January 7, 2024: A Reflection for the Epiphany of the Lord Matthew 2:1-12 We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. Mt 2:2 They were scholars, they were respected right-hand persons to the king, they were astrologers. And most of all, they were seekers. Today we call them Magi, wise men. You might say
Good news! Our beloved Retreat House is open at last! Who knew it would take a full year to get a new roof and then to repair and paint the damaged drywall? Now at last the work is done. Thank you for your patience. And thank you again to all who responded to our 2022 fundraising appeal. We
Who can contemplate Eternity being born, Power itself failing, Bread going hungry, the Spring itself growing thirsty, without becoming speechless? But who can contemplate the beginning of our salvation, the day of human healing, without bursting forth in a voice of exultation and praise, the sound of one keeping festival? God has been made a man; who knows how to
December 23, 2023: The Eve of the 4th Sunday of Advent. As we light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath this evening “A Child is born to us. A Son is given to us. Upon his shoulder dominion rests and his name shall be called, “Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:5) So we shall sing on Christmas
Dear Friends, Our 2023 Christmas newsletter is here! The biggest event of the year was the April 22nd celebration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of our monastery. Inside the newsletter, you will see a photograph of twenty smiling Trappist Cistercians–our community of ten sisters plus the monks and nuns from eight different monasteries who came to help us
December 16, 2023: The Eve of the Third Sunday of Advent. As we light the third candle on our Advent wreath this evening “His kingdom will spread ever wider, and of peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus, Prince of Peace, help us to become peace, justice and love in our world. Let us choose your kingdom over promoting
December 9, 2023: The Eve of the Second Sunday of Advent. As we light the second candle on our Advent wreath this evening “Behold the Man! The Orient is his name. He shall sit upon his throne and rule, and he shall speak peace to the nations.” So we sang on the feast of Christ the King. Jesus, Promised One,
December 2, 2023: The Eve of the First Sunday of Advent. This evening, we stand on the brink of Advent. Before us stretches three weeks, twenty-one days where we will journey into the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us in the person of Jesus, the Gift of the Father. In the centuries before Jesus’ coming among us, the world was much as