Profession of Simple Monastic Vows of Sister Scholastica Nguyen December 6, 2016

Following the Gospel of the Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sister Scholastica read the Chart of her Profession, promising Stability, Conversion of Life and Obedience according to the Rule of St. Benedict, and the Constitutions of the Abbey of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, for one year.  Abbot Philip Lawrence, from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert officiated the celebration.  Sister Scholastica, Sister Hilda and Abbot Philip go to the altar to sign the Profession of vows, which is left on the altar.

Sister Hilda reads:  “May Sister Scholastica continually ponder the Word of God as it comes to her in liturgy, Lectio and prayer, and in the sharing of the common life, and may she treasure that Word in her heart, as Mary did.  May His Word become of joy of her heart.”

Welcome our new Novice: Sister Stephen Phiri, November 15, 2016

A Novice is a new Benedictine-in-training who has not yet made vows.  The novice-nun wears a white veil for two years.  Sister Stephen will be studying the vows of Obedience, Stability and Conversion; The Rule of St. Benedict, Psalms, Monastic History, and Prayer. Please pray for her.

During the ceremony before she received her new name, she was asked: “You have come here to seek God and Saint Benedict offers you his Rule to help you.  You have read it and you know what it asks. You are free now to accept it or to choose some other way.” Dailesi willingly received the Rule of St. Benedict.

September 22, 2016

Abbot Guillermo becomes the first Abbot President of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation from the Americas. As many know the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation is an international union of Benedictine houses (abbeys and priories) within the Benedictine Confederation. It developed from the Subiaco Congregation, which was formed in 1867.

In 2013 the expanded congregation was given this new name. -We were pleased to hear that the General Chapter of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation elected Father Guillermo Arboleda Tamayo, abbot of the Abbey of Santa Maria of Medellin and Administrator of Guatape, Columbia to be the new Abbot President, on September 22, 2016.  Abbot Guillermo becomes the first Abbot President of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation from the Americas. Congratulations and many prayers for you Abbot! Abbot Gregory Polan, O.SB Elected Abbot Primate of Benedictine Confederation – On September 10, 2016, Abbot Gregory Polan, O.S.B., of Conception Abbey, Conception, Mo., was elected Abbot Primate of the 1500-year-old Benedictine Order at the Congress of Abbots meeting in Rome, Italy held every four years, which is made up of all abbots and conventual priors, both of monasteries that are members of congregations, as well as of those unaffiliated with any particular congregation. The Congress of Abbots elects the Abbot Primate, who serves a four-year term as the Confederation’s representative and administrative head. We congratulate and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and inspire our new Abbot Primate.

On September 17, 2016

Dr. Francisco and Marie Colon, had a fund raiser Get-Together in their home.  This was the fifth year that they had such a wonderful Gala, catered by Marc and Anne Weigel’s, “Come to the Feast.”  Besides the delicious meal, the sisters sold their crafts and there was an auction of retablos and an icon.  We were blessed to raise more than $6k, which will go towards our general expenses.  Thank you Lori and Friends who provided a wonderful concert of Mozart music.

SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2016

Dear Friends,

We hope that you are having a joyful summer with perhaps a visit to our National Parks for the 100th Anniversary Celebrations. We enjoy taking guests to Navajo Lake (13 miles from the monastery) and Aztec Ruins (47 miles from the monastery). We’d love to share these national treasures with you during your stay at our guesthouse!For the 26^th Anniversary of our founding, February 2, 2016, a dear friend of the monastery gifted us with a Bulto of Our Lady of the Rosary, to add to our collection.  Bultos are wooden carvings of Santos (saints). This primitive form of art is part of our state’s history, brought to New Mexico by the early Spanish Conquistador settlers. We put all our confidence in you, oh Lady of the Rosary, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant our prayers.  Sweet Heart of Mary, pray for us.

In November 2015, we applied for a $5,400, grant through the Bishops Annual Appeal, Gallup Diocese, to refurbish our St. Joseph Center, especially the flooring, which due to peeling tile, is a growing safety hazard.  We received a check from Bishop James Wall in the amount of $2,000.00, for the renovation.  We use the Center for various lay groups, hospitality, spiritual renewal, evangelization, ongoing education and large groups for Sunday Mass. Could you please consider helping us to complete the total project which includes chairs, tables and a new heating and cooling unit, with a gift of $25.00?

The sisters are all doing fine.  Rosario Rosario R., from Mexico spent three months with us as an Observer  She was a a delight and has returned back home to discern her next step.

Our Postulant, Dailesi, loves gardening.  She and Sister Mary attended a Prescribed Burn for Private Land Owners. Through this workshop State Forestry will advise us regarding restoration of our land to its original natural habitat and grasses.

Mother Julianne continues to inspire us with her wisdom and always manages a smile!

Sister Hilda and Sister Guadalupe continue to lead the liturgy and are doing a great job.  Sister Agnes Le tends beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.  For three months, Sister Agnes Le took care of Rosco, our Chaplain, Father Thomas Benedict’s dog while he was away helping at St. Benedict’s Abbey near Polokwane, South Africa. He assisted with formation classes and generally filled in.  This gave, Father Jeffrey, our Chaplain, a time of respite from his duties as Prior of St. Benedict’s Abbey and his first visit to the USA.  Welcome back to Father Thomas-Benedict! Sister Kateri spent two weeks with her parents as they need continued assistance.  She also enjoyed a short visit with  her 7-year-old grandson, Andrew Thomas.  On my birthday I landed up in the hospital for two days with a blood clot in my leg. Not to worry all is well with modern treatment. This experience gave me a greater appreciation for 63 years of good health and a deeper understanding of St Benedict Rule to keep death always before us.

Our 6^th Annual Ice Cream Social in June was a fun event with over 400 people, sharing a meal, auction, raffle, door prizes, entertainment and the special Bingo organized by the Knights of Columbus.  Thank you to all who participated and especially those who volunteered.  The grand prize of a Pilgrimage to Rome for two (donated by an anonymous donor) went to Madeleine M., from Farmington. $22,322, was raised for the joint fundraiser with St. Rose of Lima Parish, half of the proceeds went to support the building of a new parish hall for St Rose in thanksgiving for the 1½ years we lived at St Rose Of Lima Church as we set up the monastery in Gobernador, 2007-2009.

Know that we continue to pray for you and your loved ones. God bless you with peace and joy! Mother Benedicta Serna, OSB, Prioress