News & Updates
Silent Sundays and Topic Tuesdays Provide Inspiration
We are grateful for these opportunities to grow closer to God through silence, time together in community, and the practice of the love of learning.
Silent Sundays
The Mount’s tradition of keeping silence on the first Sunday of the month to honor the sabbath took a hiatus during the pandemic. This spiritual practice was reinstated in September 2023. An afternoon presentation to provide food for reflection is a new component of “Silent Sunday.” Recent presentations include the following:
- On September 3, 2023, Sister Eleanor Suther spoke about the challenge of maintaining a spiritual life in the midst of modern society.
- At the October 2023 Silent Sunday, Sister Jeanne d’Arc Kernion described how literature can enhance our spiritual life.
- On November 5, 2023, Sisters Elaine Fischer and Patricia Seipel described how honeybees can teach us how to live and work together in community. (To our amusement, at the 160th Anniversary concert that night, the Benedictine College Chamber Singers performed the song “Bumble Bee” by Anders Edenroth.)
- In December, Sister Helen Mueting gave a presentation about the poem “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Topic Tuesdays
“Topic Tuesday” has been introduced as a way to build community by participating in discussions over a leisurely supper on the third Tuesday each month. Recent topics include the following:
- In September 2023, sisters recalled stories from the years they were out “on mission” — that is, engaged in teaching and other ministries away from the monastery.
- On October 17, 2023, a German fest was celebrated with tales of sisters who had come to the Mount from Germany.
- November 2023 featured a Mexican fiesta and a PowerPoint presentation with information about our many volunteers at Keeler Women’s Center and the ways they partner with us.
- In December 2023, in lieu of Topic Tuesday, many sisters ate dinner with our employees at the Christmas employee dinner, which was organized by Sister Molly Brockwell.
We are grateful for these opportunities to grow closer to God through silence, time together in community, and the practice of the love of learning.
