Sister Mary Frances Kluss
Sister Mary Frances Kluss entered the Monastery of St. Gertrude from Lewiston, Idaho. She is the daughter of Ralph and Eileen Funke Kluss.
Sister Mary Frances has ministered in teaching at St. Nicholas School in Rupert and St. Mary's School in Boise, and working as an LPN at St. Mary's Hospital in Cottonwood and at the Provincialate Infirmary for the Holy Names Sisters in Spokane where she now works. Sister Mary Frances was asked about her personal experience with prayer and how it shapes her life. Here’s what she had to say:
Is prayer important for you? for the monastic community?
I believe that prayer is vital. Without prayer we wouldn’t be a monastic community. Prayer is part of the essence of our call by God. It is part and parcel of the fabric of our lives. We wouldn’t be a Benedictine community if we didn’t pray together.
Prayer is vital for me in my work as well. Prayer gives me a sense of peace and joy, compassion, and a focus that allows me to be present to the person I’m caring for. Through prayer the healing presence of God can be experienced as each person has need.
Have your prayers made a difference in the lives of those you minister to?
Oh, yes! Recently a convalescing woman told me that she had a deep, comforting sense of our prayers and concern for her. Her first biopsy had shown melanoma. After a subsequent surgery, no other cancer cells were found. I never know how many people may be praying for the same person. I am often told, in one way or another, that my prayers are appreciated; that a sense of healing and peace has happened in connection with my presence and prayers. I feel very humble then, knowing that it is because of God that anything good can happen through me.
Besides praying individually, we sometimes pray as a group at work. Not only does prayer help in physical, spiritual, and emotional healing, it also helps us to connect in deeper, more peaceful and fulfilling relationships.
How do you pray?
I like to offer up my whole day to God. If I know of someone in special need, I may offer up my day especially for her or him. Prayer for me includes Divine Office, said with other Sisters or by myself, and centering prayer. I also like to memorize scripture, hymns, and prayers that have special meaning for me. I pray spontaneously by myself and with others, including patients and staff. Daily Eucharist is very important to me, and simply praying “Jesus” at any time is a wonderful prayer and help.
Prayer helps me to experience God’s presence during the day. Simply turning my attention to God has great effect.
Sister Mary Frances at work. |
How can our readers better incorporate prayer into their lives?
First of all, bring your awareness of our loving, true, faithful, merciful and powerful God to your mind and heart. Often a scripture passage or written prayer may be especially helpful. Find a word, such as “Jesus,” “Spirit,” or “Love,” that is meaningful and assists you to quickly tune into God. The word can be good for any time of the day and can help you to be a prayerful presence.
Eucharist and other types of communal prayer are not always possible, but they are a great help. Praying at different times of the day as it fits into your own schedule is also a wonderful way to meet with God.
God is available at any time. God loves us and is happy to help us in any way that is valuable to us – through books, a priest, minister or a spiritual director.
How has prayer, especially with the monastic community, changed you?
Community prayer helps me, profoundly, to be about more than just me. It creates a much more meaningful and enriching life for me. Prayer assists me in making good choices, such as how to use my talents, resources and gifts so that I can be more in tune with God and of better service.
Prayer has changed me, slowly over time, to be more aware of God, of others, of my own person and my call from God. It makes me aware of creation and the deeper connections among all of us in the universe.