Reflections from the Hill
Occasional Outreach from the Benedictine Sisters
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"Let all that you do, be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14 |
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Oblate Leadership Team is all smiles - they finally got to meet in person! |
Pictured above L-R (front) Emilie Rogers, ObOSB (center row) Michael Guerra, ObOSB, Nan Neff, ObOSB, Bill Howden, ObOSB (back row) Jim Williams, ObOSB, Sr. Antoinette Van Galen, OSB and Sr. Susan, OSB [not pictured are Jan Davis, ObOSB, and Sr. Bernadine Reyes, OSB] |
The Oblate Leadership Team met on the Monastery grounds in "The Casa" guest house on a beautiful Saturday morning in January. It was the first time this group has been together in person. |
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For the Temple of God,
which you are, is Holy
I love this time of year in our Liturgical calendar! We are anticipating the season of Lent. The Sunday readings leading up to Lent call us to be our best selves; our true selves. We can’t help but read them without a reflective eye on ourselves.
On February 19, we read in Leviticus, “be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy." This is...
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A Friendly Visit from Sister Mary from Lisle, Illinois |
Sr. Mary Bratrsovsky, OSB, Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Lisle, IL, came for a brief visit in January. She had been volunteering with Catholic Charities in San Antonio and since she was so close by, she wanted to come see the Sisters and the Monastery.
(Pictured are (L-R) Sr. Bernadine Reyes, OSB, Prioress and Sr. Mary.
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This beautiful wooden art was on the altar in the Monastery chapel on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It belonged to our Sr. Anne Marie Williams, OSB, who passed away on January 11, 2002. |
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MLK Jr. March in San Antonio |
The MLK Jr. March in San Antonio is the largest in the country, an estimated 300,000 people, though numbers of people marching have not been released yet for this year. Pictured, participating on January 16th, are (L-R) Corporate Responsibility staff member Nina Martinez, her Dad, Daniel, and Sr. Susan.
You're invited to consider joining in to march with the group next year!
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Please keep the family of Cecilia McNeely in your prayers. She passed away unexpectedly on January 22, 2023. "Ceci" worked part-time at our Sister's Attic Thrift Store, and always had a smile for everyone. She will truly be missed and will be remembered fondly!
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Michael Taylor, an associate of Maryknoll, visits the orphanage. |
(L-R) Postulant, Dorothy, from Atchison, KS and Sr. Siena Fisk, OSB, from Ft. Smith AR, visit with children at Casa Nazareth. |
A treat for all -- going out to eat! |
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"This month started out very busy as we were receiving anywhere from 500 to 1000 individuals a
day. Our volunteer Michael Taylor, an associate of Maryknoll, was a great help in the kitchen. He stated that they ran out of food a couple of times but they were able to whip up something quickly so no one would go to bed hungry.
Then suddenly, the second week in January, we had only 100 – 150 individuals coming through the shelter. Sr. Siena from Fort Smith, Arkansas and postulant Dorothy from Atchison, Kansas arrived with donations and energy to jump right into whatever work was needed at the shelter.
They were surprised at our few numbers. They started sorting clothing and distributing it as
needed. They also helped to distribute food at mealtimes.
We visited Mexico a couple of times to play with the children at Casa Nazareth and to take the
disabled children out to eat. Both outings were loads of fun for our volunteers. Their time with
us seemed very short but they were a great asset."
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Corporate Responsibility Update from Sr. Susan |
Corporate Responsibility staff (pictured L-R) Linda Murphy, Sr. Susan, Nina Martinez, and Ruben Lopez, continue their important work including research on immigration, the environment, and peace and justice issues.
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Benedictine Oblate Schedule - Winter 2022/Spring 2023
(virtually via Zoom)
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Initial Formation:
Feb 16 - Stability, Fidelity, and Conversion
Mar 19 - Hospitality
Apr 16 - Stewardship (joint meeting with Ongoing Formation)
May 7 - Initial Oblation Ceremony
Ongoing Formation:
Feb 5 - Desert Spirituality
Mar 5 - Do Not Crush the Bruised Reed
Apr 16 - Stewardship (joint meeting with Initial Formation)
May 7 - Renewal of Oblation Ceremony
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MISSION STATEMENT
We are called to seek God in community and to respond in ministry through sharing our spirituality and addressing the needs of the people we serve, especially the poor.
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