October's Letter

October 1, 2000

Dear ones,

The forests around Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN as I write to you today are full of Fall's colors. What a glory of reds, oranges, golds, yellows and the occasional amazing deep peach. And what a Glory September has been.

Pat and Paul O'Connor took me places and fed me well. The Minnesota State Fair, the Minneapolis Art Institute, the dedication of the Prairie Garden and Memorial to the Minnesota Suffragettes, knitters, weavers, old friends were part of September's first two weeks.

The sharing of stories in Mankato, MN with Maggis O'Connor, the sharing of stories with Tom Emmert in Madison Lake, MN and the weekend with Becky Schumaker and her son, Kollin, in Rochester,MN were also part of the September joys.

The last two weeks have held Benedictine women and worship in Monastery in Bismarck, ND... THANK-YOU,Miriam Schmitt, OSB. And a weekend with Benedictine women and worship in St. Joseph, MN... THANK-YOU, Mary Cassion OSB, Shawn O'Meara, OSB and Mary Anthony, OSB.

Today I write from the Guest Wing of Saint John's Abbey where Kilian McDonnell OSB has been my delightful host. With Patrick Henry and Dolores Schuh of the Ecumenical Institute, we have grieved the loss of two beloved former Residents at the Institute: Catherine LaCugna and James Provost.

I am scheduled to visit with friends in Grand Junction, CO and Southern California during the month of October. Yes, sometimes it is scary to be on the road again, but new places with old friends is Blessing.

Grandson, Marcus, is now 12 and back in school. If the roller coaster of chemo treatments levels out as it is soon scheduled to be, he will be free of the trips to Dornbecker Hospital in Portland, OR. The pediatric oncologists will see him only for checkups. Marcus is tired these days, so continue to hold him in your thoughts and prayers.

The October calendar promises two details from my major work "Promulgation". The 18" X 24" piece now hangs in the Institute for Cultural and Ecumenical Research here on the grounds of Saint John the Baptist Abbey and University. Yesterday I saw it in its new home and petted the cat. That was a pleasure, to meet the cat in Minnesota.

The little story, The Lesson, was written in 1980 after reflecting on Matthew 12.46-50, Mark 3. 31-35 and Luke 8.19-20.

This month's benefactor is Joan Eble, SCL whose loving support during my years in Grand Junction is deeply appreciated.

May God continue to guide and to protect you.

with Love,

Justine

P.S. If you are curious about parts of my spiritual journey and of my art, the 30 minute video, "Embroidered Memories" can be ordered through mmagency@oneimage.com. The cost is $16 plus postage.

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