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Each year near the Feast of St. Dominic on August 8, our local Dominican Laity Chapter of St. Thomas Aquinas has a special Mass at which various members move to the next stage in their formation. This year they had a big crowd, with people in each of the three categories.

Linda began her official time of formation as a “novice”. She had already been attending the monthly meeting for quite a while.

Then 5 people concluded that first phase and pronounced their Promises to  live by their Laity Constitutions  for three years and further explore the Dominican way of life. From left to right, below: Brian, Bruce, Debbie, Maria, and Jose.

A father and son team (Deacon Jesus and his son, Chuy) concluded their initial formation as members of the Dominican Laity by pronouncing their Final Promises for their entire lives. The Laity Chapter President, Dr. Matt Rowley, stands as a witness.

We met with them briefly in our Gate Parlor after Mass so that we could congratulate them and meet members of  their families. After we left, they had a special breakfast together.

Sr. Mary Rose in the parlor with her parents who are now both members of the Dominican Laity.

Then, in the afternoon, we had a brief party with Sr. Ana Christina. She had come to us a year or two ago and is preparing to return to Mexico on August 10. Sister is very talented in the areas of computer, crafts, sewing, and cooking. It has been a wonderful joy to have her with us.

In the photo to the right, Sister Ana is preparing to play a game especially created for her, using riddles to find the prizes.

In the photo to the left Sister is modelling one of her prizes. A knitted cap made by one of the Sisters.

During the past month, we received various visitors. There are two events we would like to share with you.In mid-July Father Emmerich Vogt, OP came for a long week end from the Holy Name Province based in California. He had been with us last year for our annual retreat. He gave about six lectures on different aspects of Community Life and how to create a spirit of peace and harmony. We found the talks excellent and very practical. Besides a lot of note-taking there was also a lot of laughing. He gave down to earth examples of how Jesus calls us to “die to ourselves” so that we may be more transformed into His radiant image.

We hope and pray everyone had a safe and happy July 4th celebration. We had a very peaceful and relaxing day. As always we begin the day with our Patriotic duties: Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic songs and a prayer. This year there was a light rain so we omitted the raising of the flags on the flagpole. Instead, we went into our main building where we have 3 flags: Texas, American and Papal.

After our songs and prayer, most Sisters stop by the snack tables before settling into a game or an adventure outside. Rain was forecast and it showed up 2 or 3 times. However, it did not last long, just enough to cool the temperature down a bit.

Several Sisters grilled our picnic dinner in the morning. They grilled enough for dinner and supper: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, corn, shish kabobs (some with beef and others with shrimp). Everything was delicious.

There were games as usual, and just enjoying one another\’s company. Ping-pong and Sequence were the favorite activities this year.

This past Sunday afternoon about 1:20, two little puppies appeared at our Novitiate door, looking for someone to play with. They were very friendly and cute. Both females, they looked young and had lovely markings. One was light brown with four white feet and a white line on her forehead. The other, shyer one, was dark brown with dazzling, almost blue eyes.

Sister Mary Dominic took to the dogs right away. They looked like chihuahuas. Sister and her mother had had a chiweenie named “Peanuts”. Sister set them up in one of our courtyards with a little house and some water until we were able to give them to the proper authorities about 3:00.

Since our buildings are more or less at the center of our property, it must have taken then some time to find us. They looked well cared for, but had no collar or tags.

About 5 or 6 Sisters saw them. Someone eventually called the Animal Rescue who came and picked them up. One of the people who came said she knew just the right elderly gentlemen for one of them.

The dogs had a great time “playing” … or was it “praying”?!

First, we apologize that our last post did not go up sooner, explaining our preparations for this important Jubilee. It was scheduled to upload at midnight on June 2, but it must have “over-slept”! We just noticed it was not published. Well, the “silver lining” is that it gives us more time to put up the next one. 😁We had a BIG day on Saturday celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Religious Profession of Sister Mary Veronica. She worked outside for many years so many of the people in the area know her. She decided just to send out a “few” invitations, mainly family. But with that, the chapel was overflowing.

We had over 80 guests, so some went to our Oratory which we empty and open so people can come in there. They are behind the glass behind the altar. It\’s something like a “cry room”. The sound comes in, but we do not hear them. Some people said they went there so they could see the nuns! The bishop went to them when it was time to distribute Holy Communion. If you look closely you can vaguely see some people behind the wooden slats. Our sacristan made the beautiful flower arrangement.

The principal celebrant was Bishop Eduardo Nevares, the auxiliary bishop in the Phoenix Diocese. He originally came to Lufkin as a seminarian and was missioned here off and on for many years. He even served as Pastor. The bishop is flanked by two Dominican friars of our Southern Province: On our left is Fr. John Lydon, OP, our resident chaplain; and on our right is Fr. Brian Pierce, OP who was the homilist at the Mass. He was very good and regaled us with stories of Sr. Mary Veronica (SMV) when he was a simple student at Stephen F. Austen University (SFA) up the road in Nacogdoches.

The three priests to the right of the crucifix are left to right: Fr. Joseph, pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Moral, a few miles from Nacogdoches, This was SMV’s home-parish. Her parents are buried in the Church cemetery. Next, Fr. Ron Fosage, MS, a La Salette priest, who is pastor of St. Michael Church in Jasper south of us and a monthly confessor for the nuns for over 25 years. The one closest to the grille is Fr. Francis O’Dowd, a true Irish leprechaun, who was pastor in Lufkin for a few years, but is now at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Daingerfield, north of us.

After a beautiful Liturgy we went to the “Gate Parlor” to visit with Sister Mary Veronica’s family and friends. There was a little mix-up and some people ate lunch first, lovingly supplied by Sister’s family. We have a few pictures of the gathering in the Parlor.

We close our brief survey of the Jubilee celebration with a fitting photograph. This is Sister Mary Veronica with one of her sisters, Catherine, from Pasadena, TX; and her sister-in-law, Dell from Sulphur Springs, TX.

We are currently, clearing rooms and moving furniture in preparation for a big Jubilee celebration later today. It is for Sister Mary Veronica who is our first local vocation that has remained throughout the years. This is only the second 70th Anniversary of Religious Profession that we have had in our monastery.

Chairs from the parlors and guest dining room have been moved to our long hall inside the enclosure to make room for food and sitting areas for our friends to have lunch after the ceremony, as well as seating for an overflow crowd for the Liturgy in the Chapel. We tease Sister Mary Veronica that she is related to half of East Texas!

Beginning at 10:00 am, we will have the Eucharistic Liturgy with the principal celebrant, Bishop Eduardo Nevares, Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix, Arizona; and the homilist, Fr. Brian Pierce, OP, currently of Irving, Texas. After Mass, we will all visit in our “Gate Parlor” then break for a lunch provided by the family.

Check in with us tomorrow for pictures of the grace-filled event.