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| Benedictine
Sisters 1910 Maple Ave. Lisle, Illinois 60532-2164 |
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| Benedictine
Sisters 1910 Maple Ave. Lisle, Illinois 60532-2164 |
Development Staff Attend Benedictine Symposium
by Sister Jo Anne Form, OSB
Jane Wuellner, Sacred Heart Monastery Development
Director, and I attended The Benedictine Development Symposium,
August 6-10, 2007, at St. Benedict Center, nestled in the hills north of
Schuyler, Nebraska, overlooking the Platte River Valley, an awesome
panorama of beauty, with it’s miles of rolling hills of corn. It is an
ecumenical retreat and conference center, offered by Christ the King
Priory, which serves as host for individuals, groups and various
organizations. Unique to the outside premise near the center is a
bronze statue of the Virgin Mary, titled, “Fruit of New Creation”,
emerging from a corncob, pictured on the right. This signifies how the
ear of corn breaks open, how the husks – symbol of the old – fall away,
and how Mary emerges as the cob, the fruit of all creation.
The theme of the Symposium was “Seekers of
Generous Hearts.” This was an excellent opportunity to come
together with men and women who work entirely in a Benedictine
environment. The workshops helped create skills and practices needed in
the development office as well as give opportunities to share ideas and
learn from one another.
The Welcome address was given by Ronald Margherio,
OSB, St. Bede Abbey, Peru, Illinois, Vocation Director for his community
and Academy chaplain.
The Keynote speakers were: Father Larry Snyder,
National Director of Catholic Charities, Alexandria, VA and Abbot
Primate Notker Wolf, OSB, the ninth Abbot Primate of the Benedictine
Order, San Anselmo, Rome.
The focus of other sessions: Planned Giving,
Guiding Principles for a Website, Annual Fund Giving, Special Events,
Capital Campaign, Communications/Publications, One Person Development
Offices and Critique Sessions.
As a group, we gathered each day for Morning and
Evening Praise and to celebrate the Eucharist. Sister Susan Barber,
OSB, Mt. St. Scholastica Monastery, Atchison, KS, served as liturgist
and musician and did an outstanding job. We enjoyed and appreciated her
spirited enthusiasm.
The
symposium was a great time for networking and learning in addition to
relaxing and enjoying each other.
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Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery
1910 Maple Avenue
Lisle, IL 60532-2164
(630) 725-6000
Fax (630) 725-6020