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ABA tackles sensitive subject

ABA tackles sensitive subject - (29-09-2016)

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Photo: Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration Cathleen Marie Timberlake, OSB (right) shared a moment with Father Denis Quinkert of Saint Meinrad Abbey who served on a panel during the 2016 American Benedictine Academy’s biennial convention.

A sensitive - but necessary - topic was the focus of the American Benedictine Academy’s biennial convention in July - “Keeping Death Daily Before Your Eyes.”

Men and women religious from around the United States gathered at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana, to learn new ideas and gain inspiration about dealing with death.

In announcing the topic for the 2016 convention, Sister Susan Quaintance, OSB said, “We have a tradition that looks at death from a stance of humility. Our founders and teachers encourage us not to deny death or pretend that it is something other than it is but rather to use our realistic contemplation of death as a means to live better, right now. We have beautiful and varied communal rituals that model respect for life and death – and a faith in the more that is eternity.”

Attending from the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration were Sister Colleen Maura McGrane, OSB and Sister Cathleen Marie Timberlake, OSB, administrator of Our Lady of Rickenbach, the Congregation’s healthcare facility for elder Sisters.

Presentations included “Reflections from a Hospice Chaplain,” “Death: We Know Not the Day Nor the Hour” and “The Paschal Mystery in the Life and Death of a Monastery.”

“I hoped to glean inspiration and information that would enhance my service to my Sisters, and I was not disappointed!” Sister Cathleen Marie said. “The input I received will undoubtedly influence my conversations with my Sisters as I walk with them on their journey.”