In The News

“Advent Blessings” by Sr. Barbara Woeste

On December 8 we celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. When I worked in parish ministry, some people thought of this feast as the conception of Jesus.  No, this feast celebrates the conception of Mary in her mother’s womb. By God’s special privilege to Mary and to us, Mary was conceived without Read more »

“Earth: Our Common Home” by Rita Brink, OSB

The United Nations are  currently gathered in Brazil discussing climate changes and its impact on planet earth, home to over 8.2 billion people. The effects of climate change are having devastating impacts on the lives of hundreds of millions of peoples, causing whole nations to lose their homeland due to rising temperatures, melting glaciers, severe Read more »

“Benedictine Oblates” by Mary Tewes, OSB

This past weekend the Oblates of St. Walburg Monastery were invited to participate in the Annual Retreat and Renewal weekend. Over the past several years, those who could, gather for the weekend, some staying overnight at the Guest House and others joining in the sessions in the Lower Level meeting room.  Sr. Dorothy Schuette had Read more »

“Curly Connections” by Kimberly Porter OSB

I have naturally curly hair which I have alternately hated and loved through the years. Recently I’ve had several conversations with other women with natural curls. Some are friends or co-workers and others complete strangers. There is an instant connection followed by talk of products and how they take care of their curls. We have Read more »

“What Is Truth?” by Sr. Colleen Winston, OSB

Have you ever been puzzled by a particular character in scripture? I have; it is Pilate and his eternal question: “What is truth?”  Philosophers over the millennia have yet to agree on a unanimous definition of that very straightforward query, and today the question seems more insoluble than centuries ago. Why is a simple answer Read more »

“Hope Sustains Life” by Sr. Aileen Bankemper

Mother Klara visiting the grave of a Ukrainian soldier.

Recently the CIB (Communion of International Benedictines) met for five days in Montserrat, Spain. All nineteen regions of the globe, approximately 13,000 Benedictines, were represented. The meeting made further progress for the CIB to become a canonical body. The emphasis of the CIB continues to be on communion with one another that encourages and fosters Read more »