Annual Appeal
A Message from Mother Assumpta Long, OP, Prioress General
Dear Friends,
As I reflect upon the many gifts that God has given us in this past year, my heart overflows with gratitude for His constant goodness to us, and I am reminded of Our Lord’s promise to provide a hundred-fold return to those who forsake all to follow Him. The number 100 is particularly meaningful to us this year as we approach that number with the recent Aspirants who have joined our community. We have also experienced the hundred-fold blessings in our life of prayer, community life, and apostolate. Evidence of his abundant generosity can be seen in reviewing some of the highlights of the year:
- Sixteen Postulants entered the community in August, bringing our total number to 98
- Five Sisters professed perpetual vows, nine Sisters professed first vows, and nine Sisters received the Holy Habit of Saint Dominic
- Construction of our final Motherhouse expansion was completed, providing living space for 99 Sisters
- We established two new missions in the Diocese of Austin, Texas
- Thirty-three Sisters traveled to 13 parishes across the country to teach the Catholic faith at summer catechesis camps and missions
- We have had continued success with our “Truth in the Heart” catechetical program on EWTN
In the thirteen years since our foundation, we have formed and educated Sisters to teach in Catholic schools. The blessing of attracting so many young vocations provides us with the challenge of providing for them, both spiritually and materially. As the majority of our community is still engaged in the formation process, only 25% of our Sisters are able to help support the needs of the community through their active involvement in Catholic schools.
We deeply rely on the prayers and financial support of faithful Catholics to continue in the work with which God has entrusted us. Throughout our community’s history, God has stirred the souls of our generous benefactors to help provide for our needs. In turn, we take our commitment to praying for our benefactors, family and friends very seriously. Their support has enabled us to continue to receive and form Sisters who will strive to be faithful daughters of the Church and touch many souls through the witness of their consecration and participation in our apostolate of Catholic education. Would you prayerfully consider making a gift of financial support to our Annual Fund to assist us in providing for the ongoing living expenses and formation of our community? We sincerely appreciate your consideration and welcome your friendship.
During this holy season of Advent, we ask God to grant you His abundant grace and bless you with a Christmas filled with the joy of the Savior in our midst.
In Jesus and Mary,
Mother Mary Assumpta Long, O.P.
Prioress General