Laudato Si

Daylilies lift their heads

like golden trumpets

resounding in exuberant joy

         

Finches, wrens, sparrows

whistling, trilling, warbling

toss their ecstasy into the universe

         

Rabbit peeking from under

the glorious dogwood bush

offers shy worship

         

Squirrels digging in wood-chipped earth

startled by some mysterious impulse

stand, alert and ready

 

Elm trees laden with seeds

bow, bend, wave 

In wondrous rhythm

         

Stately firs

in elegant symmetry 

announce a paean of praise

         

Sister Philip rolls her lumbering cart

across the grounds

tools clang, clack, thrum

 

Modesta’s vacuum hums,

Jane’s mop swishes in time

with Dolores at the organ

 

In the tranquil cemetery

holy witnesses in silent concert bespeak

enduring faithfulness and ardent love

          LAUDATO  SI!

 

 

Kathryn Casper, OSB

Dealing with the Unexpected

A lot of things have happened unexpectedly in my life recently. Take this blog, I wasn't expecting to write one for today, but here I am! And this is just one of the multitude of unscheduled things that have happened at work in less than two days this week. Sadly, it's carry-over from how things were at the end of last week. So far, I don't think I've completed one of the things that I had written on my "to do" list! I must say, I was starting to feel stressed and frustrated. I've kept thinking, "When can I get the work done?"


Well, the fact is that it's all been work, just not the work I thought it would be! And that's stressful.
So, the question arose for me about how could I get through everything and de-stress? I think two things have helped. The Benedictine motto "Ora et labora" ("Work and prayer") came to my aid. Instead of focusing on how stressed and, I will admit, at times irritated, I've been feeling, I decided to see the unexpected challenges as an opportunity put everything I was doing and feeling into God's hands. I've tried to see it all in a bigger perspective and not get caught up in my little "now." In other words, I've tried to make my stress and frustration part of my prayer life.


The second coping strategy came out of the first. When I realized with some horror that we have no blog for this week and our regular blog poster is away, I was not excited about the fact that I'd have to fill in (no offence intended to blog readers!) One more thing to do. When I looked at the task prayerfully,  however, I could see that here was an opportunity, in fact, to de-stress. Here I am writing about my stress to you and, by sharing it reflectively, I can feel myself calming down. My heart rate is slowing and I'm becoming more prepared with very word to move on calmly to the next task; I'm even looking forward to it.


I'd like to end by saying, "Thank you for listening."


Have a calmly, prayerful day!


Karen Rose, OSB

Smartphone Adventure

The smartphone adventure is one that I held off for a long time. Because I was very comfortable with my “land line” and “flip phone,” I saw no reason for a smartphone. I supported my choice for not owning one for the following reasons: “It is too expensive”, and “Will I learn or need to use all the things a smartphone is capable of doing?” Eventually I made the decision to buy a smartphone. So, when the sales rep. told me, “You now own a mini computer”, “Yikes!” I thought, I am still learning how to use a desk top computer, my learning curve just increased. I am gradually learning the benefits a smartphone has to offer. One benefit is that I am able to stay connected to more people than I had ever dreamed of, if I choose to so. As a work benefit, it will help me connect and collaborate with other vocation directors.  The smartphone lets me respond to email, send a text message, check Facebook, and actually make a phone call, imagine that. I must admit that I am slow to get up to date with the social media of today’s world. Yet, as I learn how to work with my smartphone, I see the many advantages available at my fingertips. I have the plus of staying connected 24/7 which is okay for some people but not for me. In this case I have learned that I can just as easily ignore the buzz that alerts me to a new email or I can respond. I choose to ignore it, especially if I am engaged in a face to face conversation at the time.  I do not want a smartphone to take me away from the real person right in front of me. As a novice smartphone owner I know I have a lot to learn.  In conclusion I am grateful for the many willing individuals, all younger than I am, who are ready to teach me the tricks and conveniences of this new piece of technology. So all you smartphone users, I wish you well. If you would like more information about our community, please contact Sister Lisa Rose at lrose@csbsju.edu.

Plastic Ocean

When I recently heard the newscaster tell us of the huge oil spill into the Columbia River, my heart sank again. How long and how often will we witness such tragedies that destroy the beauty and life of our Mother Earth? It seems as if the seas and oceans, lakes and rivers are the oft-reported scenes of human abuse and, yes, trafficking!

A recent report from the World Economics Forum indicated that by 2050, the oceans’ plastic waste will outweigh fish! I can scarcely get my mind around that announcement – that today there are over 150 million tons of plastic in the ocean  (re-read that statistic, please); and that by 2025 — less than 10 years from today — the ocean is expected to contain 1.1 tons of plastic for every 3 tons of fish. . .and by 2050, more plastic than fish, by weight. Plastic! This same report indicated that at least 8 million tons of plastic — equivalent to one garbage truck every minute — leak into the ocean each year. (Please re-read that alarming statistic, as well.) 

How can it be? Is it because of our unexpected surge in consumption? Because everything we buy is being packaged in plastic? Some plastic bears the warning: “Keep out of reach of children!” I would say that our world is being choked by all the discarded plastic. What can I/you do to save our fish, dolphins, coral, children, Mother Earth, Sister Seas?  It’s too big for anyone or anything unless the whole supply and demand chain sits at the table and participates in this necessary revolution. Would you agree? Are we willing? When do I/you begin the revolution against plastic, to say nothing of oil spills, pop cans etc.?

 

Renée Domeier, OSB

Should They?

In spite of what I learned not to do, I find myself occasionally using the words, “They should”. But I also react to those words when I hear them in conversation.  I will describe each word separately. 

***They should***

 

When Jojo says,”They should”, who is he referring to as they? Does he have people in mind or is this just a nebulous reference?   Perhaps Jojo does not know who they is, himself. Jojo may be thinking that persons in power are not common people like ourselves but have all the answers.

 

So when Jojo says, “They should not allow marijuana smoking in public places,” who is he referring to as they? The policeman? The parent? The salesperson?   Does it ever occur to Jojo that he might be just the person who could initiate working on the issue at hand?

 

***They should***

 

At one time, another teacher and I were preparing adult volunteers to work with seniors dealing with mental health issues. Our manual for the course emphasized that it’s best to remember that “one shouldn’t should on anybody”. How we make a suggestion can impact the person’s response.  

 

When Katrina tells her family that they should dress up for the gathering, she may be implying that she wants them to do it the way she would do it. Moreover, using the word should can make the suggestion somewhat demanding.  How much gentler it would be to say, “Have you ever thought of…, or “If I were in that situation, I might…”.  The person receiving the opinion, then, may be more disposed to receive the suggestion.

 

And by the way, maybe I want to think about whether I shouldn’t should on myself either!

 

 

S. Janet Thielges