Counting with God’s Blessings

by Sister Meg Sass One lonely bird perched on a roof top Two deer tap dancing on the bridge Three Stellar jays fighting over bird seed Four yellow-headed finch swinging on the feeder Five kittens playing leap frog on the lawn Six plus one mother cat on playground...

Eveything I Ever Needed to Know About Life I Learned From a Tree

Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth, Master Forester, amidst young Western Larch trees in the Monastery forest. by Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth In April we finally received indications all around us that winter was finally calling it quits. The piles of snow receded, the birds...

Summer Days of Art

The Monastery of St. Gertrude introduces “Summer Days of Art at St. Gertrude,” lighthearted Saturday art classes that take place 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. July 27, August 17, and September 7 and 21.  The series begins with gelli plate printing with artist Karla...

Becoming Wise in Working with the Aged

As the director of St. Gertrude’s assisted living floor, Sister Janet Barnard understands both the wisdom the aging share and also the wisdom necessary to care for the aging. On this particular morning she is navigating some perspectives regarding a sister with...

St. Gertrude’s to Host Book Reading with Susan Swetnam

Author Susan Swetnam. At 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14, the Monastery of St. Gertrude will host author Susan Swetnam, who will read from her new book, “In the Mystery’s Shadow: Reflections on Caring for the Elderly and Dying.” In her book, Susan Swetnam draws on her...

Artist Mary Hambly Finds Inspiration in Benedictine Life

Mary Hambly with intuitive drawings. On Friday evening, July 5, artist-in-residence Mary Hambly concluded a month-long residency at St. Gertrude’s with a final presentation to the sisters and other St. Gertrude’s community. “I want you to know how valuable and...

In Memoriam: Sister Jeanette von Herrmann, OSB

January 4, 1946 – June 6, 2019 “God is still in our midst and calling us by the Spirit to a life of faith.” Sister Jeanette von Herrmann, OSB, was born into eternal life at 8:20 p.m. on June 6, 2019. She was 73 years old and had been a Benedictine sister for 38...

Wisdom as the Tree of Life

A Message from Prioress Sister Mary Forman This spring season we ponder wisdom. Wisdom has a long history in ancient cultures. In the Egyptian and Akkadian cultures, maxims of wisdom were intended for youth to learn from their elders and develop basic virtues to live...

Sign Up for the Raspberry Festival Arts & Crafts Fair

Registration is open for the 27th Annual Raspberry Festival Arts & Crafts Fair that takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 4, 2019, at the Monastery of St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho. This annual fundraiser benefits the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude...

St. Gertrude’s Receives $25K SOAR Grant

Oblate Jo-Anne Zimmer and Prioress Sister Mary Forman with Mary and Daniel Fannin of SOAR. The Monastery of St. Gertrude received notification that a grant request will be fully funded by Support Our Aging Religious (SOAR). The $25,000 grant will be used to replace...