Benedictine Sister Claudia Scharf, OSB runs the administrative office at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Milan, Ill.
Although she loves the people and enjoys the variety of tasks the job presents, it wasn’t too long ago that she found herself wondering whether it was the right ministry for her.
“You don’t always get much feedback from people,” she says. “But I got my answer recently when a parishioner who had lost her sister called. Her sister had been ill, and she had cared for her. She just wanted to talk. At the end, she said, ‘Oh, Sr. Claudia, you are so easy to talk to.’ She was crying.
”I got off the phone and cried,” Sr. Claudia says. “I said, ‘Okay, Lord, I guess I’m where you want me to be.’
Here’s an inside look at the place, the job and the Sister who is where she’s supposed to be. Continue Reading »
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Sister Augustine (Arlinda) Rael O.S.B., 77 of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, died Saturday May 5, 2012 at the Monastery.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday in the Chapel of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Monastery, where a Christian wake service wiIl be held at 7:00 p.m. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan is in charge of arrangements. Continue Reading »
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By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB
True vocation joins self and service, as Frederick Buechner asserts when he defines vocation as, “The place where your deep gladness meets the world’s needs.” Continue Reading »
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By Jennifer Willems, The Catholic Post
ROCK ISLAND — As Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, considers her future as the new prioress of St. Mary Monastery, she acknowledges that there’s “a huge mixed bag” of emotions to sort through.
In that bag are awe, gratitude, immense respect for the giftedness of the members of her Benedictine community and a sense of coming loss as she prepares to leave her ministry as pastoral associate at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Coal Valley, where she has served since 1997. Continue Reading »
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We are delighted to let you know that Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB has been elected as our new prioress. Her term will begin with her installation in June. We’ll post more information this week!
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We begin an election process today to discern our new prioress. She will replace Sister Phyllis McMurray, OSB, who has served as prioress for the past 8 years. (This photo is from her installation in 2004. She is being blessed by outgoing prioress Sister Ruth Ksycki, OSB.) Continue Reading »
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Benedictine Sister Claudia Scharf, OSB runs the administrative office at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Milan, Ill.
