Community connections
The brothers and sisters of Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery welcome you to our community connections page. Here you will find our community blog, where once a month, a member of our community reflects on the question of what it means for them to live their Benedictine call in the world. You will also find links to the webpages, blogs, and ministries of many of our members. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into our community.
About the Author:
Michelle Bodle is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, a spiritual director, and someone who deeply believes that the spiritual journey is not one to be taken alone. She is the founder of Abide in the Spirit which strives to create sacred space for holy listening. She resides in central Pennsylvania with her chinchilla, Wesley and her tortoise, Angelo.
Community Blog February 2023
When I was first introduced to the Breviary during the years of the pandemic, I felt like I had words for all of the things I was struggling to pray. I gathered with a small group from across the country to pray lauds once a week, which was life-giving. But it also left me craving more. More time in prayer. More of the prayers printed in the Breviary. More of the community steeped in the life exposed in the Rule of Benedict. Through Google and a series of events the Holy Spirit wove together, I ended up at Saint Brigid’s - which ended up being everything I was searching for and more.
By vocation, I am a United Methodist Pastor and spiritual director. Part of the covenant that I adhere to is to be in a community with others who share this holy calling in my geographic area (which we call a conference). The problem is that it can be difficult to fulfill that covenant authentically where you are deeply known when you move around, as Methodists often do. When I found Saint Brigid’s, I felt like through my covenant taken at oblation, I honestly could fulfill this vow because here we are called to stability. To accountability. And to grace abundant.
My vocation as a monastic is central to my calling as a pastor and a spiritual director. It feeds my soul in a way that invites me to be more intentional about considering time and being in prayer. But it also creates a space within me to be reflective - and to come to peace beyond what I can achieve or offer of my own accord. This is not just a community of prayer but a community of life together and life abundant.
Michelle Bodle is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, a spiritual director, and someone who deeply believes that the spiritual journey is not one to be taken alone. She is the founder of Abide in the Spirit which strives to create sacred space for holy listening. She resides in central Pennsylvania with her chinchilla, Wesley and her tortoise, Angelo.
Community Blog February 2023
When I was first introduced to the Breviary during the years of the pandemic, I felt like I had words for all of the things I was struggling to pray. I gathered with a small group from across the country to pray lauds once a week, which was life-giving. But it also left me craving more. More time in prayer. More of the prayers printed in the Breviary. More of the community steeped in the life exposed in the Rule of Benedict. Through Google and a series of events the Holy Spirit wove together, I ended up at Saint Brigid’s - which ended up being everything I was searching for and more.
By vocation, I am a United Methodist Pastor and spiritual director. Part of the covenant that I adhere to is to be in a community with others who share this holy calling in my geographic area (which we call a conference). The problem is that it can be difficult to fulfill that covenant authentically where you are deeply known when you move around, as Methodists often do. When I found Saint Brigid’s, I felt like through my covenant taken at oblation, I honestly could fulfill this vow because here we are called to stability. To accountability. And to grace abundant.
My vocation as a monastic is central to my calling as a pastor and a spiritual director. It feeds my soul in a way that invites me to be more intentional about considering time and being in prayer. But it also creates a space within me to be reflective - and to come to peace beyond what I can achieve or offer of my own accord. This is not just a community of prayer but a community of life together and life abundant.
A Few of Our Community Members' Websites and Ministries