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Threshold - Summer 2005
From Sister Anne Shephard, OSB
Prioress-elect of Mount St. Scholastica
“The gifts you have been given,
give to others.”
Matthew 10:8
We chanted these words the day of my election, June 12, 2005.
It is especially appropriate as I begin to serve as prioress to reflect
upon and give thanks to God for the many gifts that are ours.
I  am
grateful for the legacy of Sister Mary Collins, our prioress for the past
six years. Her term was marked by her untiring efforts to deepen our monastic
identity. She led us to redefine our mission and vision statements that
reflect our present reality. She oversaw space renovations to provide a
new living group for sisters, a quality guest area, and safer, updated
living quarters for our Dooley residents. “Parlor
Poets,” book clubs, observance of a monthly monastery “Sabbath
Sunday,” and regular spiritual conferences were introduced since
1999. Look for her to continue her monastic and theological scholarship
in conferences and publications. Her prophetic voice will still be heard.
We thank God for these gifts
of Sister Mary.
You will read about the tremendous
gifts of our sisters who made final profession. What joy for our community,
our Church, our dioceses to have women commit to the monastic way of
life! We are so proud of Sister Barbara Langel from the diocese of Omaha,
Nebraska, and Sister Giselia Inacio Morais from Brazil. We thank God
for our newly professed.
In this issue of Threshold, you will read our annual
report of donors. We list the names of individuals, companies, foundations,
and other groups who give so freely of themselves to support our ministries,
our retirement fund, and our projects. Each of you has heeded in a tangible
way the gospel mandate to share what you have been blessed with so that
our work can continue. We thank God for each of you.
You oblates share our
Benedictine charism of prayer and good works. You embrace the values of
our heritage and share them with your families and colleagues. We thank
God for our commitment of our oblates.
The sisters have called me to share
my gifts in a new and different way now as I assume the role of prioress
for this most talented and holy community of Benedictine sisters. When
I went to the sisters in Dooley Center, I made three promises to them:
I will put 100% of who I am into serving my sisters; I will visit them
regularly; I will keep my sense of humor. In turn, I asked for their prayers.
May they and you hold me to these words.
Sister Anne Shepard
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