Yearly Archives: 2021

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In Certain Expectation by Kathy Fleming

Advent has a beautiful simplicity to it that reminds me to turn again toward home; a coming back to myself. It is the only time of the year in Minnesota that always coincides with the change in seasons outside my front door. The trees are bare, and the winter garden is asleep. Winter snow has…
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Visual Prayer: The Interfaith Artists Circle

Visual Prayer: The Interfaith Artists Circle 2021 Our current art exhibit is VISUAL PRAYER.  Visual prayer is the creative exploration and expression of prayer through images. Although this is a contemporary concept, there is a long history of using art in worship – including illuminated religious books. We are excited and honored to host the work…
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Gratitude

Gratitude Tod Twist A few years ago, a friend was talking about the role of adversity in life, and he quipped, “So you made plans and they worked out—not much spiritual growth there.” He was channeling every coach I’ve ever had—ever. Everyone knows that the key to anything is pressing through challenge and adversity. We…
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The Courageous Journey to Renewed Hope

The Courageous Journey to Renewed Hope: October 16, 2021 Mary Elizabeth Ilg, Co-Director, Benedictine Center On Saturday, October 16, 2021 the Benedictine Center hosted a retreat group for a day of prayer and reflection focused on courage and hope.  Christine Jurisich, a well-known retreat leader from California (retreatreflectrenew.org) spent the morning talking about courage.  Courage comes…
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Spiritual Director Profile: Peter Watkins

Spiritual Director Profile: Peter Watkins by Peter Watkins “Imagine that you have ninety seconds to explain to someone what spiritual direction is,” I say to the class.  I have been teaching in a local formation program for adult learners preparing to become spiritual directors.  “Write no more than a couple of short paragraphs for next…
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The Rosary, Ceaseless Prayer & Joan

The Rosary, Ceaseless Prayer & Joan by Mary Martin As I thought about what to include in this brief reflection, my mind and heart were drawn to two prayer forms and a person. The first prayer form that sustains me is the rosary.  While I have been a practicing Catholic my whole life, I admit…
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My Soul Glorifies The Lord 2021 Exhibit: Karen Kurka Jensen

My Soul Glorifies The Lord: Art Exhibit 2021 September see’s the monastery reopening.  And to welcome you back a new art exhibit from sumi-e artist Karen Kurka Jensen will grace our gallery.   Creations Dawn, Morning Stars Still Sing Together I love how the fingers of the sky in this piece are reaching towards each…
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Benedictine Center Re-Opening

The Benedictine Center is Re-Opening this fall! In our April newsletter, we talked about “A Time of Renewed Growth” and planting seeds for the future of the Benedictine Center.  In June, Mary Elizabeth Ilg wrote about “Re-entry in the World” as we are slowly coming out of the pandemic.  In that spirit, we are very…
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Re-Entry in the World

Re-Entry in the World by Mary Elizabeth Ilg Summer has returned to Minnesota after an extremely dark and lonely winter.  Following the gentle tulips of spring, perennial gardens have now exploded in a pageantry of color, and the frilly pink dresses of peonies.  Recently, there have been many days of oppressive, record-breaking heat.  What could…
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God Is Everywhere And Does Everything

God Is Everywhere And Does Everything Created by Sarah Allen "When you regain a sense of your life as a journey of discovery, you return to rhythm with yourself….When the destination becomes gracious, the journey becomes an adventure of beauty." - John O’Donohue I created this piece to illustrate my experience of God. I have…
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