Handmaids Head East to Tennessee
The beginnings of our historic move to the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee with a small contingent of Sisters from Jemez Springs, New Mexico. God willing, more will follow later.
Starting a new chapter in the history of the Handmaids of the Precious Blood, four Handmaids of the Precious Blood set out from Jemez Springs, New Mexico on 3 May 2013 in order to begin the process of moving our motherhouse to the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. As the very first contemplative nuns in the Diocese, we arrived on 6 May 2013 in Benton, Tennessee. Three Handmaids will be stationed at the Christ, Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton for the initial phase of this move. The Handmaid houses of Cor Jesu Monastery in Jemez Springs, NM and the Heart of Mary Priory in Lake Villa, IL remain open as we await future developments in God’s Providence.
Our gratitude to Stephanie Richers of the East Tennessee Catholic for sharing her photos of the arrival day in Benton for our use on the web. For her article in the East Tennessee Catholic please click this link.
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- A Sister checks the packing of an office in New Mexico.
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- Office contents await the movers.
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- U Haul arrives and packing the truck begins.
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- How are we going to get everything in there?
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- Filling up the truck.
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- Movers pack the truck wonderfully.
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- Conquistador Movers did an incredible job and left room to spare!
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- Our Sisters drive to the east.
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- The U Haul follows the Sisters as they arrive on May 6th at their new home.
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- Fred and Andrew volunteered to drive the U Haul from New Mexico to Tennessee.
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- Bishop Richard F. Stika welcomes the Handmaids.
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- After 1200 miles, the U Haul is unloaded by helpful volunteers.
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- Knights of Columbus from St. Mary in Athens and St. Thomas the Apostle in Lenoir City help move in.
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- Reverend Mother Marietta is very happy with the Sisters’ new home in Benton.
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- Watching the unpacking with joy.
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- Sr. Anunziata laughs.
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- Sr. Rose Philomena gets ready to snap a group picture.
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- Sr. Mary Genevieve, Reverend Mother Marietta, Sr. Anunziata, and Sr. Rose Philomena
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- Rev. Mother tackles unpacking the kitchen.
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- A top priority: Getting the Chapel ready.
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- We had a great deal of help assembling the furniture.
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- Sister stores supplies.
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- A Handmaid handy with a drill.
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- More progress as the Chapel comes together.
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- Each cell also functions as a workspace and office for each Sister.
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- Sister Sacristan prepares candle inserts.
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- Hanging Pope Francis next to Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy.
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- Praying Holy Father
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- Hanging religious art and bulletin boards.
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- Installing safety lighting.
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- A Knight of Columbus constructs a handrail for the steps.
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- The Handmids enjoy a break and walk the grounds.
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- Breathtaking Christ, Prince of Peace retreat center.
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- Rev. Mother enjoying the beauty of East Tennessee.
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- The grounds have spacious meadows as well as lovely woods overlooking the Hiwasee River.
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- Trees galore!
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- The Sisters return to their new home at Cor Jesu Monastery in Benton TN
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- Cardinal Rigali, Bishop Stika and the Handmaids.
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- Cor Jesu Monastery, Benton TN