"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace."
…a time to come and a time to go.
I can only hope that the writer of Ecclesiastes can forgive my adding this last line to one of the most beloved pieces of writing in the Hebrew Scriptures. But as the end of June approaches, this is indeed a time to “go” for some members of our community, just as last August was a time to “come”.
The Benedictine Service Corps is designed as a year-long program (actually August – June) in which we introduce young adults to a monastic prayer life adapted for people who are not intending to become monks; and a life of service that is geared, in particular, to the poor and forgotten. All of this is done in a communal atmosphere, thus our motto of “Prayer, Service, Community”.
Two members of our Service Corps community are leaving at the end of this month. Victoria Sparkman and Beau Mohon are returning to their respective states to continue along their Christian journey. Both Victoria and Beau have been a joy to live with, have contributed in many different ways to the growth of our community, have grown in faith and service, and have been resilient and courageous in these last months of pandemic and social unrest.
Victoria will be moving to Topeka, Kansas, and seeking employment in the not-for-profit sector. I cannot say enough about Victoria, who has a quiet but deep faith, an ability to make all of us smile, a willingness to throw herself into learning gardening which has made our yard that much more beautiful. Victoria speaks up with her passion for justice, has done great work with Restoring Dignity (a not-for-profit that aides refugees), is willing to help with any task, and has a beautiful voice, helping us through many an Office.
Beau will be returning to Murray, Kentucky, where he will be finishing up his academic work at Murray State. Beau is a story-teller extraordinaire and has regaled us with many a tale from “back home”, making Kentucky seem like a place of mythology and magic. Beau has been dedicated to deepening his prayer life and has worked very hard on it. He is passionate about social justice and equality for all and speaks up for it, shows up for it, and works hard on it - in many capacities. Beau will also be remembered for “discovering” a patio in our backyard, which had been long run over with soil, grass and other growth. Beau saw a little piece of concrete and was convinced there was something there. We now enjoy our patio which he dug out, cleaned, and helped to beautify.
We will miss both Victoria and Beau a great deal, but we know that this is the “time to go”. We ask you to pray for our sister and brother as they transition out of the community and back “home.” Though they leave us now, both Victoria and Beau will always be a part of us and we pray that they take with them a part of us too. God bless you Victoria and Beau.
- Brother James Dowd, OSB