Vol. 42, No. 3 ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY, Fort Smith, AR November, 2013

RAYMOND, 12• 6th grade graduate• Altar boy, aspiring priest • Lives with Mom and 3 sib-lings in a bullet-ridden home adjacent to a bordello• Father died in an accident.

MARIA, 14• JHS graduate and gradua-tion speaker• aspiring social worker• lives with extended family in humble circumstances.

CECILIA, 12• 6th grade graduate• Altar girl and aspiring doctor• Dad abandoned the family; mother sells vegetables in public market; family lives with grandmother.

OUR FIRST THREE COLEGIO SAN BENITO GRADUATES--MOVING UP TO JHS AND HS THERE

Oblate Kathy Jarvis, representing the sisters, helps present diplomas with Padre Hugo Lopez, OSB atColegio San Benito’s graduation October 22.

Our first 13 scholarship students and their classmates at Colegio San Benito, Esquipulas, Guatemala

Benedictines Build Bridges of Solidarity Through Education--This Time in Guatemala

Thousands of children--children of immigrants and pioneers as well as or-phans-- have been educated by the Sisters in their 134-year history. They operated St. Scholastica Academy from 1924-1968; taught in elementary schools throughout Arkansas and in parts of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas; operated St. Joseph Orphanage from 1907-1978; and staffed St. Joseph Daycare from 1979-1997.In 2013, they had the opportunity to evolve their educational mission in a new direction, funding a scholarship program at Colegio San Benito, a Bene-dictine K-12 school in Esquipulas, Guatemala. Sisters Kimberly Prohaska, Do-lores Vincent Bauer, and Rosalie Ruesewald and Oblates Kathy Jarvis and Mary Adams had visited Esquipulas over a three-year period. After getting to know the monks at the Abbey of Jesus Christ Crucified there, they discov-ered that there was a desperate need to help financially needy Guatemalan children, particularly girls, to obtain a quality education that would improve not only their own but also their families’ futures.At their annual Chapter meeting, the sisters voted to allocate part of their tithe to provide scholarships for five students and to serve as a channel for scholarship donations for other individuals and groups. As they visited different schools and parishes to talk about this new ministry, they were gratified to see that others wanted to join them.Trinity Junior High School students made donations and designed and purchased T-shirts to benefit the partnership. The youth group of Sacred Heart Parish, Charleston, took a mission trip to Guatemala and volunteered at Colegio San Benito and Hogar Esquipulas, a Franciscan-operated orphanage. Oblates and members of the Social Awareness Committee will be selling “Al-ternative Gift Cards” at local markets and the monastery bake sale. A choco-latier donated cookies and candies to be sold to benefit the program. People have donated generously to the program, including several who donated full $400 scholarships.At the end of San Benito’s school year (October 22nd) there were thirteen students attending on partial scholarships. In January, eight more children-orphans living in Hogar Esquipulas--will join them with full scholarships. Read about the sisters’ ministry to these orphans on page 7. To learn moreabout this program, click here:

http://www.stscho.org/social-awareness/brochures/partners-in-benedictine-education.pdf

Vol. 42, No. 3 Horizons November, 2013HorizoNs is published three times a year by the Benedictine sisters of st. scholastica Monastery P.o. Box 3489, Fort smith, Ar 72913. Phone: 479-783-4147.

E-mail:Monastery@stscho.org Website: www.stscho.org FAX: 479-782-4352. Anyone is welcome to be on the mailing list at no charge.Maryanne Meyerriecks.........Managing Editor sister Elise Forst, osB.........Editorial Advisor Calvert McBride........Printers

Photography credits: sisters Therese Moreno and Macrina Wiederkehr, Matt smith

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A Message From the PrioressDear friends of St. Scholastica Monastery,

The song that has been in my mind the last few weeks is “For the Beauty of the Earth” because our God has blest us with beauty with the seasonal changes. I watched the trees change from summer green to glorious shades of red, yellow, and brown, realizing that nature changes just as we change from day to day. Perhaps nature changes more gracefully than we do! “For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies” we thank you God, giver of all good gifts.

The month of November has come upon us with its many memorable celebrations. We have just celebrated the feast of All Saints and All Souls. When I stop by the necrology book and see the

names of the sisters who gone before us, I thank God for their faithfulness and courage that they continued their journey while here among us. They were women of vision who were not afraid of change even when it seemed fruitless at the time. We also celebrate the feast of Christ the King which brings to an end the Church Year and brings us into the beautiful season of Advent. Another day we celebrate is Thanksgiving, a day of remembering our blessings and remembering those women and men of the past who sought change and freedom in a different land and began what we have today. Though we are grateful for the blessings we have we must not forget those who are not only without food but also the necessities of life.

We here at St. Scholastica are experiencing change as a reality as our elders finish their journey here on earth. At times I wonder what our future is for us as our numbers diminish, but I do not lose hope knowing God has a plan for this community. Just the other day I read and prayed with St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, in which he encourages them and us not to lose the true meaning of hope. He tells us that we are saved by hope but it is a hope that we do not see, that we have to wait for it in patience. So, we are still on our journey of hope here at St. Scholastica believing that God will sustain us at all times.

We, the Sisters, keep all of you in our daily prayers for your love, kindness, and generosity that you give to us by your donations, help, and care. So, as we begin our journey through the seasons of Advent and Christmas may each of you be blessed with all the beauty of the earth, the gift from the God who loves us.

BLESSINGS!

Visit theMonastery Bake Sale

at the Retreat Center

Saturday, December 14

8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sunday, December 15

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Keep Christ in your Christmas giving. Visit shop.stscho.org (hot link)

http://shop.stscho.org

From the Development Office By Sister Elise Forst, OSBDear Friends, we approach the Thanksgiving season grateful for your generous response to our recent appeal letter, asking for help to care for our dear elderly Sisters. As you see in this issue of the newsletter, four of our Sisters in the Infirmary have died since the last newsletter. Two of those, Sisters Valeria Moellers and Annella Reginelli, died last month, shortly after the appeal letter was mailed.

Your generosity in giving items on the Wish List is also greatly appreciated. Each Thursday morning the Sisters participating in the crafts projects enjoy the fruits of those who provided gift cards to Hobby Lobby or Michael’s for supplies. You can see pictures of their projects in this newsletter. Our Sisters in the Infirmary have some connection with many of you – relative, former student, friend. These Sisters served others for many years. Now you, our friends and benefactors, are generously helping us care for them.

As you know from your own experience, care for the sick and elderly requires many resources. As a community, we are looking into more economical ways of giving our Sisters the care they need, but as of now, we are caring for them in our own Infirmary on the third floor of the monastery. It is important to us that our senior Sisters are near to us, so that we can visit them easily and so that they can participate in community activities as much as possible. Thank you for providing this opportunity for us.

All of us here at St. Scholastica pray that you will find much in your lives for which to be grateful during the com-ing Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas season. All of you are held in our heart with love, prayer, and appreciation.

SCHO GIRLS CELEBRATE ATWEEKEND TRIENNIAL REUNION

It’s been 45 years since the last class graduated from St. Scholastica Academy, but on the weekend of Sep-tember 27-29, over 100 former students still gathered to renew friendships with teachers and classmates and celebrate their high school years.The weekend began with a wine and cheese party at Immaculate Conception Church Friday evening. Sat-urday was a day of non-stop activity, from morning brunch and monastery tours to a business meeting, and a banquet at Immaculate Conception.

At their business meeting, alumnae elected Barbara Hug Anhalt, President; Jane Berry Sanders, Vice-President; Nancy Fritz Ciulla, Treasurer; Mary Ken-nedy Burns, Secretary; and Emily Geels Soller, His-torian. The alumnae donated money to renovate two large signs at the corners of the monastery grounds. They also purchased a DVD collection of the Bible for the sisters in honor of their outgoing President, Doro-thy Worner Sullivan.Alumnae celebrating 50, 60, and 70 year reunions re-ceived commemorative certificates.

To see more pictures of the alumnae reunion,click here:

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http://www.stscho.org/albums/13-09-28/index.htm

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.

monastic profession on June 24, 1937. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music at the American Conservatory, Chicago, IL in 1955 and her Master’s Degree in Music Theory at the University of Arkansas-Fay-etteville in 1963. She taught piano for twenty years at St. Joseph School, Paris; St. Boniface School, Fort Smith; St. Mary’s School, Lake Vil-lage; and St. Edward School, Little Rock. She taught music at St. Scholastica Academy for

sixteen years.

When she retired to the monastery in 1992, she accompanied the sisters during Mass and prayers and continued to teach pi-ano to the younger sisters. Three of the sisters she taught—Sisters Pat Bolling, Alice O’Brien, and Barbara Bock—are now playing the Liturgy of the Hours at the monastery. Many of Sister Valeria’s students came back to visit and re-newed their fond memories with her.She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, John Frank and two sisters, Helen Marie Breitenstein and Augusta Best. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and the members of her monastic community.

Sister Annella Reginelli, OSB of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, entered into eternal life on October 18, 2013 at the age

of 98. She was born September 25, 1915 in Lake Village, AR, to Alexander and Anne Regi-nelli. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1931 and made her monastic profession June 24, 1934. She earned her Bachelors degree in Education at Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison, KS in 1955. Her 49 years of teach-ing were spent at St. Meinrad, Prairie View; St. Anne, Paris; Archbishop O’Brien, Russellville; St. Joseph, Fayetteville; Sacred Heart, Verona,

MO; Sacred Heart, Charleston; St. Mary, Lake Village, and St. Jo-seph Orphanage, North Little Rock, where she was the adminis-trator from 1955-61. After her retirement from teaching at age 72, Sister Annella returned to St. Joseph’s, doing child care in their day care center until 1997. She was proud of her rose garden and was delighted to share her roses with the sisters.

Sister Annella was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Philomena, Teresa, Rosie, and Mary; and five brothers, Ned, Mack, Pasquale, Gusto, and Septimo. She is survived by the members of her monastic community.

To see more pictures of these sisters or to make a donation in a sister’s memory, click on this link and then on the photo album button under each sister’s picture.

Oblate Mary Eggen, 76, an oblate in the Columbia, MO commu-nity, died on November 4. She was born in Joplin, MO on June 22, 1937 to the late Paul and Bertha Compton. A 39-year cancer survivor and a devout Catholic, she is survived by three children: Joe Eggen of Sherwood, AR; Melody Eggen of Chapel Hill, NC;and Lee Eggen of Dallas, TX; three siblings: Paul Compton of Delaware, Shirley Talent of Springfield, MO, and Abbie Golden of Blue Bonnet, OK; and two grandchildren, Zac and Zanna Eggen.

Sister Jovita Stengel, OSB, 94, of St. Scho-lastica Monastery, entered into eternal life on July 4, 2013. She was born Wilhemina Eva Stengel on September 7, 1918, receiving the name of Sister Jovita on the day of her reli-gious profession, June 24, 1938. She recently celebrated her 75th year of religious life.

Sister Jovita spent her 59-year career in do-mestic and culinary service at Subiaco Abbey, Bishop Fletcher’s residence and St. Edward School, Little Rock; St. Joseph School in Paris; St. Joseph Orphanage in North Little Rock; St. Scholas-tica Academy and St. Boniface School in Fort Smith; Holy Rosary School in Stuttgart; and Holy Family School in Nazareth, TX. In her later years she was manager of the monastery dining room and caretaker for the monastery’s getaway house in Hackett. Most recently she resided in the monastery infirmary.

Sister Jovita was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Elizabeth Stengel; one sister, Sister Marcella Stengel, OSB; and four brothers, Edward, Paul, Gerald and Herbert. She is sur-vived by nieces, nephews and her religious family, the Benedic-tine sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery.

Vespers for the dead were held on July 7. in the Monastery Cha-pel. The funeral Mass was held July 8 with Fr. Mark Stengel, OSB, Sister Jovita’s nephew, presiding, followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.

Sister Corinne Lange, OSB, 94, a nurse whose career spanned 43 years, entered into eternal life on August 7 following a brief illness. She was born on April 13, 1919 in Nazareth, TX to John and Louise Lange. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1934 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1937. She earned her nursing certificate at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Boonville, MO in 1945 and worked

as a nurse in Boonville, MO; Amarillo, TX; and Clarksville, Van Buren, Morrilton, and Dermott, AR for 43 years, specializing in obstetrics from 1957-83. Following her retirement from nursing, Sister Corinne did parish work in St. Joseph Church, Amarillo, TX; and St. Benedict Church, Subiaco until 1996. After retiring to the monastic infirmary, she worked in the monastery gift shop and enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, and completing jigsaw puzzles.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her sisters, Therese Irl-beck, Mary Dirks, Elizabeth Johnson, Sister Cordelia Lange, OSB and Anna Frail; and her brothers, Joseph, Father Cyril, and Aloys.

She is survived by nieces, nephews and her religious family, the Benedictine sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery.

Sister Valeria Moellers, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, a retired music teacher, entered into eternal life on October 17, 2013 at the age of 98. She was born on February 26, 1915 in Fort Smith, AR to John and Mary Rose Moellers. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1934 and made her

In Loving Memory

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http://www.stscho.org/obits.php

A Message from Kathy:Here we are in that blessed season where we wait and anticipate celebrating the birth of a baby boy in a humble stable in Bethlehem. At the Center we have put together a schedule of retreats and a day of recollection to assist our participants to enjoy a closer relationship with said baby boy. Many of our offerings are annual events such as the Silent Directed Retreat, Centering Prayer, and Sister Macrina’s 5-day Silent Guided Retreat. In 2014, we offer a weekend with Joyce Rupp, OSM whom many of you are probably familiar with as an author and contributor of daily reflections in many of the periodicals used for daily prayer. Abbot Jerome Kodell of Subiaco will be with us in November guiding us on ways to Walk with Jesus to Jerusalem. New in 2014 is a weekend for caregivers to practice the need to balance healing for themselves as they work with others presented by Jillian Guthrie, LCSW. In September, we offer a retreat in Spanish based on the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist.

I ask you to consider attending one of these offerings as a gift to yourself or another. Please keep this section of Horizons for your consideration.

Merry Christmas to all and I wish for each of you a year full of spiritual growth in 2014.

2014 Retreats and Programs

St. Scholastica Retreat Center1205 S. Albert Pike

Fort Smith, AR 72903479.783.1135

retreats@stscho.org Hot linkwww.stscho.org/retreats Hot link

Mission StatementSt. Scholastica Retreat Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Community of St. Scholastica Monastery,

is rooted in gospel values and the monastic way of life. We provide a sacred space for people of all faiths to develop and enrich their relationship with God. In a spirit of hospitality, we offer spiritual guid-

ance, opportunities for human development and spiritual growth, a variety of programs to nurture one’s pilgrim journey and an environment for quiet reflection and healing.

Looking for a Gift idea? Please consider a gift certificate for your loved one to spend time at St. Scholastica Retreat Center. We offer organized retreats and Private Retreats. A Private Retreat is when one stays with us here at the Retreat Center -- “time-out” from the world. Spiritual Direction can be arranged for those on a private retreat. If you are considering this gift, please call Kathy Schmelzer 479.783.1135.

mailto:retreats@stscho.orghttp://www.stscho.org/retreats

January 2-53-Day Silent Directed Retreat

The retreat is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Igna-tius.Do you ever feel the need to clear the clutter of everyday life, to make room for God to work in you, or to stop and lis-ten? Do you long to strengthen your relationship with God? Then a Silent Directed Retreat may be what you are seek-ing. The silence helps you hear God’s invitation to open your heart and surrender your soul in a deeper way. It helps you to untangle yourself from the many responsibilities, tasks, and even relationships that can keep you from being free enough to respond to God. Along with the silence, meeting with a Spiritual Director each day of the retreat will help you discern God’s invitation and offer suggestions to help guide you during your silence. God invites us, “Come and rest in me.” No matter how hectic our lives have gotten, the invitation is always open. This Silent Directed Retreat is being offered as a 3-day experience. The retreat begins with dinner on Thursday and ends after lunch on Sunday. Cost: $235.00. A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and 9 meals are included in the price. Deadline for registration is December 20, 2013.

March 7-9The Gift of Self Compassion

Presenter: Joyce Rupp, OSM

Contrary to common belief, self-compassion is not an indulgent, self-centered orientation. Rather, self-compassion is essential for a healthy, loving relationship to God, self and others. Joyce Rupp invites participants to reflect on self-compassion in the life of Christ and in their own lives through conferences, creative communal prayer, quiet reflection and integrative dialogue. Cost: $175.00. Commuter $120.00 A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and 5 meals are included in the price. Deadline for registration is February 21, 2014.

March 20-23Centering Prayer Meets the 11th Step

Presenter: Nick Cole

This retreat will be for persons who want to learn about and/or deepen their practice of centering prayer. There will be opportunities for those in 12-step programs to learn how to use centering prayer in the 11th step. “Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening” by Cynthia Bouregault and “Breathing Under Water” by Richard Rohr will be helpful (but not required) reading before the retreat. Cost: $235.00. A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and 9 meals are included in the price. Deadline for registration is March 6, 2014.

April 17-20Triduum

Come join the monastic community of St. Scholastica to celebrate the Triduum during Holy Week. You will enter into worship with the Sisters to follow in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary and share in the joy of His resurrection. We will begin this commemoration of the Paschal Mystery with orientation at 2 p.m. on Holy Thursday and conclude with the Feast of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Sister Rachel Dietz will give a talk on Saturday morning. Cost: $115.00. A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and 9 meals are included in the price. Deadline for registration is April 3, 2014

May 29-31Balance in Action: a Practicing Retreat for Healers

Presenter: Jillian Guthrie, LCSW

This is a retreat specifically for those in the helping field and caregivers who, as we know, can lose track of their own needs and unfortunately experience physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sicknesses while offering their gifts to others. The workshops involved are geared towards issues specific to Healer experiences in order to foster healthy, effective processing and responses, teaching participants to help others at their own healthiest, and therefore highest capacity. Format is unique and uplifting, presenter is engaging and down-to-earth, includes humor, stimulating stories, enjoyable and meaningful activities, music, and audience interaction and participation. Relaxing, meditative activities are also included in the schedule for real-time practice and experience in Retreat. Come immerse yourself in a retreat with a passionate seasoned mental health professional who has lived through imbalance and now thrives in her work, while you learn how to improve your helping, and thus life experience. Cost: $200.00. A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and 5 meals are included in the price. Deadline for registration is May 15, 2014.

September 7-13Seasons of Your Heart

Presenter: Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB

In our time together we will explore the spiritual seasons of our lives. Like the seasons that pass over our fields, the heart, too, has its seasons. We will be reflecting on those moments that grow out of our daily listening to God in the changing seasons of our lives. Drawn from her popular book, “Seasons of Your Heart,” each day we will celebrate a new season. (1) The season of wonder: taking off your shoes (2) The season of hope: standing on tiptoe (3) The season of love: washing feet( 4) The season of mystery: racing to the tomb, and (5) The season of faith: walking with strangers. Cost: $500.00. A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and meals are in-cluded in the price. Deadline for registration is August 24, 2014.

St. Scholastica Retreat Center’s 2014 Program

September 26-27Las Raices Judias de la EucaristiaPresenter: Elizabeth Schaeuffler

Que esperaban los Judios antes de la venida de Cristo? Que son el Nuevo Exodo, la Nueva Pascua y el Nuevo Mana? Cual es el significado de la Cuarta Copa? Precio: $125. Cabida y comida incluido en precio. Si no quieres cabida el precio es $80.00 Necesitas $50.00 depósito no reembolsarse cuando tu registros para la retiro. Fecha tope es 12 Septiembre 2014.

October 17-19The Poem of Your Life

Presenter: Macrina Wiederkehr, OSBThe space between your birth and your death is the poem of your life. Throughout this retreat you will be encouraged to offer hospitality to your birth, your death and all that lies between. The retreat will be a bit like a quiet birthday party giv-ing you space for soul work. Stories, poetry, scripture, prayer, song, and ritual will be used throughout the retreat. Spaces of silence will be the arms that hold you. Cost: $175.00. Commuter $120.00 A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and 5 meals are included in the price. Deadline for registration is October 11, 2014

November 14-16Walking With Jesus to the Heavenly Jerusalem

Presenter: Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSBAt a pivotal moment in his ministry, Jesus left Galilee and set out for Jerusalem. He predicted that his journey would bring suffering, death, and resurrection. Each disciple must take up his cross of hope and walk with Jesus to the heavenly Jerusalem. The Scriptures and Christian spiritual classics provide guidance for this journey of moving through darkness and suffering into light and transformation. Cost: $175.00. Commuter $120.00 A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lodging and 5 meals are included in the price. Deadline for registration is October 30, 2014

December 4The Womb of Advent: Birthing the Holy

A Day of ReflectionPresenter: Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB

Advent is all about awakening and birthing the holy that is within us. The rule of St. Benedict reminds us that “on arising for the Work of God, they will quietly encourage one another, for the sleepy like to make excuses.” The sacred season before the feast of Christmas is our womb time. Our focus will be on awakening to the spiritual practice of a daily rebirth. Cost: $50.00. A $20.00 non-refundable deposit is needed at the time of registration. Lunch is included. Registration deadline is November 20, 2014.

PRESENTERS

Nick Cole is a retired ophthalmologist who has practiced and taught Centering Prayer for 20+ years. His life is being transformed by the amazing synergy between Centering Prayer and the 12-Steps.

Jillian Guthrie, LCSW is a mental health therapist, and Founder and Presenter of the organization Healers in Balance, created to identify and address the challenges faced by those in the helping professions; fostering health in healers and their work environments. Working in the field for the past 25 years, she has a range of experience that includes State and Private Counseling Clinics, Child Welfare/Juveniles, Homeless, Emer-gency Services, Adjunct Professor, and Clinical Supervisor/Trainer. In addition to providing presentations/workshops, consultation, interviews, and literature through her organization, she has a successful private practice in Eureka Springs, AR. Workshop participants have described Jillian’s speaking style as open, insightful, interactive, challenging, humorous, genuine, and real-world experienced.

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB is the Abbot of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas. He has served as editor of “The Abbey Message” and is also a founding member of the Little Rock Scripture Study Program. He is the author of Twelve Keys to Prayer, The Eucharist in the New Testament, and Don’t Trust the Abbot: Musings from the Monastery, all published by Liturgical Press.

Joyce Rupp, OSM is well known for her work as a writer, “spiritual midwife,” international retreat leader and conference speaker. She is a member of the Servants of Mary community, author of twenty one books, and the co-director of The Institute of Compassionate Presence. Joyce Rupp resides in Des Moines, Iowa, and can be visited online at www.joycerupp.com

Elizabeth Schaeuffler Soy profesora y recibí mi certificación en Guatemala. Yo regresé a la fe católica hace 7 años y estoy involucrada en diferentes ministerios en la parroquia San Vicente de Paúl en Rogers AR. La mayoría de ellos tienen que ver con formación en la fe católica. Me encanta hablar con los parroquianos acerca de la Fe y especialmente acerca del poder de sanación de la Santa Eucaristía. Disfruto muchísimo el leer libros en teología editados por los doctores Scott Hahn, Michael Barber, Ed Sri, Brant Pitre y el Padre Mitch Patwa. Estoy estudiando para obtener un certificado sin crédito en estudios bíblicos a través de la organización laica Presentation Ministries localizada en Cincinnatti OH y fundada por el Padre Al Lauer más de 25 años atrás.

Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB is well-known for her creative writing and retreat ministry. She lives a monastic life with the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, Arkansas. She is the author of eight popular books on prayer and spirituality, among them being A Tree Full of Angels, Seven Sacred Pauses, and Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God. Past experiences include teaching elementary grades; parish and campus ministry and a year lived in a desert hermitage. Her passion is to lead seekers in the contemplative way.

Joyce Rupp, OSMNick ColeJillian Guthrie, LCSWMacrina Wiederkehr, OSBElizabeth SchaeufflerAbbot Jerome Kodell, OSB

RETREAT REGISTRATION FORM

NAME oF rETrEAT:________________________________________________ DATE: ____________________________________

rEGisTrANT’s NAME: ________________________________________________________________________________GENDEr_____

ADDrEss: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CiTY: _________________________________________ _________sTATE: _____________ ziP CoDE: ___________________________

TELEPHoNE NUMBEr: ________________________________ E-MAiL: ____________________________________________________

PAYMENT iNForMATioN: DEPosiT AMoUNT:______________ ___ BY CHECK _____ CrEDiT CArD ________________

If you wish to pay by credit card, we gladly accept Master Card, Visa, or Discover. Please call the Retreat Center Office 479.783.1135 with your credit card information.

Please send this form and deposit to st. scholastica retreat Center, 1205 s. Albert Pike, Fort smith, Ar 72903. You may also register online at www. stscho.org/retreat/registration or by phone at 479.783.1135. (hot link)

Retreat in Daily LifeA seven-month experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the retreat is offered October to May under the guidance of St. Scholastica Retreat Center. The retreat is carried out in the retreatant’s daily life by praying each day with scripture passages, being guided in a group once a week, and having regular sessions with a spiritual director. If you feel the Lord is calling you to this kind of spiritual journey contact Kathy Schmelzer by e-mail at retreats@stscho.org or by phone at 479.783.1135. We ask that this contact be made by the end of July as time is needed to prepare and discern your readiness for this spiritual journey. Hot link

Formation in the Ministry of Spiritual DirectionSt. Scholastica Retreat Center offers Spiritual Direction Formation Classes for certification to become a Spiritual Director. This is a five-stage discernment process which prepares you to walk with directees in their faith journeys. The program, presented from a Roman Catholic perspective, is open to all Christians.

Step 1: Retreat in Daily Life experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

Step 2: Introduction to Spiritual Direction the initial study of the ministry.

Step 3: Spiritual Classics personal reading and group discussion

of selected Spiritual Classics.Step 4: Practicum I

beginning of Spiritual Direction with directees plus course work.Step 5: Practicum II

next level of Direction with course work.

St. Scholastica Retreat Center is nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks, in the center of Fort Smith, Arkansas, the second largest city in the state, and located on the grounds of St. Scholastica Monastery. We provide an environment of quiet and peace for enhancing one’s spiritual journey.In addition to the retreats we sponsor that are showcased in this brochure, we offer space to other ministries, families and groups to allow them to develop their friendships as well as their relationship with God. Private retreatants are welcome. Private retreats are available with or without spiritual direction.GENERAL INFORMATIONThe Center’s environment is casual, respectful of each individual, worry free, and full of hospitality. Our meals are simple yet wholesome. We do our best to accommodate people with dietary restrictions.This is a smoke-free campus.To obtain more information on the retreats listed in this brochure or any of our other offerings, please contact Kathy Schmelzer by e-mail at retreats@stscho.org or by phone at 479.783.1135. We do have information on our website at www.stscho.org/retreats/. Hot linkIn keeping with the Rule of Benedict governing hospitality, those who have been blessed with more may wish to contribute more, and those who have less give less so that “all may be at peace in the house of God.” St. Scho-lastica Retreat Center has established a scholarship policy. For more information on the scholarship policy, please contact Kathy Schmelzer by e-mail at retreats@stscho.org or by phone at 479.783.1135. Hot linkAt St. Scholastica, we treasure our volunteers. Whether they volunteer in our office, in our hospitality ministry, or for special events, they are an integral part of our retreat center. If you can help us, please call Kathy Schmelzer at 479.783.1135.

mailto:retreats@stscho.orgmailto:retreats@stscho.orghttp://www.stscho.org/retreatsmailto:retreats@stscho.orghttp://www.stscho.org/retreat-registration/

Hesychia House is a haven for any adult who wants to spend time alone in prayer. Four hermitages--three for short term stays and one for longer terms--are available in scenic New Blaine, Ark., where St. Scholastica’s Benedictine community was founded in 1879.

Retreatants are invited to participate in the prayer life of the core community, have a scripture-based retreat, or spend their time in solitude. Hesychia, located in a rural area amid pastures of grazing cattle and surrounded by moun-tain ranges of exquisite beauty, has 200 acres of trails for guests to explore.

Each hermitage has limited cooking and refrigeration facilities, a full bath, air conditioning and electric heating in addition to a wood-burning stove. Retreatants prepare their own breakfasts and noon meals in their hermitages. They are invited to share the evening meal with the core community, or if they prefer, they can also prepare that meal in their hermitage.

Suggested donations are $50 per night for the first week; $35 a night for longer stays; and $20 for a single day. Call for reservations at: Sister Louise Sharum, OSB, Director, Hesychia House of Prayer 204 St. Scholastica Road, New Blaine, AR 72851 Phone: (479) 938-7375 E-Mail: hesychia@centurytel.net (HOT LINK)

To view a slide show of Hesychia House of Prayer, visit www.stscho.org

OBLATE NEWSThe oblates have two new co-directors--Sisters Hilary Decker (at left) and Rose Maria Birkenfeld--who have lots of ideas and plans for the upcoming year. Sisters Stephanie Schroeder and Barbara Bock will continue to work with oblate groups in Springfield and Columbia, MO respectively.

Sister Rose Maria, a founding member of Our Lady of Peace Monastery in Columbia, returned to St. Scholastica in 2010. While in Columbia, she earned degrees in Elementary Education and Religious Studies and received her Masters Degree in Theology from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Tex. She worked in six different Missouri parishes as a Director of Religious Education and in Pastoral Ministry. She also served as procurator, subprioress and prioress of Our Lady of Peace Monastery. Visitors can find Sister Rose Maria busy at work in the monastery gift shop several afternoons a week.

Sister Hilary holds a Theology Degree with an emphasis in Scripture from LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She taught Psalms at three monasteries in Kenya and Uganda in the summer of 2004, returning there in 2010 to teach Benedictine Spirituality. She has an extensive background in teaching, campus ministry, and retreat leadership. In addition to her work with the oblates, she teaches in the Formation for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction Program and leads a weekly Bible Study group at an area nursing home.

The co-directors took a survey at the beginning of the year to ascertain what areas of study, ministry, and activities oblates were interested in pursuing in large or small groups and are evaluating the results. Sister Rose Maria led the oblates in an Advent Day of Recollection November 17th, and prepared newsletter at-home retreat materials for oblates who were unable to attend. The group is continuing to study Monastery of the Heart and the Rule of Benedict at a slightly faster pace from last year so that they can advance to new areas of study.

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mailto: hesychia@centurytel.nethttp://www.stscho.org/hesychia.html

2014 Vocation CalendarDiocesan Women’s Discernment Retreat

January 10-11, 2014 in Little Rock, ARCome & See Weekends

January 17-19, 2014February 14-16, 2014

New Monastic Experience: Getting in Touch with TenebraeApril 17-20, 2014 (Option to conclude on Holy Saturday)

St. Scholastica Summer Discernment RetreatJuly 10-14, 2014 (Starts at 2PM, concludes the 14th after lunch.

Observership: This program allows seekers to have a more in depth experience of monastic life as lived by the sisters of St. Scholastica. Applicants for the program experience monastic life as they live at the House of Discernment for one to three months. Participants join the sisters for common prayer, common table and recreation. Observers are assigned a service that helps with day to day needs of the monastery. As an Observer, there are opportunities for classes on the Holy Rule and Introduction to Monastic Life and for personal spiritual growth. This opportunity allows for self reflection and the experience of monastic life at a deeper level than that of day or weekend opportunities. Observership programs are adapted to each individual inquirer and can be designed to fit any economic and employment schedule. Inquire today!

TO VISIT OUR VOCATION PAGES AT STSCHO.ORG, CLICK HERE:

St. Scholastica Continues its Historic Ministry to OrphansAlthough St. Scholastica’s thirteen current partial scholarship students are financially needy, they all come from loving homes. Most are living in single-parent families, but all have supportive extended family living nearby.When the sisters asked Padre Hugo to consider admitting orphaned girls living in Hogar Esquipulas, a local Franciscan-run orphanage, they took on a commitment not only to provide scholarships but to offer encouragement, through prayers, cards, and notes, to the students they sponsored.The first orphans to attend Colegio San Benito--seven girls ranging in age from 7 to 14 and one boy, 12--will face many challenges. Some are several years behind in their schoolwork, the result of attending the underfunded, half-day public school system. Unlike the other students at San Benito, they have no familial support network. Sor Dina, Hogar Esquipulas’ director, chose children with good academic potential and high motivation, but realizes that they will need some overseas “madrinas” to write them cards and notes, pray for them, and show an interest in their progress so that they will be encouraged to study hard and succeed.The 12 year-old boy who will be on scholarship is in a particularly difficult situation. When boys at the orphanage reach the age of 12, they are no longer permitted to stay there and must be transferred to a boys’ orphanage in Guatemala City. This boy has a twenty year-old sister, a former resident of the orphanage, who will be able to provide shelter for him. Sor Dina feels that this would be the best possible living arrangement for him, and knows that the monks will provide a good support system.A committee of sisters and laypersons are developing a plan that would give all the scholarship students--those living at the orphanage and those living in financially needy families--madrinas and padrinas, caring ‘extended family’ that is so important in Hispanic culture and tradition. Donors and volunteers who would like to pray and send notes of encouragement and other remembrances to students will be matched with students. Look for more information about the ‘madrina’ program on our website, www.stscho.org, on Facebook, and in future issues of Horizons.Please consider giving alternative gifts to family or friends who have few economic needs and would appreciate a charitable donation made to St. Scholastica Monastery for the Guatemalan scholarship project in their honor. The sisters assume all ad-ministrative costs for the Partners in Benedictine Education program--every penny donated goes to student support. When you send your donation, please indicate how many alernative gift cards you would like to receive. To insure that you will receive your alternative gift cards before Christmas, please send us your order by December 12. To learn more about buying alternativegifts for friends and loved ones, click here:

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http://www.stscho.org/vocation/http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/3643

Sr. Miriam Hoffman Sr. Brendan Siebenmorgen Sr. Elizabeth Rossi Sr. Christine Eckart

Sr. Josita Nahlen Srs. Magdalen Stanton & Catherine Markey Sister Katharine Wewer

Arts and Crafts Classes in the infirmary mean more than just recreation to the sisters who participate. At each class they create beautiful, useful items, maintain their fine motor skills, keep their minds active, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Their most recent project, Christmas ornaments, will decorate trees throughout the monastery and provide hand-crafted gifts for family and friends.

The sisters on the third floor have also been meeting for music and poetry readings. Sister Ethel Marie, who composed music for our new anthology, “More Joyful Gifts,” shared her hymns. Sisters Dolorita, Rose, Josita, and Jo Ann read their original poetry. Using simple musical instruments, they sang hymns, folk songs, and music from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s.

Using their individual talents, and with the help of infirmary staff, volunteers, and donors to the crafts program, the sisters are keeping the arts alive on the third floor.

We recently made a request for gift cards to use for crafts for the sisters in the infirmary and were blessed that 2 families responded very generously. We have been using the money wisely in order to make it last as long as possible. We have many projects planned and have been laying the groundwork for some of them as you can see below. We have been decoupaging our switch plates to brighten our rooms, making coasters to give as gifts and to use by our bedside, and making different kinds of paper to use in making gift cards later on. We plan to make ornaments, snowmen, and other exciting things for the holidays. We have been having so much fun, but most of all, I want you to know how much this small project has changed the mental status and attitude of those sisters who participate. They are more cheer-ful, actually look forward to something and ask about the next projects, are excited and interested, and seem happier. Even the staff has benefited because it has brought them closer to the sisters they care for. - Brenda Pereira, Nursing Supervisor

The Arts are Alive in the Monastery Infirmary

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What is Christmas?by Sister Consuella Bauer, OSB

1916-2011

Christmas is a feeling of knowing

That Bethlehem, the cave, the midnight hour still are

for those who choose to follow the star.

What is Christmas?It’s a feeling in your heart,

if you believe,and hope, and love.

You will be remembered with gratitude in our Massesand community prayers during this joyous season.

NEWS BRIEFSOn August 13-17, Sr. Maria DeAnge-li, prioress, attended the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in Orlando, FL. She also attended a Fed-eration Council meeting in Crookston, MN on October 8-12.

On August 22-25, Center Director Kathy Schmelzer attended the Benedictine Retreat Center Conference.

On September 4-8 Sr. Kimberly Prohaska, subprioress, attended the American Benedictine Formation Meeting in Norfolk, NE. On September 26-October 1, she attended a Subprioress Meeting in Beech Grove, IN.

Sr. Barbara Bock attended the American Benedictine Vocation Directors Conference at Mt. Angel Monastery in Oregon on October 3-8.

Sr. Maria DeAngeli and Ravi Thiagarajan, CFO, attended the Resource Center for Religious Institutes Conference in Anaheim, CA on October 22-26.

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