Blessed Christmas to You and

Your Animal Friends and Companions

from all in the Feline Cloister!

Welcome to the Christmas Mewsletter

Dear Mewsletter Reader,

Once again the birth of our Savior Jesus breaks into our world; a world torn by violence, injustice, poverty and despair. For all this today we grieve deeply. But this is not the end of the story.

The birth of a child centuries ago set a holy path followed by women and men through the ages. This is the path of hope, compassion, reconciliation, and love. We learn from these holy women and men and are supported by them.

It is our turn now. May we rejoice to be agents of hope, compassion, reconciliation, and love right where God in God’s wisdom has placed us. The birth of the Christ Child in our hearts will carry us forward. 

This is the season of hope.

May your Christmas and Christmastide be filled with the joy that sustains and strengthens.  

In Christ,

Amma Jane and all in the

Feline Cloister

The Christmas Spirit

by Ann Weems

"The Christmas spirit

        is that hope

           which tenaciously clings

              to the hearts of the faithful

and announces

     in the face

           of any Herod the world can produce

           and all the inn doors slammed in our faces

           and all the dark nights of our souls

that with God

       all things are possible,

that even now

       unto us

                a Child is born!"

Ann Weems, from Kneeling in Bethlehem

Above "Nativity " by Dawn Eggenberger

This special Benedictine version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was pawed by Br. Randy in 2012. Some of you who may have seen and heard this Benedictine rendition in last year's Christmas greeting. We decided to include it again this year.

We really like it and have shared it with the Resident Novices. They feel that Br. Randy’s version captures the essence of the Rule in a fun way.

The Worldwide Novice Community Mews

Christmas Greetings!

The Worldwide Novices of the Feline Cloister

Christmas is a time for song and laughter. To encourage us in this endeavor, our Worldwide Novices offer their feline rendition of “Deck the Halls.” You are invited to sing along!

Deck the halls with boughs of catnip. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Now’s the time for feline kinship. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Groom you now your fur up pretty. Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.

Mew a feline Christmas ditty. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-mew!!  

See the cat treats spread before us. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Grab a few and join the chorus. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Follow us, don’t lose your focus . Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.

For we mew a Merry Christmas. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-meow-meow!! 

“Into this silent night

      as we make our weary way

          we know not where,

   just when the night becomes its darkest

       and we cannot see our path,

just then

is when angels rush in,

their hands full of stars.”

Br. Ricky, OSB-F, mews,

"Watch for the angels. Be on the lookout for the stars!"

Above: Ann Weems, from Kneeling in Bethlehem

and "Sky Watching" by Dawn Eggenberger

Br. Ricky, Sr. Espy and Sr. Nikki mew you a

Merry Twelve Days of Christmas and

a New Year filled with purrs and joy!

Do you know a feline or a human who would benefit by

reading this Christmas Mewsletter?  

Amma and Br. Ricky invite you to forward this email to them.