Is it contagious?

       Recently I was assigned to the infirmary, not as a caregiver, but as a patient. It happened so quickly!

      Two flu patients preceded me – and were quarantined –contagious! My illness was different, but required plenty of rest –and medicines.

      The kindnesses I’ve received were incredible: “Can I get you some breakfast?” “I’ll be taking you to the doctor at 10:30. Someone’s appointment has been cancelled.” “What clothes do you need?” And just before bed time, “Would you like some nice hot tea with honey?”

       So much kindness! Is it contagious? The best I can do is to be a patient patient, and be grateful.

       My room has a TV channel focused on the chapel. Quietly I see wheel chair after wheel chair file in. Everyone takes her place; the faithful community prays, and my seat is empty. Someone picks up a book that has slipped from a lap. Another Sister points to the correct page in the book. The leader’s closing prayer is fitting: “God of compassion, you are faithful and loving, supporting us when we fall, raising us up when we are bowed down.” I see it again as wheel chairs are gently pushed out, lights are dimmed, everyone has gone.

       Is kindness contagious? Is a smile contagious? Is patient endurance contagious? I am surrounded by them all, and I hope it’s catching!

      Help me, Lord, to be kind, to be patient, and unselfish.

Sr. Mary Carol Hellmann, OSB    

The White Poinsettia

It wasn’t just a different color. It was so small. Since Christmas Day I have looked at that white poinsettia at every liturgy. At first it struck me as a humble plant among giants. But humility is more attitude than size.

My next thought was of John the Baptist:

…I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him…

He must increase, but I must decrease.

John thus placed himself in right relationship to Jesus the Messiah, as one who was sent, whose role would now diminish. The Lamb of God to whom he pointed, the Light of the World, makes the days longer and lessens the night.

            Thomas Merton writes about material things in the liturgy as speaking eloquently of God, and as a means or conduit for God’s grace.

            We must see all material things in the light of the mystery of the incarnation.

            We must reverence all creation because the Word was made flesh…

            The material things which surround us are holy because of our bodies,

                        which are sanctified by our souls,

                        which are sanctified by the presence of the indwelling word.

In this relationship the plant life behind the altar sparks our imagination and acts as an accessory to the liturgy itself. A noble role for a small white poinsettia.

Don’t All of Us Follow Stars?

            As I think about the Magi following a star, I think of the light of Christ as the major star in my life that will never change. Yet the day to day light of the Holy Spirit seems to present a new star periodically, and I have been graced to follow each of them. During my years from seven to thirteen, I pursued a career in dancing and drama; I was Hollywood bound. My parents supported me fully. Then a week before my thirteenth birthday, my father died of a heart attack and I lost interest in everything.

            Another star arose as I attended Holy Cross High School and became very active in various clubs that were led by one of my Benedictine teachers I was so impressed by the sisters’ interaction with one another and with the students involved. Then a new star arose that called me to follow the path of being a sister or a nurse. I entered St. Walburg Monastery three months after I graduated from high school. Had the community been very involved in hospital work, I would have asked to follow that course, but I ended up spending my life n the educational field.

Now I am just four months from my ninetieth birthday. Many of my last several years have been spent serving the infirm sisters. I feel as if I have a little hand in nursing! I am also adjusting to getting a glimpse of the star that will put me totally in touch with my Love, my God and Savior.

Sr. Victoria Eisenman, OSB

Who could believe such a thing?

       Christmas is all about God’s love for us. God loves me! Unbelievable! Unbelievable? If the Word of God had not revealed this to us we could not have accepted it. We would not dare.

       Psalm 8 puts it this way: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you created—who are we that you should be mindful of us, that you should care for us?”

       My awe of God’s Creation has exploded to unimaginable levels by the findings of modern exploration of space about our galaxy, other galaxies, even perhaps those with planets capable of supporting living beings similar to us. Whoa! This is way beyond my imagination and I admit to being a bit humbled to even ponder how this great and awesome God would care for me. And yet I believe it to be. Not because my own limited understanding has it figured out, but because my forebears in faith have entrusted this message to me through the power of the Holy Spirit. And my companions in the company of Jesus share this faith with me.

       No wonder that Christmas is a time for us to gather together and remind ourselves of the Great Story of Love Incarnate.

      Sr. Dorothy Schuette, OSB

Patience and presence

     Patience and presence are two themes of the Advent Season. I ask myself, how I am measuring up with these on my Advent journey.  Christmas is around the corner.

     Waiting in long checkout lines and slow traffic patterns test my patience, may even raise my blood pressure. I am trying to be especially aware to be present to everyone. (Everyone?  This could be stretching it a bit).

     During these last days in the Advent Season, do I give others enough time to interact with me?  Do I recognize Jesus in them? Do I listen to meet their needs or am I so busy with my own needs?

     Our faith reminds us that God is always present to us no matter how busy we may be.The Advent Season reminds us to be aware and present to ways Jesus does come to us.

     Jesus comes in history, He comes in mystery and He comes in majesty. May we welcome Jesus, not only on Christmas but in everyone we meet and especially at the end of our lives.

     Have a wonderful Christmas, filled with Christ's presence.

        Sr. Barbara Woeste, OSB

Pray for migrants, refugees and immigrants

       December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: "The Catholic bishops of the United States are encouraging Catholics to observe this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a day of solidarity with immigrants."

       As we celebrate this feast today I remember that I am the product of immigrants. My great grandparents all came from Europe in the late 1800s in hopes of finding a better life. They didn’t speak English and didn’t have much money. I wonder if they were welcomed by those already here or if they were maligned for their efforts to give their children and grandchildren more than they had. What is different today as many in our country want to separate families by sending parents back to their home countries, and make it harder and harder for those coming to the United States to become legal members of our society? Where would I be if my ancestors had faced similar treatment?

 

       As some of you may know, there were ICE (Immigration, Customs and Enforcement) raids on Dec. 6 in Covington, Newport, Florence, Walton and Verona. ICE agents did NOT target felons as was stated in the media. People going to work at places like Amazon were arrested. ICE entered homes without warrants. Local police agencies were not informed.

       Our Lady of Guadalupe, we ask that you take the needs of all who live in poverty and are vulnerable in our society to the Divine Maker. May they experience the Divine Love tangibly in their daily lives, and may all who work for justice on behalf of the poor grow in fortitude and humility. May each of us support those who need us as they seek a safer life for their families. 

          Sr. Nancy Kordenbrock, OSB

A Brief Reflection for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

          From my early youth, I loved Mary, frequently prayed the rosary, and thought of her as my second mother. Her existence to me was as real as my own dear mom. I loved Jesus, but since he was God, it was Mary, I felt, who could lead me to him. As I grew older, the belief that she was conceived without sin meant little to me. 

What amazed me was that she always said yes to God.  I thought how fortunate she was, and that it must have been easier for her than everybody else.

          Now that I am much older, I realize that only through the grace of God could Mary be so open to others’ needs, to the performance of good works, to prayer, and so united with her son in spirit, that her life was totally given.  I remember that she was as human as you and I. Not so easy after all.  She had her day-to- day struggles, times of misunderstandings and fear, great inconveniences, and  deep, wrenching loss. Only with God’s grace, was she able to come through it all.  In other words, she was like us in all ways, except sin. Because she loved more, she trusted more. At Cana, her secret was revealed: “Do as he tells you”, she says, directing us to everlasting life and the Source of all joy!

        Sr. Sharon Portwood, OSB