Rachel Tucci from the University of Arizona’s Hydrology Dept. is doing a study of the ground water in the Sonoita Valley. She took samples from our well on May 14th. By evaluating isotopes and other things in the water, it is possible to theorize the water’s source; that is, did it come from rain falling on the Santa Rita Mountains or from an underground river? Fascinating! We look forward to learning about our water from her report on the valley.
On May 19th we launched our official Facebook Page! They say the young people are all on Facebook, and so we are hoping to attract more vocations to our monastery through our new Page. It is also a way to share our monastery news in a more timely fashion. To see our page, click on this link
https://www.facebook.com/Santa-Rita-Abbey-1401882016504354/
Our beloved Bishop Gerald Kicanas came for Mass and brunch on May 31, the Feast of the Visitation, accompanied by Deacon Enrique Mendoza and Sr. Jeanne Bartholomeaux. Bishop Kicanas reaches retirement age this summer. He has been such a wonderful pastor to the Church of Tucson, shepherding her with wisdom and compassion since 2003! We presented him with one of our Sr. Esther’s clay and mesquite crucifixes as a token of our gratitude and affection.
Late in the afternoon on June 2 we celebrated the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with our friend Msgr. Tom Cahalane on the eve of the feast. We combined 1st Vespers with the Mass of the Sacred Heart for a lovely liturgy. Msgr. Tom enjoys a monthly overnight desert day at our retreat house. If we are without a priest when he comes, he is always happy to say Mass for us. Thank you, Fr. Tom!
This past weekend, June 3-5, we held our first Monastic Experience Weekend here at Santa Rita for women discerning a vocation to consecrated life. Two lovely young women participated, Janell and Lisa. They attended the Divine Office throughout the weekend, including the Office of Vigils at 3:10 a.m.! Sisters Rita and Pam introduced them to the Trappist Cistercian life by giving them talks on monastic history and prayer, and answering their many questions. Our participants also did some monastic work, washing the refectory and hallway windows in record time. Please join us in praying for Janell and Lisa as they continue to seek God’s will for their lives. There will be a second weekend in September over Labor Day weekend, and we already have two other women signed up for it.
Other photos from the past month:
