In the New, Out with the Old

We just acquired a number of beautiful artwork and statues at the retreat center.  We have a large Jesus, Redeemer of the World on our Lakeside Lodge stone porch that looks out on the lake; a lovely, life-size Mary statue who stands with Jesus in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel; and two beautiful large crucifixes.  These were acquired from a couple of convents in Pennsylvania that are downsizing.  That is very sad, but we're grateful that they wanted to give these sacred items a new home at Heart Ridge.  
Our new "Ben" is a beautiful young woman named Elizabeth Russell.  Although not very handy with maintenance type chores, Elizabeth has many other gifts.  She feels called to the ministry of Catholic Creatives, and she herself inspires to be a writer.  Of course she serves us by helping with our cleaning and cooking, but we also hope Heart Ridge will be a service to her as a place where her ministry can grow alongside ours.  

She came to us as a daughter of friends of friends in the Chicago area. By total coincidence, she happens to be the cousin of my daughter's husband.  Funny.