Sr. Mary Therese's First Profession

Sr. Mary Therese pronouncing her vows.

  Sr. Mary Therese made her first profession of vows on December 20th.  On December 20th the O antiphon for Vespers is Key of David.  Sr. Mary Therese is a native of Iowa, one of three Iowa natives in the community.  She leaves the novitiate and begins her juniorate where she enters more fully into community life and has a time of concentrated studies.

Receiving the black scapular and leather belt.

Receiving a hug from M. Rebecca.

With her Junior Director Sr. Gail

At her celebration dinner.

Candy Production

Sr. Kathy bagging caramels

Sr. Grace boxing caramels

As we are about to head into December we are beginning our last push to produce enough candy to fill orders.  The next big push is to ship these orders out.  We will have plenty of candy for last minute orders.  We are grateful to our customers as our candy business is what supports us financially.  We follow the Rule of St. Benedict which requires us to support ourselves by the work of our hands.

Sr. Anna feeding caramels into the coating machine

Sr. Gail putting coated caramels into boxes

Winners

When you live in eastern Iowa, not too far from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, you can be sure to run into Hawkeye football fans.  Our Sr. Carol, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a big fan and she even sports a Hawkeye outfit of sorts.  Although she cannot watch the games, we don't have a TV, she keeps up through an employee who is also a big Hawkeye fan.  They are very enthusiastic this year as the team is on a winning streak. 10 wins, 0 losses.  They have one more game to play against Nebraska this weekend and if they win they are in the finals.

Sr. Christine's Silver Jubilee

Sr. Christine celebrated 25 years of monastic profession on August 20th, the feast of St. Bernard.  Many of her family and friends, all from Canada were here for the celebration.  Mass was celebrated with Dom Mark of New Melleray presiding.  This was followed by a celebratory meal in our refectory.  It was a gorgeous day, sunny and in the low 70's.  It was the nicest feast of St. Bernard that anyone can remember.

Opening presents

Renewing her vows

Mass

Schola

Chris' brother and sister-in-law

Chris' brother and sister-in-law

Canadian friends and family

Tautra Mariakloster

In 1999 OLM sent sisters to central Norway to start a foundation on the island of Tautra where ruins of a 14th century Cistercian monastery remain.  Recently one of the sisters visited Tautra Mariakloster. 
Monastery Church
entrance

Front of monastery

boat houses

backyard

cloister

Church

Church Ceiling made of glass

Ruins

Sunrise

Bird sanctuary

Sunset