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General Appeal
Support Our
Mission
A Letter
from Our Prioress
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Prioress Clarissa Goeckner |
Dear Friends,
“Over the river and through the woods …”
For many this old song, written by Lydia Maria Child in 1844, conjures up warm
memories of holidays – a trip to a loved one’s house where cooking and consuming
favorite foods, sharing with family or friends, and being completely “at home”
were part of the day.
“… to the motherhouse we go …”
That isn’t how the song goes, of course, but here at the only motherhouse of
religious women in Idaho we strive to be a place of comfort and nurture for
those who travel here to share our house and fare. We can do this because your
support makes our presence in Idaho (for nearly 100 years!) possible.
Isn’t motherhouse a wonderful word? Like the “over the river …” song it evokes a
sense of security, comfort, a listening heart and unconditional love. One guest
said his experience staying at the monastery was “like climbing into my mother’s
lap,” another that she had “come home.” Here is how some others have described
their stay:
The monastery is where the smell of warm bread and sung prayer rise up,
nourishment for hungry people. It is where warm and open hospitality does indeed
heal everyday scrapes and bruises. The rhythms of this prayerful community
embrace the visitor and restore balance. - from Northern Idaho
The monastery is place to come for refreshment; it is a deep well. We come here
for a time and then leave, filled with the Spirit and in balance. - from
Southern Idaho
We were invited into a Holy Community of nuns who demonstrated the spiritual
practice of hospitality which included community prayer, healthy food,
pine-covered hills, the wonderful love and humor of the nuns, and, most
importantly, silence and solitude. - from Oregon
Many of you know exactly what they mean: St. Gertrude’s provides people a
spiritual, nurturing place to slow down, assess their lives and center
themselves in God.
I am glad people who come here experience God’s presence. That they can is due,
in part, to your support which helps make this motherhouse possible. Thank you
for your generous contributions that assist with keeping our doors open, food on
the table and the lights burning so that a vibrant presence and service are
ready for all guests who make it “over the river and through the woods.” You
help them seek the Spirit, enjoy the silence and experience the solitude, all
the while supported by a community of praying sisters.
I ask you to evidence your support once again by making a generous gift toward
our goal of $30,000 for our operations budget. Your donation for “greatest need”
helps keep us and our facilities alive: electricity, food, clothing, health
insurance and more. These funds are used to take care of our sisters, our women
in formation, the monastery grounds and buildings.
And they keep us here, at the motherhouse, a nurturing and healing presence for
those who make it to our door and for those who only dream of coming.
Thankfully, with wise fiscal management and careful stewardship, we are able to
meet approximately 85% of our operational expenses through our own sisters’
salaries, income producing activities at the monastery, investment income,
retirement benefits, Social Security, Medicare, land leases and harvests.
And God supplies the rest – through you!
Thank you again and again for all you do for us. I know you can’t always make a
trip to Cottonwood and experience “motherhouse” first-hand, but know you are
welcome and are held daily in our prayers.
In peace,
Clarissa Goeckner, Prioress
P.S. For those of you who have been wondering, motherhouse is a term used in
church language to refer to the place where the prioress (or “mother superior”)
of a religious community resides. Although we no longer call our prioress
“mother,” our monastery is still considered a motherhouse.
For more information about making a donation
CLICK HERE or contact us at:
Monastery of St. Gertrude
Development Office
465 Keuterville Road
Cottonwood, ID 83522-5183
208-962-5062
FAX 208-962-7212
Email:
develop@stgertrudes.org
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