Through a family member, I was recently introduced to a new, young community of Benedictine sisters in the diocese of Kansas-City/St. Joseph. What is striking about this community is twofold: that a new community of monastic nuns is even formed in today’s day & age, and that it is growing quite strongly!
The religious life is so often underestimated in worth and value by our modern days. People question whether a silent, cloistered person can be happy – and wonder what such a life could accomplish. Yet these are the people who have chosen a relationship with our Lord above all else – and spend their days interceding on behalf of the world. We need them, make no mistake! And judging from the photos on their website, these nuns have found quite a bit of joy in the life they have chosen.
The sisters have two cds that they have put together to raise funds. I strongly recommend their Christmas cd, though I suspect their other cd is just as good. Both can be previewed at their web site below – the funds will go to the building of their temporary monastary (which will someday be their permanent guest house).
In any case, please pray for this budding community and their success.
Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles
- Father Maurer
Merry Christmas to you all – may the birth of our Savior bring you peace & strengthen you for His work!
- Fr. Maurer
… to lighten your day!
I’ve always been fascinated with swing dancing – it requires impressive physical discipline and is a very engaging dance to watch. Its certainly one of the more showy (and sometimes risqué) dance styles out there, but allows for some very creative & amazing dance routines.
I stumbled across this video today that has a somewhat uniquely themed swing routine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5xIJAD-Mec
- Fr. Maurer
A priest from Chicago & professor at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. I highly recommend his work. This is a timely commentary on both abortion, healthcare and freedom.
A wonderful quote:
Freedom is properly ordered to the truth, since the longing of the will is for a good that truly and objectively satisfies it. Pure autonomy – self expression, self determination – is the will turned in on itself, stewing in its juices
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHrePl6zvfQ
I read many Catholic and non-Catholic blogs that make me think or ponder, sometimes on a daily basis. One of these blogs belongs to the venerable Father John Zuhlsdorf (What Does The Prayer Really Say?). He recently re-posted an article by Hallie Lord from Faith & Family Live titled “In over my head”.
A portion of the article – and Father Zuhlsdorf’s commentary (in red) – caught my attention and got me thinking a great deal
For a while I resisted the idea of covering my head at Mass because I was afraid I would come across as holier-than-thou. I’ve come to realize what an uncharitable assumption that was, [Because it assumed the worst about others and what they were thinking.] though. I never feel anything other than delight when I see a sister in Christ wearing a veil at Church. I’m a bit ashamed that I assumed others would react less graciously than I did.
Something about both Mrs. Lord’s & Father Zuhlsdorf’s observations rung particularly true. So many times, what we do or don’t do reflects a judgment we have made about the other person. Where else might this apply in our lives?
Think about how often we react to things that happen around us and actions of other people. What do our re-actions reveal about our attitudes & assumptions towards others? How often do we assume the worst about another person – judging them in the process & failing to give them even the opportunity to show their own virtue, as charity demands of us?
What if we truly assumed the best of others? Wouldn’t today be a great day to start?
- Fr Maurer
