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What do you think heaven will be like? Some of us may have a rather static notion of heaven–a place where you sit still forever, \”being good\”. Pretty boring! In this picture Fra Angelico (a Dominican blessed, in addition to being a great artist!) depicts heaven as a kind of dance, where saints and angels join in both movement and conversation, always inviting the newcomers to come along and enjoy themselves. Heaven is perhaps more dynamic, what the Fathers of the Church referred to often as \”our true homeland\”, the place where we can most be ourselves because we will be perfectly attuned to the will of God. Today we celebrate all the saints–that is, all our beloved departed who have reached heaven, the ones we remember in Church and the ones known only to ourselves, like family and friends, and the ones known only to God. May they all intercede for us today, so that we will eventually join them in the great dance of heaven!

 Q: You all seem to have a lot of speakers and people giving talks at the monastery. Is that usual? 

A: Well, we actually have had more than we usually do in a short span of time. Our Association of Monasteries of Nuns of the Order of Preachers in the United States sponsors two programs we\’ve been participating in: the Monastic Theological Studies Program (which was held here at our monastery in late July-early August) and the Ongoing Formation program, which brings speakers on various topics to the monasteries. We have had two Ongoing Formation speakers this year, one in August and one just recently in October. We also had our annual retreat in October (guest retreat master for that) and we are expecting another person to come and give us some classes in November.  It just happened that way. But we do go through stretches without all this excitement!

A: Absolutely. We might have to make some small adjustments in the schedule, but we don\’t omit anything.  

You can leave a question for us in the comments box, or use either contact form (website or blog), or just email us. Our email address is on our website. 

 Fr. Daley lecturing in the community room

Fr. Daley answering some of our questions

Fr. Daley with Sr. Mary Rose, Sr. Mary Thomas, and Sr. Mary Jeremiah during our recreation time in the Gate Parlor

We recently finished up a wonderful retreat with Fr. Gerard Austin, OP. He was able to stay on a few days after the retreat as well, which was a real blessing. Father spoke eloquently in his retreat conferences about sacramental aspects of the liturgy and Mass, sharing his wealth of experience. He knew and lived with some famous French Dominicans who contributed to Vatican II, including Yves Congar. His retreat conferences helped us to see the Mass in a new and exciting way. Thank you so much for everything, Father!

Fr. Austin with (back, left to right: Sr. Mary Margaret, Sr. Mary Gabriel, and Sr. Maria Cabrini; front, left to right: Sr. Maria Guadalupe, Sr. Mary Annunciata, Sr. Mary Jeremiah)

We also recently had a visit from Fr. Peter Asantebwana, from the diocese of Moshi in Tanzania.

Sr. Marie Augustine and Fr. Peter in the large parlor. As always they are separated by a partition you can\’t see in this picture!

Thanks be to God for the blessings of our annual retreat, and for the blessings of the friars and priests who come to visit our monastery!

\”With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of His love.\” 

–Blessed (soon to be Saint!!) John Paul II