We were warmly received by this predominately Catholic community. Each year marked the deepening of our roots in this area. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas were a great help to us in those early days and they continue to be a loyal and loving support.

In 1989 a Fraternity of Secular Franciscans was established in Victoria. We have had a strong mutual support for each other over the years. At that time Franciscan Friars were stationed in the Diocese making present the 3 orders of St. Francis in our area.

In 1990 Sister Caroline joined from Evansville, making her Solemn Profession in December of that year. Sister came with many gifts and talents and contributed to the Community for 4 years before returning to Evansville.

In 1991 Sister Katherine joined us from So. Florida, having heard God’s call to our community. Sister made her Solemn Profession on August 15, 1998. It was an incredibly joyous celebration for one who had been single, married with a son and now committing her life to God as a Poor Clare.

In 1992, after watching the movie “Fields of Dreams,” we purchased a double-wide manufactured home and brought it onto our property. The message was “If you build it, they will come.” This was to provide room for new members. We’ve had it attached to our main Monastery by way of a breezeway.

Our present means of support is partly from the Bakery where we specialize in pies, cakes, cookies and quick breads. Donations from family, friends and benefactors are a great help to us in meeting our needs.

Sister Antoinette died in 2001; Sister Gabriel and Sister Katherine continue on, confident that this is where Our Lord wants them to be and that He will provide new members to continue the ministry He began.

The Sisters come together in Chapel to pray the Divine Office each day and attend daily Mass either at the Monastery or a local parish when no priest is available. There is time each day for personal contemplative prayer and spiritual reading. Retreat days, renewal days and free days each month nourish our spirituality. An 8-day retreat is an annual event.

Clare and Francis of Assisi had a deep personal love for Jesus that led to a self-emptying/openness to all that is of God. They named it poverty after Jesus’ self-emptying and living poor among us. The mystery of the journey in our search for God is only complete when He takes us into His embrace in our final moments. Until that grace-filled moment, we journey in faith and search to grow closer to Our Lord in prayer, penance, sisterhood, community living and the mutual support required to be faithful to our call.

Could our Lord be calling you to be a Poor Clare? Do you ever feel Him gently tugging at the strings of your heart?....or in the gentle breeze...at the lake...in the garden...do you ever hear Him say: “Come, follow Me?”

You are cordially invited to ‘come and see’ ... perhaps spend a weekend with us ... discerning Our Lord’s Call on your heart. We serve an awesome God and a vocation is an incredible gift!  Click here to request information.