Greetings from the Monastery!  It has been a busy and wonderful few months here.  We’d like to start this update with the most recent news and work our way back from there.

On February 11th, Sr. Mary Brigid of the Good Shepherd renewed her temporary vows for another year (Praise the Lord!) amidst much grace and joy.

On February 2nd, we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation with our communal vow renewal ceremony, with Fr. Will Schmid as the main celebrant.  This year was particularly blessed as 10 of our Phoenix seminarians were here on retreat at that time and were able to witness the renewal.

And now for some very big and wonderful news: We are happy to announce that on January 21, 2024, we welcomed our new Postulant, Aundrea Garcia.  Aundrea is from Buckeye, Arizona and is no stranger to the Monastery.  As a matter of fact, she still has a photograph that was taken of her and Sr. John-Mark when she was just 10 years old.  Please keep Aundrea in your prayers as she begins her journey as a PCPA postulant.

Earlier in January, on the 13th, we hosted our second Learn of Me Discernment Retreat.  It was a splendid and grace-filled day.  Our 3rd Learn of Me Retreat is tentatively on the calendar for Saturday, June 8th.  For those young women who are interested, registration is now open.

In December we had many guests stop by to pray in the Chapel – including the men’s group from St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Buckeye.  Each year, just before Christmas, the St. Henry’s mens group hosts a Walk to Bethlehem.  This year it included a 1 mile long Eucharistic Procession to the Monastery.

Just last week, we welcomed about 150 guests from Mater Misericordiae Parish who came for Mass, a picnic and a Q&A with Sr. John-Mark.  It was a delightful day.  A few weeks back, a large pilgrimage group from the Neocatechumenal Way stopped by for a time of prayer – bringing with them so much joy, zeal, enthusiasm and praise.  We are always so happy to welcome guests to our desert oasis and allow them to experience the power of Our Lord’s Eucharistic Love, surrounded by the silence and solitude of our monastic life.

During this Lenten season or at any time throughout the year, if you or your parish would like to arrange a visit to the monastery, click here.