Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “News”
We share this little post as part of our continuing Christmas spirit so people not living in monasteries and who might be suffering Christmas withdrawal due to the world declaring the Incarnation “over” on December 26th can linger in thanksgiving a little longer. We keep our creches up until the Feast of the Presentation, February 2nd even though Ordinary Time …
We know our cats are popular with those who frequent our website or social media venues. In the cartoon world they have nom de plumes (Shadow and Sunbeam) but we call them by their real names (Gunther and Gertrude). Fans, both feline and human, have sent the cats notes, gifts, as well as well wishes and prayers. Regarding Gunther: his …
For many years at our Heart of Mary Priory in Lake Villa, IL the foyer was graced by a little handmade miniature southwest style adobe mission church. Built by a talented friend and benefactor it was used as a donation box next to the votive candle stands. Delightful in its details, the stucco was uneven, bells hung atop the roof …
We had our community Christmas photo and invited Gunther. He declined the invite though he did wear his bowtie and even seemed to parade it before every Sister that entered the house. But as the photos indicate, he prefers to play with his tie than wear it. He also likes trying to eat artificial Christmas decorations. All the beautiful poinsettias we …
We have had quite an end to Advent and a start to the Christmas season by ‘returning to Bethlehem’. While we were spared any truly life threatening issues from the great arctic blast that devastated parts of the U.S., we did enjoy circumstances that were both occasions of humor and trial. There were multiple opportunities to thank God ‘for everything’; …
Bet you never guessed something like that would be included in our list of “memories”! Since we had a little “septic scare” on Christmas Eve, we thought this would be a great time to share this archive photo. As we’ve explained to numerous plumbers, tradesmen, construction workers, contractors, and benefactors over the years monasteries and plumbing challenges go “hand …
It’s the last week of Advent. All the candles are lit on the wreath and we are singing the O Antiphons that signify ‘the home stretch’. The Nativity of Our Lord is closer and the acrostic first letters of the antiphons in Latin, when written backwards, gives us “Ero cras” meaning, “Tomorrow I come!” The building excitement is not in …
Though we have held off on decorating, the cleaning has begun and the requisite baking so it’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas! Our Come and See, Sarah, has rolled up her sleeves and joined the formation group under Sister Christiana’s supervision to rollout lots of sugar cookies. Novice Sister Maria Crucis and Postulant Shannon all enjoyed the double …
It’s important to keep this holy season and preparation and silent waiting unscathed as much as possible by too early secular incursions of the ‘Happy Holidays’ spirit. Part of this is treasuring Advent specific traditions that are simple but profound. We have the Advent Wreath in the refectory as the Chapel sanctuary area is too small for another source of …
As many a novice or postulant can tell you, the formation group in a monastery is not shy of humor and entertaining skits to share with the rest of the community. The Handmaids are no exception. In years past, as our archive sharing during our Diamond Jubilee will show, Handmaids found themselves in plays, musicals, humorous skits, and sing-a-longs. This …
We share an archive treasure from the more recent past from our arrival in New Market. A Church built upon rock. Cor Jesu Monastery was originally a large lodge in the woods. Before building it, the previous owners had core samples drilled to assess the construction site for suitability. In limestone country it’s understandable that you don’t want to build …
We had been having consistent rain and fog for some time but gratefully welcoming it after a drought. Low clouds, heavy fog, rain, and mud described everything outdoors for many days. But not long after celebrating a sung Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it was a delight to have a touch of …