During this week when the entire nation gives thanks to God, we would like to add a special note of gratitude to Him for the abundance of blessings He has bestowed on us through you, the priests, deacon, staff, parishioners, and the ever-faithful Knights of Columbus of Mater Dei Parish. The innumerable acts of generosity, service, and kindness in helping us prepare for the abbatial blessing in your magnificent church of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, made the Mass of November 11th a unique moment of grace and a deep experience of God’s overwhelming love for us in His Son. Your warm welcome of us and of our guests from throughout the world exemplified the Gospel precept of love of neighbor in the highest degree and we—nuns and guests alike—were profoundly moved by such an outpouring of love, which showed all the way down to the smallest details. This day of grace has created a unique spiritual bond between our abbey and your parish community, one that will be reinforced by our prayer that God will continue to bless each and every one with the sure knowledge of His love for you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Mother Benedict McLaughlin, OSB
Abbess, Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey
Westfield, Vermont