Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Marriage Retreat in Both Ways





Dear Friends,


We just had the priviledge of hosting a Marriage Retreat for local friends. Whether your vocation is marriage, single life, or Religious, we all need the same reminders to be Christ-Centered every day despite our human nature (and society's influence) to be otherwise.


Pictured above is our group from the retreat.


The bottom picture is a Sister from the Community of St. John that stayed with us for two weeks to brush up on her English. What a delight it was to have her! She too is married, like us, longing to have a deeper relationship with the Lord of Love every day. We really had a good time with her and we miss her (she attended the marriage retreat too)!


Please help us pray for the many intentions that are coming our way -- so many people are suffering, sick, and so forth. Some of them are close family members. Thank you so much for your prayers and love!


God bless you all!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Church, School, Lots of Memories, and Tears










What an awesome day!


Last Saturday, we were part of a very monumental day -- the Re-dedication and consecration of St. Anthony's Church and School in Dalhart, TX (see pictures above).


The top picture was taken after Mass. The Sisters were honored during the celebration for our almost 60 years of service to the school and church there. We realized in a powerful way that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.


The 2nd picture is the newly remodeled church.


The 3rd picture above was taken during Mass. The Sisters were chosen to wipe off the Chrism oil after the consecration of the altar. The people in the church told us later that they were able to hold back their tears until they saw us go up. That's beautiful.


The bottom picture is a close-up of the beautiful new crucifx behind the altar. It's amazing!


Lord, thank you for helping us to make a better space for your worship and your family. Thank you for the many years of service and love that you've allowed us to live. Please continue to bless us, helping us all to have a more intimate relationship with you! Amen.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Trees, Termites, and College Students




Some people imagine that Sisters have . . . pretty much nothing to do all day. Well, they probably pray a lot, and then they watch the flowers grow . . . .



Yes, there are days (like Sundays) when we can sit and enjoy the beautiful flowers, but most days are pretty full. This week has been one of those weeks.


The webmaster/technology person is trying to get a newsletter out, but other things keep taking her time. One of those things, and we'll refrain from putting a picture here, is termite damage! It's amazing how quiet they can be as they're destroying your property. . . .


The other thing is the tree trunk above -- old trees that need replaced in our special prayer garden. (Pray for the kind men that removed them for us! Thank you Mark and Vernon!!! You're awesome!)


The top picture is probably the most fun part of the week -- being with College Students and talking about Mary, how to understand her as our spiritual Mother that really can intercede for us in powerful ways, just as she did for the wedding at Cana (notice that it was not a big healing that she asked for -- God really cares about small details of our lives!!!). We always have a great time with college students!!!!


Finally, today is a very special day as we travel to Dalhart to celebrate the end of their construction and renovations! See article here in the Amarillo Globe News.

Here's the article link from the West Texas Catholic Newspaper!


Keep praying for us as we pray for all of you! You are a beautiful child of God -- never forget it.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

What a Surprise!








What a surprise! Some of us went to Nazareth (Texas) last night to see Addison Road and support their first "Faith Festival". It was a lot of fun meeting Jenny Simmons (pictured above in the black and white stripes), the lead singer for Addison Road. We were able to visit with her for a long time -- she told us a lot about her life and what it's like on the road, being a mother and wife, and loving what she does . . . .


Then she had a lot of questions for us, like what's the hardest part about being a Sister, and how did you decide to become a Sister?


She told us about what it was like to be on the road with Matt Maher, and so many things. We have found a new friend in the world.

We decided to leave after one song of her concert because it was so late, but while we were in the parking lot we heard from her, "Are the Sisters still here?!" She was about to sing a song for us because one of the girls in our group talked about how her song helped change her life. It's the song called, "What do I Know of Holy?" (We went back to listen to it, of course!)


It's amazing how God is using so many people to reach people's hearts. What a surprise that we found a new friend in a famous Contemporary Christian Pop Artist. God works in mysterious ways!


Also, this weekend is exciting for us because all the Sisters are home for Labor Day weekend. We just love it when everyone is home. God is good!

Monday, August 29, 2011

School is in Session









Dear Friends,

School is back in session! Some of the Sisters came home last weekend for the first time since school started. It was so awesome hearing all of their stories again about funny things that the children said or did . . . or to hear about cool things they're doing in class and to see the excitement and joy on their faces as they talked. That was awesome.

The top picture is from one of the Masses the children attend. To be an integral part of these children's religious formation is such an honor. What a great calling we have!

The bottom picture was taken on Sr. Josita's 87th birthday! Happy Birthday, Sister!!!

Lord, help us in our call to evangelize your people. Fill us with your light and your truth! Amen.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Love, Love, Love -- It's Where it's At!

3 visitors (on the right) -- We just had a good weekend with them!


Theology of the Body Conference in Amarillo!!! Pictured above: 3 TOB "Nuts"
Marcel LeJeune and Monica Ashour


Sisters at Chimayo Shrine in New Mexico



Sisters on Vacation in Taos, NM . . . visiting our old friend, Fr. Dino



A mother bear and her babies in Red River (Sisters' Community vacation).
This is in the back yard of the cabin we stayed in.



Sr. Rita learning how to fish in Red River with one of our good friends there!


The title of this post is about LOVE. Reflecting over the past 2 weeks or so since the last post, that's the word that comes to mind.



  • Love is what moves young ladies to visit here and to have a good experience while they're here.


  • Love is what moves speakers like Marcel and Monica to spread the message of the Theology of the Body all over the country and world. (TOB always leads to a deeper understanding of what love really is...)


  • Love is what moves the Sisters to visit shrines and to go on vacation together!

Hopefully love is all about every life! God is love and He's sharing it all over the place through His children. Isn't He awesome?!


God bless you all!


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Visitors Galore - Awesome Time!









This past weekend was a bit exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. We had a family spend the night on their way to vacation in Colorado (not pictured above). They have 6 children and that was fun having them, even if it was a short visit! We always enjoy having them here (even if they beat Sr. Mary Michael in Knock-Out)!


Top 2 Pics: We had 2 Youth Directors bring 5 (total) teens to "visit a convent". They're pictured above at the "Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" in Groom which is not far from our house. We had a great time with them -- see bottom picture of the young ladies helping Sr. Louise bake bread.


The picture of the two young ladies with the Infant of Prague: Crystal (on left) who is our new Candidate that entered this past month is from Baltimore; Ariel (on right) has been accepted to Enter next summer and she is currently living in Minnesota. She is one of more that are applying to Enter next summer.


Keep all the young ladies in your prayers as they are very excited to follow God in this awesome vocation of Love with God and His People!


We're gearing up big time for our last few days of vacation before school days are here again. We appreciate all prayers to support our apostolates and all the people we touch. God is SO good!