Months in Review

This is our first "Month in Review" for 2026 and there is so much to share! The best part of all these events and activities we experienced is that they always are oriented to and rotate around something and Someone much more important: prayer with Our Lord.

Back in January, two of our Sisters traveled up to Oregon to attend teacher education classes as part of the certificate program they are pursuing with the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education. Sometimes teachers need to go to school too! This program has been of valuable assistance to our Sisters, helping form them as Catholic educators and supporting them with practical tools as they carry our our charism of joyful evangelization in the classroom.

In February we were delighted to welcome a new postulant to our Convent. This was a joyous occasion for the whole Community and brought many of us back to memories of our first days in religious life. It is awe-inspiring to witness the postulant leaving her friends and family and giving everything to follow Our Lord.

Later in February, our Sisters working in the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation helped organize and run the Rite of Election for the catechumens and candidates of our diocese. It was edifying to see the large number of souls eager to follow Christ and beautiful to watch each of them meet and interact with our Bishop, who makes visible the presence of Christ as head of the Church.

In March we hosted all the freshman of Cardinal Newman High School at our Convent for a day of retreat. Mass in our chapel was the pinnacle of the day and the highlight for many of the students. The retreat also included inspirational talks, student-made artwork of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, games with the Sisters, and even hikes up to the cross on our hill! Thanks be to God for such a beautiful and fruitful day!

March also hosts two of the most important feast days for our Community: the Annunciation and the feast of St. Joseph. The importance of these feasts is visible first and foremost in the liturgy. We begin the day with a beautiful sung Mass and raise our hearts together in prayer with joy and gratitude. This feast at the Sacred Banquet overspills into our community meals where we enjoy the special food prepared and most of all the joyous company of our Sisters.

The month of April began with the great drama of Holy Week and the triumphant glory of Easter. What beautiful and rich liturgies Holy Mother Church provides for us especially during this season!

Near the end of the Easter Octave, six of our Sisters traveled to Chicago to attend and sing for the Institute on Religious Life National Conference. The few days were packed with excellent talks and delightful company. It was so good to see our friends from different religious orders and have opportunities to share time and conversation. A highlight was when one of the Mundelein seminarians graciously offered to take us out on a boat ride in the lake on campus. It was a special treat!

From Community feast days and apostolic adventures to continuing formation and growth, Our Lord has filled the beginning of 2026 with many good things. May we use all these as opportunities to grow closer to Him and bring many others to know His love and mercy.