November 2015 Meeting Minutes

Cincinnati Oblate Chapter Minutes
November 22, 2015

Attendance:
Nick McCarroll, Linda McCarroll, Linda Falhaber, Clyde Dorn, Pat Dorn, Kathy Gloeckner,
Rosemary Conrad, Joan Hilton, Marianna Neal, Ron DeMarco, John Campbell, Fr. Luke Waugh, OSB, Payton Reed, Mary Louise Reed, Jo-Ann Heming, Barbara Hanlon, Chris Sorensen, Mainerd Sorensen, Ron Lillie, Beverly Winner.

Introductions and reading of the Mission Statement opened our meeting. Second Sunday Vespers of Week Two was prayed together. New this meeting, we prayed for all the deceased oblates of the Cincinnati chapter and read aloud each name. Let’s keep these deceased oblates in our prayers.

Lectio Divina was shared together using John 18:33b-37.

The Minutes of October 25 were approved.

Nick McCarroll says that our current chapter balance is $45.00 and we will pay Fr. Luke $75.00 at this meeting.

New/Old Business:
Ron DeMarco explained to us that Stephen Drees has accepted a new job which is headquartered out of state and requires much travel. This will make it difficult for Stephen to attend chapter meetings. Stephen asked Ron to tell everyone, and a letter from him to us with the details will be read at the next meeting.

Ron brought newly produced magnetic oblate stickers from Saint Meinrad, available for $3.00 each. The McCarrolls gave each of us a blessed medal from Our Lady of Knock. Thank you Nick and Linda! Steve Bay’s Wife had an operation and is doing well. Let’s keep her in our prayers.

Fr. Luke’s presentation: “Oblation as Vocation”

Fr. Luke began by telling us that our vocation leads us to that most holy place in life. Our vocation must be our “calling” or there may not be the holiness required to succeed. Our vocation may be our Benedictine oblation, or our marriage for example. Knowledge of self is the cornerstone of our vocation. Saint Benedict dedicated himself to his vocation. He discovered what a joy it was to give to those around him. In the Prologue of the Rule, St. Benedict tells us to listen carefully with the ear of the heart. He knew his values and wanted to live them. This meant careful listening and discernment to accomplish his vocation. He became a monk and discerned his vocation through reading and following the scriptures and writings of the Desert Fathers.

Fr. Luke also told us that the monastic life is not the only way to access holiness in vocation. So how can we, called as oblates, achieve our vocation? We can do this through sensitivity in relationships, community, reading the Daily Office, hospitality, and Lectio Divina. The important thing to remember is that whatever your vocation calling, be sure to follow it well and find holiness in it.

Submitted by Ron DeMarco