What better day than the feast of Saint Therese of Lisieux to make religious vows, especially if your name is Sister Therese!  We thought so, too, so on Saturday, October 1, our former novice pronounced her intentions of observing poverty, chastity, and obedience for three years.  The ceremony took place during our daily Mass.  This made it possible for Janet and Paul Hartley, the parents of Sister Therese, to be present.  The main celebrant was the former pastor of the local parish, Father Ron Potts.  Father John Reutemann, also of the parish, concelebrated, assisted by Deacon Scott Stuart.  

Although we have technically lost a novice, we have gained a professed member of the community.  We look forward to 2014 and Sister Therese’s Solemn Profession.  Mark it on your calendar!

There is another new face in our community that is furry and has a cold nose, undesirable traits in a postulant but more than acceptable in a canine.  Yes, we have again fluffed up the dog bed, this time for Jennie, an eight-month old black English Labrador Retriever.  We put almost as much energy in choosing her name as we did in choosing the Prioress!  The final decision was based in part on the name of the brook that runs through our property that has been called Little Jennie Run long before our nuns came here in 1790.  Sadly, Jennie did not arrive in time to meet our white Australian Shepherd, Chiara, who passed away sooner than we expected.  She was thirteen.  A more gentle friend cannot be imagined.  As for Jennie, je ne sais quoi!