by Pat Hobbins Kemps, Sunday Assembly member Holy Wisdom is a spiritual community; I gain so much from being part of it. But, it can never be an end itself. Jesus calls us to go out among the people—the larger community. Once nourished, as we are each week in the Sunday Assembly, we are asked by God to share God’s peace, love and non-judgmental acceptance. Often in our busy day some folks drift right by us unnoticed: Why is he so sad—this man who walks past my house each day with his companion, a black lab … Donny’s gone, no longer works here. …
A good laugh and a long sleep
Amanda Conway (left) and Jill Carlson, ready to offer Benedictine hospitality at our Retreat and Guest House Amanda Conway lives by the Irish proverb, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” The proverb fits well with her role as our new hospitality and event coordinator. We want overnight guests to get a long sleep and enjoy a good laugh with other guests and the sisters at meals. Amanda, a native of Monroe, Wisconsin, knew about Holy Wisdom from her work as a funeral director at Cress Funeral Home in Madison. “I knew the …
Explore native Wisconsin plants with Friends of Wisdom Prairie
Prairie wildflowers provide a colorful welcome in the monastery parking lot, above. Meet in the parking lot at 9:30 am on June 13, 2015 to carpool to the UW Arboretum for the next Friends of Wisdom Prairie outing. As the prairie enters a time of rapid growth at Holy Wisdom, consider joining the Friends of Wisdom Prairie for an opportunity to learn more about native prairie plants. On Saturday, June 13, 2015, 10:00 am-noon we will tour the Native Wisconsin Garden at the UW Arboretum, a condensed, interpretive display of the native vegetation of Wisconsin. The UW Arboretum is in many ways a forerunner …
Friday volunteering at the monastery
Madison native Susan Pearson says it’s great to be back home after living in Florida and Massachusetts for 20 years. After getting settled from her move last fall, Susan began looking for a job and a volunteer opportunity. Holy Wisdom Monastery immediately came to her mind because of a visit she made here years ago. “An article in the Capital Times on the completion of the new building prompted a friend and me to explore the monastery and hike the trails. The serenity and beauty stayed with me and that’s why I applied for the volunteer monastery receptionist opportunity on …
Coming home to my roots
by Judith M. Davis, oblate class of 2003 Every few months, certainly at least twice a year, I make a 275-mile pilgrimage from Goshen, Indiana to Holy Wisdom. It’s always a trip home, back to my roots as a Benedictine oblate, a privilege that becomes more precious as the years go by. Why do I love being an oblate? Let me count the ways. The love of learning and the desire for God are aspects of Benedictine life that characterized medieval monasteries and that call to me most strongly; Holy Wisdom has nurtured that love and desire in many, many …
Celebrate the blessings of new life in our midst
On April 25, 2015, we welcomed and offered a blessing for 19 new members of our Sunday Assembly. The new members include one single adult, one retired person, one mom with two daughters (one in middle school, one in high school), one family with four children, ages 4, 7, 8, 12, and three young couples or families with babies. One of these babies was baptized on April 12, while the other two are in the process of planning baptisms. What joy and new energy these new members bring to our Sunday Assembly. All are welcome to join us for worship each …
Land restoration spanning more than 60 years
The majestic evergreens at the end of the Holy Wisdom Monastery driveway, ranging in size from 50-80 feet tall, started as seedlings growing in strawberry boxes, recalls Sister Joanne Kollasch. “Soon after the sisters came here (in 1953) we planted seedlings from the DNR in the garden. Several years later we transplanted them to several places on the property.” About 20 years ago, these trees were replanted again to the end of the driveway. The monastery garden, also planted that first year, has grown in size and continues to provide fresh produce for sisters and guests. From these early beginnings, the …
Winter work activity at Wisdom Prairie–removing hedgerows
by Friends of Wisdom Prairie Council Members Ron Endres and Will Mann Winter is the ideal time of year to remove the hedgerows in and around Wisdom Prairie. Hedgerows (also called fencerows) are areas that previously separated sections of crop fields or are rough areas that were too hard to till. Weeds and invasive trees and shrubs grow in these areas and their seeds are easily spread into a nearby prairie, often completely overtaking it. Hedgerows at Holy Wisdom contain species like honeysuckle, buckthorn, box elder, wild grape vine and mulberry. They shade the ground, thereby preventing grasses and ground …
2014—the year of communities
Members from the various communities at Holy Wisdom Monastery come together to celebrate Sister Joanne Kollasch’s 60 years of monastic profession. Sister Joanne sums up community living, “in community you receive so much more than you give.” (Photo by Kent Sweitzer) As I reflect on the year 2014, I’m amazed at all that has emerged at Holy Wisdom Monastery in one short year. What rises to the top for me is the sense of community. Community living takes many forms here, from the monastic community to the Sunday Assembly worshipping community, to the oblate community, to the volunteer community, the …
Friends of Wisdom Prairie — a personal profile
From Benedictine Bridge, November, 2014 – featuring Ron Endres, a founding member of the Friends of Wisdom Prairie Council Ron Endres (center), Will Mann (left), and Greg Armstrong (right) prepare seed packets for the Wisdom Prairie seeding day. Ron Endres declines to be called a prairie expert, but he truly knows and loves native prairie culture. Ron has spent more hours than he can estimate harvesting, drying, smashing, screening, weighing, bagging and labelling prairie seed which he can provide to non-profit organizations to create new expanses of prairie habitat. It was his generous donation of 80-90 species and 240 pounds of prairie seeds …