Home @ the Dome

Sister Mary Karen and Sister Sylvia play Rummy Cube with one of the girls. 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.

These visiting high school girls think the cookies they baked are definitely number 1.

The sisters who served on the weekend team hosting the high school girls were Sister Jill Reuber (front row, far left), Sister Teresa Gunter (front row, second from left), and back row, Sister Barbara Jean Luebbehusen (far left), and Sister Agnes Marie Dauby (third from left).

visitors and team from our High School Come & See Weekend

February 17

Sister Betty marks a cross on the forehead of Sister Geneva. 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.

Fr. Meinrad Brune says prayers of blessing over the ashes that will be distributed at the liturgy.

Father Meinrad Brune says prayers of blessing over the ashes.

Sister Mary Dominic donned a mask at our Mardi Gras celebration.

Sister Mary Dominic Frederick donned a mask at our Mardi Gras celebration on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Sisters living on Benet Hall third floor planned and hosted our Mardi Gras dinner and celebration. They had us sing a song with an alleluia refrain to remind us that we will not be singing “alleluia” in our liturgies during Lent. The Church resumes the use of “alleluias” at the feast of the Resurrection at Easter.

February 15

Sister Ann Francis walks back up the hill. 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.

Sisters Marilyn Schroering, Ann Francis Hillenbrand, and Mary Louise Uebelhor found the deep snow a challenge for going down and coming back up.

February 9

Sister Sharon shovels the snow from the steps and sidewalks. 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.