Easter Raffle

For a number of years we have been holding a yearly raffle of some of our hand-made treasures. At the moment we cannot post pictures of the prizes on our web site due to some technology problems. But, we did want to share them with you, so we have posted them below. If you have not received our raffle tickets and you want to enter, just send us your name, address and telephone number. We will write out 6 tickets for you. It is not necessary to send money to enter.

The big drawing will be at our evening recreation on Easter, April 16.

1st prize – cross-stitch of the Face of Christ

2nd prize – embroidered tablecloth










detail




3rd prize – cross-stitch of raccoons and home-made frame

4th prize – crocheted afghan

5th prize – creative art piece

6th prize – giant stuffed Teddy Bear
There will also be several other smaller prizes.
Join the fun!!

Before God for the World – 4

Those who have left all things to follow Jesus more closely encounter Him in prayer. We meet Him in a special way in intercessory prayer for all of humanity, for those who suffer, who weep, who die.

In Eucharistic Adoration, contemplating His Face with the eyes of pure Faith, we receive the greatest, most beautiful gift. He does not give us words or things, miracles or extraordinary graces, but an awareness of His Presence.

 

 The presence of Jesus is the joy that surpasses all the joys of this world.

Our duty, our vocation, \”before God for the world\”, is of divine beauty. It is great because it asks us to love the entire human race. It is a gift and grace because as we draw closer to God, He invites us to embrace all our brothers and sisters scattered throughout the world.
Everything is a grace! 
We pray that your personal relationship with Jesus will deepen throughout this Lenten Season.

Before God for the World – 3

The journey of prayer is never made alone. There is no room for fear, and if a moment of discouragement does come, it is prayer itself that invites us to see with God\’s eyes the reality, the beauty of life. If night comes, prayer always gives way to a new dawn full of light, colors, promises and unbelievable beauty.

God is the \”Sun\” that rises with resplendent rays warming the heart and mind. It causes to spring forth from within the depths of ourselves, a new life that turns our graze toward the heights to seek the light, the wind.

The soul seeks the infinite. She seeks the God who created her, sustains her life, guards and accompanies her like a mother cares for her child.

Could a mother forget her child? …
 Even if she should forget, I will never forget you.
Isaiah 49:15

Before God For the World — 2

The text from Exodus 17 which we quoted in our previous post clearly reveals the unconquerable strength and importance of prayer, the beauty of knowing that God looks over us, and is always ready to intervene, to take us by the hand to guide and support us with His strength, tenderness and fidelity.

Prayer is a light that encourages us so that the weariness, darkness, monotony does not hinder us because the goal is too beautiful. To stop and turn back on our prayer journey is a sad mistake. It deprives us of the joy of success where the effort is really worthy it. We should begin anew with determination not to turn back, dreaming of the joy of arrival, of knowing, \”I did it!\” With wonder and astonishment we ask ourselves: how was it possible?

The Father\’s hand held you,
His infinite love sustained you
step by step.

Before God for the World — 1

During this 2016 Lenten season, we will have a short series on Prayer, one of the three traditional spiritual practices, along with Fasting and Almsgiving.

The passage from Exodus 17:11-12 has special meaning for our community:

As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; so they took a rock and put it under him and he sat on it. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady until sunset.

A good number of years ago, it was this passage that encouraged us to begin having a personal retreat day each month for all of our Sisters. In some monasteries it is called a \”hermit day\”. We call it a \”Moses Day\” because Moses spent the entire day praying for victory for Joshua and the Israelites. When his arms grew tired, his companions helped him. Thus, the Sister who is in retreat stands before God in prayer for not only the world, but the community as well.

Winter Guests

This winter have you had any hidden guests staying with you? We have… and they are Ladybugs!

We first began to notice one or two in the various rooms of the monastery. Then, one morning our two wood carvers went out to the wood carving shop after an extended absence. One of the Sisters happened to look up as she walked through the door and noticed something unusual. It turned out to be dozens of ladybugs snuggled next to each other trying to keep warm.

After checking with the local county extension office, we discovered why there have been so many \”ladybug sightings\” in the area.

The Asian Ladybug (pictured above) is orange or other colors instead of the traditional red. Thousands of them were imported into our country in the 20th century, especially in the 1970s and 1980s. They are very beneficial bugs, as gardeners know so well. They loved to eat aphids which are a plague to roses.

\”Lady bugs are also referred to as “lady beetles” or “lady bird beetles.”Lady beetles are insects that are considered beneficial and are not invading your home to cause problems, only to stay warm. You should know the lady beetle are not interested in eating your walls, furniture, carpet, or human food, and they do not lay eggs in homes.While they cause no harm, their overwintering inside people’s homes causes them to be somewhat of a nuisance.
No “control” of these beneficial insects is warranted. The lady beetle is an effective and natural control for harmful plant pests such as aphids, scale, and other soft-bodied arthropods. One adult lady beetle may eat over 5,000 aphids during its lifetime.

So, if you notice any of these sweet creatures just pick them up and put them on a plant!☺☺☺

Farewell, Trinidad—

The numberless tropical flowers and fruits truly make Trinidad a paradise island … and paradise monastery. We ate fresh fruit every day right off the trees. \”Star fruit\”, or \”five-finger fruit\” as the Trinis call it, comes in sweet or sour. The nuns have 1 sweet tree and 3 sour trees.

They have 4 cocoa trees, but they need to be cultivated a little. There are pineapples,

and mangoes,

and many banana trees of various kinds,

 as well as, papaya

and coconut trees.

The flowers range from hibiscus to roses in the main courtyard

 then to orchids

and birds of paradise  — on the larger grounds.

One of the Sisters was so delighted that she felt like she was in her native Vietnam. Yet, the day came when they were scheduled to return to our monastery in Texas, their hearts and minds filled with wonderful memories of their new Sisters.