Dear friends and family of M.A.R.Y.,

Where does time go? It seems so recent that we were preparing for Christmas, and now Lent is staring us in the face! The warm weather has brought what we call a “false Spring,” where fruit trees start to blossom too early, just inviting a bad frost in the future that could wipe out the crop. Are many of you already planning your Spring gardens and just itching to get outside? Well, more storms should be coming – and we need them for “fire insurance”!

It struck me that our great friend for Lent could be St. Joseph. He was present during the Christmas season as husband of Mary and supposed father to the Holy Child. The mystery of Jesus’ conception was totally hidden from the Devil because the Holy Family looked like a normal family. God’s greatest gift to mankind went undetected, as with great humility, Joseph fulfilled his role as father and protector.

St. Teresa of Avila put Our Lady and St. Joseph as guardians of her Carmelite monasteries. St. Joseph is like the enclosure wall that surrounds the monastery grounds, protecting the hidden life that unfolds within the space. He can be an “enclosure wall” for you too, surrounding your heart and soul as you seek to draw closer to God during this Lenten preparation season. St. Teresa called him the “master of prayer” who could teach the nuns how to live a total life of prayer. And why not? Look who he lived with – Jesus the incarnate Word of God, and Mary, the Immaculate Virgin. Who ever prayed like them?

As we celebrate the solemnities of St. Joseph (March 19) and the Annunciation (March 25), let us ask St. Joseph to help us go more deeply into the mysteries and providence of God, who governs all things wisely and with great care. Not a sparrow falls…you know the rest!

The Sisters are well. We are forever raking up pine needles and pulling weeds, but it’s good to be outdoors while we can. Then, when a future storm comes, we can watch the rain falling with gratitude – like the gratitude we feel when we think of all of you. Our Support Team! You’re all shadows of St. Joseph, extending that “enclosure wall of protection” around us from afar. We are very grateful to you. We keep you in our daily prayers. Have a happy and holy Lent! May God bless all of you!

Your Carmelite Nuns

Dear Auxiliary members,

Here’s our latest news. We are preparing for an August date for our annual fundraising dinner for the Carmelite Nuns. It will be in Roseville again this year. Please watch for more specifics coming soon!

And speaking of support, it is now even easier to donate to the Sisters. If you go to their website, there is a section for online giving. This new link allows you to donate directly to the Sisters, bypassing the auxiliary as intermediary. This is great news! Supporting them has never been easier. Give it a try! Go to https://www.carmelitemonastery.org/contact.php or go directly to their Donorbox page which is here: https://donorbox.org/donate-ocd-sac?

Prayer on the Mountain is back! Would you join us on Saturday, March 28, for an inspiring morning of prayer and reflection? The event will be from 9:30 till 12:00, and you can choose to bring a sack lunch and enjoy the grounds, visit the chapel, or pray the Rosary Walk after the event.

Lent is about alms giving and selflessness. Make this your Best Lent Ever and support our Carmelite Monastery!

In Christ,

Patty

Newsletter #42 - February 2026