May 19, 2023

Dear Prayer Partner,

Greetings from St. Joseph, Missouri! Sr. Faustina made it safely back from Russia on May 9. It is a rare blessing that the four of us are together for a little while: we will be on our annual retreat May 21-31, have time to see family, continue Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training, learn retreat programs to take to Russia, plan together, and prepare for the move to the new motherhouse.

Then, July 4 we will fly to New York to visit Mother Julia on our way to Russia! All four of us will be in Russia until early August, reconnecting with parishioners, students, and hopefully having a summer children’s gathering in Lesozavodsk. Sr. Joanna and I will be back in Missouri August 8, ready to move into the new motherhouse, and for Sr. Joanna’s third year of college.

Thank you all so much for the outpouring of prayers, cards and flowers during my recovery from surgery to remove a benign tumor from behind my heart! I ended up back in the hospital for five days before Holy Week with fluid in both lungs but was home by Palm Sunday. Now, more than a month later, I feel completely like myself again and am so grateful to be well.

You are all invited Saturday, July 1 to come to Missouri as Bishop Johnston blesses our newly renovated Cathedral Convent! He will celebrate the 4pm Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, followed by the convent blessing and a cook-out.

Your prayers make all the difference for helping hearts to be converted and our work to continue in Russia and the US! Please pray especially for the young women the Lord is calling to join us! May you have a very blessed Pentecost, spring and early summer.

In Jesus and Mary,   
 
Mother Stella, CJD, on behalf of all the Canonesses (Sisters) in Jesus the Lord