ANNUAL APPEAL

Our Community is anchored by our Rule of Life and our three-fold vow of Stability, Obedience, and Conversion of Life. Together, these three elements of our monastic charism offer a design for living that is vibrant and sustaining.

     Stability says that we are in this for the long haul. No matter what life may throw at us or circumstances we find ourselves in, we stay committed to our monastic endeavor. And it is indeed our fidelity to this life that keeps us grounded and stable.

     Obedience is not about obedience to another human being or institutional structure; it is obedience to God as expressed through the Holy Spirit. The wisdom and guidance may come through the voices of those around us, but they are instruments helping us discern how God is working with us and guiding us.

    Conversion of Life is about awareness that God is continually calling us to new horizons with freshness and newness of life. A God-centered life is not a static one. It is dynamic and ever evolving.

     The elements of this three-fold vow are inter-dependent and mutually supportive. They have been a guiding principle that has over the years truly transformed us both as individuals and as a community.

     Like most monastic communities, we have experienced times of change, some more challenging than others, and it has been our Rule of Life that has brought us clarity and inspiration. And so it is with us now as we embrace another such moment as we stand at the leading edge of new horizons in the continual unfolding of conversion from one way of being to another as a monastic community.

Many of you may know that Sister Greta is in a time of deep discernment about how her prison ministry will continue from this point forward. Once again guided by the loving Holy Spirit of God, she made the decision to conclude her in-person work she was doing with inmates at the California Men’s Colony. Nearly twenty years of being ensconced with the suffering of our friends inside coupled with a growing discomfort with the institutional ethos of prisons have run its course. So, in September of this year she graduated her last cohort of men in the Healing Dialogue and Action program. With confidence and clarity, she has stepped away and stepped into a period of healing. This response is the fruit of a discerning heart and mind.

     Sister Greta has begun to open the doors of communication with incarcerated friends she has not up until now been allowed to write to because of prison policies forbidding fraternization. She is now joyfully reuniting with long-time friends, some of whom she first met in L.A. County Jails some twenty years ago. Sneaky God!

     As part of Sister Greta’s healing, she will be joining an icon writing retreat this fall in North Carolina. She has long desired to make icon writing part of this new chapter in her life and now the time feels right.    

     She has also now joined Brother Dennis in producing content for The Journey – our prison communique that is mailed monthly, as well as contributing content for our website and the CDL News Weekly.

And while we are talking about writing, both Brother Dennis and Sister Greta are working on new books. Brother Dennis’ should be published in the spring. In addition, he has also begun work on a Twelve Step Guide to Recovery for those in prison, which is inspired by his sponsorship work with friends inside.

     Books are important and each year we send a good number to inmates. Not just our books, but a much larger number of books from various prominent authors on topics such as Christianity, Interspirituality, monastic life, meditation, contemplative life, dream work, writing, poetry and recovery.

All these avenues of connecting with those who live on the extreme margins of our society are central to our monastic charism and serve to remind them that they are not alone and they are not forgotten. It reinforces the truth that no matter who we are, where we have been, what we have done – or had done to us, that no one is beyond the grace and love of God.

And so now we stand on yet another plateau of new beginning and possibility. As we look to our future, we know that we are not alone. We know that you walk with us in support and love as you always have. This is what the bonds of love and friendship look like. This is why we are the Community of Divine love that includes all of us – our friends, Oblates who associate themselves with CDL, and our Divine Companions who live a life committed to a spiritual Rule of Life while in prison. This is community living with purpose and vision as we all do our part to further the Kingdom of God here on earth. We are honored by your friendship, and it is a privilege to partner with you on this sacred journey.

As this is our annual appeal, we hope that you will consider a financial contribution to our vocation and ministry. Your support is essential to achieving the work we are called to in our monastic life.

Faithfully,

Sister Greta & Brother Dennis