Welcome to our Home@theDome. We'll keep you posted on the ordinary and extraordinary happenings in our monastery on the hill.

—Sister Paulette Seng

The spirit of the Irish was celebrated to its fullest on St. Patrick’s Day by Sister Mary Charlotte Kavanaugh, OSB (seated). Several of her friends traveled from Daviess County to the monastery to enjoy the occasion with her, as well as to celebrate Sister Mary Charlotte’s 94th birthday, which was March 16. Sister Mary Charlotte’s grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from Ireland. Standing from left are Kathleen Cavanaugh, a cousin; Sister Mary Benet Goodrum, a friend; Irma Kavanaugh, a niece; and Liz Kavanaugh, a niece.

Eight girls enjoyed the annual High School Come & See Weekend at our monastery this weekend. According to Sister Agnes Marie Dauby, co-director of our vocations ministry, the girls felt they learned more about the Sisters of St. Benedict, were comfortable and glad they came, and grew in their faith during the weekend.  “The visit also dispelled some stereotypes about the sisters,” she said. “They thought we prayed all the time, but they saw that we have fun, too.” Included in the fun activities were playing cards, spoons, cups, a Gestures game, and making cookies. The girls were from southern Indiana, Louisville and St. Louis.

Sister Mary Karen Hill (far left) and Sister Sylvia Gehlhausen (far right) play Rummy Cube with one of the girls visiting at our High School Come & See Weekend.

Today we observe Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season in Christian traditions. Lent is about changing our hearts. The Scripture readings for Ash Wednesday remind us: “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.” “Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to your God.”

These 40 days before Easter offer us time to reflect on how we need to change to become more loving.

“Creator God, you call us to follow you during this holy season of Lent, to be messengers of your love. We promise to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, to care for the sick and shelter the homeless. Give us the courage to be loving brothers and sisters to all the members of our human family. Help us respond to their needs. We ask this in the name of Jesus who teaches us how to love now and forever. Amen.” (Family & Fun by Gary J. Boelhower, © 1996)  Catholic Relief Services offers opportunities for Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving through Operation Rice Bowl. Visit their web site at http://orb.crs.org. “Behold, now is an acceptable time” for beginning our Lenten journey.

“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.” With those words, we received blessed ashes on our foreheads during the liturgy this morning. Sister Betty Drewes marks a cross on the forehead of Sister Geneva Stumler.

A few sisters braved the gusty wind and cold temperature to try sledding down the long hill on the north side of the monastery, a favorite spot for winter fun.

Sister Ann Francis Hillenbrand begins the long trek back up the hill.

It's a beautiful day for snow lovers. But some would like to send the snow to Vancouver for the Olympics.

Sister Sharon Hollander often loses the battle of the steps to the snow. She cleaned the steps and sidewalk between Benet Hall and St. Benedict Hall, the main building of the monastery, at 6:30 this morning. Around 11 a.m. the snow stopped so she decided to clear them again.