A Message from Michaela Hedican, OSB

Newsletter for Oblates of Saint Benedict’s Monastery | April 2019

Michaela Hedican, OSB

In This Issue

If, as Socrates is reported to have said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” the life of professed Benedictines and oblates is worth a fortune! This is most likely the reason that Benedict hoped that the entire life of his followers would be a continual Lent. This sacred season gives us the opportunity to reflect on

our life as Benedict instructs us. We are to do this by keeping our manner of life centered on what we have promised as we tend to any past negligence and look to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing.Ways to employ this examination of our life were presented at Oblate Sunday on November 18, 2018. It was a delight for me to share with the oblates that day about Benedict’s Three Vs—Vision, Values and Virtues—How Do We Engage Them Today? The Gospel values that Benedict held dear became so ingrained in him that they became his strength, his virtue, and thus he gave us a way that leads to a vision of unity and wholeness. Benedict’s vision of the sacredness of all creation and his awareness of the importance of our being human set the stage for how he framed the values that were basic to monastic life as lived in community. His role model was Christ and the love

of Christ was to come before all else (RB 4:21).Practical ways of living the values of that vision are found throughout the Rule. In particular, chapter four on the "Tools for Good Works" provides concrete expressions of these values that are meant to become a strength or virtue as the way of Benedict is lived. From framing community life within the reality of forgiveness, “You are not to nurse a grudge” (RB 4:22) and “If people curse you, do not curse them back but bless them instead” (RB 4:32) and “Speak the truth with heart and tongue” (RB 4:28), Benedict provides for us a way to relate to each other that allows growth in our life with Christ.Reflecting on chapter four of the Rule provides ample material for a Lenten examination of our lives as followers of the vision of Benedict. In this way, we are able to live by the values Benedict purports and grow in the virtues he held dear. Further reflections on one of the tools will be shared by three of our oblates (see pp. 5 and 6). May your time musing on these sharings assist you in looking to Easter with the joy of spiritual longing.

Director of Oblates

From the Desk of the Prioress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Blessings of Gratitude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Oblate Sunday: 1/20/19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Oblate Sunday: 3/17/19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A "Home Depot". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Being Present. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Being the Adult in the Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Turn Away From Sin and Be Faithful to the Gospel. . . . . . 6Former Oblate Directors Recognition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Oblates Online!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Prayer Intentions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Birthdays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Upcoming Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Oblate News 2

From the Desk of the PrioressThe following are excerpts of Sister Susan’s November 3, 2018, conference, Moving Forward into the Mystery of Jesus Christ: An Overview of the Study of the Rule of St. Benedict. In this conference, Sister Susan shared with the community the plan to begin an in-depth study of the Rule of Benedict. Our Oblate Advisory Team, reading about the community being involved in this study, asked if the oblates could also participate in a study of the Rule. Hence, the upcoming Oblate Sundays will be devoted to this study as the presentations given to the sisters will be adapted to the oblate way of life and shared with the oblates.

Susan Rudolph, OSB, Prioress

Susan Rudolph, OSB, Prioress

Mary Baier, OblSB 2017 – 2020Leann Enninga, OblSB 2018 – 2021Lynda Gradert, OblSB 2016 – 2019Marie James, OblSB 2017 – 2020Ann O'Connor, OblSB 2016 – 2019Bob Lesniewski, OblSB 2018 – 2021Colleen Quinlivan, OSB 2016 – 2019Laureen Virnig, OSBMichaela Hedican, OSB

Oblate Advisory Team 2018–19

Blessings of GratitudeThe Oblate Advisory Team is to be commended for their insights, wisdom and willingness to serve. It has been a graced year of serving together. They will serve through the Oblate Renewal Day.

Please Note: You did not miss an issue of Oblate News! After discussing with the Oblate Advisory Team the advisability of moving to three issues a year, it was deemed a wise decision. It is our hope to have issues in late October or early November to avoid the Christmas rush, at the end of March or the beginning of April and in July. Special thanks to all who contribute articles or reflections.

At this time in history, as we engage in serious decision-making and planning for this new age, we are grateful to have a written Rule to follow, a Rule that gives us a treasury of wisdom to guide us in the mystery of our journey into the heart of Christ in the Rule of Benedict. As a community, we have formulated a statement that articulates our mission and charism describing our lives of witness and service to one another, the Church and the public.In the words of our Mission and Charism Statement, we say:

Michaela Hedican, OSB

The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict of St. Joseph, Minnesota, are a monastic community of women who seek God in our daily lives according to the Gospel and the Rule of St. Benedict. Through the ministry of prayer, work and community living, we listen and respond to the needs of the Church and the world.

These words on paper challenge us to think about relevancy, clarity, witness and commitment in our expression of monastic life and our identity as Benedictines. Hopefully, a contemporary study will lead us on a pathway of growth in our search for God in the mystery of Jesus, the Anointed One of God. It is a study that can move us along a path of deeper commitment and growth in what St. Paul says is most valued in the end—a love of Christ, one another, the wider human community—the Body of Christ.

Oblate News 3

Sunday, January 20, 2019"Benedictine Values at the College of Saint Benedict" – President Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D. Mary Dana Hinton, CSB president since 2014, inspired those who heard her talk on Oblate Sunday, January 20, 2019. Right away, we could tell what keeps her

energized—engaging with her three teenagers, as well as the 1,755 students entrusted to her care at CSB. Throughout her presentation, we learned how President Hinton listens and responds to young people and the ways Benedictine values influence her.President Hinton's basis for leadership is the belief that students want to live an authentic life and are seeking wise guidance and support. She acknowledges the difficulty of sorting through a barrage of cultural influences, including information technology and trends in fashion and entertainment. Thus, a “good” liberal arts education not only offers information, but helps connect ideas with the values needed for discernment and action. As an indicator that students are receptive, one-third of incoming students the past year requested a Benedictine Friend, a sister at the monastery who becomes a companion and mentor.Stewardship and Dignity of WorkPresident Hinton encourages students to appreciate and steward their resources. By “fully living into their light and refusing to play small to serve others,” students have earned many scholarships and honors the past year. She stated that CSB “sends out good teachers” into the world. The president of the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence—an organization that tours schools and identifies “rock star” teachers—told her that 90 percent of the time, teachers that stand out are CSB graduates. President Hinton shared personal examples of individuals who've modeled these values. She praised her mother, who worked many years as a housekeeper and took pride maintaining high standards. She applauded a 2018 CSB graduate, nominated for NCAA athlete of the year, who excelled as a student-athlete and exemplified how to lead and serve.Respect for Persons, Justice, Hospitality and Community LivingFor President Hinton, this group of values arises from RB 72, the second to last chapter of the Rule. Regardless of a person's infirmities of body or spirit, we are invited to respect and patiently serve each other. In a campus setting, this means implementing practices of acceptance and inclusion. Students are at a life stage where being open about their lives often requires

Oblate Sunday: 1/20/19 Kate Meyer, OblSB, St. Joseph, Minn.

courage to be vulnerable. If students feel they belong to a safe community, President Hinton believes they can grow and become their best selves—even as they recognize that others might have differing views and experiences.Peace and Awareness of GodPresident Hinton recognizes that to find sustenance—whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual—we must be still and listen to the spirit within. This is especially vital in the context of student life where busy schedules and the demands of interacting with others can lead to stress and social withdrawal. To find peace and awareness of God, students must first create the space within themselves to nurture these values. When students need help in getting back on track, President Hinton is adamant that students not suffer alone, or for long, and that they receive the support they need. Stability and ModerationThese two values aren't automatically associated with young people and, indeed, one rarely hears them espoused in everyday discourse. Here again, President Hinton appreciates that students are required to meet high standards during the week, which can translate into release of stress on weekends. Her hope is that through practices of stability and moderation, students will find more meaning and joy on a daily basis, leading to fewer impulsive decisions or high-risk behaviors.ListeningPresident Hinton returned to listening, the first value put forth in the Rule, to conclude her remarks on values. She is convinced that students learn more if they listen—even when they want to speak, even when they disagree. Listening is a gift we give to others that benefits the giver, too. Whether or not information is involved, listening is often less about facts than about hearing someone's reality into existence, in order that we can all “see and be seen.”Visit to St. Walburga’s AbbeyIn the fall of 2018, President Hinton traveled to Eichstӓtt and visited St. Walburga's Abbey, the original monastery of Mother Benedicta Riepp, foundress of the Sisters of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn. From those 19th-century origins came the Benedictine heritage that still upholds the monastery and CSB. She and the current abbess, Mother Franziska Kloos, shared stories about the history of the sisters in St. Joseph. Mother Franziska began to speak about the importance of believing in and supporting women's leadership in the church and then became animated as she exclaimed, “I stand for this” and pounded on the table. For President Hinton, this moment stays with her as a daily reminder that transforming the world depends on knowing what we stand for and why it matters.

Oblate News 4

Sunday, March 17, 2019"The Celtic Spirit Echoing in Our Lives" – Mara Faulkner, OSBOblate Sunday on St. Patrick’s Day was the perfect occasion for S. Mara Faulkner’s afternoon presentation entitled “The Celtic Spirit Echoing in Our Lives.” The session began with a prayer by poet J. Philip Newell from his

book Celtic Benedictions. A brief history of Celtic Christianity included a reminder of St. Patrick’s role in taking the Gospel to Ireland. He is also given credit for abolishing slavery there and creating a written language out of oral tradition. Celtic spirituality spread to Scotland, Wales, France and Great Britain. It can continue to transform our lives today if we are open to something so “sly, contradictory and both down-to-earth and brilliantly learned and artistic.”Several pages from the Book of Kells, the most famous illuminated manuscript in the world, were projected on a screen to show how monastic scribes and artists used all of creation to make “the Gospel candles shine.”

Oblate Sunday: 3/17/19 Marge Lundeen, OblSB, Annandale, Minn.

The original Book of Kells, dated from about 800 A.D., is displayed at Trinity College in Dublin.S. Mara shared several charming legends, each time reminding listeners that even if the legends are not true, they do contain truth. The Irish have a reputation for exaggeration, but she stressed that not everything Irish is Celtic, nor is everything Celtic

Irish.An important lesson from the afternoon concerned the Celtic rejection of the divisions and dichotomies “that fragment much of western and Christian thought and life.” Examples include: spirit/soul vs. body; light/day/goodness/God vs. darkness/night/evil/devil; sacred vs. profane/secular; men vs. women; and reason/mind vs. emotion/heart. The entire presentation emphasized the point that Celtic Christianity brings these dichotomies together, showing “that they belong together in … illuminations, prayers and lives.” S. Mara gave examples of apparent opposites that are held in balance when the Celtic spirit is present: love of God, Christ and the saints, along with love of earth and all its creatures; asceticism,

penitence and martyrdom, along with sociability and hospitality; stability and home, along with pilgrimage and wandering; love of learning and creation of art, along with love and respect for the mundane and common aspects of life. Attendees laughed at the progression in the prayer of a monk, St. Mancham of Offaly, one of Patrick’s early converts. Mancham’s prayer began humbly enough, asking God for a small hut and a little pool, but moved on to requests considerably more grandiose. “Prayer for Lighting the Fire” and “Milking Croon” provided lovely examples of a humble woman’s prayers that expressed love for God, Mary and the saints while also blessing the most ordinary parts of her life.Other touching Irish lyrics provided examples of art arising from a love of common things. Ever the writing teacher, S. Mara allowed a few minutes for attendees to write a short poem, prayer or blessing focused on something ordinary from their lives. As the presentation was coming to an end, S. Mara posed a question to a room full of people who probably do not begin their days by lighting a fire or milking a cow. Instead, they make use of various forms of technology and have a wide range of opinions about how technology has changed our world. Would the Celtic spirit find a way to bless the tools of technology?With her usual wealth of information, wit and good humor, S. Mara delighted community members, oblates and guests and left them with a renewed appreciation for “the Celts’ expansive way of living in the world, loving God and all of God’s creation.”All quoted material is from S. Mara’s five-page guide to her presentation. The guide, which contains a brief bibliography, is available at https://sbm.osb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Celtic-Spirituality-Handout-3.17.19.pdf.

Oblate News 5

Our series on chapter four of the Rule of Benedict continues as three oblates share their reflection on verse 26:

A "Home Depot" for Building the Way of Benedict: Part II

“Never turn away when someone needs your love.” Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 4:26The opposite of turning away is being present. St. Benedict insists here that we be the presence of love to any person who needs our love. In this short sentence, St. Benedict gives us a complete rule of life, and he seems not to

allow for exceptions—no exclusions for the unpleasant, unattractive, difficult to be with. Daunting as this may seem, it is not as if he is asking us to fix another, change another, seek results for another, and since we don’t always know who needs our love, the best we can do is assume that we all need one another’s love. What we do know is that St. Benedict expects us to see Christ in each person. If I turn away from anyone, I turn away from Christ. I believe that St. Benedict here tells us to be receptive, to be present to all persons. It is a complete stance toward life, and it has nothing to do with feeling love; it is about being love. It is an act of the will.A part of living into this life of love is understanding that when we turn away from anyone who needs our love, we become more closed in on ourselves.

The thing is, when someone needs my love, it may not look like it. I remember an 8-year-old boy from the inner city in my group at day-camp. He threw things and swung at me when frustrated. I remember a variety of college students over the years, hunkered down in the back of the classroom, arms folded across their chests, daring me to teach

them anything. The thing is, turning away is sometimes precisely what I’d like to do. When people are cranky, resentful, negative and brusque, I want to head the other direction. I might even figure out that they need love, but my feelings are hurt, or I feel inadequate, or I’m just not up for the challenge.

Being Present Jana Preble, OblSB, St. Joseph, Minn.

Eventually that will make us miserable. When we are oriented toward love, whether we feel like it or not, we feed all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit within ourselves and others. We are called to be love. That is our vocation, and we grow into it. It’s part of our development in becoming more deeply ourselves. For us as followers of Christ living the Rule of St. Benedict, peace is to be the quest and aim of life wherever we find ourselves. Never turning our backs on someone who needs our love is our contribution to a way of peace for the world.Gratitude is the great opener of our hearts to love for others. We respond to what we have received. What comfort it is when we are fearful, sad, exhausted or facing the darkness in ourselves to reach out and find ourselves in the presence of another who receives us as we are, accepts us, listens or simply accompanies us in silence. Here we have received God’s love. This is the mystery of Christ meeting us in one another.And, yes, we fail. We acknowledge our failures, and we hear the word “never” once more as we remember St. Benedict’s admonition to “never lose hope in God’s mercy.” Always we begin again. We never cease beginning again to live this life of love.

Being the Adult in the Room Margi Hollingshead, OblSB, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Last week, a birthday phone call to a friend ended in laughter as we realized that sometimes we are called upon to be the “adult in the room” and rise above our own feelings, inadequacies and needs to respond to another with love and kindness. Like, be mature. We laughed because we are both in our 70s and maybe it’s about time. A few months ago, I sat in a friend’s driveway, waiting for her to emerge for our regular trip for ice cream. I was frustrated as she is going through a tough time and has been cranky for months. I’ve tried to be patient, to listen, to express my care, to offer supports that I think might be helpful, all to no avail. So I prayed as I sat there. And then that clear voice of Mercy: keep your mouth shut and your heart open. Indeed, it can be that simple. And it was that night, and has been since. Never turn away when someone needs your love.

“Never turn away when someone needs your love.”

Oblate News 6

What is the meaning of this Rule? I believe it is deeper than imagined. I immediately thought of our Ash Wednesday signing with ashes when presented with this question. I then began to ponder, “How are we to be faithful to the Gospel?”We show love in many ways. It is important to examine this rule in the context it is given. Within the same paragraph, our good Benedict provides guidance: “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else” (RB 4:20–21).I found Fr. Michael Casey’s March 29, 2019, Give Us this Day reflection on love particularly insightful. The accompanying Gospel is Jesus’ proclamation of the two great commandments. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your

mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31). Fr. Casey observes that through overuse and misuse of the word “love,” it has “become debased to the point of near-meaninglessness.” He suggests, instead, to use synonyms of love: affection, friendship, service, intimacy, forgiveness, acceptance, listening, welcoming, embracing, empathy, hilarity, recognition.The Benedictine values encompass love. We demonstrate love of God through our awareness of God and study of God’s sacred word through lectio divina. We demonstrate love through hospitality when we welcome refugees, acknowledge the homeless with dignity and visit those who are imprisoned or sick. We demonstrate love of our families and friends by being in right relationship. We demonstrate love through stewardship and reverence for creation when we care for our environment and conserve resources. We demonstrate love for ourselves through moderation in our daily lives. We demonstrate love through listening by taking time for others and being truly present. We demonstrate love through the give and take of community living.How can you show love today by living out your oblate commitment?

Turn Away From Sin and Be Faithful to the Gospel Dawn Sieber, OblSB, Ramsey, Minn.

In expressing gratitude for the leadership of past oblate directors in the November issue, I neglected to name two pioneers—Alfreda Zierdan, OSB (1930–1951), and Joanne Muggli, OSB (1954–1972). Both of these sisters were faculty members at the college. As related by Sister Roberta Werner, OSB, in her book, Reaching for God, S. Alfreda “…spoke of the oblate situation as gradual and optional.” According to S. Roberta, S. Alfreda was seen as the informal director of oblates. When S. Alfreda went to the Bahamas, it appears that Sister Joanne succeeded her in the position of oblate director at the college (p. 91). May these sisters be assured of our appreciation for their leadership, and may they intercede for our oblates as they continue to seek God in the way of Benedict.

Recognition of Two Former Oblate Directors

Our communications coordinator, Amanda Motz, has set up an Oblate Facebook group just for Saint Benedict’s Monastery oblates. You need to have a Facebook account and can access this new group through this link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/oblatesofsaintbenedictsmonastery/Once you request to join, Amanda will approve your request. As of April 19, the Facebook page will be a private account. This means that only oblates of Saint Benedict’s Monastery will know it exists and will be able to access it. If you should want to join the group at a later date, you will just have to contact Amanda at (320) 363-7071 or amotz001@csbsju.edu.

Oblates Online!

Michaela Hedican, OSB

Are you interested in contributing to the monastery blog? Currently, three oblates (Mary Baier, OblSB, Pat Pickett, OblSB, and Charles Preble, OblSB) contribute blogs on a monthly basis. If you are interested in writing for the monastery blog, either as a regular or occasional writer, contact Amanda at (320) 363-7071 or amotz001@csbsju.edu.

Oblate News 7

If you would like your birthday added to the list or if the date is incorrect, please contact Sister Michaela Hedican, director of oblates, at mhedican@csbsju.edu or (320) 363-7060.

March1 Patty Beissel Mary Palmquist4 Betty Paterson5 Mary Mowbray6 Laura Dunham7 Marcia Kuebelbeck8 Darlene Stafney Elaine Newton9 Dixie Labat Irene Pintok12 Dolores Huber Lisa Moschkau13 Marie Hanauska14 Linda Zirbes16 Dolores Schnettler Yvonne Thompson17 Patricia Sterner19 Bernice Ricke20 Ruth Polta21 Dorothy Chizek22 Joan Pfannenstein24 Cheryl Zub Margaret Tiplady25 Mary Leahy28 Theresa Barlage30 Al Larson Amy Kluesner

April3 Marian McKone

+ Betty Heymans, mother of Amy Kluesner, OblSB, died December 1, 2018+ Judge William Scott Posten, husband of Polly Lanners Posten, OblSB, died December 4, 2018+ Mary Mortier, OblSB, died December 12, 2018+ Helen Borchardt, mother of Mark Gould, OblSB, died December 12, 2018+ Rod Dachel, husband of Suzanne Welch Dachel, OblSB, died December 14, 2018+ Doris Durnin, mother of Kathy Roos, OblSB, died January 20, 2019+ Katherine Welter, OblSB, died February 13, 2019+ Linda Hutchinson, OblSB, died February 20, 2019

Prayer Intentions Please remember the following in your prayers:

If you would like a prayer intention included, please contact: mhedican@csbsju.edu or (320) 363-7060.

5 Jan Fredell6 Kevin Cahill Lorraine Cofell Rose Marie Larson7 Dorothy Schoenewise9 Faye Heille10 Florianna Theisen Linda Maloney Linda Schnabel Patricia Weber12 Tina Theisen14 Victoria Downs17 Barbara TeVogt Marianna Greenlee18 Barbara Bloomer24 Theresa Zlotkowski25 Catherine Makowsky26 Ellie Brenny28 Louise Theisen29 Donna Rajkowski30 Dorothy Hebert Helen Marie Blader

May2 Jean Zimmermann4 Julia Zehnle Phyllis Johnson5 Mary Kolofsky8 Marcia Osberg12 Dorothy Mae Kostelecky14 Betsy Lenzmeier

Lois Liners Monica Cofell19 Kate Ritger Susan Kirsch20 Beverly Nestingen- Lundeen20 Lola Wolf22 Paula Kraus Rebecca Van Ness24 Anne Pierskalla Helen Gareri Megan Gilles Sandra Russell-Flowers26 Patricia Laliberte27 Rose Wallin29 Larry Kean

June1 Martha Fairley2 Joan Krause Jule Hazard Margaret Schwob3 Elizabeth Birnstihl Julie Kelvie4 Stan Idzerda5 Kate Maxwell6 Frances Baron Marlene Jansen7 Mary Ann Pattison8 Karen Kruse Ron Lane

9 Barbara McGinnis Elizabeth Barringer Mary Berry10 Bernadette Reardon Liz Keenan Peggy Sietsema11 Denise Stachnik Tammy McGee12 Elna Goodspeed Patricia Santo14 Jacqueline Zbaracki16 Ann Erickson Janice LaVine19 Shirley Batchelder Betty Nystrom Lynn Valek20 Sharon Kelly21 Kathrine Mauser22 Pat Giesen23 Pat Cicharz26 Mary McGrath Nanette Dagnon Theresa Taylor27 Lorrayne Traut28 Marjorie Brutger Mary Buley29 Agnes Flynn Honor O’Connell-Hacker30 Laura Wuertz

+ Ann Marie Sweeney, mother of John Sweeney, OblSB, died February 21, 2019+ Mary Ellen Van Ness, mother of Becky Van Ness, OblSB, died February 26, 2019+ Janet Waldbilling, OblSB, sister of Georganne Burr, OSB, died March 3, 2019+ Judith Collins, OblSB, died March 21, 2019+ Dolores Nystrom, sister of Rita Kunkel, OSB, mother of Betty Nystrom, OblSB, died March 28, 2019+ Molly Culligan, OblSB, died March 30, 2019+ Angie Dufner, OblSB, sister of Delores Dufner, OSB, died April 5, 2019

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Oblate Sunday: May 19, 2019Presenter: Brendon Duffy, Archivist at St. Cloud HospitalMonastery Dining Room | 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.The story of how the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict began health care in Central Minnesota.

Oblate Renewal Day: September 21, 2019Presenter: Rachel Srubas, OblSBRachel Srubas is a Benedictine oblate and Presbyterian clergywoman who serves in Tuscon, Ariz. Her writings have appeared in The Christian Century, America and The Best American Poetry, among others. She is the author of Oblation Meditations on St. Benedict's Rule and, most recently, a book for oblates titled Benedictine Promises for Everyday People (2019).

Oblate Sunday: November 17, 2019The Rule of Benedict: A Way of LovePresenter: Katherine Howard, OSBMonastery Dining Room | 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.

Oblate Sunday: January 19, 2020 – TBA

Oblate Sunday: March 15, 2020 – TBA

Oblate Sunday: May 17, 2020 – TBA

Oblate Renewal Day: September 19, 2020 – TBA

Oblate Sunday: November 22, 2020 – TBA