our new guest house – opening for you!

Vol 33 No 3 Sept 2012
OUR NEW GUEST HOUSE –
OPENING FOR YOU!
Bethany House, our guest house, is about to open! After two months of major work to freshen and brighten
Bethany House, we will celebrate our “grand opening” on Tuesday, October 9!
Some of you will remember Bethany House as the original Augusta convent guest house, for it is the same
building with ten single bedrooms. We think you’ll be amazed at the extensive refurbishing, from a variety of
polished bedroom furniture to fresh, new linens and pillows to the hallway painted “snowfall blue.”
In Bethany, two of the guest rooms form a suite with a shared bathroom, perfect for a couple or good friends.
The lovely large-windowed common room and kitchenette have also been updated for your comfort.
WE’RE EXCITED – COME AND SEE!
1st row: Linda and Faith Anthony
2nd row: Mary Lois, Benedicta, Cintra Pemberton, June Thomas
3rd row: Grace, Cornelia, Barbara Lee, Ruth, Ellen Stephen
4th row: Ellen Francis, Carol Andrew, Ann, Miriam Elizabeth
Not present: Rosina, Elsie
GENERAL CONVENTION 2012
Sr Ellen Stephen: It was a privilege and a
delight for me to be one of the four sisters to represent OSH at General Convention this year.
Among the many highlights were greeting friends
I hadn’t seen since my days in the convent in
Seattle, the Poor Clares on Long Island, and one
of the bishops who dropped by our exhibit hall
booth whom I hadn’t seen since he was a young
parish priest in a little town in Connecticut and
came to tea at my mother’s farm! But the real
highlight of Convention for me was the profound
sense of respect and Christian community that
pervaded throughout. Yes, there was anxiety and
maybe even stronger emotions around some of
the issues, but when the votes came in, there was
a perceptible lack of expressed rancor or malevolence. The church, as Christ’s body, was not
without its wounds, but those wounds were and
are healing wounds.
Sr Miriam Elizabeth: In attending General
Convention for the first time and viewing the
Church from our booth, I was struck by the
breadth and depth of our particular gathering of
the Body of Christ. I heard Peter say to Jesus, “It
is good for us to be here,” and I knew the wish to
build booths, to mark the glory of this moment
and these people.
There was the 97-year-old man who has been
present at every convention since 1946 and the
young college student who was five when I lived
next door to her family in seminary. I heard slow
Southern drawls, Canadian speed-talk, and accents from Massachusetts to Minnesota to Mexico. There was a beautiful African-American
woman dressed in pastel ruffles, pearls, and a
clergy collar; a Native American bishop in shorts;
and a young Hmong girl dressed in her mother’s
colorful wares. I stopped counting after hearing
seven different languages and there were many
more.
Underneath these surfaces lived varying theologies, opinions and interpretations. The networking and conversations varied from peace and
justice for the Middle East, to the temperature of
baptismal waters, to who makes the best
woman’s clergy shirt, to money and mission and
how they are related, or not. Old friends greeted
one another with a shout and a hug, and old adversaries nodded with recognition. Young people
were everywhere and active – as deputies, volunteers, exhibitors and visitors. They are dreaming
dreams as the Church and moving to live them
out.
There was also a great sense of energy in the
folks who visited our booth. Many old friends
were glad to see us and learn more of our life
here in GA, while others were eager to engage
“the dancing nuns” for the first time.1 Plans for
building a new convent were greeted with affirmation and applause.
Above: Ellen Stephen with one of
her two new books, A Poet’s Eye, a
collection of her poetry. It is available on Amazon and at the convent.
Below: Ellen Francis with Associate
Karen Powers at convention. Karen
won the raffle to receive the icon
Ellen Francis is holding (also written
by her). Karen named the icon “St
Clare.”
Clearly, the Church is
changing and regenerating,
and this convention is evidence of that change in many
respects. I am grateful to
have been a part of the gathering in Indianapolis and to
have seen the presence and
movement of the Holy Spirit
in the midst of such change.
I am grateful for the Church
and all that it is – an unwieldy, messy, raucous and
glorious Body of Christ.
2
Sr Ann Prentice: The OSH booth at General
Convention was a colorful and attractive magnet
for those interested in purchasing distinctive items
made by sisters. Others came by to reconnect with
a specific sister with whom they had a close relationship in the past, or to share vivid memories of
visiting one of our convents and encountering God
in a surprisingly personal way.
Rather than creating arts or crafts, I have a passion for finding a “Holy Spirit connection” with
others, whether that’s in the moment or long term;
in a setting such as General Convention, that was
almost overwhelming! One of the most touching
aspects of connecting was the blank book in which
we encouraged people to write messages to OSH
sisters that we could bring back to them – especially to Srs Ruth, Cintra, and Cornelia who had
attended so many past conventions.
A special joy was the Liberian delegation who
remembered our sisters who taught in the Holy
Cross Mission in their country decades ago! As a
native Nebraskan and friend of the new bishop of
that diocese, J Scott Barker, I was delighted to be
invited to their “Nebraska Night” dinner and to get
to know those dedicated men and women. I also
made the acquaintance of a camel at the Worldwide Pilgrimage Ministries booth, where Donna
Tuten had high
praise for a pilgrimage she had taken
with Sr Cintra.
The connection
which did my heart
the most good was
the opportunity to
spend an evening
with Sr
Elsie!
Thanks to her son,
Eric Reid, Elsie and I
enjoyed a reunion
and tour of the Memory Care Unit where
she now lives in Fishers IN. She is well and we
had a good conversation about OSH.
I was glad to spend time again with members
of the other monastic communities, as well as our
friends Thomas Mark Liotta and James Mahoney
of the Brotherhood of St Gregory, who had often
joined our worship at the Vails Gate convent. It
was a particular blessing for me to meet our transgendered brothers and sisters in the Episcopal
Church. So many heart-warming connections with
OSH Associates and old friends and new, “my cup
was overflowing!”
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At https://www.facebook.com/OrderofSaintHelena,
see a video of us dancing to steel band drumming
during the “prelude” to a morning Eucharist.
PROGRAMS, EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
3042 Eagle Drive, Augusta GA 30906-3326
706-798-5201 ext 1 augustaconvent@comcast.net http://www.osh.org/events.html
REGISTRATION FOR PROGRAMS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Presentation, let us reflect together on the glorious canticle, the joy that made
Simeon utter, “Now I am content to depart this earthly life.” And let us remember that this is not something that happened some 2012 years ago but that it
is happening in each of us today. You are welcome for morning prayer at
7:30, Holy Eucharist at approximately 8:10, and a simple breakfast, as well.
Sr Faith Anthony entered OSH in 2008; she’s now in her third year of annual
profession. She draws cartoons, does calligraphy, plays the organ, and loves
looking at DNA sequences. Faith enjoyed guiding Bible gatherings while
working in New York and found it fascinating to read Scripture in depth with a
group. Her wish is to let intellect and spirituality walk together in her ministries. Faith first started meditation practice in a Zen temple in Tokyo. Though
she has had a strong conversion experience to Christianity, she has Buddhism in her blood.
Register for all events and overnight accommodations through the
convent guest email, augustaconvent@comcast.net, or by calling 706-7985201, ext 1. Guest house reservations are $60 per night per person. A
deposit of 50% of the total of program and accommodation costs will
confirm your reservation. Guest deposits are nonrefundable but
transferrable unless otherwise stated. Please make checks payable to
“OSH” and mail c/o Guest Registrar. We also accept Visa and MasterCard.
Overnight accommodations include three meals daily, and day programs
include lunch. See http://www.osh.org/events.html for additional guest
information.
Coming soon! Watch our website for the new online registration
form and PayPal access!
Were You There? Voices of Witness, a Lenten Retreat with Sr Miriam
Elizabeth Bledsoe, n/OSH. Friday Vespers, March 1 – Sunday dinner, March
3. Program cost: $80.
There were many who witnessed the events of the week that led up to Good
Friday and into Easter morning. Some you will know and some you might not
have considered before. Come and let their voices resound in your heart
through a series of meditations, silence and reflection. Let their experience of
2000 years ago deepen anew your experience of Holy Week 2013.
Sr Miriam Elizabeth, a novice in the Order, is also an Episcopal priest who
enjoys Biblical story-telling that speaks the gospel message from unusual
voices and perspectives. She currently serves the Order as the new program
and publicity coordinator. Miriam Elizabeth came to OSH from the Diocese of
West Texas where she served as a parish priest for nine years.
Saint Helena Series for Spiritual Growth 2012
Sponsored by OSH and St Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Rabbi Rami Shapiro
Biblical Wisdom for Post-Biblical Times –
Learning to Read the Bible Like a Mystic
Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13
AT ST AUGUSTINE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AUGUSTA GA
Program cost: $135; register through the convent.
See www.osh.org/events.html for details and www.rabbirami.com.
+++++
Rabbi Rami Preaching the Sunday Sermon
Sing to God a New Song: Learning OSH Canticles, a retreat with Sr
Ann Prentice, OSH. Friday Vespers, April 19 – Sunday dinner, April 21.
Program cost: $75; Associates pay room and board only.
A weekend to honor our OSH Associates and for them to renew their commitment at Saturday Vespers with a new Associates service. There will be
three teaching periods – a brief Friday evening session, with more extensive
Saturday morning and afternoon sessions – making it possible for Saturdayonly participants to attend. The weekend is open to all, and we encourage
attendance from local church members who wish to expand their range of
spiritual songs. New canticles in the OSH Breviary were composed by our
own Sr Cintra Pemberton.
Sunday, October 14, Holy Eucharist
AT THE CONVENT OF ST HELENA
The Bible doesn't speak in one voice, and different voices speak to us at
different times. According to Rabbi Rami, the voice of Wisdom – the voice of
Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes – is a voice speaking to many in our time. In
this workshop Rami will help us hear this voice and discern for ourselves what
She has to teach.
Rami Shapiro is the author of six books on the Wisdom Tradition, notably, The
Divine Feminine, The Way of Solomon, Ecclesiastes Annotated and Explained,
Proverbs Annotated and Explained, and Ethics of the Sages. His newest publication is Writing, a Sacred Art. We urge you to learn more about Rabbi Rami at
his website, shown above.
Saint Helena Series for Spiritual Growth 2013
Sponsored by OSH & The Church of the Good Shepherd
The Rt Rev Frank T Griswold
Former Presiding Bishop of
The Episcopal Church, USA
Holy Eucharist on the Feast of the Ascension
LISTEN! My Beloved Is Knocking: an Advent Retreat on Prayer with
Sr Ellen Stephen, OSH. Friday Vespers, November 30 – Sunday dinner,
December 2, 2012. Program cost: $80.
This retreat will touch on the areas of quiet and sacred space as the atmosphere for prayer; personal prayer or the relationship with God in meditation,
contemplation and silent intercession; the development and stages of our
prayer; and prayer together—the Psalms and the Holy Eucharist.
Sr Ellen Stephen, an Episcopal nun since 1964, has published a number of
books on spirituality. In July, her two new books became available: The Poet’s
Eye (Academica Press), a book of her collected poetry, and Some Antics, a
whimsical collection of her watercolors paired with poetry snippets. ES’ ministry
in the Order includes spiritual direction; preaching; leading retreats, quiet days,
and conferences; and new writing.
Bishop Griswold presiding and preaching.
Free buffet luncheon following the service. RSVP!
Thursday, May 9, 11:00 am at the Convent of St Helena
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Encountering the Risen One:
Our Experience of the Ever-Eastering Christ
at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
Fri, May 10, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Sat, May 11, 9:30 – 3:30
Program cost: $135; register through the convent.
See www.osh.org/events.html.
For My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation: a day of reflection around the
Nunc Dimittis with Sr Faith Anthony, OSH. Saturday, February 2, 2013, 10:00 –
3:00. Program cost $60.
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For
mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” Since February 2 is the Feast Day of the
As many of you know, we celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of our
Chapel of the Ascension on Ascension Day each year. We are honored that
Continues on page 6
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Sr Barbara Lee: During this past year I have
continued to participate in the faith community
at Advent Lutheran Church in Augusta. Currently I volunteer with the Parish Education,
Evangelism and Service Boards. I also sing
with the adult choir. Early in June I was one of
the story tellers for the lower grades of Vacation
Bible School. At the convent, I have enjoyed
preparing our mid-day meal 2-4 times per
month. As part of our Guest Ministry Team, I
was responsible for the preparation of Ascension House for guests and am currently
involved with the transition of overnight accommodations to Bethany House (the original guest
house), opening October 9.
Sr Grace: Over the last few months, I have
enjoyed some wonderful travel/retreat time in
New York, Maryland and California. Another
glorious “first” for me this summer was to make
a guest connection with the Order of the Holy
Cross brothers (both in West Park NY and
Santa Barbara CA) and to visit family and
friends. God willing, in October 2012, I will be
privileged to begin full-time work as a CPE
(Clinical Pastoral Education) student, with the
potential to earn four credit units in a one-year
residency program at Georgia Health Sciences
University (formerly MCG). I will continue to
train as a hospital chaplain while still living/
working at home with the sisters at the convent.
It is a dynamic duo of active and contemplative
ministry, right where my heart lies. Specific
areas of focus at the hospital include labor and
delivery and the outpatient cancer center.
Prayers are much appreciated for me this coming year!
Sr Ruth: Although I am senior member in
community, I continue to have a few responsibilities, principal of which is my intercessory
prayer for many people. In July I had a lovely
visit with my youngest nephew and his family,
including two Dachshunds with whom I fell in
love. One day we went to a large park in the
northern part of North Carolina, and I had a first
Sr Ruth preparing Associates birthday cards for
mailing with Joan of Arc standing guard.
time-ever experience of panning for gems. I
came home with more than a half dozen of
sundry kinds.
Sr Benedicta: I continue reading and writing
a good deal. My current read is a great new
book from Spanish Civil War historian, Helen
Graham, who has devoted a full chapter to my
and my brother Ramon’s mother, Amparo
Barayon Sender. Graham dedicated the book to
us and our cousin, Magdalena Maes. The book
is titled, The War and Its Shadow: Spain’s Civil
War in Europe’s Long Twentieth Century. Dr.
Graham praised my brother Ramon Sender’s
book, A Death in Zamorra, on his research for
information on the death of our mother.
Sr Benedicta has discovered another good book!
Sr Ellen Francis: I am astonished by joy
and opportunities for ministry in Augusta GA.
Being a native New Yorker, it’s been quite a
change, and all quite wonderful. I continue to
serve as priest-in-charge of All Saints Episcopal
Church in Beech Island SC and am greatly
enjoying the spiritual friendship at this little
country church. While serving on the OSH
Leadership Council, I delight in talking with
women who are discerning a call to religious life
and also in working with our own newest members. I have recently finished icons of the Trinity, of Saint Francis, and of the Last Supper
(including women and children at the table)!
Sr Linda: July 23 marked my tenth anniversary
in community. In one sense that seems a long
time; in another, the time has flown. As of June,
I became the guest registrar for the Order, and
you can contact me at 706-798-5201 ext 1 or
augustaconvent@comcast.net whenever you
want to register for a program or an overnight
visit in our “new” guest house! I love meeting
with the monthly Wisdom Group, and I also feel
a particular call nowadays to pray for people
who are hurting physically. The most fun I’ve
had in recent months was a full four-day trip to
be with much of my Louisiana family to attend
the wedding of my niece, Laura, and her fiancé,
Adam.
Srs Cornelia and Cintra: We are both residents at The Place in Martinez. August 8 was
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“Family Night,” a quarterly offering. This time
Cornelia stole the show with her tambourine act.
Several sisters from the convent came to be our
family. Both of us attend the Church of the Good
Shepherd every Sunday, where Cornelia especially enjoys participating in the Food for the
Hungry program. She says it reminds her of her
work in Liberia. Cintra goes to a knitting class
every Thursday morning, and sometimes Cornelia goes with her.
Sr Rosina: I have been traveling in the US
recently, first to Long Island for my three students’ graduation from the Ghanaian CPE program that I supervise. As well, I am participating
in the Episcopal Health Services' preparation for
its accreditation review at St John's Episcopal
Hospital in Far Rockaway NY as part of my training to prepare for the review that must take place
in Ghana. I also flew to Highlands NC to visit
with the Rev Bruce Walker and his family. Next I
go to Seattle to see the Rev David Mesenbring
and his family, as well as to visit with Associate
Ellen Freeman.
Sr Faith Anthony: I tended to try outside
ministries without much considering whether
they are “beyond my spiritual income” (as H A
Williams describes) and ended up with doing
more than I could afford. Now I am in a phase of
re-centering myself. Currently I am introducing
more calligraphy and borders into the scriptorium
and learning the new assignment as the archivist. Also I am taking the final stage of my discernment toward Life Profession very seriously. I
thank you for your prayers.
Sr ES: I continue to do missions and had a
splendid time in June in Baton Rouge, leading a
retreat for the Board of the St James Center for
Spiritual Formation. My new book of collected
poetry has arrived: The Poet’s Eye (Academica
Press). It is available on Amazon and at the
convent. A little book of my watercolors and bits
of poems – Some Antics – is also available. If
you purchase either of these at the convent, I will
sign your copy! I look forward to several more
missions and retreats in the fall, including a visit
to our Associates in San Antonio.
Sr Miriam Elizabeth: As a novice, I’ve recently accompanied sisters on missions, attended General Convention and served at the
convent altar. Currently, I am stepping into the
role of program and publicity coordinator and am
working with others to prepare Bethany House
for its opening as our guest house on October 9.
In the spare moments, quilting (commissions
accepted) and kayaking the GA and SC waters
bring me great joy. Meanwhile the Spirit continues to blow and I am listening for the sound of it.
Sr Linda Julian left the community in early
August and has moved to Toronto. We love her
and miss her very much.
THE OSH LIFE HISTORIES PROJECT
Associates Column by Donna S Mote
In May 2011, I made my first retreat at the Convent of St
Helena and felt myself immediately at home in the midst of
the Daily Offices and Eucharist in the chapel. As a person
committed to practicing the principles of Sabbath-keeping
regularly, from the daily to the annual cycles of my life, I was
grateful to have found this oasis of worship and rest in easy
driving distance from my home.
Since then I have retreated at the convent
regularly and as I write this in July 2012 I am
on my sixth visit with the sisters in Augusta. In
between the Offices, I have been conducting
the first life history interviews for a new project about OSH with Sr Cintra Pemberton and
Sr Cornelia. It has been a great delight and a
profound blessing to spend a number of hours
with each of these amazing sisters, videotaping their reminiscences of life in the Order,
memories stretching back decades that are
unique to them and recorded in their particular words and in their distinctive voices.
On subsequent visits in the near future I will undertake interviews with each of the sisters in turn. The working idea is
that the history of the Order is in a very real sense a quilting
of many fascinating life stories in community. Excerpts of the
film footage from these conversations will be combined with
videography of the community’s life, including prayer and liturgy, ministry and meals, chores, and so on with the aim of
producing a series of ethnographic films.
The first intended film will be a brief introduction to the Order that picks up where the last video, completed in 1999 and
largely featuring the former convent at Vails Gate, leaves off.
Another proposed film will be a longer narrative history of the
Order that combines excerpts of the previous video and other
archival materials with the contemporary footage. A third anticipated film will be an observational work that focuses intently on practices of the sisters’ life together with little to no
narration (think Into Great Silence with an OSH accent).
This project was inspired in part by hearing multiple sisters
remark after the death of Sr Mary Michael Simpson in 2011
that, while OSH has numerous excerpts of various interviews
with her and various news clippings in the archives, no one
ever sat down and recorded at length many of the fascinating
stories from her life as told by her. Further inspiration has
come from the felt need of the sisters to update the OSH introductory video and from an awareness of the uniqueness of
this period of transition for the Order, with only one convent
currently (in Augusta GA) and the anticipated move of all the
sisters into a new convent just across the river in North
Augusta SC.
CONVENT OF ST HELENA
3042 Eagle Dr, Augusta GA 30906-3326
Phone 706-798-5201 Fax 706-796-0079
augustaconvent@comcast.net
http://www.osh.org
I have begun this project as my in-kind contribution to
OSH as an Associate of the Order, donating my time and
the required equipment to the effort. I am writing some
grants to support the film project going forward.
It’s my strong hope and sincere intention that these films
will increase knowledge of the Order of St Helena and of
Episcopal monastics more generally both inside and outside
the Church by recording, preserving, and
distributing both the story and practices of
the Order and the individual life stories of
sisters.
Donna S Mote, PhD is Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion in the college department
of religion at Sewanee: The University of the
South. An anthropologist and historian of
religious cultures, she is an ethnographic
filmmaker, an Associate of OSH, and a
postulant for Holy Orders in the Diocese of
Atlanta.
Visitors of all ages may encounter Sr Grace as hospital chaplain this coming
year. Her four-unit CPE training program will include full-time ministry to
patients, their families, and the staff at Augusta's teaching hospital (Georgia
Health Sciences University) while also balancing the contemplative life at the
convent. Grace is shown here volunteering at University Hospital, Augusta.
Thank you for your prayerful responses and financial support of our ministries. And
thank you for an annual contribution in support of the newsletter’s publication. Please
mail checks made to “OSH” c/o Sr Linda Elston. If you would like to begin receiving
the newsletter or if your contact information changes, please write to the convent or
email us at augofficemgr@comcast.net.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Convent of St Helena, 3042 Eagle Dr, Augusta GA 30906-3326. saint helena (USPS 487-590)
is published four times a year by the Order of St Helena, 3042 Eagle Dr, Augusta GA 30906-3326. Periodical postage is paid at Newburgh NY.
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PERIODICAL POSTAGE
PAID AT
NEWBURGH NY
AND OTHER OFFICES
The Order of St Helena is a religious community for
women in the Episcopal Church, founded in 1945,
which witnesses to a contemporary version of
traditional monasticism.
Vol 33 No 3 Sept 2012
Pictured above are our faithful and beautifully spirited staff: Clara Avery, Kathleen
Murray, Laura Ann Whitaker, and Lois Robinson. We celebrated them on July 24,
Staff Appreciation Day.
Pictured below are Sr Rosina with her three August graduates of the Ghanaian
Indigenous Clinical Pastoral Education program. To her left is Pastor Amos Amoh
from the Pentecostal Church. To her right are Roman Catholic priest, Fr Francis
Acquah-Sagoe, and Anglican lay member, Nana Osei Yaw Thompson.
The monthly Wisdom Group at OSH has been meeting for 2-1/2 years . Standing above are regulars Keith Claussen, Pat Darden, Pat Moss, Trina Ford, former sister Linda Julian, and Tara Simkins. In the circle are Sr Linda, Lydia
Giusto, and Karen Wheeler. We have become a true community, and more souls
are welcome!
We work with recorded material by Adyashanti, a spiritual teacher who
emerged from the Zen tradition who draws on all great spiritual traditions. Says
Sr Linda, “If Adyashanti is for you, his teaching is so calming and freeing. I imagine the effect of hearing him must be similar to the effect on people who heard
Jesus speak.” We watch and reflect on one DVD, meeting from 9:30 until noon,
and closing with a time of silence. If you’d like to attend these gatherings, please
contact Sr Linda at 706-798-5201, ext 1 or augustaconvent@comcast.net. See
www.adyashanti.org for more.
prepared and rendered open to the sometimes wild and unexpected ways in
which the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” as the Risen One is named in the Book of
Revelation, bounds into our lives and lays claim to our hearts and imagination.
Continued from page 3
Bishop Griswold has accepted our invitation to be celebrant and preacher on
this day.
Additionally, Bishop Griswold will present a weekend teaching entitled,
“Encountering the Risen One: Our Experience of the Ever-Eastering Christ.”
The program will be an exploration of the various ways in which we are
Icon Workshop 2013 led by Fr Damian Higgins. Wednesday, September 18,
7:00 pm: an introduction to iconography, $15 per person. Thursday morning,
September 19 – Sunday dinner, September 22, the icon workshop. Program cost:
$375, meals included. Accommodations are a separate expense.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OSH is now on Facebook, and you can find us at this website address:
http://www.facebook.com/OrderofSaintHelena. If you haven’t heard by now, our
four sisters attending General Convention led the way dancing to steel band
drummers before one of the services at Convention. See the video on Facebook!
If you receive the saint helena by snail mail yet also use email, we’d be
grateful if you would email AugOfficeMgr@comcast.net and give Laura Ann your
current email address. Many email addresses are out of date. Every rare once in
a while, such as with the nationwide publicity of Rabbi Rami Shapiro’s program,
we need to communicate with you via email. If you’d like to switch to receiving the
color version of the saint helena by quarterly email notice, let Laura Ann know
that, too. Thank you.
NEW CONVENT Architectural work – The Leadership Council is meeting
weekly with Cheatham Fletcher Scott Architects of Augusta on designs for
the various new convent buildings. This stage is expected to take several
months. Stay tuned!
Contributing online to OSH – We appreciate and prayerfully steward
your contributions to the Order, which are used in many beneficial ways.
Your financial gifts support our guest programs and our guesthouse
(including scholarships), outreach, chaplaincy work, spiritual direction, parish
involvement, and care of our buildings and grounds. You can donate easily:
go to our website, press the “Donate for Good” button, and follow the directions. See http://www.osh.org/contributions.html.
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