|
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
| After professing her vows, Sister Kimberly Ann signs the document on the altar, signifying her commitment to God and to the community. Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau, prioress, and Sister Rose Wildeman, formation director, witness to the signing and to the prayer and support of the community. |
|
 |
Sister Kristine Anne blesses a Benedictine pin, the official emblem of the Ferdinand Benedictine community, before presenting it to Sister Kimberly Ann. |
After a meal and reception celebrating her profession, Sister Kimberly Ann performed an organ concert in the monastery church for her family, friends, and community members. Sister Theresita Schenk, Sister Kimberly's organ teacher and mentor for the past three years, assisted in turning pages during the performance. |
|
 Sisters in our Hildegard Health Center observed Arbor Day by helping plant a patio peach tree and a rhododendron shrub in our monastery courtyard today. National Arbor Day is observed annually on the last Friday of April.
Sister Bernette Wildeman, the second oldest sister in our community at age 93, enjoys shoveling a bit of dirt to cover the rhododendron roots.
Working the soil brought a smile on her face and seemed to take her back to her roots in rural Posey County in Indiana. |
| Sister Benita Biever takes her turn with the spade. Sister Agnes Weinzapfel, activities director, and Sister Leona Schlachter, assistant with activities, organized the Arbor Day planting. |
|
 |
Sister Mary Charlotte Kavanaugh is assisted by Sister Leona. |
| After planting and watering the tree and shrub, the sisters said a prayer of blessing over their work. |
 |
 Happy Earth Day!
On this 38th annual Earth Day, we invite you to get in touch with our planet and all its beauty and abundance. And in gratitude for planet earth, we hope you will make a commitment to its preservation and restoration. |
 The monastery's Grounds Committee appropriately had an outdoor meeting this morning, a “walk-about” meeting, as they called it, to update a 3-year landscaping plan for the monastery grounds.
Sisters Karen Joseph and Joan Scheller, members of the committee, inspect a Redbud tree on the monastery campus. Other committee members who helped assess the landscaping needs are Sisters Mary Longtine and Michelle Sinkhorn (chair), and Eric Pund, monastery grounds supervisor. |
 Just for the record — we felt the shock (some were awakened by the tremors) of the 5.2 magnitude earthquake that struck in southeasterm Illinois (epicenter about 90 miles from Ferdinand) at 5:37 this morning. Another quake of 4.6 magnitude followed about five hours later. Unlike the major quake that hit San Francisco on this same day in 1906, there have been no serious injuries or damages reported from the quake today.
These photos have no connection with today's entry about the earthquake. Just a few shots around the monastery as spring is bursting forth. |
Views from the bell tower and on the ground. |
 |
 |
 Welcome to the 57 men and women participating in our vocation workshop this week. This is the 15th year our community has presented "Awakening: A Rebirth of Enthusiasm in Vocations" for religious communities seeking new ways to increase membership. Since 1993, more than 1,600 women and men from 39 countries have come to Ferdinand for this workshop. They have left with new hope, enthusiasm, skills, knowledge, and practical ideas for their vocation ministry. This year's participants represent 32 religious communities from 17 states and Australia.
As president of Ferdinand's Town Council, Ken Sicard gave a warm welcome to workshop participants at the opening session this evening, extending the town's hospitality to them. |
|
Nourish Your Spirit Online
In a simple ritual during Evening Prayer today, 
