December 8 - Celebrating The Immaculate Conception

Our community decided to try a new way of celebrating the the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary this year. Inspired by a custom in Lyon, France, of placing candles in house windows to thank Mary for delivering the city from the plague in the 17th century, we decided to celebrate the solemnity with a little festival of light. And, because the Immaculate Conception was on Saturday, and supper on Saturday night is a supper celebrating the Resurrection, why not a supper of light celebrating both the Holy Mother of God and Jesus, the “ light of all peoples”? We finished off the celebration of the Immaculate Conception, and continued the celebration of the Resurrection, with sparklers at recreation (discovered by a sister in a hunt for all those candles)!

 
 
Sr. Marie Thomas Lawrie
November 21 - Election of a Prioress

Just prior to our annual retreat, our community celebrated the election of Sr. Claire Marie of Jesus as our prioress for the next three years. Originally from Alberta, Sr. Claire entered the Order of Preachers in France before returning to help found Queen of Peace Monastery in her home country. Please pray for Sr. Claire and for our community as we begin this new prioral term under the guidance and loving care of the Holy Spirit!

 
 

There’s no snow on the ground yet, but during our annual retreat, the snow started creeping down the slopes of the Tantalus range. Not pictured, but also beautiful, are the stars that we begin to see this time of year. Being in a remote valley, there is very little light pollution, and usually a few sisters can be found outdoors before Matins, stargazing.

 
 

Pilchuk Creek is roaring as the fall rains get underway.

 
 

And, indoors, every corner of the monastery seems to have a project tucked away.

 

As we come to the end of the liturgical year and prepare for the season of Advent, may God fill you will every joy in believing, and may His peace dwell in your hearts. God bless!

 
Sr. Marie Thomas Lawrie
September 29 - Simple Profession of Sr. Marie Thomas of the Divine Word

On the Feast of the Archangels, September 29, Sister Marie Thomas of the Divine Word made her First Profession of Vows (aka Simple Vows) and placed herself more intimately under God’s Will, “in praise of His glory”, with all the angels of heaven!

Sister is originally from Northern British Columbia, and many friends and family were able to join us for this wonderful day. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Dean Henderson, chaplain and friend from sister’s alma mater.

Here are a few photos from the celebration! Please pray for sister as she continues to follow Jesus in the footsteps of St. Dominic for the next three years.

 
 
Sr. Marie Thomas Lawrie