Threshold Winter 2010

With Thankful Hearts

I want you to meet my friends, my prayer partners, Kelly Dineen and Emily Marsolek from Benedictine College (see photo below). We have been Partners in Prayer for the past four years. It is my hope that our friendship will continue and that Kelly and Emily will carry the Benedictine spirit of prayer and community into their lives beyond college. I know they will as they are generous in their spirit of service and grounded in their faith.

Our Partners in Prayer program was started in 1980 and continues to this day. It is one way we as community share our monastic prayer with young people. The students who choose to join as partners are invited to come weekly, or as their schedule permits, to join their sister partner and the rest of our community for vespers and supper. They help us with Christmas cookie baking and with other projects from time to time. Some come to Sunday Eucharist with us and have contributed to our celebration by playing an instrument.

The sisters and the students become friends and enjoy friendship beyond college days. Often they come to visit the sister with their children and spouse. Their prayer partnership does not end but continues and expands over the years.

You are also our special friends. Through your generosity we have had a wonderful year. We have completed the renovation and restoration of St. Cecilia’s, our original home on the property. Our sisters in Brazil have added an addition to their monastery making room for their growing community. Our retreat ministries, Sophia Center in Atchison, and Red Plains Spirituality Center in Oklahoma, continue to share our Benedictine prayer and services of retreats and spiritual direction to many who come seeking God and peace. Our Keeler Women’s Center keeps adjusting to the needs of the 300+ women and 30+ men who come each month looking for help, encouragement and direction in their lives.

You are our partners also. You help us continue to meet the needs of our community and our many ministries. Your gifts received in the calendar year of 2009 allowed us to do so much that would not have been possible without your help. We are most grateful for your gifts of time, talent, and treasure and promise you our prayers.

Thank you, and know that we pray for you and your families daily in our Liturgy of the Hours. Each Wednesday our community Eucharist is offered for you and your loved ones. To request prayers, you may contact me at 913-360-6215 or patterson@mountosb.org or on our web site. Our prayer is our best way to thank you for your kindness to us.

Sister Mary Agnes Patterson, OSB
Director of Development & Communication


Emily Marsolek, Sister Mary Agnes, and Kelly Dineen will be partners in prayer forever.