Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43
The Psalm for this Sunday Lord, you are good and forgiving, reminds me of the many times I have personally been forgiven by others throughout my life. From a little mistake to a serious fault towards others, I am humbled by the action of others. But as the psalm indicates, one must call upon the other with a sincere attitude, especially to the Lord. And how easy it is to offend others, but when one wants forgiveness, one expects it right away. All in all, one stumbles, falls, but there is always God who through the Holy Spirit Comes to the aid of our weakness. Have a blessed week! MK
Summer Newsletter – On August 15 and 22, 2026, we celebrate the Assumption and the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary, the mother of Jesus, King of Heaven and of Earth. Every time we pray the Hail Holy Queen, Salve Regina or the Reginal Caeli, or the Litany of Loretto, we honor Mary as Queen. The title of our monastery emphasizes our devotion to our Lady, who is prefigured in the Book of Revelations as the woman who fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God. (Rev 12:6).
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.
My Journey by Sister Hilda – After the Chapter of Election of our first Prioress, October 12-14, 2025, Mother Kateri was elected as Prioress of our Monastery. Afterwards, I had the opportunity and privilege to visit my family in Guatemala, spending time with family, friends and neighbors. It was very special to celebrate New Years’ Day with them. After returning to the Monastery on January 29,2026, I was able to go to St. Scholastica Prior, Petersham, MA, on February 14, 2026. You might want to know that after a Prioress has completed her tenure, she takes dedicated time to rest, and processes an adjustment as an ordinary member of the community again without interfering with the new Prioress.
I was very happy to spend time at St. Scholastic Priory, which is a twin community, and it allowed me to participate with almost everything: Prayer, work, meals, recreation, etc. I was touched by the reverence and respect the nuns and monks have for God and to each other. My gratitude to Mother Mary Elizabeth and all the members of both Monasteries for their love and hospitality.
Lifetime at the Table – During a discernment process a few months ago, we were asked to put our hands on the table, keeping our hands in and with the community – not pulling it out, but staying with one another in good times and hard times. Mother Kateri had her hand on the table since she was 1 year old.
Accident – On April 9, 2026, our Sisters Benedicta and Frances were in a car accident, most blessed to be alive. The accident happened on Mile Marker 92, HWY 64 and the car was totaled. They are doing alright; however, please pray for their continued healing with therapy and doctor visits.
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.
Possible 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!
When Moses approached the burning bush, God was already present. What changed was Moses’ attention. Tickfaw will be holy ground. But like Moses, you may need to slow down, notice, and approach with reverence. The holiness is not created by your arrival — it is revealed through your attention. (Words of encouragement to the sisters by Fr. Thomas Benedict)
We are open to contributions to move forward on this project and Raffle tickets will be mailed to all those folks on our database for the icon that Sister Elizabeth wrote at $10 per ticket. CALL 505-419-2938 FOR TICKETS. The winner will be announced on September 13, 2026, on The Most Holy Name of Mary. Value is $1,700.00.
Description includes: 1) Name: “Christ Pantocrator” (Greek word for Christ “Almighty”, or “All-Powerful”).
2) Medium: Egg tempera on a traditional wooden icon board with 23.75kt. genuine Italian gold oil gilding background.
3) Size: 24″ x 18″ x 1″ The Mother Rose Colloquia
Long-time friends of Our Lady of the Desert, Drs. John and Helen Freeh, have launched a new apostolate, The Mother Rose Colloquia, designed to provide college classes in the Humanities – Literature, Philosophy, History and the Arts – to cloistered communities. Now living in Oro Valley, Arizona, the Freeh’s had worked for several years, hoping to found Kateri College of the Liberal and Practical Arts in the Southwest. It would have been one of the only Catholic colleges in a region which, despite its large Catholic population, has been historically underserved on that score.
“Sadly,” John said, “We could not find the collaborators and benefactors for what seemed to us like a much-needed institution, a fully faithful Catholic college that combined the best of the liberal arts with an apprenticeship in the trades. It was just taking too great a toll on the family, especially with frequent travel for promotion and fundraising. We decided late last year to give it to God and put our efforts instead into the Mother Rose project.” The non-profit Mother Rose foundation is currently assembling a small cohort of excellent professors who would give one or more classes to interested communities throughout the United States. Patrons for the work at this point include Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Joseph, St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Benedict, St. Teresa, St. John Henry Newman, St. John Paul, Blessed (as of this September) Fulton Sheen and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
Find out more on the Mother Rose website: www.motherrose.org. Or contact John and Helen Freeh at johnfreeh@hotmail.com, or mail them, c/o Mother Rose Colloquia, 11061 N. Oracle Rd., Suite 2, Oro Valley, AZ, 85737.
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 July 2026 is for respect for human life, asking the faithful to pray that every person be welcomed, protected, and valued in all circumstances from conception to natural death
“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