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June 2020
Volume 14, Issue 6
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Dear friend in Christ,
"My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped."
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Psalm 17:5)
I would like to think that the verse I've quoted above is true of me, but in all honesty, I don't think it is. I can think of lots of times I've not acted in a way that's best for others and sometimes even not for myself; my feet have definitely slipped!
Failing in the past doesn't mean that we are doomed to fail throughout our lives. The world today calls us in so many ways to try to walk the path the Gospel teaches, the path of love and concern for others; as Christians, we are committed to respond and try to do our best.
We are asked to look into our hearts and consider difficult questions such as whether, even when we don't intend to, we let racial stereotypes affect our judgment, take (white) privileges for granted or behave in selfish ways. For instance, wearing a mask has been shown to protect others from catching the coronavirus. You protect them by wearing one, and by encouraging others to do the same, you can help them to help protect you.
Let's recommit to accepting that the people who live on this planet, whatever size, shape, creed or color they may be, are one community, and we can only survive by looking out for one another.
Hold fast!
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Karen Rose, OSB
Director of Mission Advancement
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Prayer for Justice in Response to George Floyd's Death
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Sister Susan Rudolph, prioress, wrote a letter in response to the death of George Floyd. This letter, which was shared with the monastic community, invites you to join us in prayer to "become a more inclusive and responsive human community dominated only by love and care for one another."
Read the full letter.
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National Day of Mourning and Lament
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We are a member of the
Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). LCWR partnered with other faith leaders in calling to observe June 1 as a National Day of Mourning and Lament to honor the 100,000+ people who have died in the United States from the coronavirus. Sisters signed up in socially distanced pairs to keep a prayer vigil in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel throughout the day.
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In Loving Memory: Mary Jane (John Marie) Slaney, OSB
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Sister Mary Jane (John Marie) Slaney entered eternal life on June 18, 2020. A private service was held on June 22, and a memorial Eucharist will be held at a later date. She will be missed, but we rejoice with her in her coming home to God.
Read more about Sister Mary Jane’s life.
*Her death was not related to COVID-19.
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We truly miss our
Girls, God and Good Times (3G) campers! In normal times, we would've already completed one session of 3G camp and would be preparing for the next group to come in a few weeks. However, in these unprecedented circumstances, we are blessed that we were able to spend some time with them virtually, including a virtual singalong, Q and A session and scavenger hunt!
Photo: Sister Stephanie Mongeon (left) chats virtually with 3G campers with some tech help from Sister Tamra Thomas, our monastery's technology coordinator
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Whitby Gift Shop
Now Offering
Curbside Pick-Up!
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We may be closed to visitors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy some of your favorite items from Whitby Gift Shop. We are now offering curbside pick-up!
Photo: Beautiful table runners available for purchase
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50th Jubilee: Sister Sharon Nohner
60th Jubilee: Sisters Galen Martini, Hilda Keller, Jean Kroeger, Joyce Willenbring, Julie Schleper, Rose Mary Kuklok and Stephana Choong
75th Jubilee: Sisters Angelo Haspert and Dale Wollum
Photo: Fireworks behind the dome of Sacred Heart Chapel
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Spirituality Center Receives Literacy Minnesota's Community Partnership Award
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Congratulations to the Spirituality Center, the recipient of one of two Community Partnership Awards from
Literacy Minnesota. This award is given to organizations that have developed successful partnerships with literacy programs. The Spirituality Center has been hosting adult English classes two times a week since 2017, and the classes have been a big success. The Spirituality Center, along with other award recipients, were honored virtually. You can learn more about this literacy program and their award in
Literacy Minnesota’s virtual celebration.
Photo: Front entrance to the Spirituality Center●Studium
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In the last edition of Monastery Musings, we announced that we have decided to cancel Gratitude Day 2020. It was not a decision we wanted to make, but we felt it was important to protect the health of our friends and our sisters. Although we can't gather, we are still working to demonstrate our great appreciation for your time, talent and treasure, so Gratitude Week will take place virtually August 3
–9. We will be posting on our website and social media pages, so be sure to follow us! You can find links to our social media pages at the bottom of this newsletter.
Please know of our deep gratitude to you. We hope to see you again in person next year!
Photo: Sisters blessing guests at Gratitude Day 2019
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Spirituality Center●Studium Closed Through August
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The Spirituality Center●Studium will be closed through August. We will evaluate the possibility of an opening date this fall and are looking into ways we may be able to offer virtual programming. Thank you for your patience and support during these unprecedented times.
Stay updated on Spirituality Center●Studium news:
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Despite the current coronavirus pandemic, we are continuing to seek hardworking individuals to join our compassionate teams at Saint Benedict's Monastery and Saint Scholastica Convent! We are currently hiring:
- Certified Nursing Assistants
- Cook/Baker
- Director of Human Resources
- Environmental Services Assistant
- Food Services Assistants
- Food Services Utility Worker
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Nursing Team Support
Photo: Sister Rosemary Lenneman (right) with one of our faithful nursing employees
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Thank you for sharing your time, talent and treasure with us as we respond to the needs of the world. Your partnership is vital to us as we strive to bring a ray of hope to a dark world.
If you'd like to partner with us to support our mission and ministries, you can make a secure online donation to the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict below.
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With steadfast gratitude,
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Karen Rose, OSB
Director of Mission Advancement
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
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