Merry Christmas from all of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration!
Our Monastery Christmas: Fr. Fred Adamson celebrating Midnight Mass, Carols in the Chapel, and Veneration of the relic of the Crib of Jesus.
There are moments in life when just for a moment time seems to stop, all of creation seems to hold its breath, and the silence sings praises to our God!  That sums up our first Christmas here in Tonopah!  
We were blessed to have Fr. Fred Adamson celebrate both Midnight Mass as well as Christmas morning Mass for our Community.  He has been a beloved friend and father to our Community, from the very beginning and faithfully on from there! 
Christmas Eve festivities began in the Main Chapel as Sr. John-Mark played Christmas carols on the organ – and we sang along!  Sister is teaching herself to play the organ (thank You Lord for musically gifted Novices!)  And she is doing a wonderful job!  This was the first time we sang together in the Chapel – the acoustics are phenomenal!  As Sr. Esther Marie pointed out, our voices were swept up to the top of the dome then delivered to the rest of the Church!  As we are not using the main Chapel for any liturgical services until its consecration in May, we headed back to our in-house Chapel for the veneration of the relic of the Crib of Jesus and the chanting of Divine Office, which is then followed by the celebration of Mass.  I must say, after 15 Christmases in the Monastery, I still feel like a little child – giddy with Christmas joy – as we begin to sing the processional song for Mass!  The hope-filled Advent cry of “Come Lord Jesus” is fulfilled on that Holy Night as we hear in the beautiful Christmas Hymn, Hodie Christus Est:

Today Christ is born. Today the Savior appeared.
Today on earth the angels sing, archangels rejoice:
Today the righteous rejoice, saying:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people
of good will. Alleluia.

We received an outpouring of love from so many friends and family – to make our first Tonopah Christmas quite unforgettable!  Sweets and treats appeared in our P.O. Box, as well as on our doorstep.  Steve Talbot, our dear friend and construction superintendent, made us a crowning jewel for the in-house Chapel.  You will see it featured in the photos above.  It is a beautiful Throne to hold the Monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration!  We are confident that St. Joseph had a hand in all of it – the craftsmanship is wonderful.  Surely our Infant King will shower blessings on him and all those who prayed for us and sent gifts and cards. 
Our beloved friend Donna from Chicago surprised us by sending deep dish Chicago pizzas for Sr. Mary Fidelis’ birthday just a few days before Christmas!  Much to Sr. John-Mark’s chagrin (who was trying to keep the deep dish delivery a surprise), Sr. Fidelis was there when the UPS truck delivered the goods!  Sr. Esther Marie crowned the birthday goodies off with a homemade Yulelog birthday cake.  
We continue to celebrate Christmas each day of the Octave!  Please know that as we visit the manger, we carry your needs and intentions with us and present them to the Babe of Bethlehem – asking Him to bless you and your families with an outpouring of His Love.  
MERRY CHRISTMAS!