Christmas Newsletter 2024
Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Our Savior is Born for us! Our grateful hearts give praise and thanks to God for the many gifts and graces He has showered down upon us this year. One gift we particularly thank Him for is that of your friendship and generosity. Our Mothers decided when founding this monastery eighty years ago, to depend completely on God, and all of you have been God’s way of fulfilling their trust.
Our families love cooking meals for themselves in our new guest kitchen!
From new ceiling tiles to a revamped kitchen in our guest quarters, our summer construction projects turned out splendidly well. Volunteer Dads and Moms (with a brother thrown in for good measure) worked wonders in the short time they had to help us.
Oh no! It started one morning when a little water puddle appeared by the sidewalk outside the laundry door. It had a somewhat oily appearance, which puzzled us. The leak grew to a sizable proportion and investigation showed that one of the original galvanized water pipes under the ground had broken. In the process the water pump that provided the source of the water gave up the ghost. Fortunately we found a company that still fixes wells and they were able to install a new pump. And, in case you are wondering, the pipes are still waiting to be fixed!
The men at work clearing trees.
Late in the Fall, we decided it was time to start another large project. There were many dead and dying trees near buildings or the enclosure wall, besides an immense amount of brush and brambles along the property fences. Thanks to their equipment and expertise, the company we contracted accomplished the task in just a few weeks, leaving our landscape much improved. The help of the Angels was most evident in our maintenance projects this year. One day, we were astonished to see one of the workmen hoisting himself up a towering pine tree with a rope in one hand and a chain saw in the other, cutting branches as he went. Definitely, prayers to the Holy Angels were sent along with him to keep him safe.
For the Year 2024, we received the various choirs of Angels as our patron saints. We depend upon the Holy Angels for their protection and influential role in our lives. While we know the Holy Angels are present with us especially in our own Choir as we pray, we recently acquired a statue of St. Gabriel the Archangel to remind us of his special charge of gathering all the “Aves” of our Rosaries and presenting them as a heavenly bouquet for our Rosary Queen.
Congratulations, Sister Mary Catherine de la Guadalupana!
After weeks of sewing, in the morning of October 27th, our postulant received the beautiful Dominican Habit and white veil of a novice. The highlight moment, though, is always when the novice receives her new name: “In the world, you were known as Karina, and in the Order you will be called Sister Mary Catherine de la Guadalupana!” Sister’s family was able to celebrate with her on that memorable occasion. May Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Catherine of Siena pray for her as she grows in the knowledge of our Dominican Contemplative Life.
As we open our celebration of Christmas with First Vespers on Christmas Eve, we will sing, The King of Peace is greatly magnified, Whose countenance all the earth desires to see. Our Little King is born once more in our hearts, Whom we have lovingly longed for during the Advent Season. During this Christmas Season, let us allow ourselves to stop and gaze on the Infant in the manger. Let us savor the joy of beholding Him, the long awaited Savior, Who now renews His Presence in our midst as our Emmanuel – God with us!
With many thanks and prayers,
Mother Mary of the Sacred Heart, O.P. and Sisters
P.S. We are also happy to announce our new website, officially launched on December 18!
