Rural Nuns Needed?

[kathielee]

Well, I’m in the Missouri Ozarks and after 2 years of discerning what God is calling me to do, it seems to becoming alot more clear that rural nuns is it. A monastery of very simple means, even to the extent of being off the grid, or almost. Nuns who witness by walking around and greeting the Baptist, pentecostal, and a variety of others. Nuns who can visit the nursing homes. Nuns who can be a part of the lives of Catholic youth who are growing up never having seen a nun. This witness is also essential in the rural areas for promoting vocations. It’s just limitless what rural nuns can do for the glory of God.

Anyone feeling that too? If so, please contact me! I am in the process of legwork to see this to fruition.

 

[Christy_Beth]

There is an order that would probably suit your needs. But I can’t remember the name, nor can I find my information about it!! they have a convent in St. Louis, and a couple of “solitudes.” The one I know most about is definately in the country. I went there twice to do a retreat. Great place!! I think that particular one was called Queen of Heaven solitude.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Hi Kathilee. I just responded in the “New Order of Nuns for All Ages” thread. I will keep you in my prayers. I’ve often thought about a religious calling. When I was in my early 20’s, I felt called to the Carmelites. But my religious aspirations were not encouraged, at home. And once, were actually DIScouraged. So… I never followed up. I doubt that I could engage in any real discernment, at this time in my life. I currently care for my elderly mother, who suffers from Alzheimers. I have no assistance from my other family members, and have had to quit my own outside job… to care for mother. Her care is my primary occupation, at this time. And I have come to understand… my current “calling” from Our Lord.

I will pray for you, though. And will follow your progress. As I said in the other thread, your calling reminds me very much of the call Mother Teresa of Calcutta had (I’ve been reading her book). To live among the poorest of the poor. To live exactly as they live. Please keep us in your prayers, too. God bless.

 

[kathielee]

Hi Kathilee. I just responded in the “New Order of Nuns for All Ages” thread. I will keep you in my prayers. I’ve often thought about a religious calling. When I was in my early 20’s, I felt called to the Carmelites. But my religious aspirations were not encouraged, at home. And once, were actually DIScouraged. So… I never followed up. I doubt that I could engage in any real discernment, at this time in my life. I currently care for my elderly mother, who suffers from Alzheimers. I have no assistance from my other family members, and have had to quit my own outside job… to care for mother. Her care is my primary occupation, at this time. And I have come to understand… my current “calling” from Our Lord.

I will pray for you, though. And will follow your progress. As I said in the other thread, your calling reminds me very much of the call Mother Teresa of Calcutta had (I’ve been reading her book). To live among the poorest of the poor. To live exactly as they live. Please keep us in your prayers, too. God bless.

Well, then you and I are 2 peas in a pod ! My mom just passed on in January. Three years ago this August, I quit my job to move my parents in with me so that I could care for my mom who was first diagnosed with moderate dementia and then they changed it to Alzheimers. Exactly…I knew for a fact that my calling was to do this for my mom and dad. But, I kept getting the calling during that time wondering how in the world I could feel a calling when I knew I was where God wanted me. And I also knew the calling was from God. So, God also placed in my heart to be patient and trust in Him.

After mom passed…this last 2 months has become much clearer about God’s call…rural nuns…but I still care for my dad who is 88 and his memory is about at the moderate dementia state but he is not confused…yet.

So, I now take care of dad full time and am still patient and trusting in God. But, the call isn’t going away but getting more clear. And, I am still right now where my calling is for my dad.

Kathie

 

[MarieVeronica]

Wow! There’s a definite similarity!

It sounds like Our dear Lord was saying to you… “Take care of your parents for now, Kathie… and later, I have more work for you to do”. That could explain your “Call… while doing His Will”. This could well be what He is saying to me, as well. Time will tell. I try not to look too far into the future…

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will have anxieties of its own. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).

Not that my Mom is “trouble”. Far from it. She is my blessing. Jesus has taught me many things, through the witness of all my Mom suffers. And so, for now… I take care of her, enjoy my time with her… and pray. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless!

 

[srdeborah]

Dear Kathielee,

I read your interesting comments and I would like to respond. My name is Sr. Deborah and I am new to this site. I belong to the Congregation of the Olivetan Benedictine sisters located in Jonesboro, AR. We are dedictated to the teachings of the Church, wear a modified habit and work in a variety of ministries. Some are nurses, some teachers, there are artists and sisters that work in prison ministry.

If you are interested in seeing the community, visit www.olivben.org. Or just type: Holy Angels covent Jonesboro AR and you will find our site. Please contact me if you have any other questions or if I can help you in any way. PAX (peace)

 

[kathielee]

Wow! There’s a definite similarity!

It sounds like Our dear Lord was saying to you… “Take care of your parents for now, Kathie… and later, I have more work for you to do”. That could explain your “Call… while doing His Will”. This could well be what He is saying to me, as well. Time will tell. I try not to look too far into the future…

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will have anxieties of its own. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).

Not that my Mom is “trouble”. Far from it. She is my blessing. Jesus has taught me many things, through the witness of all my Mom suffers. And so, for now… I take care of her, enjoy my time with her… and pray. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless!

I imagine that you and I know, too, that when someone says “you must be a saint” … or…“you have heroic virtue” that nothing could be farther from the truth. It’s so much a blessing to be able to do this for a parent(s) that we receive in many ways just as much, if not more, than we give.

It’s a time for God to work with us and the Holy Spirit to be spiritually directing us…and we can hear !

I’m 57 and not letting “age” concern me one iota! lol

Kathie

 

[kathielee]

Dear Kathielee,

I read your interesting comments and I would like to respond. My name is Sr. Deborah and I am new to this site. I belong to the Congregation of the Olivetan Benedictine sisters located in Jonesboro, AR. We are dedictated to the teachings of the Church, wear a modified habit and work in a variety of ministries. Some are nurses, some teachers, there are artists and sisters that work in prison ministry.

If you are interested in seeing the community, visit www.olivben.org. Or just type: Holy Angels covent Jonesboro AR and you will find our site. Please contact me if you have any other questions or if I can help you in any way. PAX (peace)

Thank you, Sr. Deborah, for blessing me with this information and invitation to viewing your community. I honestly think I have before but it’s been a year so I will definitely take a peak!
God bless you, Kathie

 

[MarieVeronica]

I imagine that you and I know, too, that when someone says “you must be a saint” … or…“you have heroic virtue” that nothing could be farther from the truth. It’s so much a blessing to be able to do this for a parent(s) that we receive in many ways just as much, if not more, than we give.

It’s a time for God to work with us and the Holy Spirit to be spiritually directing us…and we can hear !

I’m 57 and not letting “age” concern me one iota! lol

Kathie

Definitely, yes. Jesus worked on my humility a lot with this (and He still is ). At first, I resisted His “call” to care for my mother (3 yrs., and counting). I complained a lot… because my two sisters were not (and are still not) willing to pitch in and help. (In all fairness, they do live in another state). This resulted in the loss of my job… because Mothers needs were so great. But Jesus did not give up on me. He persisted… kindly, and gently… until I said “yes, Lord”. To Him, I owe everything.

No, there is nothing “heroic” in what I have done (I can’t speak for you, Kathie; but we seem to be of the same mind set). On the contrary… I see my situation as a great Mercy (and therefore, a blessing) from Jesus. He refused to let me go on… thinking only of myself. (btw… He is still working with me, on this. ). lol.

God bless, MV

 

[kathielee]

Definitely, yes. Jesus worked on my humility a lot with this (and He still is ). At first, I resisted His “call” to care for my mother (3 yrs., and counting). I complained a lot… because my two sisters were not (and are still not) willing to pitch in and help. (In all fairness, they do live in another state). This resulted in the loss of my job… because Mothers needs were so great. But Jesus did not give up on me. He persisted… kindly, and gently… until I said “yes, Lord”. To Him, I owe everything.

No, there is nothing “heroic” in what I have done (I can’t speak for you, Kathie; but we seem to be of the same mind set). On the contrary… I see my situation as a great Mercy (and therefore, a blessing) from Jesus. He refused to let me go on… thinking only of myself. (btw… He is still working with me, on this. ). lol.

God bless, MV

Humility…ditto again. And I have loved it and feel so very blessed that humility was part of God’s plan for me to learn. My brother lives in another state, too. I have felt a bit irritable about it, too, especially because he is rich and didn’t come to visit her at all. Well, I have had to pray for him and love him for his conversion but also for God to give me the graces needed to put my irritability aside.

Kathie

 

[HollyDolly]

I believe the coummity that Christy Beth mentioned is the Daughters of Our Mother of Peace,which were founded in the 1970s.They have a couple of retreat houses.

There is also the secular intstitute of the Rural parish Workers of Christ the King.They were mentioned in the book,Convent Life by Joan Lexau,Dial Press,1964 and are still in existance. I believe they are also in Missouri.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Humility…ditto again. And I have loved it and feel so very blessed that humility was part of God’s plan for me to learn. My brother lives in another state, too. I have felt a bit irritable about it, too, especially because he is rich and didn’t come to visit her at all. Well, I have had to pray for him and love him for his conversion but also for God to give me the graces needed to put my irritability aside.

Kathie

Yep, same here. I know the feeling. “Irritable” is a very kind term to use. lol. I’ve been downright angry with my sisters. But with Our Lord’s help… I’m learning to forgive. I’m sure that there is much for them to forgive (of me), as well. I’ve had to come to terms also, with the fact that they (like your brother) probably aren’t going to visit our mother again… before Our Lord calls her Home. We’re on the east coast now… and my sisters are both in California. They haven’t been back to visit in about 5 years. And Mother is too frail for the trek, west.

Well… Kathie… if you ever wanna “rap” about the graces Jesus is generously trying to give to us with this task (caring for our parents)… please message me. My e-mail isn’t functional at present… (I got swept up in an “Excite e-mail” outage)… but you can ‘pm’ me here. God bless.

MV

 

[kathielee]

Yep, same here. I know the feeling. “Irritable” is a very kind term to use. lol. I’ve been downright angry with my sisters. But with Our Lord’s help… I’m learning to forgive. I’m sure that there is much for them to forgive (of me), as well. I’ve had to come to terms also, with the fact that they (like your brother) probably aren’t going to visit our mother again… before Our Lord calls her Home. We’re on the east coast now… and my sisters are both in California. They haven’t been back to visit in about 5 years. And Mother is too frail for the trek, west.

Well… Kathie… if you ever wanna “rap” about the graces Jesus is generously trying to give to us with this task (caring for our parents)… please message me. My e-mail isn’t functional at present… (I got swept up in an “Excite e-mail” outage)… but you can ‘pm’ me here. God bless.

MV

Yes, I would enjoy sharing our spiritual and emotional struggles with you via private message.

My brother…California too. I’m in the midwest.

My dear dad…in many ways, I’m glad his memory is going too so that hopefully he won’t realize my brother hasn’t been here in almost 3 years and for 5 years before that. It does break my heart for him even if he doesn’t remember. Maybe it would be good to pray for St. Paul’s intercession for the conversion of siblings’ hearts. After all, St. Paul was the last person expected to convert!

God’s blessings and in prayer,
Kathie