November 17, 2018 – Today, Bishop James Wall, Gallup Diocese, received the 1st vows of our Sister Stephen.   It was a very joyous day and we thank all those who helped make this day a very blessed one. We especially thank our workers who diligently worked to finish the remodeling of our porch into a Chapel. We had about 100 guests.

In her Chart of Profession, Sister Stephen read, “…in response to Christ’s call and preferring nothing to his love, promise Stability, Conversion of Life and Obedience, according to the Rule of Our Holy Father Benedict and the Constitutions of the Abbey of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple for three years. With my whole heart and relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the support of my community, I offer myself to God to seek the fullness of love in his service and that of the Church through the ministry of prayer and worship.”

October 27, 2018 – Thanks to the group of Confirmation students who spent the day with us in service and prayer, from St. Mary’s Parish, in Bloomfield.  The jobs included washing windows, remodeling the dog house, library cataloging, and yard work.  Three of our sisters shared their stories about why they chose their names as a religious.

August 2018

Dear Friends,  Peace of Christ to you! - On behalf of the community, I ask your generous donation to help move trailers, which St. Walburga’s Abbey, Virginia Dale, Colorado, donated to us. There are three trailers: one will be for the sisters, one for the Chaplain and one for guests.

As many of you know, the Abbey gave us the current St. Joseph Center. Our present facilities cannot accommodate all the sisters; in fact, we have one of our sister’s living at the St. Benedict Guesthouse. Also, most of the work and crafts are done in the sisters’ cells. Our little community is growing and could use more space.

The average cost of a new double wide trailer is $76,000.00. It would be cost effective if we could move these trailers from St. Walburga Abbey at the cost of $39,000.00, which includes dismantling and putting the trailers together.   Our plan is to get them moved by the end of this month, God willing. - We ask for your prayers for the completion of this project.

Thank you and God bless you. Be assured of our prayers. You are always welcomed to come and visit.

Your Sister in Christ,  Prioress Hilda Tuyuc, OSB

Renovation of the St. Joseph Center:  Adding an enclosed Chapel to the Porch.

New Postulant - The function of the postulancy is to help the Postulant discern the authenticity of her vocation in our community environment with the guidance of the Directoress of Formation, and to give the community an opportunity to consider her aptitude for our way of life…(from our Constitutions of Jamberoo Abbey)

Pictured with Elizabeth are Prioress Hilda and Directoress of Formation, Sister Kateri Please pray for our new Postulant, Elizabeth Nuñez, who celebrated her Entrance of Ceremony on June 1, 2018.  She is from Costa Rica and she brings many gifts, especially her love of God and the determination to follow Him in our way of life.  After Elizabeth was given a Benedictine medal, each sister and guest exchanged the kiss of peace.

MAY 2018 Translation of the Latin hymn from the 3^rd Century: We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God, despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorius and blessed Virgin.

Dear Friends,

May is the month dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God and our Blessed Virgin Mary.  Here at the monastery we sing this particular hymn, entitled “Sub tuum praesidium,” (your protection) every day after the Divine Office of None.  We also include a hymn to Mary right before the Blessing by Prioress Hilda after Compline.  Finally, as you know, the title of our monastery emphasizes our devotion to our Lady.  Mary serves not only as a humble model of silence and obedience for us, but also as a model of discipleship.

As a disciple of Jesus and Mary, please join us in thanksgiving, for another final profession this year, that of Sister Frances Nguyen, April 23, 2018.  The Solemn Monastic Profession and Consecration of Sister Frances was celebrated by +Most Reverend Bishop James Wall, Gallup Diocese and other concelebrants:  Msgr. Leo Gomez, Fr. Jeffrey Steele, and Fr. David Tate, and also Deacon Pat Valdez.  The festivities were held at the St. Joseph Center, here at the monastery.  The weather was almost perfect, with blue skies, and a little wind.  The Divine Providence group made a delicious meal and as always, we are grateful to Marie Colon, for the delicious rum cakes that she baked for this occasion.  Our friend, Carol, flew in from New York to be present and read the 1^st Reading at the Mass.  It was a joy to have some of our local friends and many of the monks from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, helping with the Vietnamese singing.

The Vietnamese Entrance Hymn, entitled “Niềm Phó Thác,” means “Trust in God.”  This hymn expresses that “Today your grace comes abundantly…help me to trust and hope in You.”

As Sister Frances takes this life time commitment, she is now a part of the formation team, teaching Lectio Divina.  Also, her assignment of Liturgy keeps her busy in organizing the music and she is very enthusiastic in helping the members of our community to sing with zeal the praises of God.

Please pray for us as we will have our second Canonical Visitation in June.  As explained in the July 2015, Newsletter, the purpose of this Visitation is to help the community grow in self-understanding, to recognize and acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses, to identify what should be corrected or eliminated in our monastic life and to help with the vision and values.

God bless you and your families and may Our Mother Mary intercede for each of you.  We keep you in our prayers.                              From the Sisters of Our Lady of the Desert

On April 23, 2018, we celebrated the Final Profession of Sister Frances.  The weather was very nice and sunny with a little wind.  +Most Reverend Bishop James S. Wall was the main celebrant, followed by a delicious luncheon.

 

And now, Father, we pray you:  set the heart of Sister Frances on fire with your Holy Spirit.  May the face of Christ shine upon her and may all who see her discover Christ’s presence in the Church.  Father, look in love upon Sister Frances, sanctify her and bless her.