NORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BENEDICTINE OBLATE DIRECTORS MEETING 2009 St. Vincent's Archabbey

1. NORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BENEDICTINE OBLATE DIRECTORS MEETING 2009St. Vincent's Archabbey

2. Administrative Team • President:  Antoinette Purcell, OSBOur Lady of Grace MonasteryBeech Grove, Indiana+++++ •  Vice President:  John Peto, OSBSt. Benedict’s AbbeyAtchison, Kansas+++++ Executive Secretary:  Bonita Gacnik, OSBSacred Heart MonasteryYankton, South Dakota+++++

3. St. Vincent's Archabbey • Founded by Benedictine monk Boniface Wimmer in 1846 • St Vincent is Now an Archabbey, College, Seminary & Parish • The Basilica of the First Benedictine Monastery in the U.S. • 170 Monks comprise the Archabbey

4. St. Vincent's Archabbey • Aurelius Hall & School • Mary Mother of Wisdom Chapel • Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.

5. St. Vincent's Archabbey

6. Lectio – transformation & Surrender "Tools of our daily lives as sacred vessels of the altar" OSB = OJT (On-the-job trainees) (Listen, Obedience, Prayer) Humility – Be centered in God not self Stability – Spiritual Compass – GPS = God positioning system “Bloom where you are planted.” “TRUE GOD” – Not ego, power or greed God prevents our ideals from becoming our Idols. Hospitality – Open up to receive Stress: Not everything is 911 Be practical in the present with people here Pray & Work – “Prayer is the time with our Beloved” Prayer made visible; our emptiness meets God’s fullness Serve – one drop, one snow flake, one person Flood, Blizzard, Change Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB

7. Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB • KEY POINTS • “All Work has Dignity – Value if you give it all to God” • Recognize the “Holy in the daily” • ~ Sanctifying the Daily ~ • Morning Offering • Be Specific • Work on Small & Consistent goals… • Each day you grow along the Journey…

8. Benedictine NunsSt. Emma Monastery • A monastery is a touchstone with God – not only for us, the nuns living here, but for all who come. A monastery is a sign to the world that here are women for whom God is so real that they have responded by vowing their lives to God in a special way.A monastery is a Touchstone for all who come to a place hallowed by prayer – not only of the prayer of the permanent praying community of nuns – but also of all those who come and pray here.

9. Interesting People I Meet at NAABOD • Sr. Phyllis Hunhoff O.S.B. • Mary Gibson’s Sister • Nancy Kaib • Chandler Dean • Lance & Betty Dickinson from Tucson • Sr. Lenora Black

10. Oblate Brainstorming session… • Inquirers & Candidates/ Novices • How can we attract new membership? • What might be an overarching goal of these Stages? • What values might guide the input/content of these Stages? • What resources are helpful in working both groups? • What rituals could be part of these Stages? • What qualities do we expect Inquirers & Novices to exhibit? • How can we discern readiness for Candidate/Novice or oblation Stage—ways to do this, questions to consider/ask?

11. Oblate Brainstorming session… Oblates • What might be an overarching goal of Oblation? • What qualities do we expect Oblates to exhibit? • What values might guide the content and activities of ongoing formation of Oblates? • What resources are helpful in the ongoing formation of Oblates? • What rituals might be celebrated with Oblates? • How do we allow for diversity—different faith traditions, different physical or mental abilities, different needs and expectations, various distance from monastery? • How might we handle Oblates who are a source of conflict for other Oblates or for the monastic community?

12. Oblate Brainstorming session… Developing Leadership • What might be the goal of leadership development among Oblates? • What qualities indicate potential leadership among Oblates? • How might we invite Oblates to leadership roles? • What values might guide the content and activities of leadership development among Oblates? • What are some possible ways Oblates can exercise leadership? • What values might guide the relationship between monastics and oblates? • How might we handle conflicts that arise when a leader is not performing to expectations?

13. Fred Rogers CenterCommunication - Collaboration - Creative Change

14. Father Brian Boosel O.S.B.Archabbey Archivist - History Professor • Community • Grace of Compromise • Community is like Trinity, Persons interacting with one another • Uniformity not a goal; puts aside individuals and their gifts, and creativity suffers. • Disagreements are not a bad thing in a community, but open up the door to discussions. – STRETCH - • Together we will grow if we are rooted in Christ, following God’s Will. • Community will feed the Oblates, who need real food, not fluff • Word of God - Prayer • Social & Being involved • Hospitality & Breaking Bread – room for everyone • Encourage various gifts and roles, but keep One Heart • Healing – Divine physician - Spiritual Direction • There are limitation… (Counseling Groups)

15. Entering Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow, VA in 1963, Sr. Cecilia earned a BA in Music Education from Marywood University and an MA in Liturgical Theology from Catholic University of America.  She has served as a teacher, community musician/liturgist, formation/vocation director, lecturer and retreat director.  Sr. Cecilia has served and continues to serve on a number of boards including her current position as President of the Board of Trustees for the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia and their five corporate ministries, Vice-President Board Relationships & Rule Chapter 72 Respect & Love Physical, Mental, Emotional Gift of Self – Freely chose make a Profession of Faith Stability to Culture & Environment (Community) Energy Being with… Listen – Tell Your Story Organize people as blessings not problems… Communication As Equals Stay Curious Help others by being better listeners Slow down Have good conversation ( Natural) Things will get messy at times Have courage Be silent – be in the present Sister Cecilia Dwyer O.S.B.St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow VA

16. Pray with Us Pray with Us Sister Cecilia Dwyer O.S.B.St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow VA • Reconciliation & Forgiveness • We are not in Perfect ideal Harmony • Self forgetfulness • Work with Issues, problems, diversity, individuality… • Return to God - Prayer • Sadness shows mistrust in God’s providence; acedia is soul-sickness • Prayer! Do not forget why we are… • Be yourself – don’t judge others by your judgment scale… • Never lose hope in God’s Mercy • Be a “repairer of the breach”- forgive • Morning Offering – Life is a Journey to Holiness. Pray with Us Monastic prayer marks the distinctive movements of the day,  the liturgical year, and the Christian life.

17. More Interesting People I Meet at NAABOD

18. PAX - Thank you for the Opportunity  Mike Schroeder OSB Oblate • Thank you – Sr. Lenora Black • Thank you – NAABOD • Thank you – St. Vincent Archabbey • Thank you – St Emma Monastery • Peace & Blessing to all - Gods Will is Best!