Archive for the ‘Christmas’ Category

Gene Drabeck and Bill Weldon stopped in for cookies and coffee.  They came representing the Knights of Columbas, Marian Council, bringing the Christmas gifts from all the Knights in our area.  The best and brightest of the Knights’ gifts to us  are Gene, Bill and Jim Haeg.  Jim was not able to come for the party.   He had come earlier in the morning bearing beautifully decorated wreaths.  These faithful brothers in Christ have helped the Community from the very beginning of the monastery in 1954.  Sister Kate is holding up gift cards from our local Cub food store.

Please join us for Christmas Eucharist at 10:00 PM Christmas Eve and continue the celebration in our hospitality area following the Eucharist.

“Up from the stump of Jesse.”

The prototype of our Christmas greeting is a two dimensional art piece in the Hanji tradition of ancient Korea.  Korea is famous for paper making, utilizing the inner bark of the native Mulberry tree. From this craft of paper making flows the art of pressing and pulling and tearing bits of paper into two and three dimensional forms of exquisite beauty.

 The Scriptural inspiration for the card is from the prophet Isaiah: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of its roots.”  Isaiah: 11: 1.

 Jesus is the “shoot” of God’s tree. The tree is the family of God. The root on the card is made of tightly rolled paper in shades of green and brown formed to make the “stump.” The Child, lying in the “nest” of the root, is from the family of Jesse.  His destiny is to be born in poverty and suffering. The red color signifies suffering. Gold is the color of glory, and reminds us that Jesus is born to die and to rise from death that we might follow in his footprints. Blue is for purity of vision and of life. Jesus is wrapped in the blue blanket of his person, our true leader and guide.  The leaves and berries show life in the fertile root. 

 The background of the card signifies the Universe, indicated by a variety of paper forms. The stump of Jesse comes out of the seeming chaos of the Universe, God working so carefully over eons of time. The star is leading us where we have to go, and to the One to whom we are called to follow.

Blessed Christmas to all!

“It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas”

 Sister Frances is shining up our entrance to the Chapel.  Sisters Lucie, Caroline and Jo prepare the party food for the gathering after Midnight Mass.