A sign of something to come — a crew of sisters began painting signs today for our Summer Social on July 14. With only 15 days to go, last-minute preparations are underway around the monastery.

Sisters Rebecca Ann Mathauer, Mary Frances Schafer, Mary Philip Berger, and Barbara Lynn Schmitz paint signs for the booths on old discarded window blinds.

Our 2007 Academy Alumnae Reunion brought many alums back to "the hill" today to celebrate class anniversaries, to reminisce, and to renew friendships. The class of 1987 took the prize for having classmates coming from the farthest distance — one from Papua New Guinea and another from Ireland.

Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau, prioress, welcomes alumnae and families to the dinner in St. Gertrude Hall.

In exactly four weeks from today, on July 14, thousands of visitors will be enjoying our Summer Social under the shade trees near Madonna Lake on our monastery grounds. At least that’s our hope. And it’s not too late for you to plan to be here. Celebrate with us the 140th anniversary of the founding of our monastery. Treat yourself and your family to food, fun, and festivities. Today visitors saw a preview of the more than 40 quilts that will be raffled at the social. During the past year, almost 100 women came to the monastery at various times to help with quilting while many others worked on quilts in their homes and parishes and contributed them to us. Other special attractions at the social include hot air balloon rides, musical entertainment, chicken dinners and a variety of food booths, kids’ games, quilts, games of chance (including a new “deal, no deal” game), tours of the restored monastery church, display of sisters’ art and of works by noted architect A.L. Aydelott, a raffle of theme baskets valued up to $300, a special quilts raffle, a virtual Duck Race with prizes up to $1,000, and a grand raffle with 10 cash prizes totaling $15,500.

Above, Sister Dolorita Libs, one of the coordinators of quilts for our summer social, shows off some of the finished quilts to her two sisters, also expert quilters, and her niece.

Below (left) Sisters Maura Beckman and Jane Will sell tickets for the two quilts which will be raffled as “special quilts” at the social.

The neon-green brochure says "Camp Marian is food, fun, and friends!" It didn't take long for the 43 junior-high campers to discover that, and much more. From June 5-7, the group enjoyed the wonders of the outdoors on the grounds of the monastery, sleeping in tents near the lake at the Camp Marian recreation area. Activities during the camp included fishing, swimming, arts and crafts, archery, volleyball, team-building games, liturgies, singing, and camp fires. The goal of the camp was to provide an opportunity for young girls to experience God, nature, and friends, and to learn about Benedictine values and team building skills. Ten Benedictine sisters plus seven teen-age counselors and one college-age counselor were on the team for this sixth annual Camp Marian sponsored by the Sisters of St. Benedict.