It is Holy Thursday. The daily events continue to unfold in the house. Sr. Mary Romana and Kathleen Daye are outside tending to the garden. It is the season for picking blueberries and mulberries. The fruits of their labor (and that of Sr. Miriam) will come into the chapel and the kitchen for the Easter celebration. Sr. Miriam (ever the teacher) has put out a single sheet displaying butterflies of the rainforest (in color!) for the sisters to enjoy. Two native to our area are included: the zebra longwing and the spicebush swallowtail. I am not surprised. It can feel very tropical here some days. Sr. Donna will be working in the kitchen making preparations for the weekend (e.g. baking a lamb shaped cake for Sunday and hot cross buns for tomorrow). Sr. Roberta sat with our two guests at breakfast and is now on a Zoom call, mostly likely with one the many charities she supports with her presence. Volunteer Jo Shine has come to join us for the Triduum. She is an expert at drying dishes and putting them away in their proper place. Employee John Barthle has moved the cactus out of the chapel. It will soon be time to come in from our forty days in the spiritual desert of Lent. Sr. Elizabeth, our sacristan, and Sr. Mary David, our liturgist, are making preparations for the Holy Thursday Mass. Srs. Jean and Donna have left for their ministry at Daystar Hope. They, together with other volunteers, will be there this morning to distribute food and clothing to those who come and ask. Sr. Mary Clare is in her office, answering phone and email inquiries about monastery retreats. Sr. Margaret Mary is practicing the keyboard and will be accompanist for tonight and tomorrow’s liturgies. Some sisters are doing last minute laundry. Sr. Dianne is putting final touches on the Easter Sunday liturgies. Marietta Dinopol has gone for a walk.
All of this busy-ness will come to a halt this evening as we enter into the Triduum, the liturgical expression of the Mystery of our Christian faith. Rest assured that we will take you and your intentions with us. Blessings to you and yours during this holy time.
