4th Sunday of Easter May 11, 2025: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5; Revelation 7:9, 14b-17; John 10:27-30
The Apostles began traveling around 42 AD, after Herod Agrippa’s persecution. Paul and his companions, on their first missionary journey, left Antioch (of Syria) for Cyprus and then Asia Minor, arriving in Antioch of Pisidia in A.D. 46-47. In the first Reading, “Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia” (Acts 13:1). It is 110 miles from Perga to Antioch, which must have been difficult because of the change in altitude. And of course, when Paul does go to the different towns he preaches about the “Good News,” but is opposed many times and stoned. He gets up and continues to the next town. Do we feel defeated when we are on our journey of life? Let us be aware of continuing our journeys of vocation in the love and confidence of God’s grace. God bless you, SK
As we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Easter, the Benedictine Sisters of the Monastery pray that you have a Blessed Easter with continued hope in Jesus Christ, Our Risen Lord! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, also giving thanks to God for the new Pope!
May 8, 2025 – HABEMUS PAPAM
“Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica: Greetings to Rome and to the world. Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you. This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome – the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.
Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace. Thank you Pope Francis!
Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel. I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.” So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us. To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.” (Vatican News)
Assumption College for Sisters, Denville, New Jersey, held Commencement Exercises at St Mary’s Church, May 10, 2025. Six graduates received Associate degrees, which included our Sister Stephen, who began studies in August 2022. Congratulations, Sister Stephen!
Pope Leo XIV: In his first homily as Pope Leo XIV, May 9, 2025: Called for missionary outreach to heal societal wounds and emphasized the need for the Church to respond to modernity and the challenges of secularism and the digital revolution, expressing a commitment to peace.
“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