March 2010 - Lent & Easter Newsletter

May you attain full knowledge of God’s will through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight.  Then you will lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him in every way.  You will multiply good works of every sort and grow in the knowledge of God.  (Colossians 1:9b-10)

 

Dear Friends,

As we began 2010, we saw the need to not only build a monastery but more importantly the building up of our monastic life.  Sharon Colby, our friend and a Donor Relations and Event Manager, joined us for two days of, “Balancing It All,” – our monastic life, fund raising projects and building.  The above quote from Colossians was our opening prayer and expressed the desire of our hearts.  The sessions gave each sister the opportunity to share her concerns and dreams for our community as we begin our new life in Gobernador.  This quote is also our dream for each of you, that this monastery in the desert will be a site of inspiration and encouragement where you may find peace, serenity and an openness to the fullness of life.

 

PRESENTATION OF THE LORD-FEB 2ND was the 20th anniversary of our founding and also the 5th anniversary of Solemn vows of Sister Mary Fisher, Sister Hilda Tuyuc and myself, the transfer of vows of Mother Julianne Allen and the 4th anniversary of Solemn vows of Sister Elizabeth Tran.  A small group of brave friends who were not afraid of the snow and mud joined us. The celebration began in the Refectory (dining room) with the traditional blessing of candles on this feast day and then a procession to the Chapel.  Open House continued until 5:00 pm, with the serving of home made tamales and hot chocolate and the drawing of the Raffle winners. You can check our website for the winners.     

 

3rd ANNUAL NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH will begin March 10th. You will be remembered to St. Joseph, especially all who face the challenge or fear of losing their jobs, homes, all who are dealing with cancer and addictions - all that challenges our faith in God. We will include the Pope’s request to pray for all priests in this Year for Priests, along with prayers for all who died and are suffering from the Haiti and Chile earthquakes.  May St. Joseph bless each of your endeavors. Photo of St. Joseph taken from our Chapel.

 

COMMUNITY UPDATE - In January, it is our custom to pray the Divine Office of Vigils privately, which is normally prayed in Chapel at 4:00 am.  This practice helps the nuns to get through the long cold, dark winter and gives us a time to rest after Christmas and before Lent begins.

 

Sister Elizabeth Tran, our Subprioress, returned after a four-month leave to help her mother in Texas with the process of becoming a US citizen and also helping her sister and family with immigration to the US from Vietnam. Mother Julianne Allen has almost completely recovered from a fall she had, but needed dental work done before returning to us.  Sister Mary Fisher spent a time of renewal at Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Pecos, NM.  Here at Gobernador, she spent three days sweeping and shoveling the snow off the roof of our Refectory/kitchen building.  She has also ordered 138 trees and bushes through the Chama State Forestry.  They will be delivered in March.  The trees will be used as windbreakers and for erosion control.  Come and plant!

S. Elizabeth painting a recent icon of Mary, "More Spacious Than the Heavens."

 

Mother Julianne always has time for a smile.

After a bout of the flu, Sister Hilda Tuyuc is enjoying weaving bookmarks in her new cell.  Sister Kateri Lovato has been assisting her parents off and on.  As a community we support her and Sister Elizabeth in their time of family need.  Sister Elvira Leyva-Padilla, from Mexico, will be completing her Observership in March.  We are in the process of seeking an I-129 petition approval for her religious visa.  We have been blessed with her talents of sewing, making rosaries, and working in the Sacristy.  Please pray for her.  – In between colds, preparing conferences, overseeing building/remodeling projects, and administrative work, I had fun this winter learning to operate the back hoe.

S. Hilda and S. Elvira preparing for our feast,

February 2nd, The Presentation of the Lord.

 

 

S. Mary throwing a snowball as she climbs up the ladder to shovel the snow

off the roof.  On the right is a picture of S. Kateri painting a Baptismal candle.

 

Below, Mother Benedicta is shown operating the back hoe.

 

During this holy season please join us for Mass on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 am. We also have two guestrooms, sorry for women only, for a time of retreat during Lent.  Plans for our guest house have begun where all will be welcome!  We hope to have it up and running this summer. 

 

May this Lenten time be a time of growth in the knowledge of God through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight. May you experience new life through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

 

Easter Joy and Peace,

 

Mother Benedicta Serna, OSB

Prioress

On February 2, 2010, we celebrated the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and our 20th year anniversary of our founding, 1990.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.  Thank you to all who were here for the Mass. (Click on Winners of Anniversary Raffle)