September 27, 2026, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32
The Readings for today remind me of blaming others. “It’s your fault,” “No, it’s your fault,” are phrases used in a blame game. Blaming someone else is so easy and going on since Adam and Eve. We blame our past generations, we blame others for our mishaps, the list goes on and on. In the past I have blamed my family for not getting good grades in school instead of working on my failures. If I quarreled with my siblings, I would become defensive in my communication and hurt them. Overall, one does not know the reason for others behavior and sometimes even our own. I would rather blame another person instead of acting responsible. We can hope to change with the grace of God to be more aware of blaming others. From Ezekiel we read, “Thus says the LORD:You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?”
Thank you for participating in our recent Raffle. We were able to raise $6,000.00 towards our move to Tickfaw, Louisiana. Winners of the recent raffle of August 22, 2026:
E. Valdez
John XXIII Catholic Community
G. Garcia
T. Martin
M. & E. Chavez
C. Risner
D. Molina
D. Vu
On Sunday, September 27, 2026, following the celebration of Mass, we held a farewell brunch for our Chaplain, Fr. Anthony Phelps, who will be leaving us on October 3, 2026. We are grateful for all he has done for us during his time as chaplain, and we wish him peace and safe travels. God bless you, Father!
CIB is an acronym for The Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (Latin for International Benedictine Communion), whichis a worldwide international organization for Catholic nuns and religious sisters associated with the Benedictine Confederation. The purpose of the CIB is to connect independent female Benedictine monasteries, foster solidarity, share the Benedictine charism, and provide mutual support. Click and read about the recent meeting.
Pope Leo XIV addressed participants of the CIB on September 12, 2026, praising their witness and thanked the attendees for their prayer and silent presence, emphasizing a “spiritual synodality” where each person’s uniqueness enriches the entire community. (©Vatican News) Here is a picture of Mother Mary Elizabeth, our President of the Benedictine Congregation of the Mother of the Incarnation and Prioress of St. Scholastica Priory greeting the Pope.
We miss you! Sister Mary, also known as Sister Placida, and Margaret Amy Fisher, age 83, died peacefully at the Cedar Ridge Inn, Farmington, NM, on the morning of May 3, 2026. Besides the frequent visits by the sisters, one of our sisters stayed with her the last two weeks of her life. Throughout her time in hospice, Sister Mary continued to express her deep love for her sisters and found great comfort in our visits, especially when we gathered to pray the Divine Office together. Her special love of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her gentle presence was a source of inspiration to all who knew her.
Temporary Profession – Our Sister Irene, has just about completed her Novitiate and will be voted upon in August for 1st vows. According to our Constitutions of the Benedictine Congregation of the Mother of the Incarnation, “…If the novice is accepted by the chapter, the abbess may admit her to temperorary profession…” It has been a delight to have Sister Irene. She is always prompt in attending the Divine Office, and is learning to be the Chantress and leads us during the Mass. Sister Irene has been with us since December 2022, from Kenya and has learned to cook very well. Sister Irene has been voted to make her 1st Profession will be NOVEMBER 22, 2026, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE.
Move to Tickfaw, Louisiana – That’s right—God willing, our new home will be in Louisiana, within the Diocese of Baton Rouge, under the pastoral care of the Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Bishop of Baton Rouge, who has graciously given us his blessing. The location was formerly Our Lady Queen Monastery, a Benedictine monastery led by Mother Mary Herbert Walsh, OSB, as Prioress from 1985 to 2003. In 2009, Sr. Mary Herbert and the other members of her monastery moved to Petersham, Massachusetts, to form one community with the nuns of St. Scholastica Priory. Update to be announced soon! The move will be mid October, God willing.
In 1990, we began the Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert. God has continued to bless our Journey of Trust with the hope of beginning a monastic life for women. The past locations included El Rito, NM; Santa Cruz, NM, and Gobernador, NM, where we moved in 2008. Our community has been fortunate to receive support from the Diocese of Gallup, various Foundations, and most of all your prayers and gifts. The name of our Monastery is permanent, as Our Lord is inviting us to discover a desert that can bloom in Louisiana, and carry you with us in our hearts.
Pope Leo XIV – Prayer intention for SEPTEMBER 2026 – Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.
We have been very fortunate to be in the Gallup Diocese and will continue to pray for all the parishes as we have done. Thank you Bishop James for all your spiritual and financial support!
“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 specal connection to the diocese and his experience as bishop in this unique diocese. Bishop Wall alsoJultalks 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”.
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