I helped build a house!  Not an igloo, but a full-fledged house, for a full-fledged human family!  You see,  Colleen and I went to New Orleans with Sisters Lorraine and Judy Lu as part of a week-long endeavor called “Nuns Build.” While in New Orleans, we worked with the Saint Bernard Project, which is an organization that has rebuilt more than 240 houses

A Nun's Build Project in St. Bernard's Parish - New Orleans

with the help of 17,000+ volunteers.  We spent our time, mudding, sanding, texturing, priming and cleaning.  Come to think of it, we did lots of cleaning!

And it felt great to help people that have been suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina for the last four years!  Before “The Storm,” to use a local expression, 70,000 families lived in this parish.  Today, only 26,000 have returned and 12,000 of them are still living in trailers.  Good Grief!  When I first realized these statistics, I was about as speechless as any stuffed penguin has ever been!

It was a very productive week for the 80 or so Sisters that came to New Orleans.  And, we even found time for some sightseeing!  You know, I learned that I’m the only stuffed penguin who’s lent a flipper to the Saint Bernard Project.  And volunteers are always needed!  So, if you know any penguins, or humans for that matter,  that could help out, please point them to the Saint Bernard Project website. There’s even an article about “Nuns Build!”

http://www.stbernardproject.org/v158/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=316:maus&catid=9:frontpage

And, you can find more information about our participation in Nuns Build by going to the official webpage of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.  There’s lots of pictures there, too!!!  <http://www.sanrafaelop.org/whatsgoingon/recentactivities.htm#build>

Peace always,

Sister Penny

I went to a baseball game!  And it was a Giant experience in more ways than one.  You see, Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) has a box suite for the San Francisco Giants and a group of our Sisters had access to it the other night.

CHW is a family of more than 60,000 caregivers across Arizona, California and Nevada.  Founded in 1986, it’s the eighth largest not-for-profit hospital provider in the nation and the largest hospital system in California!!  The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael are one of CHW’s sponsoring congregations.  AND, that’s how we got our tickets!

I’d never been to a baseball game before.  But, apparently, baseball is America’s past-time.  Penguins pass the time by dancing around on ice.  After all, that’s why we have webbed feet!  But, from what I can tell, baseball is also lots of fun.  Everyone got really excited when, to use the correct baseball terminology, ” the Giant’s hit one out of the ballpark!”  Personally, I enjoyed watching the Sisters cheer for the team more than I enjoyed  watching the player  score.  Who would have thought that Sisters could get so excited about seeing some guy run around a baseball field?

Anyway, towards the end of the game, CHW sponsored the “seventh inning stretch.”  That’s when we stood-up and sang a song about food, baseball, and home teams winning.  And, since I’d seen Sisters eating popcorn, peanuts and crackerjacks, while we all watched a baseball game that the Giant’s won, I guess the song was correct!

All-in-all, my first baseball experience was fun!  But, I wonder if American’s have any sports where people (or penguins) slide around on ice?  Only time will tell!

Sportingly Yours,
Sister Penny

It’s been a few weeks since Elizabeth started school at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley. And, I was happy as a Penguin on an ice pond to learn that Elizabeth’s loving how the GTU is “opening-up a new world of possibilities” for her.

This semester, she’s studying the Old Testament, and is also taking a seminar in prayer techniques. Elizabeth mentioned that both of these classes are providing her with new perspectives on theological matters, teaching her new skills, and creating unique opportunities for discussions on a variety of topics.

Here I am haning out with St. Francis before liturgy at FST.

While Elizabeth is a student at the Dominican School, she’s been learning about each of the three Catholic Seminaries on campus. Her class on prayer techniques is offered by the Jesuits and she’s also been attending liturgy at the Franciscan School of Theology (FST). Elizabeth encouraged me to come to Berkeley for Mass by saying that she finds FST’s liturgies “both dynamic and prayerful. “

Colleen and Kathy are also attending FST’s Thursday liturgies. So, I tagged along this week. And, after Mass, I was able to squirrel-watch for a while. I find it fascinating to watch those little critters scampering around campus. I guess, like all of us, the GTU squirrels are just looking for little “nuts” of knowledge about God.

Hmmmm, Theology- seeking squirrels and blogging Penguins. I recently heard someone say, “Only in Berkeley!”

Blessings,
Sister Penny

That’s not to say that other penguins are violent.  Actually, I like to think of my entire species as pacifist birdies.  Now, if you mess with our salmon dinners, we get a little testy.  But aside from that, we’re pretty peaceful.

None-the-less, these days I’m learning to consciously think about communications so that my words and body-language aren’t perceived in ways other than showcasing the fuzzy feathered friend that you’ve come to know as Sister Pen. L., O.P.!

From my experience, Dominicans are also a pretty fun-loving group, and they’re non-violently communicating along with me.  You see, Elizabeth, Kathy and me—along with twenty-ish other San Rafael Dominicans—have begun studying non-violent communications.  Sister Barbara Green, O.P., a member of our community who was recently trained in this area, is facilitating our discussions.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this training, but I’ve loved the philosophical discussions we’ve had thus far.  And, I get a feeling that these meetings are going to help this stuffed animal find a healthier way to talk!  In fact, it’s our hope that non-violent communications training will develop positive and assertive ways for us to communicate within our communities, our ministries, and with each creature we encounter.

After all, when you’re chillin’ in a set of igloos with some pretty cool folks, you want to make sure that everyone is heard, and that we’re all equally respected for the people and penguins we are!

Non-violently yours,
Sister Penny

Can you believe that Kathy left me home last week when she and other students at the Franciscan School of Theology visited the Flora Springs Vineyard in Napa?  Ok, well truth be told, I didn’t want to go to the vineyard.  After all, given my nearly non-existent body weight, it only takes a drop of wine before I’m toast!

Me at the top of the stairs, waving goodbye to Kathy before she headed to Napa.

However, when Kathy described the depth of the visit, I wished I’d gone.  As soon as they’d arrived, the owner of the winery—who is an FST alumnus—took them out into the vineyard and explained some things that really brought Scriptures alive.  As she apparently explained, “everyone who studies Scripture should work in a vineyard for at least a year.”

When Kathy said that to me, I thought about different Scripture passages that describe vineyards.  And, some of them were passages that were reflected on throughout the day.  For instance, Kathy explained that “pruning” a grapevine means cutting it all the way back to the core.  In addition, she noticed the straightness and sturdiness of the vine compared to the branches.  This helped me reflect upon John 15.

And, when she explained the extent of the work that is done in the fields, that helped explain the parable in Matthew 20.

Now, apparently everyone also got to sample some pretty good wines.  But, if I’d known there was also a theology lesson in the works, I would’ve been there with the class!   Oh well, there’s always next time!!!

When Two Become Three…

On Saturday, August 22, we welcomed Elizabeth Simovich into our community with a prayer service and reception.   In addition to an assortment of homemade pastries, there were also some helium-filled balloons.

I’d never before played with so many balloons and I really enjoyed the colorful experience.  Unfortunately, Kathy was afraid that I would float away if I tried to carry them.  So, I had to limit my playtime to when the balloons were fully weighted down!

Anyway, back to Elizabeth’s welcoming ceremony…

While Kat and Colleen are both from the East Coast, Elizabeth’s hometown is located just a four hours North of San Rafael.  I decorated the entryway to her room last night and was the first penguin to officially welcome her home.  After all, I am our nun-official formation penguin!

In essence, it was a wonderful day for all of our sisters as Elizabeth became the third person to enter our community within the last year.  In fact, none of us had to look too hard to see the vibrancy of this community.   And, rumor has it that another woman is currently completing our application’s process.

You know what?  When I first became our nun-official formation penguin, everyone told me that today’s women don’t become sisters.  But, from what I can tell, vocations are alive and well with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.

Welcome to the flock, Elizabeth!

Blessings,

Sister Penny

This past week, I was on a silent retreat where I played the role of Hermit Penguin by staying quieter (ssshhh!!!) than any stuffed penguin has every been before! OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point! Anyway, one night, I even slept in a little, igloo-sized, hermitage located on a hill overlooking the main retreat center, Santa Sabina in San Rafael.

Basically, after my week of penguin silence, I have to say that I believe it’s true that your other senses are enhanced when you stop using one of them.  For instance, by closing my mouth, I was able to hear, smell, and see more acutely!  Pretty cool, huh?

But, what was even cooler was that, by quieting myself, I was better able to hear the whisperings of the Lord within my heart.  In essence, the silence helped me get to the core of my stuffing. But the best part was when I was able to eliminate my internal thoughts so that I could feel the Lord’s calming presence. Do you know how friends can sometimes be together, but never say a word? Well, silent retreats can provide the time to help us develop our friendships with God.

Oh yeah, as a bonus, we even had delicious salmon for dinner one night!!!  And, I didn’t even have to catch it first!!!! What a great week!

Blessings,
Sister Penny

Before entering the convent, my days as a little stuffed penguin were full of activities such as catching salmon and building igloos.  Things were BUSY!

And, when I told the other penguins I was coming here, they told me I would be bored because prayer would be my only activity.  Well, let’s just say that my days are neither boring, nor are they completely dedicated to contemplative prayer.  HOWEVER, contemplation has always been an important part of my life that the igloo-building, secular world didn’t afford me the time to fully embrace.

Now, though, I have chunks of time built into my week so that I can quietly commune with God.  And, since I love the outdoors, I’ve been spending hours witnessing the glory of God as revealed through nature.

For instance, I never knew how many varieties of birds God created (remember:  penguins are the best birds) until I sat and listened to the many bird sounds that surrounded me.  There were loud chirps and soft chirps.  There was singing…and some bird dialog!  That day provided a beautiful, God-centered melody that was very peaceful.  And, when I added the sounds of the wind whispering through the trees and the smells from some gorgeous nearby flowers, I was left wondering how the world allows so much of God’s glory to pass us by.

A while back, I learned about taking time to smell the roses.  Well, I’m grateful for the ability to take time to hear, smell, see, and simply BE one with God through the wonders of nature!

Blessings, Sister Penny

Kathy and I have been on the road a lot recently! Last week we drove to the intercongregational gathering in Santa Cruz. And, this past week, we worked at a Bible Camp in a very poor community a couple of hours from home.

Aside from this week of Bible Camp, the parish doesn’t have a faith formation program. The desire to join gangs is an important conversational topic amongst the older children. And, some of the younger kids wore clothes that promoted beer brands. The entire experience was eye-awakening and different than anything I’d seen in Antartica. In essence, it was SAD!

There’s a saying that states “when life hands you lemons, you should make lemonade.” So, as I prayed while hangin’ out in a lemon tree, I focused on the funny answers the kids supplied throughout the week, including:

Q: Where was Jesus Born?
A: In a barn in Narnia

Q: Jesus instituted the Eucharist at which event?
A: Summer

Q: What is the name of the Sacrament that happens when a man and a woman get married?
A: Holy Macaroni

Q: Which Sacrament is given to someone in the hospital?
A: The annoying sickness

Q: When Moses tapped a rock, what happened?
A: The rock broke

Q: Who parted the Red Sea
A: I’ve never heard that one before

The Gospel at Mass this past Tuesday included, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” Our camp experience brought new depth of meaning to this passage, that’s for sure! Please join me in prayer for more “laborers” who can teach morals and catechism to the youth in the poorest of the poor areas of our country.

Blessings, Sister Penny

Recently, Kathy’s been busy writing prayers for both a big community meeting that is happening this week(the sisters call it their Chapter of Affairs) and a retreat that occurs soon thereafter.  You see, Kathy is interested in planning prayers and other forms of Liturgy.  So, she volunteered to write prayer services for both occasions.

Today, as part of our community meeting, we had a “table prayer service” that included music, faith sharing, and spoken responses while we broke simple bread together.  And, during the retreat, there will be a “compass prayer service” in which the participants will face North, South, East and West at different points throughout the prayer.

As Kathy planned the Compass prayer, I prayed with the concept of compasses.  You see, Kathy explained that planning prayer for large assemblies becomes part of her personal prayer. I guess that it, much like a compass, helps point her in the right direction.  It’s funny how a compass always points North.  And, I love the metaphor that, by letting God guide us, our internal compasses can more effectively point us towards God.

While I really enjoy participating in prayer services,  I have to admit that I’m not personally interested in writing prayers for public gatherings.  But, that’s actually part of what I love about community life.  Since we each have different desires, we all benefit by leveraging each person’s skills.

So, I’m trying to determine which interests I have that are similar to Kathy’s passion towards planning prayers. In other words, I’m currently praying with what helps me find my God compass.

Do any of you know what helps you with your internal compass pointing?

Blessings,
Sister Penny