly hill with lots of stumps.....

the geo cell

 Used lots of muscle and sweat....friends, scouts, moms and dads....helped get rid of the stumps, weeds and ugly vines.....

The goal was to smooth the surface, cover it with fabric and then put this geo cell ground cover down......that was the plan.....

It would take team work, communication skills and pure grit....we only had a pdf file to go by and happened to see one on our travels.....but boy scouts and nuns have many things in common and one is...we can do it.....and we are in the process of doing it......

They covered the entire hill with fabric before the geo cell could be put down....

Today we finally started to put stone in the cells...it was a tedious process and will take the next several day to complete....especially since Mother Nature rained on our part of the country....

When it is finished....I will post pictures of the before and after as well as tell you about our scouts and friends....in the mean time..if you want to know what I did this weekend...well... I got by with a little help from my friends......

Way to go guys...you too Mary....it is looking great!!!

To the Grape Arbor we go...

Yesterday, Sister Jacinta, Patty and I went on a journey to Erie, PA to pick grapes.  It started out as just a normal adventure into the heart of grape country which usually takes us 3 hours driving to arrive at our destination.....well....half way  during the trip we started to come upon these wonderful detour signs....and our journey became a scenic tour of all of northeastern Pennsylvania.  Detour signs upon detour signs led us over 100 miles out of our way...just when we thought we had arrived at our familiar destination........oh no.....another detour sign...

This was like a road trip out of Alice and Wonderland...except that we say more detour signs than we did anything else.....

We just wanted to get to Northeast and pick grapes except that these detours took us to farms......farms.....pastures....and then back again.....The real question was...would we ever get to the orchard.....Then...we arrived at this beautiful....majestic...farm...

 Sceiford farms in Northeast.  This farm is absolutely breath taking with rows and rows of beautiful grapes, cherry, peach and apple trees.....

We where greeted by the family who is always so helpful and gracious.....and went to work picking grapes for the winter.....we can them for juice.                                                          
As you can see the grapes are beautiful.....they are a deep blue, sweet and have an aroma that fills the air.

After two hours of picking we weighed out lot.....and set out on our journey home.....the adventure of the detour signs was awaiting us....so who knew when we would get home....

I want to especially thank the people at Sceiford Farm.....your produce is delicious and I look forward to picking cherries, peaches, apples and grapes once again.....Thank you!!!

P.S....The Detour sign people do not get a star on their rug....uh

Labor Day

Largest Press in the World delivered to our town.

Today is Labor Day, one of the many holidays we celebrate with a day off....but for me...this is one of my favorites....and one of God's too.  In the Bible...work is cited in 627 verses and labor in 123 verses.  It is a "pay attention" word for us in our daily lives.  You see, each of us has to labor or work, whether it is for economics, physical well being or the spiritual wellness of each of us.  Often we are defined by what we labor at...such as carpenter, mechanic, nurse, farmer, etc...it is what we do that often gives us meaning.......

Psalm 127:1 Without God, any human endeavor is destined to fail.  When God builds something it is guaranteed to last.

How often to we seek God's blessing before, after, or during work?  Do we just go about it without the help of the Holy Spirit who would add so much to our end result...?   Do we take the creative juices and freedom out of our lives because "we" want to do it...instead of doing it for the Glory of God?

This labor day...try and put prayer with your work....make all you do a labor of love...not a disaster in the making....for St. Paul tells Timothy, "Labor and strive to fully put our hope in God"  Give it a try this week.....you will be surprised by the results......

Tomato....I say Tomatoes.....

It was a long day ....but...it was very productive.  A group of Sisters, cooks, and volunteers canned 164 quarts of tomato sauce and 10 gallons of tomato juice.  The crew started early in the morning and we squeezed 8 bushels of Roma tomatoes to make the delicious sauce and juice.  This was all canned and put up in our stock room for the long winter that will come within the next 2 months.   I big thank you to all who helped make this day such fun.....

I

A Tribute to a Sister....

I, along with many St. Marys students, met Sr. Denise in the classroom at Queen of the World School.  She taught 4th and 6th grade and even High School for us.  She taught us not just the normal curriculum but how to love and to live.  She was a Novice when we first met, and she took the mystique out of what a religious sister was.....she made it something very real to all of us.  The picture says how much she loved to sing, dance and praise God by being.....she embodied what it means to live life to its fullest........

For over 7 years she did Missionary work in Ethiopia and Tanzania.....she brought the same energy and love to people where ever she went....in fact...many places of the world are better for having met her.

Sister Denise, I will always remember your many gifts you gave me....and when we meet again, I hope to say, "Seme qui".....It is I....I have not forgotten this since you taught it to me in 4th grade.  Dance with the angels my dear Sister......I will miss you but know you are near....

Eternal Rest Grant unto Her Oh Lord........
PAX

The Benedictine Sisters of Elk County continue to pray for our fellow Benedictine Sisters of Bristow, Virginia and for Sister Charlotte and Sister Connie, that our ever loving God will continue to heal, care and console them.

Happy Foundation Day!!!!

In 1852, Mother Benedicta Riepp and two of her Sisters came from St. Walburga Abbey in Eichstatt, Bavaria to the rural area of St. Marys, Pennsylvania.  They came to start a school and began a life in a small two room convent. 

From these meager beginnings of being the first Benedictine Convent in the United States, over 50 monasteries can trace back their roots to this community.
 
It is our past and our future that we celebrate today....it took three brave Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict .....to grow and bring faith and a wonderful life to the people of St. Marys and beyond.  The future asks us to look to that same brave beginning and strive to live this monastic life as authentically as we can.......this is my prayer and my dream as we celebrate our beginnings today and everyday.....In St. Benedict's peace........

Sister is locked up......

Thanks for doing time for MDA!!!!

Sister Mary David was placed in handcuffs by our Sheriff Jeff Kreig for the fund raising lock up for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Sister was asked if she would ask for Bail money for the organization and had to stay locked up until the minimum was reached. Many of you may be familiar with "Jerry's kids" telethon which is usually held Labor Day weekend....this is another means of raising funds and awareness for this disease. 

Thanks Sister for being such a good sport and helping all those with Muscular Dystrophy....

Thank You........

Have you ever had one of those weeks that you know cannot be duplicated....it is the moments in our lives that we say "This is a God moment...Thank You!" 

Ryan Baumgratz returned to the United States and his family Friday morning after serving in Irag.  Not only is his family and relatives thankful for his safe return...but we Sisters are grateful for his service and can't wait to see him as well.....isn't this picture worth a million......Love has no price....

The roofers completed reshingling the monastery without one incident or accident.  Heights reached over 82 feet and the pitch of the roof is very steep.  Again, thank you......but God is never outdone in generosity....as told in the blog yesterday...the entire fence was painted for the first time since it was erected............and........

Dylan Hanes, along with his parents, sister, friends and relatives restored the summer house that is located in our cemetery for his project for Eagle Scout Award.  The rotten boards and broken lattice where replaced, stained and painted.....and thanks to his efforts...it looks like new....
It has been an awesome week and "Thank You"...just doesn't say it all....but we hope you know how much we appreciate it......

A New Look .....

It was the hottest week of the summer but Kevin, Luke, Mary and Gabriel Kraus along with Maura Keyes and Carley Schneider....plugged away tirelessly to repaint the fence that surrounds our property.  With rollers, brushes, liquids and old clothes...they painted every morning for over a week.  The chain fence was transformed from rust to an "evergreen" green once again...

Many people do not see what a gift these young men and women are....but their willingness to help others...to give of their time, and energy .....is so wonderful.....they are our future and with hearts like these....we are in very good hands!

The Benedictine Sisters want to thank all who graciously gave of their time and energy to beautify our home....words are so inadequate...but you are in our prayers.

A big Thank You goes out to Dick Wolfe, John Hacket and Paul Shade who without their support this would not have been possible..(they are a bit camera shy)..Thank You!!!!  

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Please take the time this holiday weekend to remember those who sacrificed to let us live in freedom.  It is the birth of a great nation...one that is going through some rough times right now...but none the less a great one.  There are many people in other countries who are not free....let us remember what we celebrate this weekend and say a little prayer in thanksgiving.....even that is a privilege that some do not enjoy....Happy 4th.

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary

This is my mother and father, Richard and Dorthy Bauer.  Today, July 1, 2010 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a mass with our community.  Following the mass we all had breakfast with the Sisters.

I feel very blessed to have both of my parents and to be able to celebrate with them this wonderful milestone.  They have always been a terrific example of what love and long term commitment are all about.  I thank God for giving me such a wonderful gift.

I love you both...too bad they don't have a computer...but I think they know how much they are loved and appreciated.

Our New Federation President

During the Federation Chapter Meeting in Atchison, Kansas....Sr. Glenna Smith from Bristow, Virginia was elected to be our President for the next four years.  She follows Sr. Esther Fangman who lead our Federation for the past 12 years. 

Let us all pray for both of these wonderful, faith filled Benedictine women who are tremendous examples of all that we value.  May God continue to bless both of them as they embark on new and promising futures.

Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

During my lectio today I was thinking a lot about this common story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.  What came to me, I would like to share with you...

First, Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God and healed those who needed cured (Luke9:11).  Often we are preoccupied with things and that can interfere with our total concentration on the spiritual meal that is taking place before our eyes.....Jesus knew this and healed those who needed cured....

Second...the Apostles wanted to dismiss the crowd and let them feed themselves...but Jesus said to them,"Give them some food yourselves"....He empowered the Apostles to feed this large crowd...they had the ability but did not have the faith...How often do we have the ability to feed someone who is hungry for affection, the Word of God, a ear to listen or just to let another "be"...are we like the apostles and want to dismiss them....let them find someone else?....Think about this....

Third...before Jesus fed them....."He said a blessing over them....."  He started with a prayer....a blessing...He gave thanks ahead of time .....How often do we forget to pray before we start a task.....a meal....or just say thanks for what we are about to receive?......
Then the greatest thing happened....."They all ate and were satisfied"...

Today say a prayer for the spiritual food that nourishes our soul for the spiritual journey.  Say a special "Thank You" for the ability to be satisfied.....and prayer for those who are still hungry...those who are hungry physically....and spiritually......

Remember.....

Today is Memorial Day and I want to take a moment to thank all the men and women who are serving or who have served our country in our Armed Forces.  To the left is the Vietnam Womens  Memorial at the Mall in Washington, D.C.  It is dedicated to the women who served in Vietnam and depicts them with a fallen comrade.  As a Veteran, this statue reminds me of the many lives that are still being sacrificed for our freedom.....Thank you.




I remember many a Memorial Day visiting Arlington Cemetery and watching the wreath being laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The rows of tomb stones is daunting and one does not leave with a dry eye....

Many families like two of our cooks have son's serving away from home....take a moment to remember these families....being away is hard enough...it is doubly hard when you think no one really cares.....Thanks Ryan and Eric....you are thought of and prayed for each day.

To all the families who lost a loved one.....you are in my prayers in a special way this Memorial Day....

Come Holy Spirit

Today is Pentecost Sunday one of the most misunderstood celebrations of our church yet one of the most powerful in terms of enabling all of us to go forth and be witnesses to our faith.  We all know the gifts of the Spirit:  wisdom, understanding, knowledge, courage, right judgement, piety and fear of the Lord.  We also are familiar with the fruits of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.  But do we recognize when and how the Spirit can be present in our lives? 

There are many analogies in the Bible about the Spirit but one of my favorites is "like the wind".  Think about this for a minute...you feel the wind...you see the trees move in the wind...but do you see the actual wind...no...the Spirit is the same...you don't see where it is, or where it came from....you just know its there...you feel and recognize the Spirit just as you do the wind.  For me, wind is active...you feel it on your face...you see the wheat move, the trees bend..and sometimes you even feel it deep inside...a chill...or a rive in our heart...what is a rive...it means wrenched open or split open....and isn't that what the Holy Spirit does to our hearts ....it turns our world upside down.....it changes our lives..even if we don't want change or are fighting change.  The Spirit is the constant  knocking on the door of our hearts (Revelation) waiting to be let in and fill us with light, grace and all the beautiful things we know...but hesitate to let into our hearts.

Today, Pentecost Sunday can be a turning point in our life....We can start praying right know for the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts and let it transform us...let our hearts be filled with the light and grace we all need.  If you follow my blog, you remember that last week I talked about forgiveness...well we are all broken, hurting, and thristing for God...Let the Spirit in.....Be a conduit of God's love and let the Spirit electrify you...enlighten you...change you....It only takes one spark to start a fire....are you ready....can you feel it?

Come Holy Spirit.....feel the pushy breeze....

I am posting this a little early as tomorrow I will be traveling to another Benedictine House for prayer, friendship and rest...I ask for your prayers while I journey ....you see, the pushy breeze may be asking me to change some things in my life...so I am praying that the Holy Spirit enlightens me ......Blessings on your Pentecost....

Forgiveness....

This is one of my favorite pictures about forgiveness....and isn't it what we hear today when we read the story of Stephen.  Stephen is being stoned to death and asks God to forgive his killers.  Could you do what Stephen did? 

Everyday we have an opportunity to forgive as Stephen did...maybe not someone who is killing us literally but those little things that can kill our spirit or are slanderous.  They might be the little things that just annoy us....but do we forgive the person for the hurts.....or do we say we forgive...but go on resenting them?  Do we let a past hurt linger in our heart to the point that it becomes hate?  Are we so consumed with self pity and selfishness that we don't even realize that we do not forgive the little things...and they become big things?

I know that to forgive means that we do not hold on to the hurts, the mean words or the effect it has had on lives.....it means....letting it go...giving it to God...and starting anew.  Its tough....sometimes I think it is one of the toughest things we are asked to do....but...we are not being killed literally....so I ask...can we imitate what Stephen and Jesus did while they were dying......Forgive.......

Just a thought....I know it is tough...I wrestle with it too.....but don't we have great examples of how far we can be stretched if we just try.....

Take some time today and forgive someone for a hurt that is causing you to be stagnate in your spiritual growth.....Your live will be changed.....

Happy Mother's Day

This is my mother....at the graduation of her granddaughter, my niece last year.  Please bear with me as I tell you about this remarkable woman.  My mom, will be married 60 years this summer to my father on the right.  He is a great guy too...but my mom is a saint...I know, a lot of people think their mom's are saints...but I really think mine is.  First of all....she lives by the saying, "You never have to be sorry for things you don't say".  She has never to my knowledge said an unkind word about anyone.  She is a perfectionist and if you open her junk drawer it is as neat and orderly as any other drawer. When we were little, every Sunday we would have homemade sugar cookies, pie or something made with the love of her hands.  She wasn't  a soccer mom who sat and watched all out games but instead she encouraged us to do things she only dreamed of.  She worked at the local elementary school as a secretary for 30 years.... She never went to college for she graduated at 17 and in those days you had to be 18 to start school.....but she made sure each of my two brothers and myself had an education.    No matter what time we came in...she was waiting to here about our crazy episodes of growing up...the coffee pot in our house runs 24-7  .... it is not Motel 7 but the light is always on and you are always welcome.  The best thing though about my mom is that she loved being a mom....she was how I knew Mary must be like ...that's what she showed me....that love..understanding and kindness only mothers have....that joy, laughter and tears you can only share with a Mom....the special things I think go with being a mom.  Today...I want to thank God for giving me a mom that is so special...and a special prayer for all the mom's for without you...we would not be...Thanks...I love you MOM...even if you will never see this....you are the best.... 

Perserverence

It is the 5th Sunday of Easter and I wonder how many of us have lapsed into the same routine and attitudes that we had before.....we may have forgotten that this is still the Easter season....a time to rejoice...to give thanks for our salvation.  Well the readings this Sunday help to get us to wake up and continue the journey much as the disciples did.....besides it is May...the time for rebirth, new growth, new life.....wake up!

Perhaps we need to hear these words today more than ever...."They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith" Acts 14:22.  There is a tremendous amount of negativity, despair, global tragedies, and human suffering all around us.  We all need to be strengthened to persevere in our faith; to bear the difficulties of life in a calm, patient and resolved manner.  In other words..."to love one another as I have loved you" John 13:33  Make the commitment today to make a difference in someones life.....show another that they are loved...in this way we will be following what Jesus said..."they will know you are my disciples", not just by our words but by our deeds...Let your actions speak volumes about who we are.

Remember we are all called to be holy....wouldn't it be wonderful if you wiped away someones tears of despair......

Good Shepard Sunday

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and I have been pondering all day about the verse from Revelation 7:17 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes"....I find this only fitting on this Sunday considering the latest news on the priest scandal within our church.  It is unfortunate that the news focuses on the 2% of priests that have been found guilty of sexual impropriety.  The remaining 98% continue to serve the church, shepherding us into the future with hope, trust and love......

I think God is wiping many tears today and every day as we deal with the many struggles which face our church, we religious and our priests.  So today, when you go to mass or knell in quiet and pray....

     Say a prayer for your priests
     maybe the one that wiped your tear away
     or the one that helped you when you were lost.
     Thank God for their "yes"  to serve and give us    
     the bread of life.......


Just a thought....praying for all the priests who are so faithful in their service.....

                       Thanks

Follow Me.....

It seems only fitting that today's liturgical readings involve "trust" and the request "Follow Me".  I say this as I returned from St. Emma's Monastery in Greensburg, PA.  where we witnessed the Sisters celebrate their Canonical Decree of Independence from St. Walburg Abbey in Eichstatt Germany.   It was also the formal installation of the First Conventual Prioress, Mother Mary Anne Noll, O.S.B.

  In such uncertain times and when vocations seem to be few and far between, these women follow their call to serve without fear or without hesitation. When you heard the decree read by Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B. and Abbess Mother Franziska Klous, O.S.B. give her remarks, you sensed that the prophetic nature of this occasion was coming to fruition before our very eyes. 

It is with thanksgiving that we offer prayers and congratulations to these wonderful Benedictine Sisters of St. Emma's monastery.  PAX

On the Anniversary of a Bishop

On April 13, 2010 We, the people of the Diocese of Erie, celebrated the Mass on the Anniversary of  our Bishop Donald W. Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.L. at St. Peter Cathedral In Erie, PA. 

Bishop Trautman celebrated 25 years as Bishop and 20 years as Bishop of Erie. 

Join with me as we pray,"Lord our God you have chosen your servant Donald to be a shepherd of your flock in the tradition of the apostles.  Give him a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love.  May he build your Church as a sign of salvation fro the world." (from his anniversary card)

May God continue to bless you good and faithful servant.

Blessings to all on this joyous Easter!

On behalf of the Benedictine Sisters of Elk County, I wish all of you a joyous Easter....Christ is Risen......Alleluia!

Rock Solid or Rock Bottom?

Today we journey into Jerusalem with our triumphant Savior, Jesus rides in to the holy city while their are chants to the King of Kings.  It is also the start of Holy Week; one of the most up and down, emotional rides  in one week. As I was meditating on this upcoming week, I thought about my lenten journey....did I keep my resolutions...did I go to the desert and strip away what was keeping me away from God?  Well, as I was praying, this is what came to mind and I would like to share it...bear with me...

The title of this post...is Rock Solid or Rock Bottom?  You see, all week I have been thinking about the reactions of the people around Jesus that culminated in his death and ultimately in our salvation.  They were everyday "Joe's" "Matt's", Tom's, etc....except some hit rock bottom  when it came to loyality, friendship, and sticking up for what they believed in.  Their faith and trust were shaken to the core....and some just fell apart.  They dropped the ball.... You see, they did not follow through on their lenten resolutions........they were asked to stay awake and pray..........nope........had to get some shut eye..could

not give just a little more time to prayer...yet...at the same time they hit rock bottom....Jesus was begging that this cup would pass from him.........yet......if it was the will of the father.......he would do what had to be done......die for our sins.............now that is Rock Solid......


This week we are going to go on the up and down ride of raw emotions as we read the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We will hear who was afraid, who betrayed a friend with a kiss, who stuck around and who ran away.....this week......we all need to ask ourselves.....What would we do????  Would we be the ROCK SOLID disciple or the ROCK BOTTOM one........Either way...His passion and death are about us.....the solid and the not so solid....the broken and the strong...
......HE DIED SO WE CAN LIVE........God Bless your Holy Week.