Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11
The Sacrament of Matrimony not only unites a man and a woman but is considered sacred because it symbolizes the union between Christ and the Church The celebration afterwards can sometimes include a banquet and/or dancing. In the days of Jesus when He attended a wedding at Cana the celebration lasted about one week. In the Gospel according to John, Mary the Mother of Jesus was there and when the party ran out of wine, Mary tells Jesus they have run out of wine. In spite of Jesus’ remarks, He is obedient to His Mother and tells the servers, “Do whatever He tells you.” The fact that Jesus obeys His mother is remarkable and portrays a loving Son. This shows reference, respect and consideration. We know the outcome of this particular reading of John but the obedience of Jesus to His mother is worth understanding the grace of God.
Wishing you and your loved ones with continued peace. God bless you, SK
As part of the Gallup Diocese, the Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert located in Gobernador, NM (near Navajo Lake) has existed since 1990. We are a group of women in the Benedictine tradition. Our mission is to seek God through a life of prayer, silence, and solitude. Our way of life frees us to give glory and praise to God, intercede through prayer for the needs of the world and hospitality.
A bit of history. First, we were Oblates of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, to deepen our Benedictine faith. Then we became a dependent daughter house of Jamberoo Abbey, Australia, in June 2000. Since we were a small community, we wanted to follow the same Benedictine rule but under the authority of the Abbey. Geographically, we are so far away from Australia, but two nuns from Jamberoo were able to spend time with us in formation and there was a good amount of travel and support on both sides. Then in complying with Canon Law we were granted official independence from Jamberoo Abbey on October 23, 2020, from the Vatican. On February 2, 2021, Bishop James S. Wall, issued a decree elevating the sisters of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert, at the Diocesan Chancery, in Gallup, New Mexico, the autonomous status, which is in accordance with the Code of Canon Law and the laws of the Statutes of the Institute. December 13, 2024, was a milestone for us as the Apostolic See, the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life approved the Benedictine Congregation of the Mother of the Incarnation for the Monastery of our Lady of the Desert with two other communities: St. Scholastica Priory (Massachusetts) and Abbey of St. Walburga (Colorado). There are 61 congregations and federations associated with the Benedictine Confederation that include Benedictine nuns and Religious Sisters. Congregations help one another to preserve the order of the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Why all this fuss just to be a community of women praising God? Why was it such a challenge to wait 34 years to become an established community? We are part of the Catholic Church, an organization that strives to unite in one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic church. And we strive to obey and follow the guidelines within the scope of Canon Law and its precepts. We are grateful to those who have journeyed with us since 1990, supporting us and directing us. Our challenge is to implement the Constitutions of our new Congregation and God willing, we will soon have our first General Chapter meeting. St. Benedict of Nursia pray for us! God bless you, SK
Pope Francis Prayer Intention for January 2025: For the right to an education
Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
“BE DOERS OF THE WORD,” by BIshop James S. Wall, Bishop of the Gallup diocese 2024: “Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of Gallup discusses his special connection to the diocese and his experience as bishop in this unique diocese. Bishop Wall also talks about how the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps provide the faithful of his diocese with the most basic things and why contributing to the Collection is so important. Bishop Wall’s diocese also has the highest percentage of Native American lands of any diocese in the country, he briefly discusses how the Church can minister to Native Americans through the Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry “Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise”. Bishop Wall just completed his 6th pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago this October!”
MISSION STATEMENT –The Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert is a monastic community of women in the Benedictine tradition. We profess vows of stability, conversion of life and obedience. Our primary mission, is to seek God through a life of prayer, silence and solitude. Our way of life frees us to give glory and praise to God, intercede through prayer for the needs of the world and hospitality