There is a lot going on here at the monastery! For one thing, we are preparing for the arrival of our new chaplain, Fr. Lou Caporiccio, C.P.M. on July 1st. So we have been VERY busy preparing the chaplain's house for the new arrival.

In the midst of all this we are trying to keep our flowers hydrated. The heat index here has been around 100 degrees...a wee bit warm for the poor little things planted in clay soil... Thankfully, we had a well dug in preparation for Y2K (remember that!?) and we put it to good use each summer keeping our flowers alive. (Plus the flowers don't have to deal with all the chemicals coming out of the hose.) But now the Japanese beetles have arrived... :(

Last week we had a lovely celebration for our current chaplain, Fr. Ray Clark. It was his 25th anniversary of Ordination. There was quite  a crowd present (200 people?) including 16 priests. It was a glorious celebration and we are still enjoying the barbecue leftovers from the reception. Thankfully, they freeze/thaw well!

Along with preparing for our new chaplain we have also been preparing for our community elections which take place Wednesday. Please pray for the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit! We'll have a Gaudeamus day Thursday to celebrate. Saturday four families (about 20 people) of the nuns will arrive from Texas, Washington, New York and Florida for a 3 day visit - Yay!

The Thursday after the family visit our new chaplain Fr. Lou moves in, and Friday Mary Kate arrives for a week-long live-in to discern a vocation to Passionist life. Please keep her in your good prayers.

This will bring us into July, at the end of which is our next vocation retreat. Please pray that more women register. Thus far, we only have two registrants, only one of whom has made her travel arrangements. Thank you!