St. Benedict Center Newsletter # 32      Summer 2008

"St. Benedict's hospitality should be like an oasis in the desert of life where people can find spring waters of new life and a place of rest and relaxation in the shadow of God's presence."

Dear Friends,

The Year 2008 is an election year.  The elections for state and local government officials are behind us.  In the fall, a new President and Vice-President of the US will be elected, plus Representatives and Senators.  It is good to educate ourselves about the various issues, to weigh them in their importance, and to examine the candidates’ positions in regard of them.  Good guidelines can be found at www.faithfulcitizenship.org.

Voting is only one of many areas in which decision making will be necessary for us this year.  Some of us are faced with big decisions, like choosing a marriage partner, changing jobs, going back to school or considering vowed life as an option for their future.  All of us need prudence and wisdom for our everyday decision making.

At the end of Saint Benedict’s Rule for his monks, which also gives orientation to many people who do not live in monasteries, we find the words, “Prefer absolutely nothing to Christ; and may he bring us all together to everlasting life” (RB 72:11-12).  If Jesus’ teaching, his way of life, and his values guide our smaller and major decisions, then we are on the right track.  I find it important to ask myself often, Am I choosing Christ—in my relations with my brothers, co-workers, family members and friends, in the way I do my work, in selecting leisure time activities, in the way I structure my day, etc.?  On occasion it can be helpful to go to a place like St. Benedict Center in order to reflect about our lives, to gain clarity for our decision-making, and to grow in our familiarity with and closeness to Christ.

During the past months, several events attracted large numbers of people to the Center.  Thirty-five married couples attended the marriage enrichment dinner, “Tables for Two” on Feb. 10.  Facilitators Laura Baum-Parr and John Parr shared, with a good sense of humor, stories from their own married life and gave very helpful impulses for the conversation between the spouses.  The Frontier String Ensemble, twenty-seven students of all grades who played on various string instruments works by classical performers, but also show tunes, musical songs and religious pieces were again a delight for the audience.  At the Lenten Fish Fries and the Mother’s Day Breakfast on May 11 it was mainly the excellent food prepared by our cooks Mark and Patty Bosh with their kitchen crew that brought many folks to us.  Some of them saw our facility for the first time; we hope that they will come again and spread the word about the Center.

Upcoming in our retreat schedule is, among other things, a masterly piano concert by the international Steinway artist Steve Hall from California on Sep. 6.  Two one-day retreats are especially worth noting.  On Sep. 13, Father Bill Jarema from Colorado, Springs, Colorado, will speak about The Art of Self-Care, a topic that is particularly important for persons in the so-called helping professions, as well as for caregivers in the family.  On Sep. 27, Patricia Livingston, author and well-known speaker from Tampa, Florida, will help us to let the light of God’s presence and grace into our daily lives.

I am looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Fond greetings,

Fr. Thomas Leitner, OSB, Administrator

P.S. Please consider our personalized St. Benedict Center Gift Certificate as a present to you family and friends!