The Fall Newsletter recaps yet another summer of navigating the pandemic while maintaining our monastic life and ministry of prayer and hospitality.  Even though our guest house has been closed, we were able to host several young women as interns.  These women participated fully in our life of prayer and used the time wisely.  They took the opportunity to look inward in order to discern their life's meaning and direction at a deeper level.  

Also featured in the newsletter is an article about our community retreat with Fr. Simeon Leiva-Merikakis, ocso, a scholar and monk of Saint Joseph’s Abbey, Spencer, MA.   As Sr. Gertrude writes, "The retreat, 'Encounter with the Risen Jesus,' gave us an in-depth and fascinating look into the post-Resurrection accounts found in the Gospel of St. Matthew."

A few nights ago, we had some furry visitors to our garden.  

WHITEHORN, California — The first time I visited my sisters here at Redwoods Monastery was in mid-June of 1994. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 26 years since that initial brief visit to this wonderful community, in this place of truly awesome beauty. Since that first three-day stay, as I remember it, I’ve been coming down here almost every year, from my home community of Guadalupe Abbey near Carlton, for longer stays. I’ve consistently been helping with their Holy Week and Easter liturgies. This has meant being here for two, sometimes three, weeks in March and April.

Abbot Paul Mark and Fr. Stephen arrived from New Clairvaux Abbey in Vina, California, bringing gifts.  They made the 5 hour trip hauling a squirrel (not the animal, but a machine).  It will be used at Redwoods for building maintenance on those high hard to reach gutters as well as for pruning fruit trees.

This Summer has been very full.  We have accompanied our Sr Godelieve in her transitus to Eternal Life.

We have opened a new Welcome Center for our Retreatants, Guests and Visitors

We have been graced by the teaching, deep spirituality, and wisdom of two Dominicans,  Fr. Michael Dodds, OP and Sr. Barbara Green, OP.