Sr. Teresa and Jeannette |
Originally introduced to many of the sisters through
church programs, they eventually became oblates, two of the first eight to ever
do so with this community. An oblate is a lay member of the community who
follows the Rule of St. Benedict insofar as their state in life allows
including men or women, married or single. Over time, Benedictine spirituality
became even more entrenched in their lives and thus, when the time came to
retire, moving to Cottonwood to be closer to the Monastery became the logical
choice. Since then Fred is a regular volunteer at the Historical Museum on
campus and enjoys helping the kitchen staff by washing pots and pans (which I
can attest is also a tremendous help to everyone else). Jeannette can be
regularly found answering the phone and listening intently to everyone who
needs her. She also co-coordinates the Oblate community with Sr. Teresa
Jackson, a job that never seems to slow. In these ways and more, the Kelleys
are giving back to a community that gives them so much.
Sr. Mary and Fred |
Fred at one point when we were talking remarked that
he always wanted a sister. Today he has about 50 of them through the
relationships he has found here. Jeannette too has appreciated being with the
sisters and feels hopeful about the future of the community. The oblate
community will also help further the monastery, creating a foundation of
support for the sisters' future. Maybe other oblates will follow suit, move
nearby and assist like the Kelleys have done. Indeed, stranger things have
occurred because of the “Benedictine magnetism” as Fred describes it. For
Jeannette, the prayer and spiritual support from both the monastery and the
oblates has become her favorite aspect of her involvement.
For myself, I have met many of the oblates, and have come
to know how great they are as a group and as individuals. Because of this, I am
categorically interested in my own potential commitment to a community someday.
Being a vowed religious does not seem to be the call for me, but the
possibility of living completely as I am and living my faith in the best way
that I can (as the oblates do) seems to be the invitation for me.
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