Cookbook Recipe Demo - Pork & Apple Casserole

New feature here on the blog!

Periodically, we'll feature a recipe blog, giving information on recipes that can be found in the sisters' cookbook "Morsels and Chuckles from the Monastery."

This first entry is a favorite of Sister Marilyn Schroering's. She made it often for her fellow sisters when she was on mission at both Evansville St. Joe’s in the county and Holy Family in Jasper. It can be put together one day and baked the next if you'd like. Another tip from Sister Marilyn, it can be froze (after being baked) and reheated again at a later date.

Pork & Apple Casserole

Sprinkle 6 pork chops with salt & pepper to taste.

Brown chops on both sides in a skillet.

Place chops in a large shallow casserole. Save the fat drippings in the skillet.

Peel and cut 3 tart apples into slices and arrange on the chops.

Pour 3 tbsp. molasses over all.

Stir 3 tbsp. flour into fat in the skillet. Cook and stir until brown. Slowly stir in 2 cups hot water and cook until mixture boils.

Add 1 tbsp. cider vinegar, ½ tsp. salt and 1/3 cup raisins.

Pour sauce over the apples in the casserole.

Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

Ta-da! Sister Marilyn with the finished product.

This is just one of over 450 recipes the sisters, the Oblates and monastery employees share in the sisters’ third cookbook edition, “Morsels and Chuckles from the Monastery,” available at For Heaven’s Sake Gift Shop and online.

Rogation Day Observance

For the beauty of the earth, for the gifts of all creation, we give thanks.
Farmers, gardeners, stewards of God’s creation, lovers of the earth — we all gathered this evening to pray in gratitude, but especially to pray for all who work on the land, for a favorable planting, growing, and harvesting season, and for safety and protection from natural disasters. Following the centuries-old tradition of blessing the fields and praying for good harvests, we began this Rogation Day service in the monastery church and then processed to St. Ferdinand parish church for a Mass and special blessing of seeds and soil that participants brought. Bishop Charles C. Thompson, bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, presided at the services. Our monastery, St. Ferdinand Parish, and the Diocesan Office of Catholic Rural Life sponsored this annual Rogation Day event.

(Sister Paulette Seng)

"Get Fit — 55+"

About 25 to 30 of our sisters are participating in this eight-week fitness/exercise program geared toward 55 and older. The sisters, ages 58 to 89½, attending the weekly sessions have lots of fun and are happy with the results so far. “I feel energized when it’s over.” “Feel more alive.” “It’s jump starting my daily exercise routine.” “I don’t want to get stiff.” “It’s fun to exercise with a group.” The exercise sessions are conducted by Jill Memmer, a certified health/fitness specialist from Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper. “The sessions are lively and fun, and Jill’s energy is contagious.” As director of our Community Health Services, Sister Barbara Ann Offerman had set a goal to provide a holistic exercise program for community members, under the guidance of reputable health providers. Check off that goal as 100% successful.

(Sister Paulette Seng)

Congratulations, scholarship winners!

Congratulations to Maria Ramirez, Anabel Juarez, and Jaxmin Sanchez Olvera!

At a special dinner today we honored these women as recipients of the Sisters of St. Benedict Scholarship to Vincennes University Jasper Campus for this academic year.

We established this scholarship for Hispanic women four years ago in recognition of our community’s long-time commitment to mission work in Latin America, to Hispanic ministry, and to the education of women. To date, we have awarded scholarships to six students, two of whom we honored at the dinner today.

Maria Ramirez is studying full time to earn her associate degree in business management and, after graduating in May, plans to return for a degree in business administration. This is her second year of receiving the scholarship.

Anabel Juarez is studying administrative office technology and works in the university Administration Office, assisting in communication with Hispanic students and translating informational documents.

Jazmin Sanchez Olvera is pursuing an administrative business degree. She was unable to be present at the dinner.

(Sister Paulette Seng)

Give Glory to God

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

We hear that our bodies are temples of God; however, the way I treat my body sometimes does not always show this. I don't get enough sleep and love sweets. Sweets in moderation are good for us. I, however, tend to go overboard. When I overindulge, I'm not treating my body like God's temple and my actions are not for the glory of God.

When I gossip or talk negatively about someone, I'm certainly not speaking for the glory of God. No benefit comes from my action. I just add negativity to the world. I add destruction instead of peace. Before I speak, I can ask myself what my purpose is. Will I be adding peace or negativity to the world? We have enough negativity, why would I want to contribute more? Before I speak, I can ask myself, will my words give glory to God.

The same is true about our actions, thoughts, and feelings. With the I64 bridge closed between Indiana and Kentucky, traffic is horrendous at times. I'm thankful that I only have to deal with this occasionally rather than everyday. I can bemoan the fact that I'm stuck in traffic and am inconvenienced. I can complain about any number of things, but why add that negativity to the world? The truth is that complaining doesn't change anything. It doesn't fix the bridge, get the cars moving, or speed things up. I'm stuck in traffic whether I complain or not, so I might as well accept it and make the most of it. It could be a time that I converse with God, listen to the radio, or listen to a book on CD. These actions are ways that I can give glory to God.

We don't have to be in church to give glory to God. How we live our lives - our words, thoughts, feelings, and actions - will give God glory if we so choose.

"Family" Support

They say if you like what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. At the end of the day, I know I've put some work in, but I do like what I do. I work at Notre Dame Academy, which is undoubtedly (in my humble opinion) one of the best schools here in Louisville. The Courier Journal recently ranked us #2 in the Top Places to Work in the Small Business Category. We also won "Top Workplaces Special Award" for "On New Ideas."

The students, faculty, and parents are always commenting on the family like atmosphere. We do care about and support each other.

This support was evident today and displayed by our students when we had the 4th-8th grade Spelling Bee. One of the students was upset when she missed a word and started crying. After the Spelling Bee, her mom was trying to console her in the hallway, and she was trying to gather herself together to finish the school day. Her classmates knew how upset she was. When she opened up the classroom door, thunderous applause erupted. Hoops and hollers and congratulations surrounded her when she was ready to enter back into the classroom. She was upset at the outcome of the Spelling Bee, but her teacher and classmates were there to support her.

Undoubtedly, Notre Dame Academy is a family and a wonderful place to work, learn, and grow.

All We Need Is Love

I often think of the homily that a priest back in my home parish gave right before he was transferred to another parish. This priest had overseen the renovation of our church. Under his direction, the church received a much needed paint job along with decorative stenciling and new carpeting.

He said, however, in his final homily that he did not want to be remembered as the priest who got the walls painted; he wanted to be remembered as a person who loved.

How do you think people will remember you? How do you want to be remembered? Are the 2 the same? If not, what needs to change?

I'm reading a book now that is all about love. It speaks of becoming the best version of ourselves and helping others to become the best version of themselves. In the whole scheme of things, love is the only thing that matters in life.

We hear that people won't remember what we said or did, but they will remember how we made them feel. Are we spreading love to all those we meet? Are we helping others become their best self? Will we be remembered as a person who loved?

Speak, Lord, Your Servant Is Listening

When you get a chance, look at the First Reading for Wednesday, January 11 (1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20). I love the story of Samuel being called by God. Samuel doesn't know it is the voice of God. Each time he wakes up, goes to Eli, and answers, "Here I am." Eli sends Samuel back to sleep until he realizes the 3rd time that it is God calling. When he is called a fourth time, Samuel is told to answer, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."

What a wonderful model on how to live our lives. May we, too, hear and recognize the voice of God. May we, like Samuel, answer, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening. May we, like Eli, help others to hear the voice of God more clearly.