Party on Pentecost

Holy Spirit window at Saint
Scholastica Convent

As a student pastor, I had different assignments each week. On Pentecost, I was to read the prayers of the Faithful. Halfway through, I could sense something was wrong. When I looked out into the congregation, I could see people moving closer together. This was a contemporary church and there were no regular pews but movable ones so the configuration of pew chairs wasn’t always the same.

Then, I saw it.

A mouse.

Skipping. Stopping. Hopping again right toward ME!  

Laughter erupted from the congregation. I realized it was not the mouse, but me perched high on a chair next to the pulpit with my robe hiked as I high as it would go. Thankfully, I was wearing slacks.

One of the ushers scooped up the mouse and took it to the opened church doors (it was hot and all the doors were open). Jim (the pastor) rescued me from the heights, but the laughter in church continued. Jim said to me, “Get back on the horse.” At first I didn’t know what he meant. Oh…yeah, finish reading the prayers. I couldn’t. The laughter broke out more and more and it was contagious and I started laughing.

Jim, thank heaven for a pastor like Jim. He knew there was no going forward. He went to the mic and said, as he choked with laughter…this is Pentecost…The Holy Spirit is trying to tell us something. We’re going to have a birthday party. Charlie…go to the Italian Bakery…Mike, help him. Get enough pastry for everyone.” Laughter was still alive.

Jim could see my distress and said to me, “You’re never going to forget how the Holy Spirit came this morning!”

The pastries arrived. The aroma of fresh coffee was present.

We all stopped. There was wind outside. The Holy Spirit was on her way to another party.

Pat Pickett, OblSB

A New Pentecost

The cross in Sacred Heart Chapel,
taken by oblate Kathleen Kjolhaug

It's PENTECOST...and there is nothing more dramatic than the Scriptures in describing what happened to the apostles and Mary as they gathered in the Upper Room, wondering what they could do and be, in the absence of Jesus. He had ascended to his Father; however, Jesus had said He would not leave them orphans. What did that mean? Let us put ourselves in that room and listen to what the Acts of the Holy Spirit were on that first Pentecost:

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning, there was a sound like a strong wind—gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks. And they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. [Acts 2]

Would that experience not put the "fear of the Lord" into the heart of the holiest of persons? Scripture says, "They were cut to the quick and those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles: 'Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?'"

Peter knew what they/we had to do, so he gave us a homily:

Change your lives. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you...Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.

And how did their lives change? How might we best receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Even the words, the imagery, the sounds, the responses and the movements expressed in Acts 2 fill my heart with desire for a new Pentecost in my life! We know there are a zillion reasons why we need the Holy Spirit to continue coming into our lives and world. Let us take a moment—even NOW—to think of but THREE such reasons...and then let us pray together:

Come, Spirit of God,
Come, Spirit of love,
Spirit of peace, of faith, of strength, of holy joy.
Come, secret joy, into the tears of our world. 
Amen and amen. (Karl Rahner)

Renée Domeier, OSB

My Testament, My Creed

Photo: Pexels.com

This creed was written by Sister Margaret Mandernach in 1984. It is a summation of what she believes is the basis of her life.

I believe: God as source of my life. I came from Him (Her) and will go back to Him.

I believe: God sent Jesus to me as a friend, a lover, a guide to show me the way.

I believe: The Gift Jesus left behind is His Spirit who will draw forth from within my potential, my creativity, my uniqueness if I allow myself to be open to it.

I believe: All creation, persons, experiences have been touched by God's goodness, making the secular-sacred and the sacred-secular-heaven in earth, earth in heaven.

I believe: Persons are the greatest gifts, each having their own set of potential, own gifts.

I believe: In love—an appropriate response to the goodness and love given to me.

I believe: In service—an appropriate response to building up this beautiful earth.

I believe: In joy, laughter, peace.

I believe: The pain, suffering, struggle are all a part of the becoming process.

I believe: In death as a final becoming of who I am meant to be.

Margaret Mandernach, OSB

Paradise

Reflection on the lake, taken by Sister Nancy Bauer

“Sit in your room as in paradise.” – St. Romuald, 10th century.

Many of us have been quarantined for over two months. I have found it a grace-filled opportunity. I relish extended periods of silence. Gone is any sense of hurry. Time is now and there is time for leisurely reading where I can do deep reading without hurry. Time for prayer of quiet. Time to do slow things, like baking bread, writing letters to people I may have neglected. Time to express love and caring. A slow walk outside where there is no rush. Listen to the birds, feel the breeze and the warmth of the sun. I can simply be and see the wonder of spring. Time to simply realize that I am enclosed in the love of God. Time to realize that I am loved. I miss our children and our grands. I miss the almost daily visits to the monastery. Instead of what I don’t have, I can focus on God’s generosity in giving me life and God’s companionship. The 23rd Psalm speaks to this time. Even though I go through the valley of the shadow of death, God, like a good shepherd, leads me. I know that when this time of enclosure has ended the world will be different. I too will have changed, and I shall know that to live is to be enfolded in the wonder of God’s love. So we live now as in paradise. It would be a shame to miss it.

Charles Preble, OblSB

Global Ceasefire

The monastery peace pole which bears the message
"May Peace Prevail on Earth" in multiple languages

Our U.N. secretary general, Antonio Gutierres, does not hesitate to expand the definition of "war" to enemy attacks that have global consequences. He refers to armed conflicts, computerized attacks, viral attacks and less obvious ways in which an enemy will “‘war” against another for its own advantage! Recently he issued a call to action to the innumerable ongoing wars against individual countries, areas or systems to the newly acclaimed WAR, the novel Coronavirus 19. Antonio Gutierrez is calling for an immediate and global ceasefire to ALL war...war of every and any kind!

Why not a global ceasefire? Is it not true that the armed conflicts raging around our world affect all of us, and especially the most vulnerable—women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced...or those who become the displaced, the refugees, the separated, the dead and dying? There are so many devastated lives! We have already suffered indescribable losses to our tender, already fragile economies and we have abused and suffer from too much disrespect for Mother Earth, our very sustenance and life!  

Why not call a ceasefire globally?  

Can we lay down our military arms so that we might have healthy loving arms to protect our families and our neighbors—whether in Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Russia, Guatemala, China, the UK...Can we be sufficiently farsighted to know we are responsible for and able to protect the human family from devastation?

Thank you, Antonio Gutierres, for reminding us WHO we are and WHAT is happening to our delicate web of LIFE! 

You, as well as Pope Francis, ask us to pray against war of all kinds!

“Mary most holy, stir our consciences so that the enormous funds that are being invested in developing and stockpiling arms

will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.  

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that

in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to relieve countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith,

persevering in courage and service, and constant in prayer.” (Pope Francis)

Renée Domeier, OSB

Walking in Circles

The labyrinth at the monastery's Spirituality Center●Studium

One of my most beloved places at the monastery is the labyrinth behind the Spirituality Center. I’ve always had it all to myself, and I savor the slow walk to the center, the time to sit on the bench long enough to hear the chimes at least once and the slow walk back out. Sometimes the chimes remind me that it’s time to report back to the classroom, go to the chapel for noon prayer or go home and make supper. Still, the interlude has been good.

First winter and now the order to stay home have kept me away from that monastic walk, but I’ve found new ways to walk in a holy circle. Oblate friend Juliana Howard sent me some of her original Walking Psalms. I don’t know how to sing the melodies, but I typed the words on cards to tuck into my jacket pocket. In my neighborhood, there is a half mile loop right out my front door. I recite Juliana’s Psalms and find direction for my day and peace in my soul.

Palm Sunday was the first of the days in Holy Week when I wished the doors to my home church were not locked. At first I didn’t know what to do with my sadness and loneliness. Then I decided to take my Walking Psalms to the church parking lot and walk in a circle. As I walked the perimeter of the large parking lot, I prayed for my congregation, all those dear ones I look forward to seeing every Sunday. All alone, I named them out loud, thanked God for their friendship and support and prayed that they would be safe until we can worship and enjoy coffee, donuts and conversation again.

Marge Lundeen, OblSB

Home

Front view of Saint Benedict's Monastery

I read the letter my niece sent to her parents. I looked at my sister as I put it down; I was in shock. My niece, 19 years old, a sophomore in college, was pregnant. The letter began, “Dear Mom and Dad, I have been challenged with my Catholic faith since starting college.” She wrote about not going to church on a regular basis and not following the teachings she learned as a child. The next words were shocking: “I am pregnant.” Struggling with these words, all I could say to my sister was, “Oh my.” My niece asked, “Can I come home to live with you?”

Home is where she knew she would feel loved and supported. Home is where she knew she would be reminded of the faith she grew up with, getting back in touch with the values that holds her family together. Her baby is due in July; this happened last Thanksgiving. I love my niece, and I support her as she lives into this new life journey. Home is where she will be loved and supported. When I think of home, my heart goes in two directions. I am reminded of my childhood home and then of my current home here at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. Home is where I feel loved and supported in my life vocation.

If you would like more information about Saint Benedict’s Monastery, please contact Sister Lisa Rose at lrose@csbsju.edu.

Lisa Rose, OSB