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Threshold - Summer 2005
For the Prioress, Sister Mary Collins, OSB
by Joan Offenburger, OSB
Thank you, Mary.
For a community of monastic women to ask one of its
members to “take
the place of Christ in the monastery,” and for her to accept their
request is, on the part of each, an act of daring faith and trust.
Each day of a prioress’s term, that faith and trust help make possible
mutual obedience and the embrace of the monastic life all have professed.
 Transition
time between prioresses is a time for grateful prayer and this June/July
is no exception. The last six years have passed so quickly (really!)
and so much has happened that we need to sit still, take a few deep
breaths, and be thankful.
Thank you, Mary. You have continued tasks begun
by former administrations, given a forward thrust to our ongoing planning,
and sharpened our focus. The clarity of the planning documents of our Vision
2010, to which we all had the chance to contribute, served us well in making
hard decisions.
Thank you, too, for the ecumenical and cultural outreach
in ministry, for all-embracing hospitality, and for your encouragement
in the happy use of our gifts united with those of our friends eager
to help. The St. Scholastica
Plaza and the Mary Noel Walter atrium at
Benedictine College are physical examples of that outreach. This year’s
use of the
former Administration Building by Atchison Middle School, USD 409,
illustrates flexible response to need. Our effort to assist in educating
the Benedictine sisters of Chipole, Tanzania, is an exciting venture.
The Atchison Women's
Wisdom Center and Keeler
Women’s Center in Kansas
City will continue to be part of our ministry as we serve women and the
poor. Those efforts join the expanding programs of Sophia
Center.
Thank
you for reminding us of what we have promised, for monastic chapters
that helped guide us, for your support of those appointed (and for the
monastic council that supported you), for the challenge of monastic Sabbath
and new appreciation of stillness.
Finally, thank you, Mary, for your
continued generous sharing of your gifts. Our prayer accompanies you
as you return to your ministry of study and teaching.
God bless you!
Sister Mary Collins may be reached via email at collins@mountosb.org
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