spring 2012 oblate newsletter
DESCRIPTION
Oblates of St Benedict St Benedict Monastery Bristow, VA Spring 2012 NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
SPRING 2012
OBLATES St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow, VA 20136
Phone: 703-361-0106 Email: [email protected]
Easter Greetings from Sr. Charlotte
and Kathy Frick, Oblate Co-Directors
On this beautiful Monday morning of Holy Week the flowers are in bloom and the trees are bursting
forth their blossoms. Lent is almost over and the
promise of Resurrection fills the air. We are
pondering all the wonderful blessings of the past year.
This May 12 we will receive 12 new oblates and 7 pre-candidates into the novitiate. For the first time
our novices attended a day of reflection to help
discern their final commitment. Presentations were
given on the Life and Miracles of Saint Benedict, Community, the Rule of Saint Benedict and under-
standing the meaning of the Oblation promises.
In February we had the privilege of having Esther
de Waal give the Oblate Retreat. About 150
people, including the Sisters, attended. Inside this issue we will have some great articles on her
presentation.
Our oblate community in Richmond moved from its original location at Saint Gertrude High School
to Saint Bridget Church. Thank you Saint Gertrude
for all the years of generous hospitality you have given us.
Sharon Hennessy- Bonas is the new Dean of our Nevada group and is doing a fantastic job. Valerie
Nunes and Mary Johnson made their oblation and
two novices, Sharon Maloney and Kim Shrum ,
were received last September. We look forward to our annual trip out west in September.
In September we had a pot luck supper for the Sisters. The oblates provided the food and Zac
Quintana, son of Gillian Quintana, provided
entertainment for us. The oblates will host a
picnic with the Sisters on July 14, 2012 in honor of the Feast of Saint Benedict.
We have added new members to our Oblate Coun-cil this year. In Bedford we have Ruth Bailey and
Nancy Eck. From Richmond we have Mary Jane
Hansen and from Bristow Gillian Quintana. Thank you for saying yes to this worthwhile
service.
This has been a year of growth and awareness of
what we as Benedictine oblates are called to be and to do. Esther reminded us to be good stewards
of the earth, and to listen with the ear of our hearts
to all the ways Benedict speaks to us and challeng-es us in our everyday lives.
In closing we would like to thank all of you for
your commitment to the oblate way of life and all you do to spread the charism and the ways you
have supported the Sisters of Saint Benedict Mon-
astery. May your heart be filled with joy as Easter breaks upon us and may you experience the full-
ness of the resurrection and be filled with peace.
A DAY WITH ESTHER AND BENEDICT
by Katherine Frick, Obl.S.B.
In a day filled with notable statements, Esther
de Waal offered one that has continued to
resonate with me. Esther visited Bristow in
February to lead a day of reflection for the
Oblates and Sisters of the Monastery, giving
three presentations on St. Benedict, the Rule,
and our relationship to stewardship and the
environment. In one of her morning presenta-
tions, Esther suggested that Benedict ought to
be considered a patron saint of the environ-
ment, along with St. Francis. The difference,
she said, could be seen in the choice of foot-
wear. “St. Francis wears sandals and sandals
encourage you to go wandering about. Bene-
dictines wear shoes. If you wear shoes instead
of sandals that is a statement of stability.”
She expanded on this by reminding us that as
Benedictines we are “rooted in one good
place,” as Thomas Merton once said. Our root-
edness makes us logical caretakers for the land
entrusted to us. The Rule calls us from the
very beginning to listen and it is a listening that
requires our full attention and our full response.
Chapter 66 admonishes the monastics to have
within their monastery the water, the mill, the
garden and the necessary crafts to support their
livelihood.
From this directive Benedict is also implicitly
stating their duty to care for that place and the
goods tied to it. “You cannot take the land
apart from the human beings who have lived on
it and formed it,” Esther explained.
Discussing Chapter 32 (the tools and goods of
the monastery), Benedict was asking his
monastics to care for what was entrusted to
them, not as personal possessions but as
something belonging to all.
Going deeper into the spirit of this chapter
Benedict is asking the uncomfortable questions
of “How do I handle tools and materials goods?
How do I handle myself? Other people? How
do I handle my relationship with God?”
She went on to say that today we can live out the
spirit of the Rule as a practical protest against the
waste and damaging of creation. One way of
doing so was to repeatedly ask ourselves the
question: ”How did it flourish in my hands?
How did I treat it so it became more of itself?”
The it in the question can be material goods,
relationships, and the earth itself. If we do not
carefully tend whatever is entrusted to us, we
contribute to what is damaged and ailing in this
world. Again, she returned to the word listen,
quoting an apartheid bishop who encountered the
Rule and responded by saying, “Listen. How
much that is the key. How much of our pain and
suffering comes from our failure to listen to a
hurting people?”
It was a rare privilege to have such a notable
Benedictine among us. The day was filled with
wisdom and new images of the Benedictine life.
Members from three of our deaneries joined with
the Sisters in celebrating the Rule that makes us
one. Chapter 67 of the Rule states that “all ab-
sent (sisters) should always be remembered at
the closing prayer of the Work of God.” We of-
fer our thank, blessings and prayers for Esther’s
visit among us.
Page 2
Our conversation touched on a number of
subjects including native plants, water,
ecology, family life, and Celtic traditions.
While she was by far the most knowledgeable
one at our table on these subjects, at the same
time, she was eager to learn anything from us
that we may have had to offer. We learned that
Esther is fond of botany and has a keen
interest in growing things. We made sure to
introduce her to Bristow’s Master Gardener,
Sr. Pat.
When it came to the Celts she was quite
passionate in wanting to clear up the myth that
the Romans tried to squelch the Celtic
traditions when in fact they embraced many of
their traditions. When asked about what book
she would recommend reading of hers on
Celtic traditions, she suggested starting with
“Every Earthly Blessing”. She explained that
she is of Scottish lineage, implying that this is
part of what draws her to the Celtic tradition.
When asked about a comparison between US
and English conservation efforts, she
commented that the English have made much
progress in saving gas by using smaller cars
and using them less often. She testified to
British recycle efforts and encouraged us to be
thorough in our own recycling efforts. Esther
was truly kind and giving, speaking in an easy
hospitable manner for all of our lunchtime
together. She commented about how much she
enjoyed lunch with the Richmond Oblates.
Lunch with Esther de Waal, Thoughts by John Votta, Rose
De Rango and Annie McEntee
Some of us from the Richmond group were
fortunate enough to sit at the same luncheon
table as Esther de Waal at the retreat at
Bristow on February 11. As all of you who
met her know, she is very endearing and
gracious, and we found her company to be
very stimulating. She talked about her four
boys and that when she visits one of her
sons, who lives in Washington, DC, it opens
up opportunities for her to visit places like
Bristow which she described as an oasis of
peace.
Page 3
What being an Oblate of Saint
Benedict means to Me.
By Diane McGuire, Obl.S.B.
When I first became an Oblate the overriding
feeling was of being called and then coming
home. I still feel this way, but over the past sev-
eral months something has been added to the
feeling of coming home.
Being an Oblate of St. Benedict for me is being
part of something much bigger than myself. As
an Oblate, I share in what it means to be a mo-
nastic and take the monastery out of the sacred
monastery into the profane, secular world.
I see the Benedictine Sisters (and all who live in
monasteries) as being a group of special souls,
hand picked by God to mind and tend the sacred
in this holy place called the monastery. For the
sacred to grow throughout the world, it is im-
portant that we have these centers of holiness
where those who have been chosen to live lives
dedicated to keeping the sacred alive stay rooted
in their call. We must also have those who carry
it out into the world.
As an Oblate, I have been called to take a small
part of that sacredness with me wherever I go. I
feel called to show whoever I may meet a differ-
ent way to be in the world; one of love for God
and neighbor, prayer, hospitality, a way focused
away from the temporal, materialistic and self-
serving. That’s what being an Oblate means to
me. I’m humbled and honored by this every day.
And when you catch me not doing what I have
been called to do, please feel free to remind me
of who and what I am.
Suggested Benedictine Reading:
The Road to Eternal Life: Reflections on the Pro-
logue of Benedict’s Rule by Michael Casey, OCSO
Cistercian Fr. Casey examines the Prologue one verse at
a time to build a bridge between the 6th C. text and 21st C.
Christians.
The Radical Christian Life: A Year with Saint Bene-
dict by Joan Chittister, OSB
Sr. Joan reflects on twelve stories from Benedict’s life in
leading the reader through the year to a clearer under-
standing of the saint.
Conversations with Saint Benedict: The Rule in To-
day’s World by Terrance G. Kardong, OSB
Renown scholar Fr. Kardong reflects on aspects of mod-
ern culture he finds troubling and how the Rule can help
in dealing with them. He also considers specific aspects
of the Rule he finds difficult to embrace. Some of the
topics explored are laughter and tears, security, work,
monastic dress, cell phones, zeal, hierarchy and channel
surfing.
Lessons from St. Benedict: Finding Joy in Daily Life
by Donald Raila, OSB
This book contains 26 letters Fr. Raila has written to the
oblates over his 20 years as Director of Oblates for Saint
Vincent Archabbey. Using his own experiences and his
reflection on the journey of daily life, he provides a very
readable and useful book.
The Blessings of St. Benedict by John Michael Talbot
Well-known Catholic singing artist and member of the
Brothers and Sisters of Charity, John Michael Talbot has
created a devotional book that provides short reflections
on the Rule.
Page 4
For several months, I had “Oblate Retreat”
marked on my calendar. With much
excitement and eagerness I looked forward
to this special day for the oblate novices. As
the day drew closer I wondered, what
would we hear and experience. When
asked if I would be willing to write a few
words on my experience of that day from a
novice point of view; my first reaction was
oh no, why me. But Kathy Frick and Sister
Charlotte Lee gently mentioned Chapter 68
and after reading, I took a deep breath and
said yes.
We started with the life of St. Benedict with
a slide show. As a novice I had never seen
pictures of Benedict’s place of birth in
Nursia or his monastery in Subiaco where
his sacred cave is or where he built his
home in Monte Cassino with the woman’s
monastery just down the road. The
presentation was fun and informative. Next
we were reminded that the Rule is a guide-
book for the beginning of our journey not
the end and how to live life in relationship
with God and each other.
As I listened, it became apparent we were
being encouraged to grow as novices
through knowledge of the Rule and at the
same time being drawn together as fellow
companions following the Rule. Like older
siblings teaching younger ones what it takes
to cross the street safely; stop, look both
ways; take my hand and walk.
A Wonderful Rule-Filled Day! by Cathy Boga
There was time for reflection and sharing with
fellow novices. I sat with an oblate from
Bedford and realized we all have questions and
sometimes the same obstacles to work through
as part of the journey. When they talked about
having a relationship to a Benedictine commu-
nity my heart began to warm. The Benedictine
Sisters of Virginia Monastery in Bristow is our
community. This is our “Spiritual Home”, a
place where we come to serve; be refreshed by
the Spirit and just “Be”. As we go about our
daily lives we are the faces of our “Spiritual
Home”; we do not walk this journey alone. For
those who travel, there is always room at the
inn and a Sister to hug and welcoming us back
home. As the day drew to a close, like all good
novices in training, we ended with prayer and
helped clean up!
Page 5
A Day of Reflection
by Margene Rivera
In some cases the 12 months in the trusty
old calendar fly by like a winter’s cold
breath, and we scurry thru our daily routine
just to make sure we can check off every-
thing which we feel needs to be done in a
certain time period. Without realizing what
exact day you’re on, WHAM, you realize
that it’s here, that long awaited retreat week-
end. The weekend that you get to slowly
stroll through the grounds of the Monastery,
watching the cherry blossom trees dropping
their flowers on the ground and watching the
squirrels running and chasing each other.
You take a deep breath and look up and then
you see her, there’s Sister Charlotte standing
in the Chapel door way with a big old grin
on her face, giggling as she asks “Margene,
Do you realize that it’s raining?”
Yes, it was raining that day, but it didn’t
seem to matter. Saturday morning, the 24th
of March was finally here and I was so
excited about the weekend. I was on a
mission, I was told that this weekend was
going to be just for the Novices.
We started the morning in the chapel, the
sunlight coming though the stained glass
windows were so peaceful, the sisters were
filing into their chairs and the silent prayers
started to rise as the organ played softly. I
know things are right when the hair stands
up on my arms and a tingle starts from the
top of my head then goes down to my toes.
The presence of our Lord was definitely
there.
Following the morning prayers, the Novices
were taken to a basement class room where
tables had been prepared with snacks, break-
fast goodies of all kinds and other tables were
set in small group study tables.
Rita Zimmermann, Dean of the Bedford
Group, handed out name tags and instructed
us that the groups would be mixed (what she
really meant was don’t sit with anyone that
you know). As we settled in and met our
table mates for the day, a young sister took
her place at the front of the class. Sr. Vicki. I
have heard of Sister Vicki, but had never had
the pleasure of meeting her.
Sister Vicki started talking about St. Benedict
and his twin sister, Scholastica. She told of
the history of St Benedict, of his studies in
Rome and the cenobite life he chose so that
he could live and give praises to our Lord.
She also talked of the ways that the Lord
intervened when St. Benedict’s life was in
danger. The further she got into her story the
more she started talking with her hands, and
then she would go down to her toes and when
she talked of the stormy night when Scholas-
tica begged her brother not to return to his
home, Sister Vicki got really quiet and
reminded us about the prayer that Scholastica
prayed with the greatest of love. This prayer
of faith trusted in an answer that caused the
Heavens to open and the storms to came, and
just like a big brother, St. Benedict
said ,”What did you do?” As Sr. Vicki con-
tinued giving an animated history about the
twins and the miracles that our Lord had
shown and worked through St. Benedict, she
was glowing! I realized at that point, that I
wasn’t alone.
Page 6
Next, Kathy Frick took the stage, and did an
excellent job breaking down the Rule which
St. Benedict wrote. I kept listening to her and
asking myself, “How does this apply to me?”
She started out by reminding us of the turbulent
times that St. Benedict lived in, about the
breakdown of morals and the chaos of the
Roman Empire. One could find similarities in
our culture in a heartbeat! But, I’m afraid that
living by myself has no appeal in any way,
shape, form or fashion. So running to the
desert is not an option for me, as a matter of
fact, thanks to St. Benedict’s Rule, I don’t even
have to reinvent the wheel.
In order to live in community you must have
respect, respect for yourself, as well as others,
you must learn to work together and accept that
there may be changes that have to be made.
And maybe you need to make the first move.
It’s called compromise. Community has a
multitude of personalities within it, and with
those personalities come wisdom and
experience that may never happen in another’s
lifetime.
St. Benedict said, “Do not be daunted im-
mediately by fear and run away from the
road that leads to salvation. It’s bound to
be narrow at the outset, but as we progress
in this way of life and in faith, we shall run
on the path of God’s commandments, our
hearts overflowing with the inexpressible
delight of love.”
In other words, relax, God has made the path.
He’s given us the rules to follow; St. Benedict
has simplified it and it has proven to still work
1500 years later.
Now at this point I was feeling a little more
knowledgeable about the background and
reassurance was building and then came the
questions, Why do I need a rule for living my
life? What have I found in the Rule that makes
me want to use it for my daily living?
Well, the first question was a piece of cake;
most rules are put into place to keep you safe
and make things run smoother without chaos.
In my life, that’s important. I have two grown
boys, a beautiful daughter-in-law, the perfect
9 yrs. old grandson, and at work I run two
different apartment complexes with my
husband as my maintenance man.
What have I found in the Rule that makes me
want to use it daily? Among St Benedict’s
teachings he talks about a Spiritual Growth;
Growth thru prayer, and studying the paths of
Humility and Grace. There are times that I
get in my quiet little space, and look around at
the beauty that was given so freely, and I
think “Why Me?” “What have I done to
deserve this?”
In the Bible Jesus was telling a story to the
people and he said (paraphrasing) “I was
hungry and you feed me, was naked and you
clothed me.” This is why I need the Rule; I
want to be able to act instead of being scared
and reacting. I feel that the only greater
strength than the power of prayer is prayer
with another; which lead to the next section of
Community.
Page 7
Continued from Page 6
To dedicate myself to the service to God and
humanity According to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and the Rule of St. Benedict… In so far
as my state of Life Permits. Is this something
I’m going to be able to do for the rest of my
life? Am I ready for this?????
My Lord gave up everything for me, yet he gave
me a wonderful man to love and care for, who
shares my love for Christ. He gave me my fami-
ly and friends and allows me to see the beauty of
the birds and feel the warmth of the sun. Now
he is giving me another opportunity in which I
have a place to call home and sisters that I can
claim as mentors.
Am I ready? I’m ready.
Rita Zimmermann talked on the benefits of
Community as an endless journey where no
one walks alone; whether it be in prayer,
action, or study. Community in a sense is
family. One has the support and the past expe-
riences of several different people and they
take joy in watching and helping you with
your spiritual growth as if watching a small
child take their first step. They will be there to
help find the answers to the more difficult
questions (or what you may think as being dif-
ficult), they will give a shoulder to cry on or
wipe a tear because you were laughing too
hard. Community is a choice; it’s never forced
or inherited. It is a relationship of those travel-
ing down the same path that our Lord has laid
for us.
The final session of the day was on the
Oblation. Sue Davey gave us a brief outline of
the service in May and she gave us a copy of
the “Act of Oblation”. As I was reading this
Act of Oblation it states that “I Offer myself to
Almighty God, Through the Blessed Virgin
Mary, and our Holy Father Benedict… …
what a team of leaders, the ones that gave the
rules and tells me that the path has already
been laid and it’s safe to travel.
as an Oblate of St. Benedict Monastery, Bris-
tow , Virginia…..this tells me that there is a
Community waiting to help me on my journey
and pray for me so that I may grow as I make
changes in my life.
To dedicate myself to the service to God and
humanity According to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and the Rule of St. Benedict… In so
far as my State of Life Permits. Is this some-
thing I’m going to be able to do for the rest of
my life? Am I ready for this?????
My Lord gave up everything for me, yet he
gave me a wonderful man to love and care for,
who shares my love for Christ. He gave me
my family and friends and allows me to see
the beauty of the birds and feel the warmth of
the sun. Now he is giving me another
opportunity in which I have a place to call
home and sisters that I can claim as mentors.
Am I ready? I’m ready.
Page 8
Continued from Page 7
To dedicate myself to the service to God and
humanity According to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and the Rule of St. Benedict… In so far
as my state of Life Permits. Is this something
I’m going to be able to do for the rest of my
life? Am I ready for this?????
My Lord gave up everything for me, yet he gave
me a wonderful man to love and care for, who
shares my love for Christ. He gave me my fami-
ly and friends and allows me to see the beauty of
the birds and feel the warmth of the sun. Now
he is giving me another opportunity in which I
have a place to call home and sisters that I can
claim as mentors.
Am I ready? I’m ready.
In the past six years, I became familiar with a part
of Sister Anita's life that I didn't even know exist-
ed: The Oblates of St. Benedict. I could actually
become part of her life and continue to learn what
made her who she was.
And my family would say, “and not have to
become a nun and leave her family." I think the
most profound thing I have experienced over the
years is how St. Benedict's Rule transcends time,
cultures, religions and ethical thoughts. It is a
foundation for any man or any woman on earth. I
am not going to say that I am the perfect Oblate. I
continue to have my problems with certain aspects
of prayer and humility, but I am just an old Leba-
nese grandmother who is in constant touch with
God, Mary, Joseph, St. Anthony, and St. Jude all
day long. It is hard for me to sit quietly and read
the Rule and do prayer times....but I continue to
work on it. I pray to St. Benedict for help also...he
knows my intentions are good.
So during these six years or so, I have met some of
the most wonderful women religious. They are
inspirations to me as many of them are not life-
long sisters, but some who have come from the
background of wives, mothers, and grandmothers.
That is what is so gratifying to me...the order is
open to the people of God who want to make the
effort as lay persons or as Sisters of St. Benedict. I
am ever so proud of Sister Charlotte Lee who left
St. Michael's to join the order. She is an inspira-
tion also. But then so are those sisters who sur-
vived that awful crash on Bristow Road...Sister
Charlotte and Sister Connie...and all those present-
ers at our Oblate Meetings sharing their thoughts
on the Rule.
Let me simply say THANK YOU GOD for bring-
ing these wonderful ladies into my life. Graced by
their dedication, humility, and loving acceptance,
we are better people today.
IN GRATITUDE by Juanita Walker Obl.S.B.
"I give thanks to my God every time I think of
you...which is constantly, in every prayer I
utter-rejoicing, as I plead on your behalf, at
the way you have all continually helped pro-
mote the gospel from the very first day." Phil
1:3-5
It was approximately 30 years ago when I met
my first Benedictine Sister. She was a kindly
lady of about 63 who was working to help form
a new Catholic Parish in Richmond, Virginia.
Her name was Sister Anita Sherwood. We were
about the same height...but there was something
mighty and tall and knowledgeable about
her...and yet she was so very accepting and kind
to me. She was the Pastoral Associate at the
new parish of the Church of the Epiphany. Our
boss was John Leonard, an old and trusted friend
of Sister Anita. It didn't take me long to realize
their friendship was long-standing....so much so
that he called her "gran". I know I have heard
the story about the name, but my mind has for-
gotten. Thus began this relationship. She taught
me so much as did my boss and so began my
ministry as a Church Lady.
Even when "gran" left Epiphany, we remained
close and she was often a speaker or retreat
leader at different places in the next 30 years.
She even became part of a sewing group of
women at St. Michael's called IS (in stitches)
and often joined our meetings when she was in
town. She became our "gran" also as she could
crochet such beautiful shawls and blankets.
WOW! And she taught us so much more.
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