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Sisters of St. Benedict

Dear Oblates,

The Advent readings call us to remember how the spiritual journey of the Christian community was lived out in the past, is being lived out in the present and will be lived as we move into the future.  “Thy Kingdom Come” is a prayer that resonates through the past, present, and future in different ways. 

In the past, it was the cry of the Israelites yearning for the promised Messiah through times of waiting in hope. They were challenged by the prophets and leaders because they had lost their way and forgotten their covenant relationship with God.  When Mary and Joseph said “Yes”, the birth of Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God on earth.   

In the present, as Michelle Francl-Donnay says: 

“Thy Kingdom Come” is a reckless Advent prayer, one that insists and demands that I:

  • Lift my eyes from my own cares and anxieties

  • Wade into roiling seas of the present day. [division, violence, disrespect, etc.]

  • Stand as a beacon of justice for those battered by oppression

  • Reach out with mercy to those struggling to keep their heads          

As we move into the future, we might use Thomas Mertons’s prayer to ask God to stir up hope and trust within us as we wait for the promise of God to fill our life with joy and peace.

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.  I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may seem to know nothing about it.  Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen. 

Thy Kingdom Come

“Advent is a call not to safety, but to shake the world until that day when God’s Kingdom comes in glory.”   (M Francl-Donnay)

As a community this Advent, let us pray “Thy Kingdom Come” as a mantra as we step out of our comfort zones and open our eyes to the needs of our world.  May new birth in Christ Jesus arise within us and through us overflow into our world.As we sing “Joy to the World” on Christmas, may it resound within us and around the world.  That is my prayer for you and your families.

May you have a blessed Advent and a Joyous Christmas!

Peace be with you,
Sister Ruth Ksycki, OSB

** The Reflection by Michelle Francl-Donnay is from Give Us This Day, November 28, 2021

AIM Lenten Appeal

The current issue of the newsletter is now available on their website  (www.aim-usa.org).  “Proclaim Glad Tidings to the Poor” has articles about the experiences with the poor from monasteries around the world.

 AIM Newsletters 

Oblate Day 2021

45 oblates or so attended the second annual virtual Oblate Day.  It was mostly virtual with a few board members in person.  Thanks to Sister Bobbi Bussan, who with her tech experience was able to navigate communication between both groups.  The day was recorded through Zoom.  After solving a number of difficulties, Sr. Bobbi was able to record it on our SSM YouTube channel with a private link: Press Ctrl and click on the link: https://youtu.be/7CqW5DFa3Zs

(One request from Sr. Judith Sutera: Please do not give this link to anyone other than an oblate of St. Mary Monastery.)

The next issue of Connecting Point will be devoted to oblates and will have a summary of Sister Judith Sutera’s presentation by Oblate Jan Gull.

Future Conferences

NAABOD Biennial Conference

This meeting for Oblate Directors and Oblates will be held August 4-9, 2022 at St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, In. The Theme is Weaving St. Benedict’s Way of Life into the Future. It is open to the Oblate Director and two oblates. Since Sister Ruth will be unable to go because of a community chapter meeting, our oblate group would be able to send three oblates. Our oblate resources will pay for the fee. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with oblates from other monasteries in the United States. Please contact Sister Ruth (rksycki@smmsisters.org) if you are interested in attending.

5th INTERNATIONAL OBLATE CONFERENCE

Plan ahead. The next conference will be held in Rome at Sant’ Anselmo September 9-16, 2023. It is a wonderful way to meet and interact with oblates from all over the world. Please let me know if you would be interested in attending. Please contact Oblate Board member, Madeleine Callahan if you are interested or have questions. (mcallaha@iwu.edu).

Bloomington Obl. Anne Duback whose apartment was broken into, and she was robbed of all her money.  She has been very traumatized.

QC Oblate, Susan Griffiths who is recovering from knee replacement surgery on Dec. 1.   (suejohnqconline@att.net)

Patricia Coleman, mother of QC oblate Maureen Bennett who died on November 12.   (yomoben@gmail.com)

Sister Catherine Maloney,OSB, who died on November 18.

Sister Cecile Baer, OSB, who died on November 21.

Jason Breymeier, 42-year-old nephew of Sister Ruth Ksycki, who died on October 25.

Save the Date - June 22-23, 2022

The Benedictine women's Federation of St. Scholastica will celebrate its Centennial with a Colloquium open to all followers of Benedict: women and men who are professed, oblates, or spiritual seekers. The Colloquium will take place at Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, KS, AND virtually June 21-24, 2022. 

Six presenters and two responders will explore the goals spelled out here that center on Benedictine wisdom, witness, and creating a way forward. Presenters will be introduced on the website soon. This will be a hybrid event, onsite and virtual, and registrations for both formats will open next month.

Contact Information

Sr. Ruth Ksycki, OSB
Oblate Director
rksycki@smmsisters.org
309.283.2106

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St. Mary Monastery, 2200 88th Ave West, Rock Island, IL 61201, United States

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