Januar, Februar, März 2015 Nr. 1/2015

Transcription

1 Januar, Februar, März 2015 Nr. 1/2015 Great events not only cast their shadows, but sometimes occur along with other events or incidents. So we were very pleased to welcome Mother Angela and Sister Caridad from Rome in our mother house already on February 5 th, and the next day the sisters from Dresden and from Ettiswil arrived as well. During this weekend we have celebrated the change of service of the Prioress. We have prepared ourselves for this event with a Community Day on Saturday with Abbot Benedikt Müntnich OSB, the former abbot ( ) of Maria Laach and the current Spiritual Director of the sisters in Eibingen. After a short introduction by Sr. Hildegard, Abbot Benedikt has referred in his first input to the Year of Religious Life proclaimed by Pope Francis and the apostolic letter published in this context. Abbot Benedikt has pointed out particularly three objectives: to look back gratefully to the past to live presence with passion to embrace the future with hope. After the very rich and deep thoughts of his presentation we have met in small groups to 1 discuss the following questions: "Spirituality of communion": What does this mean for us? How can it become real within our Communities? Religious life as a prophetic sign our communities as "Alternative Sites": Where do we see our possibilities / what does this mean for us? When getting together again in plenary there has been the opportunity to share our thoughts and questions. In the afternoon we have met for another spiritual input. Abbot Benedikt has linked the content of the Pope's apostolic letter to the Rule of St. Benedict. He has pointed out as well that one could learn from the Vita of St. Benedict that Benedict himself had revealed a missionary awareness. Furthermore we know from history that lots of the early Benedictine monks and sisters had been missionaries. Abbot Benedikt pointed out that St. Benedict calls for a broad mind and openness towards everybody (see the chapter RB 53 regarding hospitality). Abbot Benedikt has called for a "transcending oneself" without losing fundamental Benedictine values. After this input we have again split into small groups for discussing the questions: "Transcending oneself": What does this mean for me / us? "What s about temptations"? Later there has been the opportunity to share in plenary the outcome of our group work, personal experience or questions.

2 On the following Sunday afternoon (February 8) the installation of Sr. Ruth Schönenberger OSB as the new prioress has taken place in the context of Vespers. Many guests had been invited and have attended the ceremony. Among them were brothers from St. Ottilien and Münsterschwarzach and Religious of several communities, representatives of church and politics as well as relatives and friends of Sr. Hildegard Sr. and Ruth. After the reading (Eph ) Abbot President Dr. Albert Schmidt, OSB from Beuron Abbey has interpreted in a deep way this text from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians. Abbot Albert is connected to Sr. Ruth through the joint work in the editorial of the periodical "Erbe und Auftrag". In a concluding sentence he has expressed his wish for Sr. Ruth: "... that Christ may live in your heart and that you can therefore put up with yourself; that you will be able to bear and support the sisters and to live with them, as the Lord lives within them; and that you may keep alive in yourself and in the community the desire for the ONE who had called you to follow him. Then you will always be able to set out again and again for the people, for the Lord wants to give full life for everyone." symbol of PAX their willingness of support, their readiness to assist Sr. Ruth in her service for the Priory of Tutzing in responsible obedience and loyalty. A ceremony at the chapel has followed right after Vespers. First of all there has been a laudation by M. Angela. She has reminded us of what Sr. Hildegard had accomplished during the last eight years and has thanked her for all her commitment. Then she has pointed out to Sr. Ruth that there are several tasks waiting to be tackled. M. Angela s wish for Sr. Ruth has been: together with the community keep on going ahead on the perennial itinerancy and "fulfill the mission of the perfection of love especially among the sisters who are entrusted to you". Afterwards greetings of Rev. Ulrike Wilhelm, Rev. Peter Brummer, District Mayor Roth and Prof. Salfeld from the Benedictus Hospital have followed. Afterwards M. Angela has commissioned Sr. Ruth for the service of Prioress. She has read out the official certificate of appointment, which she handed over to Sr. Ruth. Then M. Angela invited the sisters to express with the 2 All speakers have paid tribute to the commitment of Sr. Hildegard as prioress during the past eight years. At the same time they have also mentioned her achievements in the Benedictus secondary school. The importance of this outstanding school for the town of Tutzing and the entire county has been highlighted. IIn all greetings Sr. Ruth has been felicitated and encouraged. Also her previous commitment for the parish, the municipality and the hospital has been mentioned. As a form of guidance for the future and her service Rev. Brummer has handed over to Sr. Ruth a burning candle as a symbol of light, as well as the Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium". Rev. Ulrike Wilhelm from the Lutheran par-

3 ish in Tutzing offered Sr. Ruth a pair of "Luther socks" for a sound ecumenical standing. Especially Rev. Brummer also has emphasized in his speech his thanks to Sr. Erika Glötzl, the outgoing subprioress, for all the work and commitment as a Parish Councillor in the parish of St. Joseph. This was followed by final words of Sr. Hildegard Sr. and Ruth, which can be found also on the website. Sr. Hildegard has looked back at her service in the "light of the Word". She has explained that the symbol the monastery as a school for the service of the Lord (RB Prol. 45) had always been very important and meaningful for her. Finally, she has thanked all her fellow sisters, all the people who had supported and advised her and she has thanked God for everything "what He has done in His grace by us sisters in the Priory." Sr. Ruth has presented at the end of her speech the newly elected sisters of the Priory Council who will assist her in her service: Sr. Renate Basler, who has accepted the service as sub-prioress, and the councilors: Sr. Rachel Feller, Sr. Hanna Sattler, Sr. Hedwig Willenbrink and Sr. Elizabeth-Magdalena Zehe. The ceremony has been given an appropriately festive musical framework with Celtic songs, presented by the choir of sisters accompanied by a variety of musical instruments. Our sisters had prepared for this event very diligently and could offer a real festival concert. The ceremony in the church has been followed by a champagne reception in the Statio Floor and in the Chapter Room, where the guests and the sisters have had the opportunity to meet each other. The ceremonies in the church and the encounters during the reception have been characterized by a very dense, benevolent and harmonious atmosphere. On the Solemnity of St. Scholastica, we have closed the feast day with a farewell ceremony for Sr. Hildegard and Sr. Erika in the chapter room. Our musicians have contributed with choral and instrumental music to the festive success of the evening. Sr. Ruth has given by a very well done PowerPoint presentation a review of some important events during the tenure of Sr. Hildegard. Again she has thanked in heartfelt words Sr. Hildegard and Sr. Erika for all their service and commitment. Sr. Hildegard has given her thanks to all the sisters for their support and the cooperation and the joint community life during the recent years. Sr. Hildegard and Sr. Erika both received a folder with sheets on which the sisters had expressed their thanks in very creative ways. Sr. Georgia Otto Evening of Scholastika in the refectory: f.l.to.r.: Sr. Renate, Sr. Caridad, M. Angela, Sr. Ruth, Sr. Hildegard and Sr. Erika A Video about the feast can be looked at: 3

4 On Friday, March 13, 2015, our fully packed van has started for Ettiswil, because there it was again the time for a change in the service of superior, after the end of the three-year term of office of Sr. Fabiana Wessiepe. Sr. Erika Glötzl, the former subprioress in Tutzing, had agreed to accept this responsibility again. Sr. Christine Keller has accompanied Sr. Erika to support her and to enhance the Ettiswil convent during the coming months. On Saturday afternoon, a small ceremony has been held with a common coffee and cake. Sr. Angelica Baggenstoss has honored the merits of Sr. Fabiana and her service for the sisters with a witty poem. She has (re-)welcomed on behalf of the sisters Sr. Erika, who already had been the superior of Ettiswil form 2009 to 2012 and who thus is well known in the convent of Ettiswil. The sisters have presented gifts to Sr. Fabiana and Sr. Erika who have received them with great joy. Prioress Sr. Ruth Schönenberger has given thanks to Sr. Fabiana for her service of authority in recent years. In her address she has given to the new superior and to all sisters of the convent some milestones / key sentences that can provide guidance in various situations: The symbol of the mountain in the Bible. Her desire for the convent has been: May the sentence of the prophet Nehemia (read in Holy Mass on this Laetare Sunday) be such a milestone: "Do not worry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength". The convent in Ettiswil On January 26, 2015 there was a little celebration for Sabine Menge and Magdalena Mehringer. They received the Rule and our Constitutions and went the next step into our community. Both entered on October 26, 2014 Sabine some hours earlier than Magdalena, that s why she is the older one canonically. From age she s older, too (born 1979). Sabine is a theologian and worked in hospital chaplaincy before she entered. She was born in Arnsberg / Sauerland however didn t get to know our community via Haus Marienfried / Olpe but by the internet! Sabine Menge and Magdalena Mehringer 4

5 cont page 4 Novitiate Magdalena was born in Bad Tölz (1983). She worked for three years in administration. Afterwards she supported farms and families in case of need. She got to know us by her spiritual director. For their celebration they chose the story of Philip meeting the eunuch as a reading (Act 8,26-40). Sr. Hildegard Jansing interpreted it for us (the full text of her interpretation may be found on our website in German). She showed that the story is on the line of Benedictine spirituality and might be pathbreaking for our spiritual life as Benedictines. There s a man who ventures an exhausting travel to adore God. A man who reads the word of God but doesn t understand anything. So he asks for explanation. And there s Philip who opens his mouth and and preaches the Gospel of Jesus. So the eunuch went on his way rejoicing. We wish Sabine and Magdalena that they rejoice on their way of God s commandments, that their hearts expand and that they find clarity for their way. On March 21, 2015 our postulant Nadya Ruzhina FINALLY was received into novitiate. Many sisters celebrated with her. Finally she already entered in Bulgaria in 2007, but finished her course of studies first. She successfully completed her studies of Social Work in Benediktbeuern in summer Over all the years she kept up her longing for a life with Christ through all ups and downs with God s help and the sister s support. Her deep joy about being able to go the next step was noticeable and visible on this day, not only in her eyes. In her interpretation of the reading of Luke 12, Sr. Ruth Schönenberger explained three keywords. The text you ve chosen from the Gospel of Luke succinctly says what s important. It has a clear direction, doesn t engage in negligibilities but points out the search, the kingdom and that there s no need to fear. Nadya asked to keep her baptismal name. So now she s called Sr. Nadya. The name comes from the Bulgarian word nadeschda which means hope. We wish Sr. Nadya for her way in novitiate that there s no need to fear in her searching. May she experience the reason for her hope and find clarity where and how she wants to live her life in God s kingdom. Sr. Elisabeth-Magdalena Zehe 5

6 The motto of this year s Misereor Lenten Campaign 2015 was Re-think dare changes! and had the aim to draw the attention on the effects of global climate change. On March 1, 2015 Sr. Eva-Maria Zierl and Sr. Helga Gabriela Haack participated in the parish of St. Michael in Mering at the opening worship ceremony. Archbishop Dr. Antonio Javellana Ledesma SJ of the Philippines was the special guest for this venue in Mering and he has concelebrated during the Eucharist. In his homily, he has drawn the attention to the One World and he has illustrated the correlation between consciousness, altered awareness and climate change. Inter-generation fairness resounds throughout the nations, to the word climate justice we still have to add much more authority. Bishop Ledesma has called on everyone to campaign more than ever for the integrity of creation. In particular he has appealed to the industrial nations such as USA, Europe, China and Russia to stand up for climate protection. The current generation had caused the climate change and so it s now up to us to try to turn things around and to initiate a change of policy concerning climate protection. Each and every one is called to do one s bit wherever we are. One finds the Philippines the No. 3 of the most vulnerable countries regarding climate change. Bishop Ledesma has given his thanks to Misereor and the many people who generously help the people of the Philippines in their time of need. After Holy Mass there was a solidarity meal with very tasty Filipino food. This has been followed by a market of opportunities. Associations and groups have presented campaigns and information about their One-World-Work. Sr. Eva-Maria and Sr. Helga Gabriela have given information about our worldwide congregation. In addition, there have been other activities such as Filipino dances, a panel discussion on "Climate Change", a workshop regarding Filipino fairy tales, an introduction and explanation to the Misereor Hunger cloth with the title "God and gold - how much is enough?"; a workshop The world is coming to us about flight, migration, asylum, etc. Sr. Helga Gabriela Haack On March 3, 2015 Bishop Ledesma has also come to Tutzing. He has started his program in Tutzing with an encounter with some Filipino women from Tutzing. The women have cooked Filipino food and Bishop Antonio has felt quite comfortable in this community. Then he has celebrated Holy mass with the whole parish in St. Joseph. During an evening lecture he has spoken once again about the issue of climate justice. Because of the difficult political situation in the Philippines there is an important but not easy dialogue between the different the religious leaders and the politicians. Bishop Ledesma has emphasized that the difficulties of the country mainly relate to the economic situation. Natural disasters throw back the country again and again. 6

7 The annual meeting of the Ecumenical Environment Forum has been held in Tutzing from 23 to 24 March Religious from various male and female communities and committed employees of ecclesiastical institutions has come together for exchange and information. From our convents in Tutzing and Bernried several sisters have taken part, some only during the presentations, and others throughout the whole meeting. The focus this year was the theme: Our Lifestyle and Global Justice. 7 The speaker, Mr. Fritz Schroth, a longtime member of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, has shared with us his manifold experience. His presentation was highly vivid and touching, because he could rely on personal experience in many cases (ref. to website). His high reverence for life and thus as well for the food, for the soil, which in the first place gives life and nurtures the plants, was contagious and persuasive, and has motivated us to an inspiring conversation. After a break there has been the opportunity to tell each other the current events and news from the different communities. We have shared success, such as the introduction of environmentally friendly cleaning products, and grief when it was told that EMAS certification (certification for environmentally sensitive operation) will not be continued in some communities. The following morning we have dealt with a specific issue: Dr. Wolfgang Schürger, environmental manager of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, has expanded our knowledge of lighting options by giving an appealing presentation. Obviously THE bulbs of the future are lightemitting diodes (= LED). For us in our community in Tutzing this was like a confirmation of our current approach to replace the expiring bulbs with LED lamps. (In the refectory you can already see this clearly) Before the lunch break, the group was very keen to get a guided tour in the Motherhouse. So we have been spending a long time in the church, the refectory and the Chapter room, but we have also briefly stepped in the laundry to visit the (not quite) new energy and water-saving devices and at the end, of course, in the boiler room. The CHP (combined heat and power plant) has been of general interest and Mr Schamper, our caretaker, has had to answer many questions. With lunch the meeting has ended, which has been an enriching venue for us. Next year we will meet in Muensterschwarzach to discuss and work on the encyclical on environmental issues announced by Pope Francis. Sr. Rachel Feller

8 Many sisters from Tutzing and Bernried have met on 28 February 2015 to work on this subject, which is one very own innate element of our missionary-benedictine spirituality. Dr. Bernward Konermann (Speaker for Liturgical training work; cultural manager, author, actor and director) and Barbara Kohlberg (church musician and educator), two adept referees acting in harmonious interplay, have helped us with different approaches to rediscover: preaching is more than "words", it also comes about through our - physical, emotional, spiritual - presence in prayer. As a common practical and theoretical beginning, Mr. Dr. Konermann has given in the morning an introduction entitled "Moses, take off your shoes." all your senses and moves as well by all our senses our inner feelings and attitudes. Mr. Konermann especially pointed out three aspects: "Transformation through presence": In the liturgy transformation happens also within ourselves - : incarnation in the simultaneity of God s self-giving presence. Personality": the word "person" comes from per-sonare, i.e. sound through. That means, if we pray, sing, preach (as a person) with our whole personality, then we let God sound through. "Awareness": For our mission of evangelization, it is necessary time and again that we become aware of: in front of whom we stand and who speaks to us, and who speaks through us - to whom we speak and what we want to say - how our physical presence / prayer gestures accompany our prayers. After this initial common introduction we have had the opportunity to deepen these inputs in practice during two workshops: Workshop A: Prayer, Preaching and Lecutring with Mr. Dr. Konermann: It has been about the importance of internal and external posture in prayer. In very concrete, practical exercises with our language, with the body, and exercises in the room, he has given us a mean to realize how much the posture has an impact on our own inner attitude and reflects it, and how on the other hand our posture changes our expression while reading / praying. Prayer is done with Together and one-by-one we have tried to harmonize the internal and external tension, to take up positions", to sharpen imagination and arcs of suspense. For this purpose, everybody has been invited to choose freely a text from the Holy Bible and to recite it separately. It was touching and exciting to see how individual this proclamation of the Word of God has been, and how each particular visualization of the text affected the tense of inwardness and charisma. 8

9 Workshop B: The sung word with Mrs. Kolberg: During this common time we have looked practically on the approach that singing is an expression of our personal spirituality. Posture, breathing, voice - how can they concur that we and others would be able to experience that liturgy vitalizes us and encourages life? After some interesting brief remarks from psychology and body therapy and some little practical exercises, we have been able to experience once again while singing what it might mean, " let us take part in the psalmody in such a way that our mind may be in harmony with our voice. (RB 19.7). Mrs. Kolberg has opened the afternoon with another common input, entitled: "Why ever, for which reason, wherefore? '' The aspect of holism was important once again: i.e. singing, praying happens with our whole being. In addition to thoughts on individual elements of the Divine Office Mrs. Kolberg has also been able to share her experience of the conception and design of church services and she has brought among others examples of her work with convents ( e.g. Fahr Monastery in Switzerland) and with parish groups. Then the above-mentioned Workshops A and B have been taken place once again, so that each sister has had the opportunity to participate in two practical sessions. It was a very fulfilled, satisfying, interesting and spiritual day, which, among others, has expressed and nourished the joy of the Word of God, of singing and praying as a form of annunciation. The experience of this day and our mission / assignment can be summarized very tellingly in the following text: Located in the drama of God we remember his presence, to become flesh, as HE became flesh, and to bear witness to love in the blood and heartbeat of HIS life. In this claim is our work in the presence of God as a mission of incarnation. Sr. Katharina Rohrmann 9

10 The story of the panhandler begging for minutes takes place in Rome around at the time of St. Benedict shortly before Christmas. By that time Rome was filled with refugees and beggars. One of them, an old paralyzed man is not ashamed of his poverty. He is not bitter and not jealous - rather wistful. Not even his paralysis prevents him from pursuing his desire: he wants to hear more and more of God's Word, which satisfies his true hunger. And because he does not know how to read, he begs not for money or bread, but for time. He asks the people to read to him some verses from the Bible just for a few minutes. Hence people believe him to be crazy. But by his natural human nature, he is able to arouse the desire even in a young beggar and to help him to fulfill his heart's desire. It's amazing to realize the very intense and touching story of incarnation, which Lene Mayer-Skumanz has written. We - the half of the convent of Bernried - have played around Christmas this tale for several times: at the feast of silver profession of Sister Birgitta, for our employees, for our guests at Christmas and New Year, for the parish of Bernried and for our sisters from Tutzing. About 200 people have got to know the Minute s beggar. And everyone was individually touched and blessed by this story. I am amazed while thinking, how a good story, a good news may become known and make its way to the people. Two and a half years ago I have met for about ten minutes an elderly man at a venue of Renovabis - it was a Sacred Heart missionary from Austria. I have learned that he speaks up for the translation of religious books into Eastern European languages. A great and useful purpose, I ve thought. Then he has handed to me a copy of his Christmas newsletter and he has emphasized to me the titles of two stories saying that I should read them. One of them was "The minute s beggar". At home I have found it on the internet, have thrown a glance at the story and immediately have thought: "too long, no time to read and so many foreign words!. But before Christmas in that year I have been looking for a beautiful Christmas story for my fellow students. I have remembered the story and now I ve read it - this time the entire tale. And even if I did not understand everything, I knew that I would like to pass this story down to other people. This year in Bernried the sisters have also been searching for a Christmas story, as they traditionally perform a play for their guests and employees around Christmas time. The lot has come out for The minute s beggar, despite the length. God finds his way to spread out his gospel by our talents. I am very happy and grateful that I ve got the chance to know better many of our sisters and the whole convent in Bernried by this story, by our joint rehearsals and performances. And I'm impressed of what becomes possible when many people have a common goal. I am very grateful for everyone who has participated in the play, for the invested effort, time, patience and joy. Especially I d like to thank Magdalena and Sabine for the common preparations that have in the first place helped to realize this project. At Christmas time I have written a letter to the Sacred Heart Missionary of whom I once had received the story, telling him what we have done. Soon thereafter, I ve received a joyous feedback along with greetings from the author for all the sisters. Nadya Ruzhina Missions-Benediktinerinnen Bahnhofstr. 3, Tutzing Redaktion: Sr. Ruth Schönenberger translation: Sr. Katharina Rohrmann 10