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Nun Photo – Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM
Nunday is here, and I am delighted to celebrate it with a picture of my own nun, Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM. I am currently in San Francisco to give a workshop and was able to spend yesterday with Sister Sandra who ministers as Professor Emerita at the Catholic Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley here in California.
Sister Sandra and I spent the day at Muir Woods. On our way there we stopped at an overlook to see the ocean.
Sister Sandra is a Professor of New Testament Studies and Christian Spirituality and has done much work on behalf of religious life. She is a great thinker and theologian. She is also a great nun. Sister Sandra lives and breathes religious life and is an inspiration to me. We had such a good time hiking together and talking about life. I learned that she is a runner and that she’s bungee jumped and that she’s seen hippopotamuses in the wild!
I’ve got a few more pictures of our time together which you can see on my Facebook page.
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{ 25 comments }
Great post on your travel and about Sr. Sandra Schneiders.
Lately I read “With Oil in Their Lamps: Faith, Feminism and the
Future.” It was fascinating to read outlines of the history of
religious life and her insights. She perhaps had some insights into
“Doubt.” And it was but one of many books of hers.
Sister Sandra looks like a very pleasant, compassionate woman. She is quite attractive. I have never read an entire book of hers, but I’ve read bits and pieces of various things she has written. It must have been great to spend time with her. I would find it personally fascinating to get to know someone like that. Glad you enjoyed your time together. dee
Yes, Sister Sandra has written quite a bit and is working on finishing another book (the third in a series called Finding the Treasure
on religious life). She is good, clear writer especially when dealing with complex issues.
Hi Julie,
All of the sisters and priests here are enjoying your workshop here in San Rafael. We love your picture of Sister Sandra Schneider by Muir Woods.
Hi Julie,
It’s been a while since I have commented either here or on the forum, but curiousity always causes one to emerge from lurking on blogs! What is the workshop you are doing in San Rafael? Also, kudos on the great triple play — Nunday, Sandra Schneiders and a beautiful hike by the ocean – Thanks for sharing! Perhaps you can discuss your first book during your time together — and maybe a live discussion with Sandra on the Vocation Foum?? Hey, it’s a new year — all new possibilities. Aim high! Thanks for keeping us connected.
the beach overlook with sr. sandra in the walway is breathtaking. beautiful shot.
Hey Susan,
Sandra is coming out to run some workshops for my sisters in a couple of weeks. I’m sure she’ll be fantastic and am excited to meet her. I hope that she copes okay with the Australian summer heat which has been pretty intense lately.
Thanks for the post and a little glimpse of yet another wise woman.
Sarah
Cool! I remember her mentioning that but didn’t realize it was your community. Am open to guest bloggers if you want to send me your impressions!
Sr Julie – I am doing a lot of reading about consecrated celibacy and the “bridal” or “nuptial” concept in speaking of women religious. That concept frankly sends me around the bend, and I have come to the conclusion (for now) that my antipathy toward that concept is most likely a fucntion of all the late 20th century factors that make up my very individual cultural response to the “American wedding industry”.
As I said elsewhere, maybe I had too much exposure to Ms. Magazine at a critical developmental stage? Too much of the “inside the back cover” feature on advertising images that degrade women? Too many viewings and too much discussion of that absolutely important-because-disturbing movie from the late 70s/early 80s called “Killing Us Softly” ? (It was of course not about weddings but it may as well have been because of the manufacturing of the image of “barbie bride” in advertising/media that ends up squashing the expression of the very specific and unique union of each couple through the mass creation and marketing of the celebration). The original “Stepford Wives” at the wrong age? Over-exposure to Seventeen and then Cosmo and then those terrifying years when everyone was consuming “Bride” magazine? (I got married in a state park in bare feet and a flowery black dress and a funky pin).
In sh0rt, I know my objection to the bridal concept, even in the context of religious women’s lives, is absolutely a reflection of the limiting/objectifying imagery of “bride” in which I was soaked as a teenager/young woman in the late 70s/80s/early 90s, and the feminist critiques which were constants in my school, social and work communities. Plain old kneejerk response.
Is it possible to ask Sr Sandra to speak to you about that imagery: a primer, I guess, on ways to manage that imagery? I am going to get her book on the subject of consecrated celibacy but am just curious if this a topic that she could speak to here in any way.
Jean
I just finished reading Sr. Sandra Schneiders “Revelatory Text”…outstanding!
Why doesn’t she have her own website?
Louis
I loved that book too, Louis! I think Sister Sandra has more than enough irons in the fire to deal with let alone a website! But it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a bio page or something. Will check in with her when I have an iron or two free!
Sister Julie, You have taught me so much here already. My image of the IHMs who taught me 35 years ago is completly changed forever. What a fascinating dynamic group of women!
Y’all gotta check out the article by Sr. Sandra today or this week in the National Catholic Reporter,
link:
http://ncronline.org/news/women/why-they-stayed
A brilliant piece by a brilliant woman.
And Jean, I agree re the bridal imagery. If you’re discerning, check out orders , like IHM?, that don’t use it!
kk – I am in the process of reading Sister Sandra’s piece on NCR as we “speak”.
I also am just starting her book “Selling All: Commitment, Consecrated Celibacy, and Community in Catholic Religious Life” , the second in a three volume series “Religious Life in a New Millennium”, from Paulist Press. Looks great and, I think, will help me think through my response to the bridal metaphor (that’s actually why I ordered the book because I have so much trouble with the use of the metaphor in the year 2009, as opposed to its use throughout history. I certainly have no need or desire to tell others that they should not use the language if it is meaningful to them but use of the metaphor would be an immediate and permanent “deal breaker” for *****me***** personally with any order that did use it in discussion today’s Religious Life).
Jean
Thanks for the opportunity to gain some insight into the Sisters, and to read Sr Sandra’s views on the Vatican’s visitation (NCR) . The world of Catholicism is very wide and I suspect that aspects of the lifestyle of American nuns is a challenge for the world of the Nuns that have graced the Vatican for the many years under Pope John Paul (mostly Polish). Yes, the need for the Vatican for a visitation has a challenging for the Sisters but I do know that their witness is what will reveal the Divine Image. Peace and joy from Canada
When will Sandra Schneider’s Volume 3 Of Religious life in a New Millennium be published.? I have a copy of Finding the Treasure and Selling All. They are powerful. I just hope Volume 3 will come soon. Thankyou. ( This is correction of my previous comment.)
Hi Sheila! I believe it is in production now! Not sure what release date is. Will post on A Nun’s Life when I know.
Thanks Sr. Julie for Info. on Vol 3. Look forward to publication.
Sheila.O.P.
Waiting eagerly for Sandra’s third book on Religious Life. I thought the title was to be ‘Buying the Field’? Trilogy: Finding the Treasure, Selling All and Buying the Field. Seems to fit in with NT logic too!
Roll on Release date. M.
We’re eagerly awaiting it too!! Will check with Sandra next time I chat with her.
Sr. Sandra has been an inspiration and a mentor in my life for many, many years. I owe my love of John’s gospel and introduction to Raymond E. Brown to Sandra.
Two of my most faithful correspondents over the last thirty years were Father Henri J.M. Nouwen, writing from all over the world, and Sister Sandra Schneiders, IHM. I was in prison and you visited me, the gospel fulfilled. Gracias!
Hi Julie, Is there any news about Sandra’s Book Vol. 3 Religious Life in the New Millenium ? Someone suggested that it is called “Buying The Field ” Please. From Sheila
I am a graduate of St. Mary Academy in Monore, Michigan. While reading our Iowa Diocesan Catholic Messenger News I read Sister Sandra Schneiders articles on religious life by Fr. Richard McBrien. I think Sister Sandra has the correct insight of where we are in the Church today.
Having spent five years after High School in a Religious Order ,now a wife,Mother,Grandmother what changes in religious life still means a lot to me.
Kitty
Dear Friend,
Many years ago (sometime in the early 80′s I was given an article by Sandra which concerned unhealthy styles of community. Would someone be able to direct me to that article? I do not remember the journal or publication in which it appeared.
Thank you so much,
Gregory Norbet