Celebration....

To celebrate the memorial of Sts' Placid and
Maurus, my African sisters and brothers danced and played the different drums as they brought up the offeratory gifts.  During the celebration of mass, we sang in Korean for one of the sisters at this Casa who is celebrating her name day. 


The music, signing and prayers are universal and unite us with God....it is a blessing that we all share....

Check out my profile on facebook for a taste of the music on video...It was my first attempt at this.

Good Morning to everyone.   I wanted to show you what awaits us every morning for breakfast.


First there is always a bowl of fresh fruit.  There is apples, pears, oranges and tangerines.  We are blest to have this at all of our meals...What a treat ....







There is also a platter of meat and cheese for breakfast....if you look closely, there is even pepperoni.  The variety of cheeses is awesome.  I have not yet become accustomed to having bologna for breakfast though.







These lovely rolls are so good...put apple butter or jam with some butter and .....well...I hope I perked you appetite...

Have a Blessed Day....
Sr. John Paul, O.S.B.

If today you hear his voice.....

If today you here his voice...harden not your hearts.(Rule of Benedict)

Last evening we had a power point presentation on Solidarity of  the Southern Sudan by Sister Patricia Murray( Sisters of Loretto).  Two years ago, it was presented by the College of Bishops that there be a presence in Sudan of Religious after the Peace Treaty had been signed.  This Sister....heard the voice...and has answered whole heartedly.  She first finished her Doctorate, studying all she could about the Sudanese people, tribes, government, land, etc. in Lisle, Illinois.  Then following the promptings of the Spirit...she has developed this paridymn for religious that could take our lives in a wonderful new direction.  To hear her speak, one senses that she is on a spiritual journey that only those who hear the summons can follow.  She has a love for these people...a deep affection to not impose but to help them grow.  When this was first started...she said all she did was listen for one year to their stories....they wanted to be heard. What a beautiful beginning.  To just spend time listening to others stories...to let others be heard.  So I ask for your prayers for this organization and the people of the Southern Sudan....Today....stop and listen.....do you hear His voice?  Do you hear his voice or has your heart been hardened?  Are you indifferent to the plight of those less fortunate?  Meditate on this....are you being asked to move outside your comfort zone...to help another...

Blessings to all,
Sister John Paul, O.S.B.

One way of a pilgrim..

Yesterday we went to St. Peter's and I was quiet impressed with the sights.  It had been a long time and many changes since I had last been here.  My memory flooded back to the ground that our pilgrimmage group left at the base of where the life-sized Nativity scene was erected.  I remembered Mass at the tomb of St. Peter and now the sounds were similiar but have taken on a new and deeper meaning.  Then I came praying, asking what I was do to with my life...What was God asking of me?.  Today, I prayed the same prayer but as a Benedictine Sister knowing that my life was committed to serve God and others in a more profound way.  I was now here with other Benedictines, in prayerful communion, to learn what St. Benedict was asking me to learn....in the country and place where he had lived.  Yes, I was a pilgrim again, but with a different mission. This time I was asking, listening and trying to live the way of Benedict in serving God.  I had answered God's call for my life as others have that are with me.  It was a great feeling....a great day.....my journey continues.....

We have a day of class and reflection today so I will leave you with just this little blurb.  I was quiet moved yesterday by my feelings of being here once again...this time though.....I am Sister John Paul .....a Benedictine Sister from St. Joseph Monastery, St. Marys, Pennsylvania.