January 2009: Home @ the Dome archives

Sister Mary Lee enjoys the snow Ice and snow, fallen trees and limbs, and power outages — these and all the hardships they have created are the main topic of conversations these days and where most human energy is being expended. In Kordes Center, our guest facility, we have been accommodating a number of our employees and some of their family members who are without electricity in their homes and/or who would have to travel icy, unsafe roads. We are remembering in our prayers all people who are suffering because of the weather.

In addition to the dangers and difficulties imposed by the ice and snow, there is beauty to be found. And a few sisters "hit the hills" for sledding.

January 20

Sisters gathered in St. Gertrude Hall for prayer and lunch today We gathered for our Midday Prayer and lunch today in St. Gertrude Hall, which was equipped with a television and projector so we could watch some of the Inauguration Day events. During our prayer, the television was muted, but our voices sang hymns and psalms of peace.

Sisters watch the inauguration events during lunch

January 20

Winter scene of the peace pole "May Peace Prevail On Earth" Those words, printed on the Peace Pole near our monastery entrance, express our prayer today as we inaugurate a new administration for our country. We ask you to join us in praying for God's protection and guidance for President Barack Obama and all men and women who help to lead our nation. May they be blessed with wisdom, compassion, and courage as they serve our country.

We were surprised with a beautiful snowfall yesterday — our first "big" snowfall this winter. We want to share with you a few of the scenes around the monastery.

January 18

Angelus presented a beautiful concert of sacred music in our monastery church. Angelus, an ensemble comprised of six young women from Mt. Vernon Senior High School (Mt. Vernon, Indiana), presented a beautiful concert of sacred music in our monastery church this afternoon. The performance, sung mostly a cappella, featured medieval chant and polyphony, contemporary Irish choral music, and the American Sacred Harp tradition. Many sisters and members of the public attended the one-hour concert.

January 16

Alan Cherry puts together the new ping pong table at Kordes Center. Kordes Center, our guest and retreat/spirituality ministry facility, is getting some new amenities today. Through a $700 grant from the Dubois County Community Foundation, Inc., the facility was able to purchase a new ping pong table and air hockey table.

One of our monastery maintenance workers assembles the ping pong table that will be located in the recreation/common area in Kordes Center. Kordes hosts many diverse groups and programs throughout the year, including groups of young people participating in high school retreats and band camps.

The new ping pong and air hockey equipment will help provide fun activities during their "free" time.

January 3

Nativity scene in church Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. At Evening Prayer today we began its observance with rituals associated with the feast. In keeping with our custom, we blessed our monastery (our home) and prayed for all guests and visitors who will enter our home in the coming year.

Epiphany, traditionally celebrated on January 6, is the feast of the manifestation of Christ to the Magi. The Nativity scene in our church depicts the three kings joining the shepherds in offering homage to the infant Jesus.

Sister Kristine Anne marks the entrance door

As part of the tradition of blessing our monastery on Epiphany, Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau, prioress, marks the entrance doorway — 20 + C + B + M + 09 — the date of the new year and the initials for the Latin words "Christus mansionem benedicat," translated as "Christ bless this house." Legend has associated those initials with the initials of the three Epiphany magi — Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar.

We prayed that all who enter our home "find Christ's light and love" and for "blessings of health, goodness of heart, gentleness of spirit, and concern for others."

Sister Michelle Mohr chants the traditional "Announcement of Movable Feasts" — an announcement of the dates of the moveable holy days for the coming Church year, such as Ash Wednesday, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, and Advent. That ancient practice of announcing those dates at Epiphany preceded the time of people keeping calendars.

January 1

Sisters are excited about celebrating their 50th jubilee. Happy New Year!

It's our tradition to announce on January 1 the sisters who will be celebrating their special anniversaries of monastic profession during the coming year. This year's jubilarians are Sisters Helen Maurer, Benita Biever, and Dolorita Libs — 70th anniversary; Sisters Victoria Pohl and Benedicta Clauss — 60th; Sisters Mary Austin Blank, Mary Emma Jochum, Mary Cheryl Uebelhor, Rosa Lee Koch, and Mary Oliver Reising — 50th; Sister Susan Ann Necas — 25th.

Sisters Rosa Lee Koch, Emma Jochum, and Mary Austin Blank seem excited about celebrating their 50th jubilee this year.

Jubilarians are presented to the community at the end of the morning Mass.

The jubilarians are presented to the community at the end of this morning’s Mass. From left, Sisters Mary Oliver Reising, Mary Cheryl Uebelhor, Mary Austin Blank, Victoria Pohl, (Eileen Reckelhoff assisting Sister Benita Biever), Helen Maurer, Dolorita Libs, Benedicta Clauss, Mary Emma Jochum, Rosa Lee Koch, and Susan Ann Necas.

The liturgical ministers help proclaim a canticle during Morning Prayer.

Liturgical ministers Sisters Kate Willegal, Karen Durliat, and Ann Francis Hillenbrand help proclaim a canticle (hymn of praise) during Morning Prayer.