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Vocation News Highlights
Come and See!
4/17/08
The Advent Vocations article "Come and See" by Sister Mary Catherine Shambour is available here to read in full.
Benedictine Postulant Lisa Maurer and a few of her classmates spent a different kind of spring break.
3/10/08
"My 'alternative spring break' trip to Baltimore with other students of the College of St. Scholastica was great! We were blessed with safe travels and amazing service experiences. "
Having completed six months as an Affiliate, Lisa Maurer from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, in a special ceremony at Evening Prayer, was received into the Community as a Postulant, the first state of initial formation--a period of transition to monastic community life. In the ceremony Lisa received the large Benedictine cross traditionally worn by Postulants, a set of the Community's prayer books for Liturgy of the Hours, and an apron (formerly known as a scapular) embodying the Benedictine motto "Work and pray."
Lisa now lives in the Monastery and participates in the common life of the Sisters while taking classes in Scripture, Psalms, and Benedictine history. After a period of six months to two years, Lisa may request acceptance into the Novitiate. Lisa graduated from Southwestern State in Marshall and has experience as both teacher and athletic coach.
--By Lisa Maurer
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What Did You Do on Your Christmas Vacation?
1/21/08
Lisa Maurer, a Postulant at St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota, had special plans for her Christmas visit home. She took the opportunity to speak about religious vocations to classes in both her former schools in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
Lisa's enthusiasm for St. Scholastica Monastery led her to prepare a slide presentation which over four days she presented to every class in St. Mary's Elementary and St. Mary's High School. Lisa is a graduate of both of these schools, and she later became a teacher in St. Mary's Elementary School.
She is pictured here with one of the elementary classes showing a slide of The St. Scholastica College which is part of the story of the St. Scholastica Benedictine Sisters.
Postulant Received at St. Scholastica Benedictine Monastery
9/1/07
Having completed six months as an Affiliate, Lisa Maurer from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, in a special ceremony at Evening Prayer, was received into the Community as a Postulant, the first state of initial formation--a period of transition to monastic community life. In the ceremony Lisa received the large Benedictine cross traditionally worn by Postulants, a set of the Community's prayer books for Liturgy of the Hours, and an apron (formerly known as a scapular) embodying the Benedictine motto "Work and pray."
Lisa now lives in the Monastery and participates in the common life of the Sisters while taking classes in Scripture, Psalms, and Benedictine history. After a period of six months to two years, Lisa may request acceptance into the Novitiate. Lisa graduated from Southwestern State in Marshall and has experience as both teacher and athletic coach.
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Novice received by St. Scholastica Benedictine Monastery
8/28/07
On August 22nd, Luce Dionne was received as a novice at St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota. She took the name of Sister Luce Marie Dionne. Sister Luce Marie will begin a year of prayer and of deep study of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict and the Monastic way of life. Sister Luce Marie's ministry will be with the Monastery. 
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Carla Flood knocks on Monastery Door seeking to become an Affliate
4/2/07
Minnesota's minus 5 temperature did not prevent Carla Flood from Scottsdale, AZ, from knocking at the Monastery door seeking to become an Affiliate with the Community.
After two unsuccessful tries, the door was finally opened, where she was met by Prioress Sister Lois Eckes and the Community who asked her to state her intentions. These being accepted, she was entrusted to the care of the Vocation Director, Sister Mary Catherine Shambour. She and the Prioress led her in procession of the Community-to the accompaniment of recorder music-to Mid-day prayer.
An Affiliate is a woman who is seriously discerning her call to religious life in the Community, and who for six months to a year will regularly visit and meet with the Vocation Director to discern her vocation and her suitability before seeking admission.Additional Images: Click images to view larger
