Monastic Chapter, August 2014

Greetings,

This weekend of Monastic Chapter includes more celebrations for the monastery.  After the first day of meetings, we will gather to honor our Diamond Jubilarian Sisters at the Celebration of the Eucharist.  Sisters who have lived our Benedictine life for 60, 70, and even 75 years will renew their Monastic Profession.  At the end of Saturday, we will gather to welcome Postulant Terry, the newest seeker of God's Will in our community.  Chapter ends that Saturday night; however, the sisters will continue to gather through Sunday Vespers to join our praise with Novice Peggy's as she is called forward to promise her first Monastic Profession as a vowed sister.

 We also ask for your prayers as all of our sisters, from prioress to novice, travel home to discuss the "important business [that] has to be done in the monastery" RB 3:1. 

Whenever any important business has to be done in the monastery, let the Abbot call together the whole community and state the matter to be acted upon. Then, having heard the brethren's advice, let him turn the matter over in his own mind and do what he shall judge to be most expedient. The reason we have said that all should be called for counsel is that the Lord often reveals to the younger what is best. 

Let the brethren give their advice with all the deference required by humility, and not presume stubbornly to defend their opinions; but let the decision rather depend on the Abbot's judgment, and all submit to whatever he shall decide for their welfare. 

However, just as it is proper for the disciples to obey their master, so also it is his function to dispose all things with prudence and justice.

Rule of Benedict 3

The changes in our prayer schedule during Monastic Chapter, all celebrated in Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel.
Friday:
~ Morning Prayer 8:30 AM
~ Mass (private) celebrating Diamond Jubilarians 4:00 PM
~ Evening Prayer 7:15 PM
Saturday:
~ Morning Prayer 8:30 AM
~ Entrance Ritual for Postulant (private) 5:15 PM
~ Evening Prayer 5:30 PM
Sunday: 
~ Morning Prayer 8:30 AM
~ Mass 10 AM
~ Evening Prayer & First Profession of Novice Peggy (private)  5:00 PM