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celebrating a century
On September 15, 2011, our Sister Esther Bataille celebrated her 100th birthday! This year she also celebrates 80 years of monastic life...and she is "still going," as she often reminds us.
Esther, born Regina, was one of nine children: six boys and three girls. Except for a few years when the family lived in Canada, she was raised in a Benedictine parish in Maplewood, NJ. She entered St. Walburga Monastery in Elizabeth, NJ in 1930 and, in 1971 at age 60, became one of the founding members of Emmanuel Monastery.
Her celebration began on September 14th as members of Esther's family began to arrive. The actual "birthday" was a joyous occasion in community, marked by memories, many laughs, and of course good ice cream and cake. On Saturday, September 17th, over 50 members of her family joined us to continue the celebration. Esther's nephew, Vincent (Paul) Bataille, OSB presided at Eucharistic liturgy followed by dinner at Emmanuel Monastery. Family members delighted in getting reaquainted and reconnected after many years, viewing a display of photos of their ancestors and some of Esther's early years, and sharing stories. The celebration will continue over the next weeks as friends and former co-workers gather to celebrate this remarkable, faith-filled woman.
Friends are invited to an OPEN HOUSE at the Monastery on OCTOBER 1, 2011 between 2:00 and 5:00 PM. Come and celebrate with us a century life well lived!
COMMUNITY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
On July 1st the community celebrated the 40th Anniversary of its foundation, and its coming to the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
It was July 1, 1971 in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council that twenty-three sisters from St. Walburga Monastery in Elizabeth, NJ came to Maryland to establish a new monastic foundation. We came to Spalding Convent in Severn, MD where we lived until 1981; from there we moved to St. Rose of Lima 
Convent in the Brooklyn section of Baltimore. These years provided us with time and space to establish a new monastic community, deepening our prayer life together, bonding more deeply with one another, extending "community" to the larger world through hospitality, and enfleshing many of the values and challenges of Vatican II. In 1986 we purchased the present property on West Joppa Road, and put down permanent roots in what is now Emmanuel Monastery in Lutherville, MD.
The journey has been a blessed one, with God-with-us always on the road. This year for us will be one of deep gratitude for all that has been given to us as we seek ways to "pay it forward". The many other celebrations of this year, Sr. Esther's 100th Birthday, and of jubilees of our sisters - two celebrating 60 years and another 80 years of monastic profession - capture some of the joy we all experience in the wonder of this journey. Please join with us in prayer of gratitude for the abundance of God's blessings to us.
PROPHETIC WOMEN BIRTHING HOPE
The community gathered for retreat June 26-July 2, 2011 at Emmanuel Monastery, focusing on the topic of "Prophetic Women Birthing Hope." The retreat was led by Barbara Reid, OP, Ph.D., Vice President and Academic Dean of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and long time friend of the community. 
Together the sisters journeyed through the week with courageous and prophetic women of the Scriptures including Mary, the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, Anna, Miriam and Mary Magadalene. A number of unnamed and lesser known women such as midwives Shiphrah and Puah, the Samaritan woman, Justa the Canannite woman, and Huldah and Prisca provided additional inspiration and insight for women of faith today.
In these challenging times, these women who remained faithful within cultures of violence, persecution and patriarchal prejudice, model for us a way of prophetic leadership and fidelity that reverences diversity, inclusivity, respect and non-violence. The richness of this experience will remain a supportive challenge for each member of the community in the months ahead. We pray that our lives might reflect the fruits of this experience.
During the retreat days, many of our friends, Obaltes and PACEM members supported us through their prayer, preparing meals and assisting in our liturgy. We remain so grateful to all who helped to make this a truly prayerful and contemplative week. You are all blessings in our lives!
