VOLUME 55, NUMBER 1 / 3190 BENET LANE, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80921-1509 / Winter 2017

“Each season is a forerunner of the next,

and as the earth revolves, we learn to adjust,

and consent to, the alterations.”

-Faith Baldwin

“Each season is a forerunner of the next,

and as the earth revolves, we learn to adjust,

and consent to, the alterations.”

-Faith Baldwin

www.benethillmonastery.org

2

Dear Friends and Families,

This has been a winter of change, especially with the advent of a new president. For some, this has brought great joy and for others, fear and uncertainty. Some are marching in protest and others rally in support. It is a time of unrest that calls us to go deeper into our values and invites us into dialogue. Generally, as a people, we are a silent giant that takes little action in the political arena. We are doing our best to get to work, raise a family and pay our bills, but today we are being invited to participate as responsible citizens. We are invited to become active regardless of which side of the aisle we sit on.

The reading from 1 Corinthians 1:27 turns our values upside down.

Front Cover Photo

PLEASE NOTE that from 2011 to 2016 the volume numbers on our quarterly Review have been incorrectly labeled. From this issue forward, we will begin numbering from 55 with four issues per volume. -Barbara Neilon, Librarian

The cover photo was taken by Sister Mary Colleen Schwarz during her prayerful winter walk. Other photos from her walk

are included in this issue with a quote. “The broken tree represents brokenness and the snow represents

God’s healing salve-the message for me is that God is in our brokenness infusing us with healing grace.”

- Sister Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB

PRAYER OF DISCERNMENT FOR ELECTION OF PRIORESS

God of all wisdom, we pray in the spiritof Benedict and Scholastica

to prefer nothing to the love of Christ.Open our hearts, enlighten our minds,

for the tasks of discernment.Fill us with your gifts of holy listening,

faith-filled freedom, and generous response.

In your compassion and mercy, help us to embrace

our weakness and fears.Heal us so that we may hear and

respond to your word and your will.Give us fire for our vision

and passion for our dreams.Let our hearts burn with your love

for each of us.We ask this in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

In deepest sympathy we remember our dear sisters and their families who have lost loved ones.

Sister Helen Zecha, OSB for the loss of her sister, Frances E. Kleine.

Sister Lucile Hartmann, OSB for the loss of her nephew, Kevin Schreiner.

Sisters Elizabeth and Kathleen Cogan, OSB for the loss of their nephew, Christopher Cogan and their cousin, Robert Cogan.

Sister Marilyn Carpenter, OSB on the loss of three cousins: Bill Georgeson, Gerald Dellere and Francis Carroll.

“For God alone my soul waits in silenceFor my hope is from him.He alone is my rock and my salvation,My fortress; I shall not be shaken.On God rests my deliverance and my honor;My mighty rock, my refuge is in God. “ -Psalm 62:5-7

The community election taskforce invites you, your families and friends, to join us in our daily prayer of discernment for the election of prioress in April 2017. We realize that you are a very important part of our lives and your prayer is vital to us.

In whose company do you find yourself? Are you among the foolish, the weak, the lowly and despised? These are serious times as we all pray for the leadership of our country and the world as we take consolation in the words of the Psalmist:

“God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for

nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something.”

Peace to you,

Prioress Election by Sister Anne Stedman, OSB

by Sister Clare Carr, OSB, Prioress Message from Prioress

3

Vocation

Virginia

“A true contemplative monastic” are the words most often used to describe our Sister Catherine (Philothea) Kinen. Sister Catherine passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2016 (87 years old) in the same quiet way that she lived her life.

Sister Catherine was born in St. Francis, Kansas and grew up on a farm in northwest Kansas. She attended the local public elementary school and Mt. St. Scholastica Academy (high school) in Atchison, Kansas. In June 1948, after graduation, she entered the Benedictine Monastery of Mt. St. Scholastica and made her final monastic profession on January 1, 1953.

For twenty-six years, Sister Catherine taught kindergarten and first grade in Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. She is a charter member of Benet Hill Monastery. In 1976, Sister Catherine began internal ministry to the sisters by caring for the sick and working in food services at the monastery. Her ministry to her sisters in community reflected the gentle love, compassion and patience of Sister Catherine’s heart. She shared her many gifts inconspicuously. She had a gift for music, a beautiful singing voice, and enjoyed playing the piano.

I experienced an awakening to the hideous crime of Human Trafficking about three years ago. Did you know that Human Trafficking is the third largest business across the globe? Through force, fraud, and coercion, traffickers exploit more than 20 million adults and children in brothels, factories, on farms and boats, and countless other industries around the world. Combatting this silent crime is not easy.

Continuing our Mission of offering educational programs for the community of Colorado Springs, the Sisters of Benet Hill are offering a 4-part inter-generational series on Human Trafficking. Benet Hill is sponsoring the series at the Pikes Peak East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. on Tuesday evenings February 14, 21, 28 and March 7 from 7:00-8:30 pm. These sessions offer opportunities for all family members to learn about and discuss this tragic evil in our city, our schools, our state, country and world. Our children are not safe anywhere.

by Sister Ana Cloughly, OSBWe Remember: Sister Catherine Kinen, OSB

Mass of Consecrated Life by Sister Mary Jane Vigil, OSB, Liturgy Director

by Sister Rose Ann Barmann, OSB

Human Trafficking: “Not on my watch...not my son, not my daughter...”’

Sister Catherine personifies the Lord’s admonition to, “Listen, be silent so that God may teach wisdom.” She was a woman of few words and went about her work quietly and with great care. When she spoke, her words were filled with wisdom. She was an avid reader and her conversations conveyed attentive observation and deep reflection. Sister Catherine expressed joy in all things. During the last weeks of her life, she noticed the changing colors of the season, the uniqueness of a bird or keen insight about the way she was feeling. Sister Catherine was admired by her community as a true contemplative monastic, the way she lived her life reflected her unwavering trust in God.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” -Albert Einstein Let’s prove Einstein wrong by attending this series and then working together to eradicate this evil. For more info: www.benethillmonastery.org or contact Sister Rose Ann Barmann, OSB 719.633.0655 Ext. 130 or email sroseann@benethillmonastery.org.

On February 14th a Human Trafficking survivor will tell her story and how she is helping others to recover from this trauma. On February 21st, Resource Police Officer Chris Burns speaks on how teens can be lured into Human Trafficking by the internet and social media. February 28th will focus on awareness of teens using Facebook and other social media. The fourth session, on March 7th will feature the story of someone who was addicted to pornography, found redemption, and is now helping others. The program is free, but donations will be appreciated to further awareness.

Sister Karen Kuta from Mount St. Francis celebrates 60 years of vowed professed life.

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This special day is celebrated on or near the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. On Saturday, January 28th, over fifty women and men of the different religious orders who minister in the Diocese of Colorado Springs came together at Benet Hill Monastery to honor the day. The celebration included Mass and a meal with Bishop Sheridan and Rev. Msgr. Ricardo Coronado-Arrascue, J.C.D, Vicar for Religious.

Sisters observing anniversaries of vowed professed life, but were unable to attend are listed. Sisters from Mount St. Francis: 75 Years: Sister Rose Ann Stillmock; 70 years: Sisters Bernice Preister, Charlene Stuczynski and Frances Ann Havel; 65 years: Sisters Dolores Smagacz and Mary Agnes Montoya; 50 years: Sister Lizabeth Rutherford

Register online for this free series. www.benethillmonastery.org

4

We prayerfully planned for the New Year with a Taizé Vigil on December 31st in Our Lady of Peace chapel at the monastery. The prayer was dedicated to Our Lady of Vladimir, one of the glorious icons of MARY, the Mother of Jesus. Words from Scripture, Henri Nouwen and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were followed with silence. A meditative song gave rise to the lighting of candles in quiet prayer. The vigil ended with over 70 participants joining in the Prayer of Peace and a joyous sign of peace.

It is a challenge to cultivate hope in our lives while living in the whirlwind of change each day. As contemplatives, we are called to seek the fullness of life in our attitude. This contemplative commitment purifies us, reveals authentic treasures of our heart and the heart of the community, and uncovers the seedlings of our future. It changes us, especially, if we embrace seeing, touching, tasting and sharing God’s word in the company of potential new members. New members are potent instruments of change.

Just as our senior community members were instruments of change and adaptation when they began their religious life, new members will change us in ways we cannot even imagine or believe possible. What a blessing it would be if those new paths bring us closer to the Gospel vision we share.

In 2017, as new members knock at our monastic door, let us open the door with sincere hearts that welcome and recognize the heart of Christ in the other. As new members cross that threshold-”Behold, they are doing something new...Do you not perceive it?”

“Behold, I am doing something new...Do you not perceive it?”-Isaiah 43:19

by Sister Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB, Vocation Director

Sister Marilyn Carpenter began with a reflection on the promise and hope of Advent with the question “What is waiting to be birthed in me?”The depth of this question kept calling me (and calls me still) as we discussed the angelic visitation of Mary and Joseph‘s dream.

One of the many materials given to us that morning was “The Beginning of My Gratitude Journal”. Since my birthday is in Advent and on the cusp of Christmas, I am reminded to be grateful for the gift of life itself.

Use one of Colleen’s pics here

“This photo entitled ‘Steadfast Love’ depicts being filled with awe in the presence of God.”

- Sister Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB

Reflection on the Advent Retreat

Taize Prayer for Peace‘

In another very moving exercise, we slowly walked through the chapel saying “Whichever way I turn, there is the Face of God!” Oh my, how true this is. The Face of God in each other, the forest, Pikes Peak, even in myself. A bell rang occasionally and we would stop and find someone to share “the God in me honors the God in you.”

On Saturday, December 10, 2016, while the world was in pursuit of presents, I drove to Benet Hill full of anticipation for the richness of presence. I arrived hoping for a time and place to experience the beauty of Advent. All who gathered for the Advent retreat, each with hopes and anticipation, were immersed in the “Waiting in Joyful Hope” of the season.

I was deeply moved to learn of the deep interfaith roots of this exercise.“Whichever way I turn” phrase is from the Quran via John Philip Newell and the greeting we offered each other is our morning’s modification of Namaste from India.

In anticipation of Christmas, we closed with a beautiful ceremony welcoming the light as the chapel was bathed in the light of the Christ candle from the Advent wreath. The closing was complete fulfillment of my anticipation and hopes for the retreat.

by Jesse Brown, osb Oblate

by Sister Anne Stedman, OSB

L to R: Mary Ann Spiker, Global Online Facilitator is hugged by Sister Anne during the

Annual Christmas Employee Luncheon. The sisters show their gratitude to all employees.

5

Everything moves in perfect symphony with

everything else-by grand divine design. -Suzy Kassem

“Gratitude Celebration” The sisters consistently take great care to

arrange an inviting, creative, prayerful environment in the oratory and chapel space.

Seasonal Joys of Community Living

The sisters enjoy a White Elephant Gift Exchange and Sister Joseph Marie (3rd from the left) wonders what it could be.

L to R: Sisters Anne, Rose Ann, Joseph Marie, Mary Teresa, Jan, Mary Jane and MT (Marie Therese).

L to R: Sisters Ana, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Olive Therese and Marilyn watch as Olive Therese admires her new journal.

Sister Helen wonders about the mystery gift

she chose.

Holiday meal preparation is

always a shared community affair.Top L to R: Sisters

Mary John, Rose Ann and Naomi work on

the Thanksgiving meal. L: Sisters Mary Teresa and Francine

set the tables for New Year’s Day.

Sister Lucile sold beautiful handmade and donated Christmas crafts on weekends in October

and November. Thank you for your support!

The Christmas tree in the chapel is decorated with dried flowers. All flowers the sisters receive throughout the year

from family and friends for any occasion (happy or sad) are dried

and saved to decorate this tree-a beautiful tradition!

Compiled by Gina Berger, Communications Director

6

During my first visit to Benet Hill I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and sense of community that can only come from family. Even though I was a total stranger, I felt welcomed and genuinely received, as if I were the Christ. I knew then, that I wanted to be connected to this sacred community.

After completing the Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program, I discovered through prayer that God was calling me to a higher level of involvement in the mission of Benet Hill Monastery. Oblation surfaced as the natural progression; it has provided the opportunity to dig deeper into Benedictine values. Saint Benedict’s own words express what I have experienced as my call to servant ministry as an Oblate for the Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery.

“…Listen carefully, my child, to the Master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who

loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.” -St. Benedict

Academy Alumnae ProfileOblation at Benet Hill

I graduated from Benet Hill Academy in 1966 and attended Loretto Heights College for two years before graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with a BA in Elementary Education. Shortly after graduation, I married Steve Sharkey, a 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force. After he completed pilot training, Steve was sent to Vietnam for one year while I lived in Colorado Springs. Upon his return, we spent time in Oklahoma, where I taught and then moved to Montgomery, Alabama where our first son, Scott was born. I enjoyed life as a full-time mommy.

by Dana Cossey, osb Oblate

I am at a place in my spiritual development that seeks peace and reverence, the clarity of St. Benedict’s Rule. The Benedictine way of life is foundational to how I view and live in the world. The vow of STABILITY demonstrates my intention to remain faithful to God in prayer and in community; the vow of OBEDIENCE reflects my intention to live my life as God has called me;

by Kathy McLaughlin Sharkey, Class of ‘66

the vow of CONVERSION is a commitment to the holiness of transformation in me continuously.

My connection to this community is one of compassion, inclusivity and service. I believe God wants me to draw closer in order to nourish my spirit completely.

Prayerful Walk

Subsequent assignments brought us to Dayton, Ohio; Washington DC and Anchorage, Alaska. I did some teaching, but mostly concentrated on raising my family. One year before Steve’s retirement, my mother died. Luckily, we were able to rent her house to the Sisters of Benet Hill until we returned to Colorado in 1992.

We have lived here since then and I taught Kindergarten for 11 years. Both our sons married Colorado girls, live in the Denver area and have blessed us with 5 grandchildren. I finally have little girls in my life… three of them. They and their brothers provide Steve and me with lots of joy and happiness.

God has blessed us and I thank Him every day for the people in my life. As a small gesture of gratitude, I am involved in the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Red Cross assisting families that have suffered a disaster. The work is rewarding and has provided me the opportunity to meet giving and caring people who serve as an inspiration to me.

Next came Little Rock, Arkansas and Tacoma, Washington, the birthplace of our second son, Mike. Life was good and I enjoyed raising my two wonderful little boys.

Kathy McLaughlin Sharkey

L: “The redness of the bush spoke of the Holy Spirit. I called

the image “Holy Spirit’s Breath

of Beauty.”-Sister Mary Colleen

Schwarz, OSB

R: “I call this the‘Dress of Grace’. I recalled Psalm 51:7 ‘Wash me and I shall be whiter than

snow.’”-Sister Mary Colleen

Schwarz, OSB

“Family is a pervasive metaphor for the church. The early church began in homes with families desiring baptism for their entire households. Through our baptism and faith in Christ, we are adopted into and join the intimate communion of God’s family. It is within a loving family that many form an understanding about God, affection and forgiveness.” -Daily Bread January 24, 2017

Southwest Liturgical Conference by Sister Mary Jane Vigil, OSB, Liturgy Director

From January 18 to 21, I joined with a thousand people from nearly all the southwestern states and other parts of the country, in El Paso, Texas for the 55th study week of the Southwest Liturgical Conference. The conference was hosted by the Diocese of El Paso and the Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, D.D.

The theme for this conference was “Breaking Bread: The Eucharist and the Domestic Church.” Nationally known speakers, beginning with Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, Rev. Dempsey Rosales-Acosta all reflected on the essential links between the practice of the faith at home and in the Church and how the interplay between the two leads to and strengthens the other. Simple daily experiences of rituals, devotions and prayer life begin our relationship with God and fosters our discipleship. Home life provides the building blocks to grasp the meaning and importance of what we do at church. What we do at church strengthens our family life.

7

T he Nautilus Shell

by Sister Marilyn Carpenter, OSB, Grief Counseling

Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program: Grief and Healing Arts Workshop

As a Jubilee gift to our alumnae graduates, I promised to facilitate two workshops. My first workshop on the grief process and rituals was held on Saturday, November 5th.

We met in Sarah Hall and began the day with Sister Lucy’s cinnamon rolls. Then we went through a check list of losses they might have experienced, talked about support systems, discussed the necessity of going through grief and the aspects of healing. Music provided a backdrop and the film Tear Soup allowed participants to engage in creative art and shared discussion.

For me, the day was highly successful because of the preparatory work each person completed and brought with her to the workshop. All of us have losses in our lives and we can ignore or deny those losses for a time, but in doing so we only prolong the process. Either we deal with the grief or it will deal with us in a variety of ways. Comments at the end of the day included a wish for more days like this including opportunities in Denver.

The second workshop promised was Mid-life Spirituality, which I will be scheduling in spring or summer.

Contact information: smarilyn@benethillmonastery.org or 719.429.7500

Everything turns in circles and spirals with the cosmic heart until infinity. -Suzy Kassem

Colorado Springs and Denver BSFP (Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program) students gathered at the monastery for a Grief and Healing Arts Workshop on January 21st. Rev. Joanne Buchanan-Brown led a profound experience of identifying grief in each of the student’s personal lives while Katherine Flahive provided materials and suggestions for the students to process their grief experiences through art.

And grief is like a nautilus shell:its surfacecold and smooth,yet fragile.And in the dark depths lies the salt of your sea hungry tears.

Let the shadowssoothe awaythe pain of loss,and of sadness.

Listen:the oceanrolls and rollsebbsand flowswashing awaysorrow.

In the quiet stillness you will hear:church bells on the windon a calm day and know:love remains.

Academy Alumnae Grief Workshop

by Sister Anne Stedman, OSB, Program Coordinator

The day culminated with a ritual of gathering the art creations and each participants’ prayers.

Left: Sister Marilyn Carpenter, OSB works with academy alumnae on grief and rituals workshop.

Each student participates in the

closing prayer ritual using their creations

from the day.Two Benedictine Spiritual Formation students create art

that expresses their personal loss.

by Carin Willis, Interim Director of Mission Advancement

BSFP: Grief and Healing Arts Workshop

Benet Lane fresh after a snowfall in February

taken by Barbara Lynette.

8

When people drive onto our property, a common response is, “It is so peaceful here!” We know instinctively that this is holy ground. We are blessed to be here with God in the beautiful forest. The rustling of the pines whisper of a calming presence.

Long before Benet Hill purchased the property in the early 1960s; this land was holy ground. It was part of a significant yearly migrational path for many Native American tribes, especially the Utes. One practice for a family is to culturally modify a tree. Each year they would bend the tree and encourage a unique shape.

Oral traditions (stories) passed on from generation to generation taught the people to reverence the land and these trees. Some trees were to remember a loved one who died. Some were used in sacred prayer services. The Native Americans believed that every life sprang from the sacred earth. They believed that every person lived and reverenced the Great Spirit and all of creation. At death, the life returned to the Great Spirit. They shaped the trees to always remember the connection between themselves, creation and the Great Spirit.

A beautiful tradition was to pray while touching the tree. The wind in the pine needles would continue that prayer in perpetuity. During the summer and fall of 2016, seven culturally modified trees were identified and marked with a small plaque on our property. The Pikes Peak Historical Society and Sister Jan want to recognize and preserve this holy tradition. We are continuing to reverence God, all peoples and creation.

If you are interested in learning more about the Culturally Modified Trees and locating them on our property, please contact Sister Jan at sjan@benethillmonastery.org.

Retreat Reflections by Rev. Derek DeToni-Hill, Retreatant

T his is Holy Ground by Sister Jan Ginzkey, OSB, Assistant Prioress

Befriending the Mystics Class

Block 2 of Befriending the Mystics included a distinctively foreign twist.

Amy Agape shared with us the work of Rabbi Moses de Leon from the Kabbalist (Jewish mystical) tradition.

Rick Klein presented the thought of Bede Griffiths whose spirituality blends Christianity with Hindu influences.

Steve Gabriel introduced us to Dionysius, a noted Christian theologian and we ended the block with Rumi, a Sufi mystic known as the Love Mystic.

I come to Benet Hill expectantly. I know I will find silence, space, and warm hospitality-even during a frigid, cold Advent week in December. Jesu Rama (hermitage) fits my needs just right: a comfortable bed, a simple kitchen, a hot shower, and a recliner to settle into with my reading.

As a pastor of Central United Methodist Church living in nearby Colorado Springs, I come to Benet Hill to allow myself to be embraced by the forest and its quiet. I hear God’s voice so much more clearly without all the noise and clutter of my usual routines. With each day I am able to sink more fully into God’s love, and offer an easier “yes” to God’s claim on my life. I am grateful for the Sisters of Benet Hill, and all who make retreat time at the monastery a time of refreshment for the spirit! Thank you.

by Sister Ana Cloughly, OSB, Director of Contemplative Vision

Art & Sacred Spaces by Sister Ana Cloughly, OSB

Rick Klein presenting for a class of Befriending the

Mystics.

We were pleased to have Chuck Benson share with us his knowledge of Art and Sacred Spaces in the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Using slides of his travels around the world, Chuck took us on an amazing journey to synagogues, churches and mosques, temples and shrines spanning the centuries. Our virtual tour included incredible works of art in mosaics, frescos, statuary and stained glass. As an architect, Chuck also guided us through the development of architectural design. We all have gained a greater appreciation for the creativity and structural skill of ancient people. We look forward to having Chuck come back to guide us on a virtual tour of Benedictine Monastic Art this spring.

9

Do you have the heart to help the sisters? We have a variety of volunteer opportunities at Benet Hill Monastery from administrative tasks, assistance in the Boutique, hospitality events, driving sisters to appointments to forest clean-up and more. All help is greatly appreciated. If you have an hour or two to spare, please consider volunteering. For more information, contact Sonja Ragaller at volunteer@benethillmonastery.org or by calling (719) 633-0655, Ext. 106.

The Whitewater Benedictines invited the BSFP graduates for a peace prayer service on New Years Day 2017. Our prayers became a time of Lectio; we included all of creation.

Seeking Volunteers

Contemplative Journey

by Sonja Ragaller, Interim Volunteer Coordinator

The Contemplative Journey celebration of Centering Prayer was hosted by Sister Therese O’Grady, OSB at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs. The event brings together people from southern Colorado’s centering prayer groups to celebrate the sending of the participants of Contemplative Journey into the wider centering prayer community.

Upcoming Events ~ March and April 2017:

March 2 Year 2 BSFPMarch 11 Lent RetreatMarch 18 Local Church GroupApril 1 Year 2 BSFPApril 22 Centering Prayer Retreat

Whitewater Benedictine Community by SisterTherese O’Grady, OSB

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time;

they just have the heart.” - Elizabeth Andrew

Many volunteers assist with many administrative tasks which help run the

monastery without delays. Thank you! We love our volunteers.

2016 Graduates of the Contemplative Journey class. Back row L to R: Donna Hankinson, Peg Cornett, Mary Janikowski,

Julie Jones-Eddy, Kathleen Rector, Susan Wesley Hartley and Carolyn McDowell. Seated L to R: Sister Therese O’Grady,

Leslee Terpay and Wendy Alvarado. Graduates not shown: Amy Agape, Moselle Bernall, Christine Dozal,

Jean Henry, Debbie Kaiser, Mary Lee and Maria Schopen

Contemplative Journey students in the Prayer Circle at First United Methodist.

Forest clean-up is essential to maintaining the grounds and

mitigation as well as providing a safe place for our sisters and guests.

On January 28th we hosted a full house for a Centering Prayer Retreat. Our opening prayer was Julian of Norwich’s Canticle of Compassion. During lunch we read from Karen Armstrong’s book 12 STEPS TO A COMPASSIONATE LIFE and for the closing we shared our musings about compassion.

All events above are held at the Whitewater Benedictine Community8250 Kannah Creek RoadWhitewater, CO 81527

Email: amatkannahcreek@peoplepc.comPhone: 970.241.3847

The Whitewater Community is located near Grand Junction. If you would like to go

farther from the city for a beautiful, quiet retreat,

please give them a call.Sisters Anne Madeleine

and Mary are also spiritual directors.

Wilted or in bloom, Taking or lending daylight,

The world transitions. -Richelle E. Goodrich

by Sister Anne Madeleine Brost, OSB and Sister Mary Glenn, OSB

10

R: Sister Jan Ginzkey, OSB: I spent eight days in Oaxaca, Mexico visiting my brother, Larry and his “familia” and friends. I enjoyed learning about all of Larry’s activities and the ways he is involved with the Oaxaca Lending Library and Learning Center. We went on two hikes, visited the ancient ruins of Mount Alban and Mitlan and toured churches, a museum and the botanical gardens.

by Carin Willis, Interim Director of Mission Advancement and Project Coordinator

Mission Advancement

L: Sister Therese O’Grady, OSB: As a facilitator for the Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina ministry, I’ve been privileged to share a weekend retreat with my good friend Susan Rush of Santa Fe. The retreat was held at the Bosque Center in Albuquerque, December 9-11 with 40 retreatants who kept holy silence and shared in several sessions of Centering Prayer. On a weekend in October I co-facilitated a retreat on GIFT OF LIFE, DEATH AND DYING at the Norbertine Center in Albuquerque. This retreat focused on preparation for the moment of passing from death into new life .

We would to like share with our generous donors and supporters the results of our end of year giving. What a blessing your giving is to the Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery!

*Bequest of $50,000 for our Mission Outreach Fund which directly supports the mission and outreach of the sisters of Benet Hill Monastery *CO Gives Day 2016- $12,192 This amount was double our goal- Thank you!

*Fall Appeal-$29,445

*End of year giving (Christmas cards)-$51,900

Coming Soon: We are currently working on our 2016 Annual Report. Look for it this spring.

L to R: Sisters Elizabeth and Kathleen Cogan, OSB say ‘Thank you’ for your generosity!

L to R: Sisters Francine Stallbaumer and Mary John Thomas, OSB call to thank donors for their generous end of year gifts.

A Day in the Life

You may make a gift anytime online at www.

benethillmonastery.org and click on

“Donate Now” Thank you!

PLANNED GIVINGPLANNED GIVINGThis is a great time to assess your personal financial arrangements and consider how you might wish to leave a legacy that lives into the future. Please consider making a planned gift to the monastery as you evaluate your financial future. There are many ways to do so; the most common being a bequest or specific amount designated by your estate. Another easy, no-cost option is to make Benet Hill Monastery the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. For more information, visit our Website at www.benethillmonastery.org or contact Carin Willis: cwillis@benethillmonastery.org or call (719) 355-1636.

Compiled by Gina Berger, Communications Director

Oaxaca, Mexico

L: Sister Clare Carr, OSB: Sister Clare attended the Conference of Benedictine Prioresses held at the Redemptorist Renewal Center January 30-Feb. 5 in Tucson, Arizona. The meeting was filled with grace as all the Benedictine Prioresses from across the United States attended. One major concern we addressed was racism- a paper will be available on our website soon.

The Redemptorist Renewal Center is located in the Sonora desert. There are over 120 different species of cactus that grow in the area. It is truly a place where the Lord whispers in your heart. “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” -Hosea 2:14

The seasons remind me that I must keep changing. -Donald Miller

11

Happy New Year from Sisters Thrift & Boutique! Exciting things are happening as we enter the new year at the boutique! We are launching our NEW Facebook page and NEW advertising with the online business review service Yelp!, to reach out to more of our neighbors in the city. We are continuing our weekly e-letter to inform our customers of the boutique’s upcoming specials for the week. The first two weeks of February we offered discounts on jewelry just in time for Valentine’s Day! Please come visit us at the Sisters Thrift & Boutique to shop and sign up for our e-letter or to sign up as a volunteer. You can also sign up using the link at www.benethillmonastery.org

Store Hours:

Mon.-Fri. 10:00 am -5:30 pm Saturdays 10 am - 4:00 pm

Phone: 719-282-0316

On October 29 the second year BSFP students from Colorado Springs and Denver participated in a discernment retreat. The purpose of the retreat is to discern the calling to be either a spiritual director or a spiritual presence upon completion of the program in May, 2017. A spiritual presence is a person who shares in the spiritual journeys of others on an informal basis. A spiritual director is a more formal calling to accompany spiritual seekers on a regular, usually monthly, basis. Spiritual directors are trained “holy listeners” who listen for the Spirit of God with those they accompany. Presenters for the retreat were Sisters Anne Stedman and Mary Colleen Schwarz, Rev. Joanne Buchanan-Brown and Rick Klein.

The 2017 Chamber Concert Series

Sunday: March 12, 2017 at 2:30 pm “TIME AND ETERNITY” with Parish House BaroqueA reflective concert for Lent.

by Shari Silva, Assistant Manager

Sisters’ T hrift & Boutique

Chamber Concert Series by Pam Chaddon

Gratitude, blessings and recognition from the sisters was the theme of the Annual Appreciation Dinner for the volunteers of Sisters Thrift & Boutique on

November 17, 2016. Twenty-two volunteers were recognized with the Bronze Award, thirteen volunteers with the Silver Award, five volunteers with the

Gold Award and one volunteer received the Platinum Award for giving over 325 hours in 2016. These generous, faithful volunteers gave over 4,000 hours

in service at the boutique during 2016.

On Sunday, November 6, 2016 Trio Vivante performed “SOUND TRAVELS” FOR THE CONCERT

SERIES. L to R: Emma Patterson, cello; Allison Gioscia, flute and Sharon Skidgel, piano

by Rick Klein, BSFP Year 2 Facilitator

Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program: Discernment Retreat

Friday, March 24, 2017 Start Time: 6:30 pm “BURMA SOLDIER”

Friday, May 12, 2017 Start Time: 6:30 pm

“KIDNAPPED FOR CHRIST”

Please register online for these FREE films. Discussions are held after the film and refreshments are served.

Students share their art from the retreat and are all blessed afterward including the

Global Online cohort.

Benet Hill Monastery3190 Benet LaneColorado Springs, CO 80921-1509

Non-profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDColorado Springs

COPermit No. 576RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Review is published quarterly by Benet Hill Monastery of Colorado Springs, Inc., 3190 Benet Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80921-1509 PHONE: 719/633-0655 FAX: 719/471-0403 EMAIL: info@benethillmonastery.org WEBSITE: www.benethillmonastery.org

EDITOR/LAYOUT/COVER DESIGN - Gina Berger, Communications Director; Assisted by Barbara Lynette, Online Communications Assistant CONTRIBUTORS - Sisters and staff of Benet Hill Monastery, students, alumnae and friends.

Benet Hill Monastery * 3190 Benet Ln. * Colorado Springs, CO 80921* PH:719-633-0655The Monastery is situated in the woodland setting of the Black Forest

located in northeast Colorado Springs, off Highway 83.

Ministry of the ArtsBSFP Students Gather at the

Spiritual Direction Colorado Conference

Chamber Concert Series: “TIME AND ETERNITY” with Parish House Baroque Sunday, March 12 2:30 pm

Film Series: “BURMA SOLDIER”(from the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Institute Library)Friday, March 24 Start Time: 6:30 pm FREE

Film Series: “KIDNAPPED FOR CHRIST”(from the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Institute library)Friday, May 12 Start Time: 6:30 pm FREE

Forgiveness Prayer Retreat Saturday, March 11 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Ministry Calendar

Below: Staff, presenters and graduates of BSFP gather at the annual Spiritual Direction Colorado Conference

in January. Right: Carole Koski, graduate with our photographer Sister Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB.

Above: “The pine branches are pointed and sharp. It spoke of the rough edges of my personality.

The snow covering was a tear drop of Thanksgiving to God for His healing presence in my life. “

- Sister Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB