It takes a while for spring to come to New England, but when it does, it’s always worth the wait! The month of May is always the loveliest 31 days! How perfect that this flower-filled month should be dedicated to Our Lady! Our hearts and souls sing her praises whether we are arranging a May Shrine in chapel or classroom, gardening, or preparing a crown for the May Procession!

The week that follows is full of its own monastery traditions, as we break from school to spend time with the Risen Christ. The days of quiet peace and celebration are relished by all the Sisters. Easter Monday always features a “walk to Emmaus” …which took us to our local cemetery this year where we sang Easter songs for our dearly departed. Even the weather reflected the glory of Easter! Reading, gardening and catching up on personal projects was a great break from the daily routine. From start to finish it was one glorious Alleluia!

Enoy a look at our Holy Week, Easter and Easter Week in the photo gallery below!

On March 18, 2021, our 30+-year-old organ was removed from the choir loft of Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel and a new one was moved in! Sister Mary Clair, our organist, was there to try it out just as soon as everything was set up! The organ’s first Mass was played on the feast of Saint Joseph! What a blessing!

The richer sound and updated capabilities of the new instrument will surely add to many Masses and liturgical ceremonies for many years to come!

When the days start getting warmer and the evenings are still cold… it’s sugaring season here at the monastery!
Sister Brigid has tapped over 75 trees again this year and is busy boiling down the gallons of sap to delicious maple syrup! It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup, so it’s a big job! This year Sister is spending sugaring season in the sweetest little sugar shack!
Read all about the sugar shack that the Brothers made and our monastery maple-syrup making in the article featured on our monastery website here.

Tis the season to make a wish list… and that is just what the Sisters have done!

A giant THANK YOU to the generous donors who filled our wishlist! We are so excited to get the new items to put them to use here at the monastery for the glory of God!

This year the Sisters’ Sewing Room is wishing for:

Reliable The Board Oversized 200IB Ironing Board, $149 – Thank you, generous donor! God bless you!

Rowenta DG8624U1 Perfect Pro Station Iron, $279 – Thank you, generous donor! God bless you!

The handy-man Sisters (who do all our Convent upkeep) are wishing for:

Kobalt 10-in 15-Amp Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Corded Miter Saw, $219 – Thank you, generous donor! God bless you!

2 sets of Taps for Maple Sugaring, $29.25 each – Thank you, generous donor! God bless you!

The audio/visual Sisters are planning some great new videos and could really use:

Movo Dual Wireless Lavalier Microphone System, $177.95 – Thank you, generous donor! God bless you!

Movo Compact Shotgun Mic and Accessories, $47.95 – Thank you, generous donor! God bless you!

Neewer Aluminum Alloy Camera Tripod Monopod, $84.99 – Thank you, generous donor! God bless you!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Merry Little Christmas! The world moves on… but we know that the beautiful season of Christmas is still here! What a blessing it is to enjoy this feast and season of the Prince of Peace here in the pleasant calm of the monastery!

A giant “Thank You” to all the nurseries that generously donated greens to make our Chapels here a worthy place to welcome the little King of kings! Both IHM Chapel (our public monastery chapel) and Gate of Heaven Chapel (our private convent chapel) were spectacular this year!

We are so thankful, also, to all those made our festivities here so wonderful, by sending gifts, baking cookies or sending along their love with just a simple Christmas card! You are in our thoughts and prayers! May the Infant Savior bless you all!

Enjoy a few photos of the Christmas season below!