Fire and rain could have been the theme of our gathering on the evening before Memorial Day. We gathered at the lake for a bonfire, sing-along, and s'mores. Shortly after we began singing, a heavy rain chased us into the shelterhouse. It didn't, however, dampen our spirits or put out the fire. We continued our song fest and had our s'mores.

After the rain let up a bit, Sister Jill Marie Reuber roasted marshmallows for everyone.

With great joy and gratitude, our community celebrated with Sisters Mary Frances Schafer and Barbara Lynn Schmitz as they observed the 25th anniversary of their monastic profession today.

Raising their hands in prayer and offering of themselves, the jubilarians sing the Suscipe: "Receive me, O Lord, according to your word, and I shall live, and do not fail me in my hope." The solemn gesture and offering is sung three times by the jubilarians, each time repeated by the entire community.

Sister Mary Dominic Frederick shares her reflection on this special occasion and on the feast of Pentecost.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau asks for God's blessings on the jubilarians.

Second graders from St. Bernard School in Rockport, Indiana, visited with their sister prayer partners at the monastery today. About 10 years ago, Sister Agnes Weinzapfel, who was teaching at St. Bernard at the time, began the prayer partner program. The program matches each second-grader with one of the senior sisters as prayer partners. Through the year the two write notes, exchange a small gift, and, of course, pray for each other.

Sister Benedicta Clauss talks about summer vacation activities with her prayer partner.

Sister Marilyn Market is entertained with stories told by her young friend.

Waiting for worms! On my walk this evening, I spotted a family of robins nestled behind the head of Christ on the large stone cross in the parish cemetery. One of the young birds took flight as I moved closer. The other three waited for their dinner. The mother was gone long enough for me to run up the hill to get the camera before she began feeding the fledglings.

It's only 56 more days until our Summer Social! Do you have the date marked on your calendar and in your summer plans?

The Sisters of St. Benedict Summer Social will be Saturday, July 14, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT. One of the special attractions will be hot air balloon rides in the evening. Booths include handmade quilts, country store, porcelain dolls, baked goods, chance games, surprise packages, theme baskets, and lots more. Other activities include bingo, kids' games, sisters’ art show and works by noted architect A. L. Aydelott, tours of the monastery church, musical entertainment, a grand raffle with 10 cash prizes worth $15,500, a raffle of two "special" quilts, and a duck race with 10 cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $25. Food includes special chicken dinners, brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, pork chops, walking tacos, ice cream novelties and floats, and much more. Join us in celebrating the 140th anniversary of the founding of our monastery in Ferdinand — 1867 to 2007.

We hosted about 50 members of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana for a luncheon, tour, and visit to the monastery archives.

Sister Christine Kempf, monastery tourism director, points out various architectural wonders within the newly restored monastery church. The monastery, including the church, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.