NORTH AMERICAN NORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ASSOCIATION OF

BENEDICTINE OBLATE BENEDICTINE OBLATE DIRECTORS DIRECTORS

MEETING 2009MEETING 2009St. Vincent's ArchabbeySt. Vincent's Archabbey

•President:  President:  Antoinette Purcell, OSBAntoinette Purcell, OSBOur Lady of Grace Our Lady of Grace MonasteryMonasteryBeech Grove, IndianaBeech Grove, Indiana

++++++++++•   Vice President:  Vice President: 

John Peto, OSBJohn Peto, OSBSt. Benedict’s AbbeySt. Benedict’s AbbeyAtchison, KansasAtchison, Kansas

++++++++++

 Executive Secretary:   Executive Secretary:  Bonita Gacnik, OSBBonita Gacnik, OSBSacred Heart MonasterySacred Heart MonasteryYankton, South DakotaYankton, South Dakota++++++++++

Administrative TeamAdministrative Team

St. Vincent's ArchabbeySt. Vincent's Archabbey

• Founded by Founded by Benedictine monk Benedictine monk Boniface Wimmer in Boniface Wimmer in 18461846

• St Vincent is Now an St Vincent is Now an Archabbey, College, Archabbey, College, Seminary & ParishSeminary & Parish

• The Basilica of the The Basilica of the First Benedictine First Benedictine Monastery in the U.S.Monastery in the U.S.

• 170 Monks comprise 170 Monks comprise the Archabbeythe Archabbey

St. Vincent's ArchabbeySt. Vincent's Archabbey

• Aurelius Hall & Aurelius Hall & SchoolSchool

• Mary Mother of Mary Mother of Wisdom ChapelWisdom Chapel

• Archabbot Douglas Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.R. Nowicki, O.S.B.

St. Vincent's ArchabbeySt. Vincent's Archabbey

• Lectio – transformation & SurrenderLectio – transformation & Surrender• "Tools of our daily lives as sacred vessels of "Tools of our daily lives as sacred vessels of

the altar" OSB = OJT (On-the-job trainees) the altar" OSB = OJT (On-the-job trainees) (Listen, Obedience, Prayer)(Listen, Obedience, Prayer)

• Humility – Be centered in God not selfHumility – Be centered in God not self• Stability – Spiritual Compass – GPS = God Stability – Spiritual Compass – GPS = God

positioning system “Bloom where you are positioning system “Bloom where you are planted.”planted.”– ““TRUE GOD” – Not ego, power or greedTRUE GOD” – Not ego, power or greed– God prevents our ideals from becoming our God prevents our ideals from becoming our

Idols.Idols.• Hospitality – Open up to receiveHospitality – Open up to receive• Stress: Not everything is 911Stress: Not everything is 911• Be practical in the present with people here Be practical in the present with people here • Pray & Work – “Prayer is the time with our Pray & Work – “Prayer is the time with our

Beloved” Prayer made visible; our emptinessBeloved” Prayer made visible; our emptiness meets God’s fullnessmeets God’s fullness• Serve – one drop, one snow flake, one personServe – one drop, one snow flake, one person

– Flood, Blizzard, ChangeFlood, Blizzard, Change

Mother Mary Anne Noll Mother Mary Anne Noll OSBOSB

Mother Mary Anne Noll Mother Mary Anne Noll OSBOSB

• KEY POINTSKEY POINTS– ““All Work has Dignity – Value All Work has Dignity – Value

if you give it all to God”if you give it all to God”– Recognize the “Holy in the Recognize the “Holy in the

daily”daily”– ~ Sanctifying the Daily ~ ~ Sanctifying the Daily ~

• Morning OfferingMorning Offering– Be SpecificBe Specific– Work on Small & Consistent Work on Small & Consistent

goals…goals…– Each day you grow along the Each day you grow along the

Journey…Journey…

Benedictine NunsBenedictine NunsSt. Emma St. Emma MonasteryMonastery

• A monastery is a touchstone A monastery is a touchstone with God – not only for us, the with God – not only for us, the nuns living here, but for all who nuns living here, but for all who come. come.

A monastery is a sign to the A monastery is a sign to the world that here are women for world that here are women for whom God is so real that they whom God is so real that they have responded by vowing their have responded by vowing their lives to God in a special way.lives to God in a special way.

A monastery is a Touchstone A monastery is a Touchstone for all who come to a place for all who come to a place hallowed by prayer – not only of hallowed by prayer – not only of the prayer of the permanent the prayer of the permanent praying community of nuns – praying community of nuns – but also of all those who come but also of all those who come and pray here.and pray here.

• Sr. Phyllis Hunhoff Sr. Phyllis Hunhoff O.S.B.O.S.B.– Mary Gibson’s Mary Gibson’s

Sister Sister

• Nancy Kaib Nancy Kaib – Chandler DeanChandler Dean

• Lance & Betty Lance & Betty Dickinson from Dickinson from TucsonTucson

• Sr. Lenora BlackSr. Lenora Black

Interesting People Interesting People I Meet at NAABOD I Meet at NAABOD

• Inquirers & Candidates/ NovicesInquirers & Candidates/ Novices – How can we attract new membership?How can we attract new membership?– What might be an overarching goal of these What might be an overarching goal of these

Stages?Stages?– What values might guide the input/content of these What values might guide the input/content of these

Stages?Stages?– What resources are helpful in working both groups?What resources are helpful in working both groups?– What rituals could be part of these Stages?What rituals could be part of these Stages?– What qualities do we expect Inquirers & Novices to What qualities do we expect Inquirers & Novices to

exhibit?exhibit?– How can we discern readiness for How can we discern readiness for

Candidate/Novice or oblation Stage—ways to do Candidate/Novice or oblation Stage—ways to do this, questions to consider/ask?this, questions to consider/ask?

Oblate Oblate Brainstorming Brainstorming session…session…

Oblate Oblate Brainstorming Brainstorming

session… session… OblatesOblates • What might be an overarching goal of Oblation?What might be an overarching goal of Oblation?• What qualities do we expect Oblates to exhibit?What qualities do we expect Oblates to exhibit?• What values might guide the content and What values might guide the content and

activities of ongoing formation of Oblates?activities of ongoing formation of Oblates?• What resources are helpful in the ongoing What resources are helpful in the ongoing

formation of Oblates?formation of Oblates?• What rituals might be celebrated with Oblates?What rituals might be celebrated with Oblates?• How do we allow for diversity—different faith How do we allow for diversity—different faith

traditions, different physical or mental abilities, traditions, different physical or mental abilities, different needs and expectations, various different needs and expectations, various distance from monastery?distance from monastery?

• How might we handle Oblates who are a source How might we handle Oblates who are a source of conflict for other Oblates or for the monastic of conflict for other Oblates or for the monastic community?community?

• What might be the goal of leadership What might be the goal of leadership development among Oblates?development among Oblates?

• What qualities indicate potential leadership What qualities indicate potential leadership among Oblates?among Oblates?

• How might we invite Oblates to leadership roles?How might we invite Oblates to leadership roles?• What values might guide the content and What values might guide the content and

activities of leadership development among activities of leadership development among Oblates?Oblates?

• What are some possible ways Oblates can What are some possible ways Oblates can exercise leadership?exercise leadership?

• What values might guide the relationship What values might guide the relationship between monastics and oblates?between monastics and oblates?

• How might we handle conflicts that arise when a How might we handle conflicts that arise when a leader is not performing to expectations?leader is not performing to expectations?

Oblate Oblate Brainstorming Brainstorming session… session… Developing Developing

LeadershipLeadership

Fred Rogers CenterFred Rogers CenterCommunication - Collaboration - Creative Communication - Collaboration - Creative

ChangeChange

• Community Community – Grace of CompromiseGrace of Compromise– Community is like Trinity, Persons interacting with one anotherCommunity is like Trinity, Persons interacting with one another

• Uniformity not a goal; puts aside individuals and their gifts, and Uniformity not a goal; puts aside individuals and their gifts, and creativity suffers.creativity suffers.

– Disagreements are not a bad thing in a community, but open Disagreements are not a bad thing in a community, but open up the door to discussions. – STRETCH -up the door to discussions. – STRETCH -

– Together we will grow if we are rooted in Christ, following God’s Together we will grow if we are rooted in Christ, following God’s Will.Will.

– Community will feed the Oblates, who need real food, not fluffCommunity will feed the Oblates, who need real food, not fluff• Word of God - PrayerWord of God - Prayer• Social & Being involvedSocial & Being involved• Hospitality & Breaking Bread – room for everyone Hospitality & Breaking Bread – room for everyone

– Encourage various gifts and roles, but keep Encourage various gifts and roles, but keep One HeartOne Heart• Healing – Divine physician - Spiritual Direction Healing – Divine physician - Spiritual Direction

– There are limitation… (Counseling Groups)There are limitation… (Counseling Groups)

Father Brian Boosel Father Brian Boosel O.S.B.O.S.B.Archabbey Archivist - History ProfessorArchabbey Archivist - History Professor

• Entering Saint Benedict Monastery Entering Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow, VA in 1963, Sr. Cecilia in Bristow, VA in 1963, Sr. Cecilia earned a BA in Music Education from earned a BA in Music Education from Marywood University and an MA in Marywood University and an MA in Liturgical Theology from Catholic Liturgical Theology from Catholic University of America.  She has University of America.  She has served as a teacher, community served as a teacher, community musician/liturgist, musician/liturgist, formation/vocation director, lecturer formation/vocation director, lecturer and retreat director.  Sr. Cecilia has and retreat director.  Sr. Cecilia has served and continues to serve on a served and continues to serve on a number of boards including her number of boards including her current position as President of the current position as President of the Board of Trustees for the Board of Trustees for the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia and Benedictine Sisters of Virginia and their five corporate ministries, Vice-their five corporate ministries, Vice-President Board President Board

• Relationships & Rule Chapter 72Relationships & Rule Chapter 72– Respect & LoveRespect & Love– Physical, Mental, Emotional Physical, Mental, Emotional – Gift of Self – Freely chose make a Gift of Self – Freely chose make a

Profession of FaithProfession of Faith– Stability to Culture & Environment Stability to Culture & Environment

(Community)(Community)– EnergyEnergy– Being with…Being with…– Listen – Tell Your StoryListen – Tell Your Story

• Organize people as blessings not Organize people as blessings not problems…problems…– CommunicationCommunication

• As EqualsAs Equals• Stay CuriousStay Curious• Help others by being better Help others by being better

listenerslisteners• Slow downSlow down• Have good conversation Have good conversation

( Natural)( Natural)• Things will get messy at timesThings will get messy at times

– Have courageHave courage– Be silent – be in the presentBe silent – be in the present

Sister Cecilia Dwyer Sister Cecilia Dwyer O.S.B.O.S.B.St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow VASt. Benedict Monastery in Bristow VA

Sister Cecilia Dwyer Sister Cecilia Dwyer O.S.B.O.S.B.St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow VASt. Benedict Monastery in Bristow VA

• Reconciliation & ForgivenessReconciliation & Forgiveness– We are not in Perfect ideal HarmonyWe are not in Perfect ideal Harmony– Self forgetfulnessSelf forgetfulness– Work with Issues, problems, Work with Issues, problems,

diversity, individuality…diversity, individuality…– Return to God - PrayerReturn to God - Prayer

• Sadness shows mistrust in God’sSadness shows mistrust in God’s providence; acedia is soul-sicknessprovidence; acedia is soul-sickness

– Prayer! Do not forget why we are…Prayer! Do not forget why we are…– Be yourself – don’t judge others by Be yourself – don’t judge others by

your judgment scale…your judgment scale…– Never lose hope in God’s MercyNever lose hope in God’s Mercy– Be a “repairer of the breach”- Be a “repairer of the breach”-

forgiveforgive– Morning Offering – Life is a Journey Morning Offering – Life is a Journey

to Holiness.to Holiness.

the liturgical year,

It is time made holy.

the liturgical year,

It is time made holy.

Monastic prayer marks the distinctive movements of the day, 

the liturgical year,and the Christian life.

It is time made holy.

More Interesting More Interesting People People I Meet at NAABOD I Meet at NAABOD

PAX - Thank you for the Opportunity PAX - Thank you for the Opportunity Mike Schroeder OSB Oblate Mike Schroeder OSB Oblate

• Thank you – Sr. Lenora BlackThank you – Sr. Lenora Black

• Thank you – NAABOD Thank you – NAABOD

• Thank you – St. Vincent ArchabbeyThank you – St. Vincent Archabbey

• Thank you – St Emma MonasteryThank you – St Emma Monastery

• Peace & Blessing to all - Gods Will is Peace & Blessing to all - Gods Will is Best!Best!