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An August Excursion

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:49:07 -0500

Yesterday Rosie and I went to Powell Gardens for the annual butterfly exhibit. It was the hottest day of the year so far, (today will be hotter), and we willingly walked into a room that was set up as a tropical rainforest. Our heads need examination! We were only able to stay in for about 20 minutes. The heat was too oppressive to last any longer. I did get some fun pictures though, and we saw some stunning butterflies. My favorite was the Blue Morpho. It is a dull, camouflaged brown on the underside of its wings but when it flies it is a translucent blue that is a feast for the eyes! I never did get a picture of it with its wings open. Maybe next time! The pictures are here on my blog. I hope you enjoy them.

On the way home we saw a beautiful double rainbow. It was a wonderful end to a fun day.

This is my Grandma Ohmes’ death anniversary. I still miss her quiet eyes and smile. She was a gem.

Pax!

St. Cecilia’s Has Grass!

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:25:55 -0500

I took this picture of St. Cecilia’s today. It looked so nice with all the new grass and trees planted. There is a bit more planting to be done but the outside is basically finished. The inside is getting the finishing touches and we are getting ready for all the different Open Houses that we will be having for lots of different folks.

Thurs. May 27th, at 1:00-3:00 pm Open House for our employees Sunday, May 30th: 2:00-5:00 pm For the people of Atchison. Sunday, June 6th: 2:00-5:00 pm Blessing Sat. June 12th: 1:30-4:00 pm Mount and BC Alumni Reception and Open House.
It will be fun to share the beauty of St. Cecilia’s with all of our community family, friends and benefactors. It has been a long time in the making and we are very excited that it is almost finished. Our retreatants and guests will have a beautiful place to be at home while they are with us. St. Cecilia’s will give us another wonderful chance to practice our Benedictine hospitality.

Pax!

Easter Brings Spring!

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 20:06:36 -0500

What a beautiful day today! The rains have gone for the time being and the sun was out full force. The winds were calm and the flowering trees just took my breath away! I decided to share the fruits of my Holy Week. Hope you enjoy it.

Triduum

I am Holy Thursday.
I contribute bread and wine;
Accommodate friendship and farewell.
Apprehension is my quiet companion.
Agape is my hope.
My towel and basin are at hand
I am the keeper of your humility.

I am Good Friday.
I bear your anguish and desolation,
misery and despair.
Gloom surrounds my being.
Joy is not. Wonder is not.
The cross is raised.
I am the keeper of your darkness.

I am Holy Saturday.
I feel no grief, no sorrow.
No pain, no agony.
I feel nothing.
Stale air swathes my being.
Color is not. Sound is not.
The stone is set.
I am the keeper of your threshold.

I am the Great Paschal Feast.
I dawn new life and spirit,
Imagination and surprise abound.
A fragrant freshness envelops me.
Singing and sweet air arouse my senses.
The tomb is destroyed.
The universe teems with life and light.
I am the keeper of the Greatest Mystery!
I am the keeper of your eternity.

Pax!

Lent Has Begun

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:51:27 -0600

From “The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages”
“Lent is the time for trimming the soul and scrapping the sludge off a life turned slipshod. Lent is about taking stock of time, even religious time. Lent is about exercising the control that enables us to say no to ourselves so that when life turns hard of its own accord we have the stamina to yes to its twists and turns with faith and hope…. Lent is the time to make new efforts to be what we say we want to be.” Joan Chittister, OSB
May you have a holy Lent.

The Feast of Stephen

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:52:50 -0600

Good King Wenceslas was here this morning early. I am just certain of it. The snow lay round about deep and crisp and “uneven!” Oops! Maybe not. Actually, I am not sure how anyone would have gotten here. The drifts here are higher than our tractor tires in some places. Whew! I took this picture from our dining room. The chairs and tables are on our patio. This picture shows the depth of the undrifted snow. It has really been a monster storm!

Our Christmas Eve Eucharist was a wonderful celebration. Fr. Owen came over from the Abbey about noon on Christmas Eve so he would be sure to get here before the roads were not passable. We only had 7 folks from town come for Mass. (We marveled at the fact that they came at all, but they told us they had 4-wheel drive vehicles.) Fr. Owen spent the night in our almost empty guest area and was here for Mass yesterday and today as well. It was really wonderful to have him. We felt very lucky since so many churches and parishes were having to cancel services. Our services were wonderful. The bell choir is better and better each year. They are one of the highlights of the season for us. Good job, Susan, Linda and several others! Our Schola did a great job with all the music and the pecan rolls and hot chocolate after Mass were the perfect topping to a wonderful evening.

May the blessings of the season fill each of you with Christ’s peace. If you live in this part of the country, I hope you can get dug out before the spring thaw!

Pax!

P.S. Thanks Christina and Michelle! I loved your card!