A Little of This and That

As we begin our annual community retreat, there is time to catch one’s breath and share some recent news.

In July we welcomed Sr. Mary Jordan Gutierrez, O.P. as the newest member of our community. Sister is on a permanent transfer as her monastery in California recently closed. We have already introduced her to the “dog days” of August in New England (hot, hot and humid!) and look forward to initiating her into a real New England snowstorm if one by chance comes our way. One never knows in New England. But as we told her, “If you don’t like the weather, wait and it will change.”

September 8, 2022 marked our one hundredth anniversary in the Diocese of Springfield, MA. Having already recently celebrated the 800th Jubilee for both the Dominican nuns and the whole Dominican Order, what would be appropriate for this milestone? The idea came to have a novena of Masses in thanksgiving to God for all His blessings over these one hundred years. More is given on our history page, but one day was devoted to celebrating with our relatives, friends and benefactors by having a special Mass on Saturday (September 3) with our Bishop officiating and a number of other priests, Dominican and diocesan, concelebrating. Mass was followed light refreshments in our parlor. It turned out to be a beautiful day and the cake was delicious!

A few weeks later our Bishop was back to officiate at our election for a new Prioress. As it happens, the “new” Prioress is the “old” Prioress, as Sr. Theresa Marie was re-elected for another three year term.

Still a few more weeks later we had our traditional “Rosary Sunday Devotions” with guest homilist, Fr. Thomas More Garrett, O.P., a teacher at Providence College in Rhode Island, officiating. The service consists of a homily, blessing of the roses for people to take home with them, recitation of the rosary, and benediction.

This week (October 22 - 29, 2022) we gratefully unwind from so many special happenings by our community’s annual retreat. Instead of engaging a visiting retreat master we have opted to listen to talks by Fr. Hugh Gillespie on Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary which are available on Soundcloud. This is a most appropriate subject as we are scheduled to have a visit by the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima on November 7th and plan to consecrate our community to Our Lady as we begin our second century in this diocese.