The time spent with the Benedictine Sisters of Florida bring the key words community and balance to mind. It is a community of believers that are committed to serving God and mankind through prayers and works…. Someone said, “It’s a” about the journey.” I’m still on that “Long and Winding Road” that leads me back to you God. Being part of this community has given me some new concepts to put into action and helped me be more Christ-like…
The key words that come to mind are “community” and “balance” …
Nearing retirement age, I knew volunteering was still to be in the mix. Having visited the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in years past, Holy Name came to mind and a move-in date was scheduled. My jobs as a live-in volunteer were varied – everything from cleaning-out a storage warehouse to data entry in the business office! I participated in daily Mass and prayers, enjoyed dining with the Sisters, and playing cards and scrabble on Sunday evenings.
The time spent with the Benedictine Sisters of Florida bring the key words community and balance to mind. It is a community of believers that are committed to serving God and mankind through prayers and works. Those concepts are not just ethereal ideas in the clouds, but are implemented at the ground level in living, working, and praying together. There is encouragement to try again each day to be Christ to others and to see Christ in others. Listening with the ear of the heart is a Benedictine concept that I have tried to embrace. I’m still working on it!
What was unexpected for me was that a monastery is much noisier and busier than I’d ever imagined.
Someone said, “It’s all about the journey.” I’m still on that “Long and Winding Road” that leads me back to you God. Being part of this community has given me some new concepts to put into action and helped me be more Christ-like. This is faith building – this is community building – this is participating in bringing the Kingdom of God into our world. I still have a long journey ahead of me. I am thankful for and grateful to these Benedictine women who are sharing part of my journey with me.
Margaret Cundiff
