Last Sunday, community members gathered in a packed dining room for Holy Wisdom Monastery’s Annual Meeting. The sisters, board, and coworkers want to say thank you to everyone who attended and took the time to hear important updates and stay in touch with the vision and needs of our organization. We hope the meeting was informative, transparent, hopeful, and even fun! Issues with our internet connection did not allow us to record the meeting via Zoom as we had planned. But for those who could not be there, we’d like to offer our slides, a handout, a video and the …
Reflections on My Time at Holy Wisdom Monastery
By Rev. Merlyn Lawrence I don’t know where I learned about the Clergy Renewal Program at HWM, but when I read what it was about, it spoke to my very weary soul. I realized that in my social work career, in my roles in professional and grassroots communities, and in my life as an ordained minister, I have been in leadership, consultant, and teacher positions providing guidance and support to my peers and congregation. And the pandemic did not help at all. I was exhausted and dangerously tired. All that I dreamed of the CCR program, came to fruition. I …
Executive Director Board Report
Submitted by Erin Trondson, executive director Dearest Holy Wisdom Community, At our recent board meeting it was suggested that I offer a summary of my Board Executive Director Report for Weekly Wisdom. This report gives a peek behind the curtain of the day to day at Holy Wisdom Monastery. As a Community of Communities, it is easy to become siloed and fail to see beyond the walls of our own community. As Coworkers we work beyond our silos by gathering weekly for what we call our Same Page Session Meetings where we spend a quick thirty-minute highlighting what is all …
Reflections on 70 years as a Benedictine sister in community
Submitted by Sister Joanne Kollasch, OSB 70 years a Benedictine sister in community! And on this hill overlooking Madison, the community came 71 years ago. There was travel to India, Europe, Africa, Korea, South America and more. All part of my story. And to add to my world education there were the sisters and families to whom the community gave hospitality: India, China, Korea, Viet Nam, Central America, Columbia. What keeps me involved in the work and prayer at Holy Wisdom? A brief answer is the sisters and our community of communities belief that “all may be one;” the practice …
Reflections on the journey of religious life
Submitted by Sister Everline Jeruto, OSB Embarking on religious life is like setting sail into the unknown. This was my experience when I came to this monastery. At first, I was unsure of what to expect. I had always been a curious soul, seeking answers to life’s big questions. And so, when the call to move to the USA to join this community presented itself, I knew deep down that it was a calling I couldn’t ignore. As I settled into the monastery, at first, I couldn’t help but wonder what was in store for me, from this small, ecumenical, monastic and …
A Shared Way of Life
by Sister Lynne Smith, OSB, prioress Benedictines around the world celebrate the Solemnity of Benedict and Scholastica on July 11. This is a good opportunity to reflect on what the Benedictine way of life has to offer our world today. The Rule of Benedict was written in the sixth century. Since that time, the people who follow the Rule have applied Benedictine values in their own context. When Benedict of Nursia wrote his Rule, the Roman Empire to which he belonged was in decline, and the world around him was experiencing the chaos of that momentous change. The Rule represented …
A Long Term Commitment
Diane and Neal Smith have a long-term commitment to each other and to Holy Wisdom Monastery. For most of their 53 years of marriage, they have also been involved with the monastery. Diane’s involvement goes back even further. “I was 14 years old when I started my freshman year at the Academy of St. Benedict for girls. I didn’t want to go but my parents made me,” she laughed. “I wanted to be with my friends.” Diane attended the high school from 1963 to 1966 when the school closed. “It was so different from what I expected. The sisters created …
Fifteen Steps To Ecumenical Fitness
by Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP (Reprinted from with Permission from Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP) Recently a friend asked, “What does ‘being ecumenical’ mean?” It was one of those questions that stops you cold because the answer goes off in so many directions you don’t know where to begin. Later, I took paper and pencil in hand and began to reflect on the lessons of my last 12 years in ecumenical work. Here are some of the things which, in my experience and opinion, “being ecumenical” means: O, God, holy and eternal Trinity, we pray for your Church in all the …
Work is Love Made Visible
Submitted by Pam Shellberg, director of spiritual nourishment There have been many moments recently where our community has gathered in big numbers around several very special occasions. The sense of overflowing gratitude, joy and hope has been palpable. Palpable – and visible in the many photos people have taken in efforts to capture all that has been imprinted in memories and on hearts. One photo in particular touches me, because I was so deeply moved in the real time moment when it was taken. It is this photo of our new prioress, Sister Lynne Smith, standing alongside our new executive …
Kumiko Art Expressions – Artist Feature & Reception
Submitted by Janet Neurauter, mission advancement Jorge Gonzalez Lopez is self-taught in Kumiko Art. “I learned this process by watching videos and reading books. But the videos never show the challenges and failures – just the beautiful outcomes. I had to learn how to correct the failures on my own,” he laughed. The Kumiko method uses thin pieces of wood which are grooved, punched and mortised and then fit together individually using tools such as planes, saws and chisels to make adjustments. Panels remain in place through pressure that is achieved by accurately calculating, cutting and arranging interwoven joints. Originally developed …