My Story

 

Hi and Welcome to WalkingwithBenedict.  I’m Gail Murphy,  a native of Chicago, Illinois. Growing up as part of a large Polish Family,  I was immersed in the Catholic faith traditions at home and through my education.  A  family bible was always open on the living room table at our home and my mother read it to us or discussed the pictures with us as children. The bible was the place all important family events were recorded – births and deaths, baptisms and marriages. Faith was integrated into all aspects of daily life and was the foundation for the core beliefs I hold today: life as a faith journey, God as companion in all experiences, and community as integral. I was blessed to attend Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana where the Holy Cross Sisters  taught education and spiritual formation side by side.

Today, with my husband Pat, we are raising 5 children along with three dogs and a guinea pig.  Before arriving at the doorsteps of the monastery, we spent 8 years on a journey of adoption through the foster care system here in our town and adopted 4 wonderful children. I served in parish ministry for more than 15 years in faith formation and RCIA  in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Sunlight greets the Pine Trees on our Campus

These experiences allowed me to walk with others as we discovered together God’s presence in our midst. Today, working with the Benedictine Sisters at Benet Hill, I enjoy offering scripture opportunities that fold in the wisdom of benedictine living according to St Benedict’s Rule.  Whether we find ourselves in a places of hope or despair, it is in community that often we discover the truth of Jeremiah 29:11 –  “ I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I love to blog and sharing scripture and faith stories outside the classroom setting.  I hope you will join me on this journey!

Educational Background: M.A. Pastoral Ministry, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis. MO.  B.A. Mathematics/English Writing, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame IN.

Favorite Scripture Verses:

“You have been told what is good, and what the Lord requires of you; Only to do right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and our descendants may live.” (Deut 30.19b)

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scripture blog address:

www.walkingwithbenedict.wordpress.com

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON AT MONASTERY THIS SEASON?

Check out our website to locate on-site and on-line options for scripture, spiritual formation, retreat opportunities and contemplative prayer at:

 http://www.benethillmonastery.org/