COVID "holidays"

The entry right before this one was predicting that the snowstorm that is still devastating Texas, Louisiana and numerous other central, southern states would hit us as it made its way up to the northeast. Well, that didn't happen. We got 3" Tuesday morning and almost another 3" by evening. We, however, can handle that pretty easily. Oh, BTW, there was no ice involved. That even stops us!

Today we celebrated a COVID Ash Wednesday. Which means that we didn't receive ashes in the normal way. There were ashes available in the chapel all day if anyone wanted to use them, but there was no general reception of ashes. Amazing changes throughout this year.

And, then, in the early afternoon we had our second vaccine shot. The first one came on Jan. 20th, inauguration day; the second one Ash Wednesday and the last one will be March 17 for those who just started today. Being a "congregate" living situation with 82 in the community and a number having already caught the virus, we were able to qualify. I'm calling them the holiday surprises. 

Big storms coming

 time to be sure our birds (and wildlife) are fed--

our resident furry friend who shares the seeds for our birds

and apples for our deer!

By the time February rolls around we have a bad case of "the Febs." As in, "How long is this winter going to last?" Or, "If I don't see trees with leaves on them soon, I'm going to scream!"

Luckily for us February also brings, just 10 days in, the Feast of St. Scholastica, foremother for all Benedictine women, and our legendary founder. We also remember our first prioress here in Erie, who was also a Scholastica: Mother Scholastica Burkhard. The name Scholastica, although not well-known even in Catholic circles, is quite well-known in the monastic world.

Annually, as I’ve often given a tour of the monastery and its grounds to groups of collegians who come for their mid-winter break to offer service in our ministries, I always stop at the statue of St. Scholastica. It holds a prominent place in the large garden area set between the two wings of the monastery. I talk about the statues of women saints that they see, or don’t see, in churches, and the primacy of Mary as often the only one—unless the church is named for a woman. Then I point out the book Scholastica has in her hands, the habit she’s wearing and most distinctly, the crozier she’s holding. Sometimes there’s also a dove. “Those are the clues that you’re looking at Scholastica or perhaps one of the other European Benedictine abbess-saints,” I tell them. Finally, I share with them the beautiful chapel that the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have in Clyde, Missouri, the highlight of which is the group of five Benedictine women saints, set along the main aisle, up amidst the pillars, about 10 feet above the floor. Their golden, sparkling habits and veils are truly gorgeous. Well, worth the trip to this off-the-beaten-path monastery to view.

Super Bowl Sunday

Before taking in the Super Bowl this weekend, we took in a ride around Presque Isle and downtown Erie, along the bayfront. One of the best views was of this Great Lakes freighter, in for repairs over the winter at one of our docks. What a monster ship.

 On the peninsula itself we saw this ice hockey game going on at Waterworks where families love to come for winter activities. We couldn't see from where we were whether they were playing on the frozen pond that is there or if they made their own rink with water on a flat surface near that cabin. I think they were on the pond. Lots of locals were out--despite the 22 degree temps--BTW there was bright sunshine to take the edge off!

Memories of Lenore

When I was growing up my grandmother Pearl was friends with Millie Shaw. Pearl and Millie both played bridge and had a lot of fun with the "girls" they hung around with. Each also had a daughter in the convent---well, sort of. 

My aunt entered the Sisters of St. Joseph after college and stayed there over 50 years, until her death.

Lenore entered the Benedictine community three times--in 1945, but left within a year or so--again in 1948, and left in 1950--and entered for the third and final time in 1978! Most people think the community had to catch up with Lenore, not the other way around. Lenore was a character of the first degree. During the 28 years between her second and third entrances, she taught for a few years in a city public high school--driver's education was her specialty. She would cajole us with story after story of the zany adventures of her friends on the faculty there, as they banded together to cope with the challenges of inner-city teaching in the 60s and 70s. At her large and crowded Irish wake every one of those colleagues (and even some of her former students) came out to pay her tribute and remember their favorite adventure with "Miss Shaw."

Her last ministry was at the Second Harvest Food Bank, which was then administered by one of our sisters who was as much fun as Lenore. They say that working with the two of them was like being part of a comedy routine every day. Her final "job" was as a community driver, about which she'd exclaim, "If I ever doubted I was going to heaven, I don't now. This is my purgatory!" as she'd roll her eyes every day at the peculiarities of doctor's appts. and changing schedules that would send anyone else over the edge. We told her that she was perfect for the job.

Her annual February contribution to community fun was to organize the annual Super Bowl pool--$1.00 a box, with $25 to the winner of each quarter. If you could see into our place this weekend you would view this year's chart: The 19th Annual Lenore Shaw Memorial Super Bowl Pool--that I am proud to organize. Because of  the COVID experience this year we've adapted the pool a little. The four sister-winners this year will get to name a charity of their choice to which we will donate each $25. Seems like a moderation that Lenore would approve of--she was generosity personified.

Winter (indoor) fun

If you look down to the Jan. 24 post you'll see what our creek looked like just one week ago. After seven days of very cold temps, some snowfall and cold winds here's what it looks like one week later. Ditto for the lake itself...a week or 10 days ago it was completely clear--here's this afternoon:

This is a nice look at ice dunes as as they are growing and ice on the lake as it is coming together. The Bay is already ahead of this, ice fishermen/women are already out on it or will be soon.

So, one conclusion that is easy to come to: make your own fun---indoors.

Ok--here we go--exhibit #1:

A display to accompany a winter birthday celebration!

In the side door

Instead of using the East Lake Rd entrance, you can sneak in off of Troupe Rd. At that side entrance is a lovely old marble sign but because it's not too tall it often gets partially or completely hidden by the latest snowstorm. In many ways that doesn't matter all that much now as we haven't had visitors, overnight guests or even friends, family or oblates for so many months. It just doesn't "feel" right, as we are a community that greatly values and fosters hospitality. 

On the other hand, this pandemic is teaching its own lessons, ones I for one never gave a thought to when all was humming along "normally." And one of those is the gift of friends and family--and I mean actually being with them physically, not virtually. I think of grandparents and their young grandchildren out of state, prisoners and their families losing their already limited visiting privileges, school aged children missing their friends and the learning of important concepts of socializing and getting along with others, and the people who already lived singly, now without their daily interactions in their communities. So many of us are really longing for the vaccine to spread enough around the country and the world, that we can be with each other again. 

It will come. Meanwhile, be well, help others. Thanks for tuning in to us--online.