More than 40 women, including some of our sisters, participated in a special inaugural event sponsored by the Women of the Rule philanthropy circle at the monastery today. This new philanthropy group invites women to be part of an innovative ministry partnership with the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand. Women of the Rule is dedicated to making a difference in the world by supporting the mission and work of the Ferdinand Benedictines. In turn, the women will experience the rewards of giving and will have the opportunity for personal enrichment through programs offered by the sisters on Benedictine spirituality and values.

Today's inaugural program included information about the sisters and Women of the Rule, lunch, a tour of the monastery, and a keynote speech by Dr. Debra Mesch, director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. “The energy and synergy of the group was evident as the women bonded for a common purpose,” said Sister Barbara Catherine Schmitz, gift office of the Sisters of St. Benedict and one of the founding members of the philanthropy circle. Sister Barbara Catherine can be contacted at 812-367-1411, ext. 2649, or barbarac@thedome.org for more information about Women of the Rule.

The group of women literally formed a philanthropy circle as they gathered around to share initial introductions (with creative gestures) and hopes and dreams for Women of the Rule.

About 70 young women participated in a camping experience on our monastery grounds this week. Camp Marian, billed as “an experience of God and nature and friends,” was open to girls in grades five to eight. Fourteen high school and college students served as counselors, and a team of nine sisters organized and conducted the camp.

This week we were blessed with the services of 41 volunteers who were participating in an annual summer "Mission Week." The group included 24 high school students and 17 adult chaperones and organizers from seven parishes in Southern Illinois. They helped in many jobs around the monastery, including housekeeping chores, painting, work in the bakery, yard, garden, and cemetery.

Some of the volunteers dug up and reset the crosses in our cemetery. Many of the early grave markers has shifted and become uneven in the past 80 years or so.

At a sacred concert in our monastery church this evening, Stillpoint gave us a sample of the music they will be recording for a new CD next week. They will be leaving for Gaither Studios in Alexandria, Indiana, tomorrow morning. The recording, which they have titled Listen, will feature original compositions by members of the group. They have three previous recordings of inspirational and liturgical music. Those and other recordings by the Sisters of St. Benedict are available at our monastery gift shop and online at www.forheavensake.org. This new CD is expected to be available by October. (You might want to put it on your Christmas shopping list and your wish list.)

At the conclusion of the concert, we sisters asked God’s blessings on members of Stillpoint and their recording venture.