Sister Maria retires

I was just short of 21 when I walked into my first teaching assignment one September quite awhile ago. We were still well within the first years of The Sound of Music, singing along with Julie Andrews "My Favorite Things" and the whole rest of the soundtrack. The story captivated movie-goers everywhere with the portrayal of the wholesome, cute, nun-turned-wife-and-mother of the Von Trapp family. Imagine my delightful surprise to discover that my principal was the real Sound of Music nun: she was young, beautiful, full of fun, a live Sister Maria! The kids, the faculty, the staff, and all the other sisters just loved her. My first principal and I will never forget her.

The years passed, of course, she went onto other things as did I, but whenever I saw her she was the same, aging gracefully and beautifully--just as you'd expect.

For the past 27 years she has been the Vicar for Religious of our diocese and last night we invited her to dinner at the Mount to celebrate with her and to thank her as she retires. The sisters lined up to express their appreciation for her years of ministry. She represented and served us well--to the bishop and within the diocesan structure. She was as gracious, as beautiful, as special as she was all those years ago to that wide-eyed novice beginning her teaching career.

I saw Julie Andrews interviewed on TV recently and, yes, you guessed it, still as lovely as ever, exactly like our own "Sister Maria" in real life.

Himalayan Bowls

This weekend as part of the Seasons of the Spirit retreat held here at the Mount Kathleen Calby brought her Singing Bowls (Himalayan Bowls) and gave presentations to the retreatants and to all of us on Sunday. I found a You tube video of Kathleen which will give you a flavor of these unique instruments.

Beautiful experience!

Her own website is here if you want to explore even more.

I've always thought, "The most interesting people come down East Lake Rd and into our place!"

A Conference on the Life

At one point in November planning I was going to be on my way to Columbus, Ohio tomorrow to attend the Ohio Wesleyan conference on monasticism: "Radical Gospel Living." But that was before 1,000 other things came into life---not the least of which was the last 10 days: a funeral, 100+ visitors to our own weekend conference of sorts, a Monastic Council meeting, and on and on and on.

Anyway, a significant contingent of representatives from our community is heading out for the event at which our Sister Joan is the Friday night keynoter. On Saturday, representing a new type of monastic life (based in downtown Philadelphia), is Shawn Claiborne about whom you can read a little here.

Meanwhile back in our monastic life, we are looking forward to a weekend of blessed ordinary time--something there is not much more of since Advent is only three weeks from this Sunday---yikes!

Finally, amidst all this ruckus, don't I get a surprise opportunity to try again for two impossible photographs. Our deer are being seen everywhere these days--this one right up near the St. Scholastica statue, nibbling on what's left of the rose bushes.

And our long, narrow stained-glass windows on the west wall of the chapel were glorious in the bright early setting sunlight yesterday....but it is impossible to catch on camera. Darn!

Love Feast

The last 4-5 days here really have been a kind of "love feast" in many and various ways. Sister Margaret Mary's funeral and burial were lovely and one of the most beautiful parts of them was the attendance by eleven of her close relatives, including her two age 80+ sisters. They were quite moved by our rituals and hospitality. They couldn't say enough about how meaningful an experience it was for them. That is truly the very best part of having families with us during times such as these.

Friday through Sunday we were joined for our community weekend program and oblate commitment ceremony by 50-100 oblates (depending on the day!). They, too, are wonderful to be around and to have with us no matter the time or event, but especially this last weekend of October. The Saturday presentations on personal fitness and good health practices were just great and much-appreciated by all.

One of the small but unique parts of both of these events was the addition of matted photographs from Sister Margaret Mary's life and then of past oblate events and participants. These photos were scattered throughout the dining room and community room and truly "spoke" their own message within the other rituals. Visit our website today and throughout the week for a photo display of these days, as I saw many of our photographers very busy throughout.

And here's a new movie review for your consideration. John Dear, sj, reviews the new movie, The Way, with Martin Sheen, aka Jed Bartlett of West Wing fame. Seems like one we should catch.

Steelers, Browns or Bills?

We thought we were attending and hosting the Memory Service for our Sister Margaret Mary. And we were and we did. But what we didn't know, and never would have expected in a million years, was the appearance of her great-nephew and NFL sports commentator, Scott Hanson, and the football talk intertwined with the spirituality of the wake of his favorite and much-loved great aunt.

My oh my, you just never know what a day will bring! Click here to make (partial) sense of it all!


On a more "normal" day--the two large rose bushes in the inner courtyard two days ago. What are they doing in full flower at the end of October?

And what are we doing going out to work at 7:25 am in the near pitch dark? Here's a snapshot of the chapel on the way to our car.

Rest in Peace

We average about 3-4 sisters a year who pass onto eternal life. I'm not usually in the room when one dies--often because of schedule or other duties or just leaving that special time for those closest to her. But Sunday was an exception and I was one of three of us who were with our Sister Margaret Mary when she died early in the afternoon.

It was such a peace-filled, calm and loving moment. It was a privilege to be with her. Watch our community website this week for postings of her obit and prayer card.

Sunday was also Mission Sunday and our environment for Mass reflected that. Here we used our special candle holders...from Africa, I think.

Acknowledging that there are a zillion web sites and that our friends and family send us links to ones they like all the time...it's hard to suggest one that is really special, but I think I've got one. If you have the time...Enjoy: Google Doodles.

Deer Time

Lots and lots of deer encounters these days. There are still plenty of apples in the back orchard that attract our "herd" all day long, but especially at sunset. The crab apple trees also have quite a bit of fruit on them, so they are still in the food chain. But, the last time I checked the grapes over at Benetwood Apartments they were just about picked clean.

Tuesday night I ducked out the patio door right after supper and took what I thought would be a quick spin around the Mount. I had only reached the old greenhouse when I met four deer and had a pleasant 5-minute staring contest, in which I hope I showed no fear even though one walked toward me before stopping about 50 feet away.

After we parted I continued around the east end of the house and as I came around to the front there was a lone small deer right off the blacktop of the front circle, quietly grazing under a tree. We stared a little, too, and then I continued to the front door while she continued to forage.

Took down the last of the hummingbird feeders this week, too, and noticed that one of our sisters who works on the chapel environment placed some of the huge mum plants from Jubilee outside at our entrances. They are still gorgeous and must be a welcoming sight to our many October visitors.

See our community site for two wonderful Smileboxes of Jubilee weekend. Very appropriately named--"Smile" boxes.