Harvest of Blessings Gala 2014

Full house at the gala. God bless them (you) all.

Some silent auctions were beautiful pictures of Our Lady of Guadalupe and San Martin.

A Randy Friemel was also included in the silent auctions (the one of Jesus there).

Celebrating 60 years in the Diocese - 60 candles

Award given to our benefactor of the year.

Just a little skit to make everyone laugh.

The Harvest of Blessings Gala was a big success again this year. May God generously bless all who gave of their talents, time, and treasure.

Advent is beginning -- let us not forget how much God longs for us to be close to Him!  Let us take extra time to pray the Bible, to have quiet reflection time to be with Him and to listen to Him.  He loves us SO much. Let us strive to grow closer to Him and His People.  Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Marian Shrine and Harvest of Blessings Gala!

Foundation and middle structure of Marian Shrine in our Passion Garden

When the workman is finished, there will be moss rocks all the way around. It's beautiful!
We got the idea of using rocks for this shrine after one of our Sisters gave a great meditation about how the
Community is built of living stones. We are different sizes and shapes. Some are round and some are sharp. 
Together we build the "house".  Just like St. Francis, "Rebuild My Church" with living stones. 

Mary, Pray for us!

 

We're now in full swing preparing for our annual gala!

This year at the gala, we are celebrating 60 years in the Diocese of Amarillo.

 

One of the choices of the Grand Prize this year (at the gala) is for a shopping spree at Rockwood Furniture Store in Amarillo.  Most people are excited about the cool living room or office furniture (very high quality), but we loved this 3-in-1 Rocking horse, baby high chair, and desk. It flips over to 3 different things.  Anyway, we're having fun preparing for this special event with our friends again this year.

 

There is nothing too unusual happening -- we are back in school, working on lots of different projects and so forth.  God is so good!  Keep the faith and know that God loves you way more than you could ever imagine!!!

 

A Dead Tree by the River???

Some of the Sisters went to Red River and Taos, NM in recent weeks for a few days off. 

Here are some of our pictures and reflections:

This dead tree is RIGHT next to the Red River in New Mexico.
Amazing how a person could be right next to the Church and not get "watered" with a prayer life.
Without a real relationship with the God of Love, we are in danger of wilting on the vine.
May we always have the grace to be filled with God and His Grace!

The beauty of Red River is amazing. The trees in the background give a small indication.

Fishing is a tough job.

 

San Francisco de Asis Iglesia in Taos, NM

On her way to fishing in the river!

Sometimes Sisters fight too . . .

 

God is so good!  Time for some of the Sisters to go back to school.  Pray for us as we pray for you!

For more pictures, check out our Facebook Photo Album:  https://www.facebook.com/schsrs

 

God's Gaze - Chapter of Mats - Golden Jubilee - Renewal of Vows - a VERY Busy Summer!

Bishop Zurek posing with Sisters from our Motherhouse in Vienna and Sisters from our Argentina Region
celebrating Sr. M. Theresa's Golden Jubilee!  Congratulations!

Group Picture of our Sisters in Texas and visiting Sisters from Argentina and Vienna.

Visitors love going to Palo Duro Canyon when possible for sight-seeing.  We love taking them.

Sr. Mary Grace renewing her vows at St. Theresa's Church.

(from left to right) Sr. Jean Marie (Regional Superior), Sr. Mary Grace (renewal of vows), and
Sr. M. Herlinde, Superior General from Vienna.

Bishop Zurek blessing Sr. M. Theresa for her Golden Jubilee.

Most of the month of July was centered around our "Chapter of Mats".  St. Francis would invite the brothers to bring their mats for a Chapter.  We were blessed to have 2 Sisters come from our Argentina Region and 3 Sisters from Vienna, our Motherhouse.  May God be praised!!!

God's Gaze is on us always -- not because He wants to catch us in our wrongdoing, but because He loves us SO much!  God bless you all!

The Springtime of the Church

The Springtime of the Church, as Pope John Paul II called it, is happening now!  As we travel to different vocation events and retreats, it is apparent that God is pouring down a grace upon young people today that is so beautiful and so refreshing to see.  We continue to meet youth and young adults who are searching and finding truth, Love, and happiness in God!  Praise God!

Here is an awesome quote from St. Faustina's Diary:

#890:
"Love is a mystery that transforms everything it touches into things beautiful and pleasing to God. The love of God makes a soul free. She is like a queen; she knows no slavish compulsion; she sets about everything with great freedom of soul, because the love which dwells in her incites her to action. Everything that surrounds her makes her know that only God himself is worthy of her love. A soul in love with God and immersed in Him approaches her duties with the same dispositions as she does Holy Communion and carries out the simplest tasks with great care, under the loving gaze of God. She is not troubled if, after some time, something turns out to be less successful. She remains calm, because at the time of the action she had done what was in her power. When it happens that the living presence of God, which she enjoys almost constantly, leaves her, she then tries to continue living in lively faith. Her soul understands that there are periods of rest and periods of battle. Through her will, she is always with God. Her soul, like a knight, is well trained in battle; from afar it sees where the foe is hiding and is ready for battle. She knows she is not alone -- God is her strength."


Awesome!

Yesterday was the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and today is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!  God loves us SOOOO much!  Let us bask in that love always!

Learning Virtue in the Midst of Daily Life

Lots of things are happening as usual -- landscaping, building the Passion Garden (outdoor Stations of the Cross), hosting visitors, etc.  On a more important note, one of the Sisters has been involved in the School of Faith Mentorship Program,which has proven to be an amazing experience.  This week was on virtue, and she says that's it's been transforming for her.  If you are looking for a place to grow so that you would be a better instrument for building the Kingdom of God, consider joining this program. The next class is applying now that will begin next Spring.  It is highly recommended!

Here are some pics from other things happening in our lives:

The school year is coming to an end -- here is a picture of students using their iPads for learning in one of our schools.
May the students in our schools grow in their relationship with God and neighbor!

Passion Garden Entrance waiting for a trellis!  (and a few other things)

Will be the place for The Resurrection when it is finished!!!

Station Three

We finally received some much needed rain -- the yellow grass should be greening up soon!

Sr. Mary Magdalene pretending to be working on the Passion Garden . . .

Our beautiful statue of Mary in the front of our convent was repainted for the first time in many years.

Sister learning how to garden and enjoy the outdoors.

One of our Sisters was able to go to the NCEA National Convention this year.

Friends from the Dallas area to visit. God is so good!  Beautiful family.

Mary overseeing our home with a beautiful sunset on the horizon.

May God be glorified through our lives!  God bless you all!

Happy and Blessed Easter!

Jesus is Alive!  He is Risen!  Alleluia! (See comments on bottom of pictures!!!)

About 2 weeks ago, we had some terrible winds. This was actually a good spot
compared to some others where the visibility was smaller. As we write this,
we're reminded of St.Francis' "Brother Wind" -- he has visited us quite a bit lately.

"Before" picture -- the Blessed Mother Statue
has been surrounded by trees for many years.
It was time to free her from this.

Here's a beautiful day for cleaning the statue of Mary!

New rocks and new plants make the front very beautiful.
Sunsets are one of the perks of living in the Texas Panhandle.

New trees line the front driveway! 

We are still in the middle of finishing our Passion Garden (Outdoor Stations of the Cross) in our backyard.  The Resurrection will be Station XV, of course.  As we are pilgrims in this world on our way to the world to come, the Resurrection is our constant hope.  We are invited to live the Paschal Mystery with Christ.  May we grow every day into more and more beautiful lights of Christ to shine in this world, even in the midst of suffering.  We're not in heaven yet.  "Suffering is the heat that molds us into Christ."  This is true -- May God be praised because of our lives lived in the light of the Resurrection!  Happy and Blessed Easter to you all!