One of our sisters, whose duties occasionally take her outside, was surprised to come into the lobby one day and see this on the couch:
When she looked closer, she saw the note!
What a lovely surprise! To add to our joy, we also received a separate gift of crochet hooks, knitting needles, and knitting looms–as well as several books!
Our raffle is coming up this summer, and we are becoming known for our “cloister creations”–afghans, shawls, scarves, hats, sock animals and baby quilts in addition to various other works of art. We spend most of the year working on these items, and then the best of the best are chosen to become raffle prizes. The other items (which are very nice too) become additional surprise raffle prizes (that is, we don’t advertise them on our raffle tickets) or are given to benefactors. Nothing is ever wasted!
If you are interested in seeing what we are raffling off this year, please send us your address and we’ll send you a raffle ticket at the proper time. And we would be especially delighted if you decided to enter our raffle! Although there is no cost to enter, we really appreciate any donation you can give us. Your donations keep our life of prayer, praise, adoration and sacrifice going strong!
Our “crafty” sisters were eager to grab the yarn once it was made available for the taking, Who knows what amazing creations we will make? Thanks so much to our donors who made this all possible!
In case anyone is wondering–we have sisters who knit and sisters who crochet, as well as sisters who use a loom! So everything will be used most joyfully.
A group of students from the University of Dallas recently visited our monastery on the way to Lake Charles, LA where they planned to participate in “Alternative Spring Break”. Instead of going to the beach and partying, these dedicated students were going to help restore homes and do other work. Shelby Ponikiewski, the campus minister in charge of Faith Formation and Outreach, has brought several groups to visit us over the years, and we are always delighted to meet them.
Shelby, her husband Trevor, and the students from UD
We had a great visit with them–a planned fifteen minute stop turned into a stay lasting over an hour! We enjoyed hearing their stories, and it was very uplifting to encounter young people trying to do good for others in this mixed-up world.
Thanks, Shelby, for coming by with your students! We hope to see you again next year!
Recently, Mr. Daniel Morris, a nurse practitioner from the East Texas Heart Institute (located here in Lufkin) came out to give us a presentation on heart health.
He gave a very informative talk, telling us the factors that can affect heart health, the stages of heart disease, and of course how to keep the heart healthy! (We weren’t surprised to hear that diet and exercise play a big role!)
Daniel also graciously answered our many questions. We would definitely like to have someone like him around if we had heart problems!
As you can see, we (and Daniel) have our hearts in the right place!
Thank you so much, Daniel, for your time and expertise! We really appreciated it, and we are grateful to be more aware of the symptoms of heart disease and how to prevent them. God bless you!
Father Gavin Vaverek, pastor of Our Lady of Victory parish in Paris, TX, recently came and gave us a class on Lent. Father gives us classes on a variety of topics whenever he has time, and we always enjoy his great presentations and his witty remarks. In this class, Father encouraged us to “begin with the end in mind” when it comes to Lent, looking forward to the Triduum and Easter. He covered the main aspects of Lent–prayer, fasting, and almsgiving–encouraging us to use Lent as a time to grow in our Christian life and to keep up our good Lenten habits through Easter and beyond. Most of all, Father reminded us, Lent is a opportunity to grow in love and to share in the life of Christ. We had heard some of this before, of course–but it was a wonderful help to renew us in our Lenten practices, which can become mere form if we are not careful. And we can always learn something new about the spiritual life! Thank you, Fr. Gavin, for taking time out of your busy parish schedule and making the long trip from Paris (Texas, that is) to Lufkin! You are always welcome!
The community listens attentively to Fr. Gavin’s presentation. He’s a wonderful lecturer!
Today, March 7, is the 750th anniversary of the death of St. Thomas Aquinas. The Dominican Order is celebrating a triduum of years–honoring not only St. Thomas’ death but also the 700th anniversary of his canonization in 2023–and you can receive a plenary indulgence by visiting a Dominican church or other Dominican place dedicated to St. Thomas, or by participating in a Mass or other celebration in honor of St. Thomas Aquinas. The three years began on January 28, 2023 and will last until January 28, 2025. The usual conditions for a plenary indulgence are required.
Let us be united in giving thanks to God for the great gift of St. Thomas Aquinas to the Dominican Order, to the Church, and to the world!
Recently, our postulant Michelle received the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady and a rosary–signs that she has spent three months in the novitiate and continues to do well!
Gathered in the novitiate chapter room
Sr. Mary Margaret gives a brief talk
Receiving the Miraculous Medal…
….and the Rosary!
A little party to celebrate, with tea and homemade cookies
The newly “professed postulant”
The novitiate sisters and Sr. Mary Margaret
Sr. Mary Christine, Michelle, and some of Sr. Mary Christine’s orchids.
We call Michelle a “professed postulant” because this is a big step forward in her formation period. Please pray that Michelle will persevere these coming nine months to her next step, which will be receiving the habit!
Dominican Life on Lotus Lane 