St. Benedict, father of. western monasticism. and patron of

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1 Benedictine Oblates of Nebraska Living by the Spirit of The Rule of St. Benedict + Associated with Sacred Heart Monastery + info@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org + March 2014 Living with The Rule of St. Benedict PREPARING OUR HEARTS From The Rule of our Holy Father Benedict: We urge the entire community during these days of Lent to keep its manner of life most pure and to wash away in this holy season the negligence of other times... During these days, therefore, we will add to the usual measure of our service something by way of private prayer and abstinence from food or drink, so that each of us will have something above the assigned measure to offer God of his own will with the joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 1:6). RB 49:2 3, 5 6. Reflection FROM DAILY THOUGHT ON HOLINESS It needs time to grow into Jesus the Vine; do not expect to abide in Him unless you give Him that time. It is not enough to read God s Word, or meditations as here offered, and when we think we have enough hold of the thoughts and have asked God for his blessing, to go out in the hope that the blessing will abide. No, it needs day by day time with Jesus and with God... Therefore, my brother, who would learn to abide in Jesus, take time each day, ere you read, and while you read, and after you read, to put yourself distinctly and consciously into His blessed influence; so will you give Him the opportunity of taking hold of you, of drawing you up and keeping you safe in His almighty life. Andrew Murray ( ) Worship MORNING PRAYER Oblates gather every Friday morning at 7:30 in the Ryan Memorial Chapel at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, 5401 South St., Lincoln, Nebraska, to pray Morning Prayer. Everyone is welcome. FEAST OF ST. BENEDICT (A.D ) At 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014, those who can attend will gather in the Ryan Memorial Chapel at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Lincoln, for Vespers to commemorate the death, in A.D. 547, of St. Benedict, detail from Fra St. Benedict, father of Angelico s The Crucifixion, western monasticism Convento di San Marco, and patron of Florence, Italy, Europe. St. Gregory the Great recounts Benedict s death in his Dialogues: Six days before he left this world he gave orders to have his sepulchre opened, and forthwith falling into an ague, he began with burning heat to wax faint; and when as the sickness daily increased, upon the sixth day he commanded his monks to carry him into the oratory, where he did arm himself receiving the Body and Blood of our Savior CHAPTERS DEANS Hastings Juliene Bryan, juliene.bryan@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org LOCATIONS Family Room, St. Michael s Church, Hastings Carol Barry, carol.barry@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org Steve Blum, steve.blum@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org Lincoln Carol Olson, carol.olson@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org Jim Rea, jim.rea@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org Mary Schroer, mary.schroer@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Sheridan Room (Sunday) Nemaha Room (Monday) 5401 South St. Lincoln Omaha Rod Dolton, rod.dolton@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org New Cassel Retirement Ctr. Lecture Hall, Omaha Steinauer Marcia Borcher, marcia.borcher@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org Banquet Room, Convent House B&B, Steinauer

2 Benedictine Oblates of Nebraska + March p. 2 Christ; and having his weak body holden up betwixt the hands of his disciples, he stood with his own hands lifted up to heaven; and as he was in that manner praying he gave up the ghost. He was buried in the same grave with his sister Scholastica. The Lincoln Chapter offers Vespers monthly, marking the lives of memorable Benedictines. Here are the occasions for Vespers for the next several months: Apr. 21 (Mon.) Anselm (Day after Easter) May 15 (Thurs.) Pachomius. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHORTER CHRISTIAN PRAYER DURING LENT Ash Wednesday, March 5, marks the beginning of Lent. On the first Sunday of Lent, Saturday, March 8, we begin Week I with Evening Prayer I on p. 37. There are special Lenten antiphons (in red) on Sundays during Lent. Turn to p. 405 at the Reading for Evening Prayer I. For Sunday Morning Prayer during Lent, turn to p. 407 at the Reading. Note that we use the Lenten Canticle for Sunday Evening Prayer II before turning to the Reading on p For weekdays during Lent, turn to pp at the Reading. Chapter Gatherings HASTINGS CHAPTER The general meeting will be Saturday, March 8, 2014, 9:30 11:30 a.m., in the Family Room at St. Michael s Church. Read Chapters 13 and 14 of Conversation with Saint Benedict: the Rule in Today s World by Terrence G. Kardong: Competition and The Prior of the Monastery, pp Facilitator: Sharon Connor Companion Leader: Leland Ostdiek (Novice Lesson #7) Prayer Leader: Gerry Kuhn Reflection: Juliene Bryan. HASTINGS ST. SCHOLASTICA CELL Hastings Cell gathering (St. Scholastica Cell): Saturday, March 22, 9:30 a.m., in the Library at St. Michael s Church. Read Chapter 9, Community Prayer, pp , from Cherish Christ Above All by Demetrius Dumm, OSB. Facilitator: Ethel Weir. HASTINGS BROTHER LAWRENCE CELL Grand Island Cell gathering (Brother Lawrence Cell): Monday, March 24, 2014, 4:30 5:30 p.m., First Christian Church 2400 W. 14th St., Grand Island. Read Chapter 9, Community Prayer, pp , from Cherish Christ Above All by Demetrius Dumm, OSB. Facilitator: Scott Taylor. LINCOLN CHAPTER General gatherings will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2014, 7:00 9:00 p.m. and Monday, February 10, 2014, at the same time. Read Chapter 3 (pp ), Partisan Politics and the Benedictine Chapter, and Chapter 7 (pp ), Economics without Anxiety, from Conversation with St. Benedict: the Rule in Today s World, by Terrence G. Kardong, OSB. Don t forget to set your clocks forward or you ll be an hour early for the meeting! The Sunday gathering is held in the Sheridan Room at Madonna, while the Monday gathering is held in the Nemaha Room. Cell gatherings: Read Chapter 9, Community Prayer, pp , from Cherish Christ Above All, by Demetrius Dumm, OSB. OMAHA CHAPTER General Meeting: The general gathering will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 7:00 9:00 p.m. at the New Cassel Retirement Center. This falls in the first full week of Lent. The reading will cover Chapter 3 (pp ), Partisan Politics and the Benedictine Chapter, and Chapter 7 (pp ), Economics without Anxiety, from Conversation with St. Benedict: the Rule in Today s World, by Terrence G. Kardong. The cell gathering will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 7:00 9:00 p.m. at the New Cassel Retirement Center. This is during the third full week of Lent and is also the feast day of the Annunciation of the Lord. The meeting will begin with a reflection on paragraphs B.2.b. through B.2.e. from the Ongoing Formation tab of the Oblate Handbook. The cell gathering s reading comes from Chapter 9, Community Prayer, (pp ) from Cherish Christ Above All by Demetrious Dumm, OSB. Catherine A. Caffrey of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Omaha, requested to become an Oblate

3 Benedictine Oblates of Nebraska + March p. 3 with our Omaha Chapter during our November 26, 2013, cell meeting. Cathy subsequently died peacefully on February 12, 2014, and was posthumously granted her request by Sister Phyllis Hunhoff, OSB, of. Her name was then included in the monastery s Necrology. Please keep Cathy and all departed Oblates in your prayers. STEINAUER CHAPTER The general gathering will be held on Monday, March 31, 2014, 7:00 9:00 p.m. in the Banquet Room across from St. Anthony s Church. Read Chapters 9 and 10 of Conversation with Saint Benedict: the Rule in Today s World by Terrence G. Kardong Mobility and Stability (pp ) and Monastic Garb (pp ). Nebraska Cell Groups INTRODUCTION Cell group readings for come from Cherish Christ Above All: The Bible in the Rule of Benedict, Demetrius Dumm, OSB, Latrobe, Penn.: Saint Vincent Archabbey Publications, The Nebraska Chapter has a variety of cell groups: HASTINGS Saint Scholastica Cell Leader: various individuals Meetings: The fourth Saturday of the month beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the library of St. Michael s Church, Hastings. Brother Lawrence Cell Leader: various individuals Meets the fourth Monday of the month, 4:30 5:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 2400 West 14th St., Grand Island, Nebraska. LINCOLN Pax Christi Cell Leader: Lorene Ludy Meetings: The fourth Monday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Mary Lu Long s house, 1615 Brent Blvd., Lincoln. Beginners Cell Leader: Marti Fritzen Meetings: Monthly on the fourth Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in the Lancaster Room at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. The Rule of Benedict (RB 73:8) says that the rule is for beginners; we are all beginners and all are welcome to this cell. Subiaco Cell Leader: Tim Fisher Meetings: Every other Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. with Morning Prayer in the chapel at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. Then this cell for men moves to a designated room for conversation. This month s meetings are March 8 and 22. Preferring Christ Cell Leaders: Paul Blotkamp and Charlotte Liggett Meetings: The fourth Sunday of every month at Madonna. The assignments are from Preferring Christ by Norvene Vest. OMAHA Omaha Cell Leaders: Various individuals Meetings: Monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at New Castle Retirement Center. General Announcements SNOW POLICY It still seems timely to share our snow policy. 1. Should we have three to four inches of snow, we will cancel the meeting without notice. The meeting will not be rescheduled. The next month s meeting will occur as scheduled with that month s assignment. 2. Should we have a snowstorm that seems hard to judge, an e- mail will be sent. For those without e- mail, please call someone with e- mail. In all cases, use your best judgment. Be safe! CHANGE OF E- MAIL ADDRESSES When you update your e- mail address, please send a message to: info@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org. This will assure that you continue to receive notices about the release of newsletters and other important chapter messages.

4 Benedictine Oblates of Nebraska + March p. 4 MONASTERY AND CHAPTER GATHER PETITIONS If you would like to send your prayer requests to the monastery, the Web address for Sacred Heart Monastery s prayer requests is: You may also send petitions to Marcia Straatmeyer at mstraat@neb.rr.com or by using the Prayer Request option on the chapter s Web site: Retreats OBLATES RETREAT AT SACRED HEART MONASTERY Sr. Mary Jo Polak, OSB, will offer a semi- silent retreat, Matters of the Heart in The Rule of St. Benedict, from Friday, May 16, 2014, to Sunday May 18, The retreat brochure states, Sometimes we think of Benedict as the Rule- giver, a wise but strict Father figure. With a closer look, we see how often Benedict talks about matters of the heart and the right attitude of our hearts to be good monastics. To register, contact S. Joelle Bauer: jbauer@mtmc.edu W. 8th St. Yankton, SD The cost for a single room, meals, and the retreat is $120, double room $170, payable upon check- in at the retreat. REFLECTIONS WITH JULIAN OF NORWICH A LENTEN RETREAT is offering a retreat on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The retreat will invite us to enter the Lenten journey more deeply through presentations, silent time for prayer and reflection, and shared reflection on the images and insights from Julian of Norwich Julian of Norwich s Showings. On the Web: BrochureJulianLentenRetreat.pdf OBLATE INSTITUTE The Sophia Center of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount. St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, has some retreat offerings that may be of interest to oblates. On July 17 20, 2014, they will hold their seventh annual Oblate Institute. Speaker Kathleen Norris s theme will be Discovering the Desert: St. Benedict s Sources. You can check their 2014 retreat offerings on the Web: On the Web: retreat- opportunities. BEING A CONTEMPLATIVE IN A DIGITAL WORLD On Saturday, April 5, 2014, 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Carol Olson will lead a retreat exploring our relationship with information, technology, distraction, and time. Using The Rule of Benedict, Scripture, and other resources as guides, we will synchronize and recharge our spiritual batteries to better our connection with the Divine and with others. The retreat will be held at Serenity Acres in Bennet. Serenity Acres is south off of Highway 2. Take the Bennet exit and then take the third right (Cottonwood Street) to Bennet Rd. on the left. RSVP: carol.olson@nebraskabenedictineoblates.org. RETREAT ON CHAPTER 4 OF BENEDICT S RULE The St. Benedict Center of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska, is offering a retreat September 5 6, The retreat begins on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and ends on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The retreat, Tools of the Spiritual Craft, will be presented by Fr. Michael Casey, OCSO, Ph.D. The program description says: At the end of the Prologue of his Rule, Saint Benedict speaks about making progress in faith and good living. What he probably means is advancing in faith through good living. In his much- neglected fourth chapter On the Implements of Good Works, he lists seventy- four means by which we can upgrade the quality of our life and our faith. In these days together, we will discuss some aspects of Benedict s program of practical good living in the light of contemporary experience. Check the Web site for registration and costs. St. Benedict s Center has several retreats offered each month that you might you want to check out. On the Web:

5 Benedictine Oblates of Nebraska + March p. 5 LECTIO DIVINA VIDEO Conception Abbey s Web site features a brief (4:25) video on Lectio Divina. On the Web: video- lectio- divina FROM THE FEBRUARY OBLATES NEWSLETTER Sister Joelle Bauer, Oblate Director, writes: In the liturgical year we are now in Ordinary Time and will be throughout February, which is unusual. We often think of ordinary as nondescript or dull. Ordinary means customary, regular, and orderly. It is the counted time outside other liturgical seasons, and there is nothing dull about this time! This season invites us to prayerfully enter into our daily lives being aware of God in those regular or ordinary events. THEOLOGY INSTITUTE The next Theology Institute is March 15, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The speaker is Leslie J. Hoppe, OFM, an Old Testament scholar who teaches at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. His topic is religious fundamentalism in general and in various religions and countries, including the U.S. Since he has been leading study groups all over the Mideast for close to three decades, he has considerable insight about the dynamics, causes, and effects of religious fundamentalism, and often stresses that one can never categorize any individual or entire religion or ethnic group by a small minority of fundamentalists. This Institute is open to the public at no cost. For registration for planning purposes, please contact Sr. Marielle: mfrigge@mtmc.edu or Check the SHM Web site for more information on events at the monastery: