This is a prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, celebrating the wonder, glory and goodness of God. Francis went through life expecting that the goodness of God that overflowed into our world in the form of the Word Made Flesh, Son of God made man, was present in every person he encountered. Francis knew that "GOOD" is the very essence of God and invited everyone to know that Goodness in every aspect of life and creation.

In the past three years we, your sisters, have known that goodness of God in you, the people of the Church of Montana. So it is with great joy that we announce that ground breaking for the new Poor Clare Monastery will take place on Sunday afternoon, April 27, 2003.

This major step in our lives coincides with some momentous occasions. Beginning on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2003 and lasting until the Feast of St. Clare, August 11, 2004 the Franciscan Family around the world celebrates the 750^th anniversary of the death of Saint Clare of Assisi. It also marks the 750^th anniversary of the Church’s approval of the Rule of Life written by Clare, which we still observe today. Clare of Assisi is the only woman in the history of the church to write her own rule for a religious order.

It is 100 years since the Vicariate of Montana was split into two dioceses. Western Montana became the Diocese of Helena and Eastern Montana became the Diocese of Great Falls under Bishop Blondel.

As we designed the building which will be home to the first contemplative community in Montana, we wanted to express what our hearts are saying: We embrace you; we reach out to you to draw you close so that we carry you in our hearts as we give to God "all praise, all glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing, and all good things." The chapel is the very center of a monastery just as God is the very center or heart of a community. It is from this center that our building reaches out with its two wings to embrace you.

Trusting in the goodness of our gracious God and in the goodness of the people of Montana we begin the next step of our pioneer journey, putting down roots for the permanent presence of the Poor Clares here in Montana.

by Sister Judith Ann 

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