1910 Maple Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
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Benedictine Sisters 1910 Maple Ave Lisle, IL 60532 |
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What Inspired Me to Become A Benedictine Sister |
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I owe
my vocation to my grandmother who every evening prayed the rosary asking
the Blessed Mother’s intercession to grant her only grand daughter a
religious vocation. |
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My Mother’s prayer to dedicate one of her children to God’s
service was fulfilled when the call came to me. It was natural for me to enter
Sacred Heart Monastery since the Benedictine Sisters staffed the school I
attended. My life as a Benedictine led me to live a life in union with God. My
teaching assignments and later my ministering to the elderly in the parish gave
me an opportunity to seek God more intently through them. Now in my retirement,
I look back with joy and satisfaction that I was privileged to work in God’s
vineyard. Sister Mildred Slabenak, OSB |
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The Benedictine Sisters staffed St. Joseph Orphanage where
I grew up. They were an inspiration to me in my formative years by their
dedication and nurturing. From a young age, I wanted to give my life to God in
the service of others. Later, as a Benedictine Sister, I taught young children.
Now I am a Parish Sister visiting the sick and the dying; listening to their
stories and bringing them the comfort of the Eucharist. How happy I am to know
that I am God’s instrument of peace and joy to others. |
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The Benedictine life attracted me since I saw it as an
extension of family life. On entering the monastery, I was introduced to the
chanting of the Divine Office and a method of reading, reflecting and praying
with scripture called “Lectio Divina”. These prayer forms became the “meat and
potatoes” of my spiritual life. During these forty-eight years of spiritual
growth, I treasure the support the Sisters’ gave me when I was a teacher,
principal, therapist and as the parish pastoral associate. Now, as the pastoral
associate at our retirement villa my life continues to overflow with
opportunities to draw closer to God. |
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With my Benedictine influence in the Academy, I was drawn
to love the daily chanting of the Divine Office by the Sisters. Then, in reading
the passage: “To receive all guests as Christ” in The Rule of St.
Benedict, I knew my mission was to extend the richness of our
Benedictine hospitality to others by receiving them “as Christ.” I can continue
to do this as the nurse for our Sisters, in my vocation ministry and in my link
to the Hispanic Community. |
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The reason I entered the Benedictines was because Sister
Charlotte was my model. She was so cheerful and just radiated joy. I wanted to
be just like her. As a member of the monastery, I became an elementary school
teacher and later a school secretary and principal. Now, I am working at our
Benedale Center with our elderly residents and I love it. I strive to live and
embrace our four core values of hospitality, stewardship, respect and justice. |
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I
recall my elementary school years with the Benedictine Sisters. They taught me
so well and developed in me a love for prayer and the Eucharist. On an outing to
Lisle, we visited the chapel while the Sisters were chanting Vespers. This gave
me a lasting impression of what their life was like. Since music was my gift,
two, beloved Sisters nurtured my love for piano and also taught me to play the
organ for parish Masses. After I joined the Benedictines, I further developed my
musical talents, and in addition to my teaching ministries, I have been
accompanying the singing at the Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist for many
years. |
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By God’s providence, I transferred to a high school staffed
by the Benedictine Sisters. I began to sing in the church choir for the early
Masses and help the Sisters with their tasks after school. I was deeply awed by
the Sisters’ spirit of dedication, kindness and zest for life. When we went to
Lisle on an outing I was able to hear the Sisters sing the Divine Office. I
always loved to sing so it was no surprise that I decided to enter their Order.
Through the years, I have served as teacher and principal and now I am an
administrative assistant in a parish school where I continue to reach out to
many children and parents. I love my Benedictine vocation. |
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It was and is definitely the prayer life, both communal and
personal of the Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart that drew me to
religious life. As a Benedictine, my life has been enriched by the support and
interaction of community members, by staff and students at Benet Academy and now
with staff and residents at our corporate ministry at Villa St. Benedict. |
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I have been a Benedictine sister for more than sixty-five
years. My life’s goal has been “to seek God” in living the life of a
Benedictine. Each day I count my blessings of communal prayer and communal
living. In my retirement years I am blessed with the opportunity to visit the
senior residents and pray with them. |