Well, it finally happened. Last week, two and a half years after the COVID-19 pandemic first gripped the globe, the pesky virus found its way into our cloister. Some attentive readers may recall that the second half of our Nuns were scheduled to begin their 8-day silent retreat last Thursday; well, they did, but unbeknownst to anyone, the retreat master brought COVID with him! He tested positive on Friday, and on Saturday the first case manifested among the Nuns.

Please keep our community in prayer as we take our turn carrying this unique cross! As of today (Thursday), six Nuns have fallen sick and five are still in isolation in their cells. Almost the entire younger half of community caught the virus, so our veteran Nuns have been keeping the place running! Thankfully, most cases seem to be mild and the Sisters are bouncing back readily.

Thanks to the numerous heroes and visible angels who have come to our rescue this week! You know who you are… but a special mention must go to our heroic substitute chaplain, Fr Peter Stryker CPM, who has continued to administer the sacraments to us, uncowed by the plague. Our regular chaplain happened to already be taking his vacation when COVID struck, so he is just staying away a bit longer!!!

Know that, sick or well, all of us Passionist Nuns continue to offer our lives of prayer and sacrifice for you, your needs, and those of the whole world.

Jesus, we trust in YOU!!!

UPDATE 7/9: Thank you all for your prayers! Ten of us ended up catching COVID, and we are all on the mend now! It has been a whole week since anyone new got sick, and the final two will be able to unmask on Monday. However, it will take a bit longer for things to settle back into normalcy, as we all continue to recover our singing voices for liturgy, and as the harder-hit Nuns continue to convalesce.