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BENEDICTINE WOMEN
OF MADISON
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Myth
#12:
All Nuns are
Catholic
Not at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Our Benedictine community welcomes single
women of any Christian tradition. Here, you can become a Benedictine
sister and keep your denomination. To learn more contact Sister Lynne
at lwsmith@benedictinewomen.org or (608) 836-1631, ext.
198.
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PRAYER & WORSHIP
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All are
welcome to join us for daily prayer, Sunday worship or special
liturgies. For more information contact Lynn at llemberger@benedictinewomen.org
or (608) 836-1631, ext. 138.
Click on the following links for prayer and worship schedules:
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BENEDICTINE LIFE FOUNDATION
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Sophia
The toad uncovered in pruning
spiraea, motionless, transmutes
eons of toad wisdom:
now is all we have.
-Michael E. Belongie
Michael Belongie's limited edition poetry book, Now Is All We Have
is available for $30, with all proceeds benefiting the building
campaign. Click here to
order your copy or contact Mike at mikesb@benedictinewomen.org,
(608) 836-1631 ext. 124.
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OBLATES
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The oblates at
Holy Wisdom Monastery are an intentional ecumenical community of women
and men. Rooted in various faith traditions, they find a practical
spirituality in the Rule of Benedict. On March 20, 2010 six oblate
candidates will make their commitment, bringing the total number of
members in this community to 157. The 2011 candidate class, consisting
of 18 people, begins on this day and continues for one year. Click here to
learn more about oblates or contact Everett at erice@benedictinewomen.org
or (608) 836-1631, ext. 163.
James Finley
is returning to Holy Wisdom Monastery to lead a retreat called,
"Little Things That Fill the Whole World: the Gospel Metaphors of
Spiritual Awakening." Read more...
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BUILDING NEWS
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In
the News
Wisconsin
Builder recently named Holy Wisdom Monastery one of its Top Projects in
2009. The Top Project award recognizes those Wisconsin projects that
have displayed a commitment to sustainable construction, made a
positive impact on the surrounding area and community, or introduced a
new technique to the industry. Click here to
learn more.
MGE's Renewable Energy Channel
Holy Wisdom Monastery was just featured in a video by StoryBoard TV on
local individuals and organizations using solar energy. View the video
by clicking here,
where you can hear an interview with Mary David Walgenbach, osb,
prioress at Holy Wisdom Monastery with about 6:15 remaining in the
video.
Tours
Tour the sustainable Holy Wisdom Monastery! Take a self-guided or
guided tour. Click here for more
information or contact Mike at mikesb@benedictinewomen.org,
(608) 836-1631 ext. 124.
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HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY
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The
new Holy Wisdom Monastery is
spiritual
· home to Benedictine Women of Madison, North
America's first monastic community for single women of any Christian
denomination and a spiritual resource for all
environmental ·
built to be one of the "greenest" buildings in the country
featuring geothermal heating and cooling, bamboo floors, green roofs,
natural lighting, water conservation and more
open to
all · public Sunday worship at 9 am, group
and individual retreats, meetings, nature walks, weddings, tours...
local ·
4200 County Rd M, Middleton, WI just 20 minutes from downtown Madison
Contact Debby at ddelciello@benedictinewomen.org or (608)
836-1631, ext. 141 for more information
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"Be
a lamp in brightness,
and make the
works of darkness cease."
-Ephrem of Syria
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Greetings!
Greetings from
Benedictine Women of Madison at Holy Wisdom Monastery! Benedictine Bridge
might look slightly different this month. The main articles focus on
the Benedictine value of leadership and are more indepth than in past
issues. The calendar of events is now located at the bottom of the
right section of the newsletter and listed chronologically. Send us an email and let us know what
you think.
Peace,
Sister Mary David Walgenbach, OSB
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Leadership in a
Benedictine
Community
By: Mary David Walgenbach, OSB, prioress
Respectful listening is the first and
foremost quality for leadership according to St. Benedict. He begins
his Rule with "Listen." For anyone seeking to grow in
relationship to God, self and others, attentive listening is key for
a whole and holy life.
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Two premises support the understanding of leadership in the Rule of
Benedict (RB).
The first is that Christ is the ultimate authority and second that
the abbot represents Christ in a special way for the community. The
leader, either prioress or abbot, is chosen by the community and
receives what Benedictines believe to be the grace of office. The
leader and community are subject to the Rule. Benedict balances the
use of authority of the leader with the community's responsibilities
for speaking and listening on issues of importance (RB 3).
In chapters two, three and sixty-four of the
Rule, Benedict looks at the question of leadership from both sides:
how the monks are to live under the authority of the prioress or
abbot, and how leaders will exercise authority. Discretion, the art
of being able to distinguish and choose what is appropriate,
describes how the prioress relates to the members of the community.
For each person, in any particular situation, there is a level at
which the monk will work best.
The prioress uses care that no one is
overworked, such as the table waiters or cooks; allowances are made
for seasonal work; extra wine should be given if the heat is
excessive (RB 40).
The authority of the prioress is in no way rigid. She must adapt to
the personality of each sister
(RB 2).
All members of the community are called
to participate in weighty decisions affecting the community because
God often reveals what is better to the younger members (RB 3). After
listening to all the members, Benedict gives the final decision to
the prioress. It is unusual for a prioress to decide against the
community's choice.
In my years as prioress, beginning in 1977,
adaptation and change were frequently used words as we sisters
grappled with the implementation of the documents of Vatican Council
II, especially the Decree
on the Renewal of Religious Life. Society's emphasis
during the 1960s and 1970s also influenced women religious and counterbalanced
an excessive uniformity. These were exciting and painful times for us
but growth implies change.
As I review my years in leadership and
look toward the future, I am grateful for the wisdom and realism of
St. Benedict. His emphasis on consultation, listening and speaking
with humility enabled my community to make enormous changes.
Photo: Glass
mosaic of St. Benedict by Don Spencer, displayed in the Retreat and
Guest House at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
[printer-friendly version]
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Benedictine Sisters Share Leadership
at Holy Wisdom Monastery
By: Lynne Smith, OSB, director of membership
In Sister Mary David's preceding essay, she guides us in St.
Benedict's understanding of leadership. "Consultation,
respectful listening and speaking humbly," are values the
sisters strive to practice in our ministry at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
On Saturday evenings one of the sisters
leads our communal practice of lectio
divina: listening to the scripture together and sharing
their meaning for our lives. We often have guests with us, so our
leadership is important in helping them participate fully.
On Sundays, we share leadership in
worship with members of our Sunday Assembly. We serve as communion
ministers, lectors, presider or homilists.
Prayer is central to our daily life.
Each day one of the sisters, a co-worker or an oblate leads the Liturgy
of the Hours at morning, midday and evening. Benedict says that only
those who can edify the group should lead prayer. We receive
instruction and have periodic practices to prepare us for leading
prayer well.
In response to people seeking a spiritual
community, we practice a shared leadership. We call on the skills of
co-workers, oblates, volunteers, Sunday Assembly members, and
friends. A sister is a member of the teams and committees in each of
our ministries such as Sunday Assembly and the oblate community.
Serving on committees facilitates communication of our mission and
values throughout the communities, boards and work groups to which we
relate.
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The sisters work with co-workers and
others to lead retreats at Holy Wisdom Monastery, and the Volunteer
in Community program. All participants feel enriched by the
experiences and gifts of others.
Each woman coming to the sisters' community
will bring her own set of skills. She will find many areas of life at
Holy Wisdom Monastery in which to exercise leadership. Someone with a
background in business, theology, administration, teaching,
environmental studies or other areas will find a fertile field in
which to use her skills as a member of the community.
Photo:
Sister Lynne Smith, OSB (left), leads the Volunteer in Community
participants in prayer before a communal meal.
[printer-friendly version]
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Calendar of Events
Spring Awakenings Dream Retreat
September 17-19
Annual Benedictine Retreat with James Finley
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