A Commentary for the 4th Week of Ordinary Time by Sr. Jennifer Mechtild Horner, OSB

It is the Sabbath and Jesus, arriving in Capernaum, enters the synagogue to worship and teach. The people are deeply impressed, because unlike the scribes, Jesus teaches with authority. It is not long before Jesus is confronted by an unclean spirit, a demon. The demon speaks through the man to confront Jesus. The demon not only questions Jesus – “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? But also identifies him – “I know who you are, the Holy One of God”. Jesus rebukes the demon and it is expelled from the man. The people are amazed because they recognize his uniqueness. At that point, Jesus’ ministry becomes public and the object of speculation and testing that would persist to his death.

We can take many insights from this rich Gospel text but let us look at two of them. The opening verse indicates the primacy of Sabbath practice. According to this text, the synagogue on the Sabbath is the place where Jesus reveals his radical new teaching and his authority from God. This should remind us of the primacy and efficacy of worship and other Sabbath practice for us as those who seek to know and follow Jesus.

In this Gospel Jesus demonstrates power over the demon and through this power expels the demon. As we reflect on our own lives, we become aware of the demons in our own lives that that bind us and stop us living the abundant life of freedom offered to us in Christ. We have to continually choose to ask Christ for healing trusting that Christ has power over all. Benedict teaches that we are to dash these demons against Christ. To turn over all of who we are to Christ so that we might be transformed into who Christ calls us to be. It is through our monastic profession that this transformation can take place as Christ shapes us through conversatio, obedience and stability. It is through the faithful living of our monastic life that we place all we are and all we hope to be under the authority of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh among us.

Let us take a moment now to reflect on our lives. What do we need to give over to Christ so that we can be transformed through life with him? As we enter into our Sabbath time, let us offer all we are to God so that we might be changed and live an abundant life in God’s love.

Sr. Jeanne Voges' Vocation Story

Life began in Tell City, Indiana, while the country and my parents, Hubert and Agnes Voges, still reeled from the “great depression.” I attended the academy at Ferdinand and then entered the monastery, then known as Convent of the Immaculate Conception, in 1949. I made first vows in 1951. When we moved to Beech Grove, I was a volunteer among the 130 sisters who pioneered this new monastery.

Many children formed the focus of my life the next 13 years as I taught first through eighth grades, and then was promoted to high school with English as my major interest.
Ten years at our OLG academy, during which I had four years at the Latin School in Indianapolis, then nine years on the staff at the monastery OLG doing guest ministry, housekeeping, editing our magazine Encounter.

Parish work at Clarksville preceded my two years in Cali, Colombia and three years in dietary management at St. Paul Hermitage nursing home. Presently I am in my fifteenth year enjoying St. John the Baptist Parish as Pastoral Associate here in Newburgh, Indiana.

St. Benedict’s admonition to care for the sick makes my work an act of obedience and compassion. Visiting the sick and shut-ins is my strongest obligation. Further duties include: co-edit parish newsletter, FrameWorks, work with St. Vincent de Paul Society, monitor Sharing Fund, support Mature Adults, assist with Penance Services, attend wakes and funerals, keep track of church supplies. On the diocesan level I serve on the Vocation Team. I have helped form Wisdom Committee which arranges days of relaxation and spiritual nourishment for the elderly. I attend Parish Council meetings and perform other services around the parish. So I am ready to serve here many more years if God gives me good health and a willing spirit.

A commentary for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time by Sr. Pamela Kay Doyle, OSB

Jesus says to us, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."

Driving out demons... demons of greed, jealousy, bitterness, hate...demons of apathy,indifference, hard-heartedness, and cruelty.

Driving out demons...with love, with joy, with peace, understanding, listening, and courage

"Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life." RB 72:1-2

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."

Speaking new languages...language of compassion, language of tenderness...language of diversity, language of laughter, language of gratitude, language of hope.


"Your way of acting [and speaking] should be different from the world's way." RB 4:20


"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."

Laying hands...hands of expression: signing, signaling, writing, sharing hands of service: cooking, healing, building, cleaning...hands of care: bathing, soothing, feeding, holding


"Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ." RB 36:1

Because we have been baptized and believe, we must embrace...the lost, forgotten, neglected, the mentally ill, the abused the drug addict

Because we have been baptized and believe...we must pray for the drunk behind the wheel who crosses the center line and ends a life...we must pray for the mother who chooses abortion out of convenience to herself...we must pray for the adult who physically and emotionally abuses children...we must pray for...the terrorist consumed with hatred, destroying many lives

For even the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus replied, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:42-43


By the waters of baptism and our monastic promises, we are "clothed then with faith and the performance of good works." RB Prologue 21 As Jesus instructs us, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."

Sr. Mary Gilbert Schipp's Vocation Story

The Journey of my life began when I was born on Valentine’s Day in Ferdinand, Indiana to Gilbert and Laura Schipp. At my Baptism I received the name of Vera.

After graduation from high school, I entered the novitiate at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand and began my Benedictine Journey. As a novice I received the name of my father and thus became known as Sister Mary Gilbert.

My Educational Journey began with work for my BS in Education, graduate work in business, and culminated in an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

My Ministry Journey was as an elementary teacher, a secondary teacher, and business manager of Our Lady of Grace Academy and St. Paul Hermitage. From 1973-1986, I was the administrator of St. Paul Hermitage, and from 1986 to the present, I have served as the Treasurer of the Corporation.

Over the years I have asked myself: How can I use myself in service of my Benedictine community best? Hopefully, it was as teacher, as administrator, and treasurer. Hopefully, the "Listen, my daughter," of Benedict has permeated each of my journeys.

A daily meditation I use is:

I like to imagine a non-Christian teacher, administrator, or treasurer with a Christian teacher, administrator, or treasurer. Then take away all the sameness in both of them until both are stripped naked and all the likenesses are gone. All that should remain in the Christian teacher, administrator or treasurer are the values of Jesus and His gospel message. Then take these unstripped values and messages and touch a human life – who becomes my Christ?

Am I the Christian? Are you my Christ?

A Commentary for the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time by Sr. Kathleen Yeadon, OSB

Jesus wastes no time in asking the two disciples who are following him: “What are you looking for?” What a challenging question! I am surprised the two didn’t run away. The two disciples ask: “Where are you staying?” Jesus gives the grand welcome: “Come and see.”

After reading this passage, you immediately have to take a deep breath and remember the time where your heart sought out God and you knew the truth—God was seeking you too! The sheer joy to know God’s presence in your heart! You have to tell someone—just like Andrew ran and found Peter.

This question of Jesus: “What are you looking for?” occurs in my life over and over each time I come to Chapel, each Adoration, each Liturgy and each retreat. “What are you looking for?” God wants to be found and we both enjoy the pursuit.

Seeking God in everyone and everything is not an easy mission statement. We need the vowed life and the wisdom of the Holy Rule to keep us on the quest. Jesus’ invitation of “Come and See” is the gift of abiding in the Sacred Scriptures, Liturgy of the Hours and celebrating the Sacraments. Jesus’ invitation is the mystery of dwelling with others in the common life of prayer, work and hospitality.

The final joy of this Gospel passage—is we are expected to bring someone back to meet Jesus!

Sr. Eugenia Reibel's Vocation Story

Sister Eugenia Reibel was born in Poseyville, Indiana, but grew up in the convent having entered at the age of 16. She began her illustrious teaching career at St. Mary's School in Huntingburg, Indiana in 1940. During her time in education she was a teacher, guidance counselor, secretary and principal. After she left the classroom in 1985, she was the receptionist at the monastery and then moved to the Business Office at St. Paul Hermitage.

Her journey has taken her on assignments to schools in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, St. Louis, Missouri and the Diocese of Evansville. Her journey has now taken her to the Development Office at Our Lady of Grace Monastery. She is responsible for making sure our donors are properly thanked for their generosity to our community. Who would be better suited for such a task than a woman like Sister Eugenia, who has given so generously of herself for so many years?

“… For I know the plans I have for you…”

Sister Susan Marie Lindstrom will be directing our February vocation retreat weekend. Sr. Susan has chosen the theme, "...for I know the plans I have for you..." taken from Jeremiah 29:11. This retreat is designed for single Catholic women between the ages of 18 and 40 who are currently discerning a call to religious life.

Sister Susan Marie is a member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery where she made her perpetual monastic profession in 2008. She teaches religion at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, where she also serves as department chairperson. Sister Susan Marie shares her gifts of writing and music with both her students and her monastic community.

Retreat Schedule

Friday, February 20th
7:00 pm Arrival
7:30 Gathering/Sr. Susan Marie
8:30 Compline

Saturday, February 21st
8:15 Breakfast
9:00 Morning Prayer/Liturgy
10:15 Morning Session/Sr. Susan Marie
11:45 Noon Praise
12:00 Lunch
12:30-2:00 Reflection Time
2:00 Afternoon Session/ Sr. Susan Marie
3:00 Creative Activity
4:00 Lectio Divina
5:15 Evening Praise
5:45 Dinner
6:45 Movie

Sunday, February 22nd
8:15 Breakfast
9:00 Morning Prayer
9:30 Panel
11:00 Liturgy
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Departure

What to Bring
Casual clothing
Sunday attire
Toiletries
A Bible
An open heart and mind

If you are interested in attending this retreat weekend please contact:

Sr. Nicolette Etienne, OSB
1402 Southern Avenue
Beech Grove, IN 46107
Phone: 317-787-3287 ext. 3032
Email: nicolette@benedictine.com

http://www.benedictine.com