Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine in Belleville, Illinois, is the name of the new Home for 37 of us Adorers. This large complex includes three health facilities, all accessible and connected by walking.
Wide spacious windows of the rooms of the High-Rise, open to a vast display of green treetops. Others share the rising sun, the shimmering moon, and raindrops hastening to water the raised vegetable gardens below.
Those with a Patio apartment on the ground floor have access to outdoor visiting with other residents or with squirrels, birds, flowers, and an occasional deer or raccoon.
The long halls give opportunity for daily exercise and cheerful greetings. Moving scooters, rollators, and walkers remind us of the journey we all share. Our devoted staff, co-workers, and other residents never tire of showing us the way to our room or directing us to other places when we get lost or disorientated.
The Universal Christ Icon overlooking the altar in our chapel presides the Cosmic Celebration of Love at our daily Eucharist. This hallowed place envelops all of us – sisters and residents – for daily prayer.
As we Adorers live mission in this new environment, we go forth together into a future of opportunity. We embrace the process of transformation as we birth a new Creation into fullness in our new Home.
Photos by Sister Mary Alan Wurth, ASC
Dearest Sisters, our hearts rejoice that you have found such a beautiful, loving home with the Benedictine Community in Belleville. Your presence, spirit and faith are tangible testaments to God’s love and protection.
My daily prayers are with you as you encounter and journey in your new mission.
With appreciation for all the goodness you bring to the world,
Christine Nykiel