An Abundant Half Hour

On June 24th of this week we had a severe thunderstorm and tornado alert. Would you believe it, we had 3.2 inches of rain in a half hour. After everyone took shelter and we reappeared after the storm had moved through we found that we also had hail. With the wind it was razor sharp and shredded our garden and flower beds on the north and west side of monastery. Also 14 screens were damaged and a skylight. Did the moisture have time to sink into the dry ground? That is a good question. We know the dams and streamed benefited. The good news is no one was hurt. We still consider the rain an abundant half hour. We ask God to protect us and all people from violent storms and to bless our farmers with abundant crops so that they can make a living as well as provide food the world.

Gentle Blessings

God's blessings are always a mystery that unfolds. Can you believe it, in the last week we have celebrated the 60 years of monastic life for Sr. Kathleen and Sr. Mary William, held our very first auction, and received much needed rain. Two of these happened at the same time: the rain and the auction. All were a blessing in there own way.

This week is quite the opposite but also a week of blessings. All of the Sisters are on retreat except for very few who are attending to the needs of the house such as phones and guests. It is good for all of us to take time away from our hectic lives to come to the well. In fact, the retreat director is having the sisters use the imagery of going to a well and seeing what God has in store for them. A retreat for me is a time to enhance my relationship with God, to savor and immerse myself in sacred scripture and prayer, and to open myself to graces that God wants to give so generously.

What would a retreat do for you? What has a retreat done for you?