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Monastery
Happenings
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Photos from Guatemala

Sister Kathleen holds a baby in the nursery at Casa Jackson.

Sister Kathleen helps with food distribution.
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Sister Nancy
Gunderson Renews First Monastic Profession

Sister Nancy
Gunderson (left) renews her first monastic profession. She signs the
profession document in the presence of Sister Nancy Miller, prioress
(pictured at her right).
Reflection – Sister
Nancy Miller, Prioress
Renewal of First
Monastic Profession – Sister Nancy Gunderson
February 7, 2010
The gospel for today is very
fitting for Sister Nancy as she renews her first monastic profession.
Actually, the message of today’s gospel is fitting for all of us as we seek
to deepen our commitment to follow Jesus in the monastic life.
St. Luke tells the story.
He says that after teaching the crowds, Jesus directs Peter to “go out in
the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Peter was skeptical. After
all they had fished all night and had caught nothing. But Peter did as
the Lord commanded and caught so many fish that they nearly sunk two boats.
Peter, James and John were simply
astonished at the size of the catch. They felt Jesus’ Divine Presence and
were in awe of it. They left everything to follow Jesus even though
they didn’t know where he was going or how the journey would affect their
lives.
Sister Nancy and all of us have
heard Jesus’ call to leave everything – possessions, family, friends, even
to give up our own wills to follow Jesus in the monastic way of life.
We don’t know where Jesus is taking us. We don’t know what hills and valleys
will be part of our journey. We do know that when we accepted Jesus’
invitation to walk on this path; we eliminated other paths. Each of our
lives could have taken a different turn, but Sister Nancy and all of us said
yes to this one - to the monastic way. Experience and the pioneers of
this community have shown us that by being faithful to Benedictine life–
prayer, lectio, community, stability, obedience, and service, we will be
amazed at the surprises in our lives.
Like Peter was amazed by the
large catch of fish when he obeyed Jesus’ command to let down the nets, we
too are surprised by what happens when we let down our defenses and open
ourselves to listening for and obeying God’s will. We find ourselves in
ministry positions or involved in opportunities to spread God’s word and
help people in ways that we never dreamed would happen when we entered the
monastery. I am sure all of us can relate to this. God uses our
prayers, talents and gifts for the good of others.
But being faithful is not easy.
There are challenges to be consistently present at community prayer, to work
at something we would rather not do, to go out of our way to be hospitable
to a guest, to pitch in and help with tasks around the house or monastery,
to enter into a ministry that is unfamiliar. However, this is what our
life is about – being faithful to the ordinariness of daily living, being
there for each other without criticism or grumbling, serving the people of
God and above all being committed to deepening our search for God.
Sister Nancy, as you renew your
commitment to monastic life, may you be blessed with wonderful surprises on
the path God has chosen for you.
May all of us prefer nothing to
Christ and may He lead us all together to everlasting life.
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Sisters in first profession receive a stone with their name
engraved on it -- a symbol of their belonging to the community. Sisters
Hannah, Madelyn and Nancy Gunderson received their stones on Feb. 7.
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Sisters
Prepare and Serve Meal at The Banquet
Many
wonderful groups of people dedicate precious resources and
time to the weekly meal served at Trinity Lutheran Church.
The Sisters of Annunciation Monastery have been
participating in this for the past several years and last
night was our night again! Thank you for allowing us to be a
part of this important ministry! We pray for all those
who are served and those who serve!

Lt. to Rt.:
Rosemary DeGracia and Sisters Patricia, Agatha, Gerard and
Rosanne

Among their many duties,
Sister Gerard and Sister Mariah "relished" their duty of pickle patrol.

Sister Patricia and
Sister Margaret "rolled" out the feast!

Sister Donna and Sister
JoAnn set tables.

Sister Thomas was hard
at work setting tables and serving guests.

Even little guys can be
servant leaders.
"Butter" hurry up and
get those out to the tables!

Sister Hannah and friend
"gLOVE" working together!
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