Zoom Connections

Zoom continues to help me stay connected and have meetings with people who live a distance away from the monastery. I am grateful for Zoom which allows me to have a face-to-face, via computer screen, dialogue for work-related topics, or a one-to-one with a friend. Whether there are many faces on the screen or just one, it is wonderful to see their face(s).

In a Zoom meeting, it is great to see so many beautiful, unmasked faces at one time. I appreciate the facial expressions and non-verbals in a face-to face conversation; these can be very eye-opening and truth-telling in some situations. The smile, the puzzled look, or the expressive eyes that are looking back at me during a conversation encourages me to ask the deeper question, “What is that all about?” Then I may choose to sit back or lean into the screen, giving more attention to my Zoom partner(s).

I want to show a readiness and eagerness to listen with the ear of my heart. Saint Benedict inspires us to listen in the prologue of his Rule. Listening intentionally followed by in-depth sharing happens when people have built their relationship upon trust, believing in one another. Relationship building is an important part of our life in the monastery.

If you would like more information about our common journey, please contact Sister Lisa Rose at lrose@csbsju.edu.

Lisa Rose, OSB

Photo: Sister Lisa Rose preparing for a virtual meeting, taken by Sister Carleen Schomer