In the Spotlight

We’re excited to inform you that Sr. Mary Ruth will again be offering a monthly “Youth Night at the Convent,” the 3rd Friday of the month. The first session will be August 16, 2024 ~ 7-9pm Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 14 so we areprepared to accommodate everyone. Teens of all denominations are welcome! Each session will include: getting acquainted; catching up with friends discussing Living Joy: 9 Rules that will ChangeYour Life praying together Read more…

We are happy to announce that planning is underway for the following programs in the coming months: Days of Reflection 2nd Saturday / Sept.-May 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Youth Nights3rd Fridays / Sept.-May7-9 p.m. Monday Morning Study Group6-7:15 a.m. / online or in person Monday Evening Study Group7-8:30 p.m. / online or in person Women’s Weekend RetreatsOct. 18-20 / Dec. 6-8 / March 21-23 Call 701-242-7195 or email srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org for more information.

This past week, thanks largely to the generosity of men from the Ecclesia Domestica retreat group, new stove equipment were installed in our kitchen. We are especially grateful to Deacon Thane Barnier and his helpers for bringing them and putting them in.

I’m sorry for the somewhat choppy video, but I wanted to showcase Sr. Elaine Marie’s beautiful work which is now in our chapel here at St. Francis Convent. Since 1980, the Sisters at St. Anne’s in Grand Forks have been enhancing their commemoration of the final days of Advent by displaying “The O Antiphons,” beautifully calligraphed by her. At that time, before the advent of modern copy machines, a friend and supporter of St. Anne’s had them Read more…

Last week, a couple of us worked on processing squash! Mr. Jim Wilm planted 2 hills of squash with three seeds in each on, yielding three wheel-barrels full of squash! Today, he brought the last of it in, so we will have more to process in the days to come. So far, we have about 20 gallons bagged up in the freezer.

Apologies for not updating our events calendar sooner. It is now viewable at https://www.sfcretreats.org/events-schedule/ If you or your group would like to arrangements for a retreat or event, please contact Karen at 701-242-7195. For information about our featured events, in which our Sisters are involved, visit the featured events page: https://www.sfcretreats.org/whats-new-at-sfc/upcoming-events/ Thank you.

We’d also appreciate it if you’d spread the news. The shareable link is: https://youtu.be/M3rkx2W5xwY .

This morning, a couple staff here at St. Francis Convent and Retreat Center were busy getting the last beets from our garden bagged up and in the freezer. Other beets have been pickled or served fresh. Throughout the year, thanks to hard work by various people here, pickled beets are available for sale in our gift shop. Although some people don’t care too much for this nutrient-rich vegetable, others know that they “can’t be beet!”

Although most of these are featured on our Upcoming Events page, they are worth mentioning here in a post of their own! To register for any of these events, please contact Sr. Mary Ruth at 7041-242-7195 or srmaryruth@sfcretreats.org. * * *

How is God inviting you to expand your heart to love others? Are you being called to join us for a three-day retreat for Catholic women? The Women’s Eccesia Domestica will be held February 3-5, 2023 at St. Francis Retreat Center in Hankinson, ND. Ecclesia Domestica is a Latin phrase which signifies “the Domestic Church” or “the church in the home.” The Christian family is the first cell of the life of the Universal Church! Read more…