Today is a a day of completion, of gratitude, and of joy.  We welcome and thank all of you who have helped us in so many ways, big and little, to make our much needed candy factory, business office, and gift shop a reality.  Later today you will be able to see how beautiful it is and how efficient, but for the moment some special thank you's are due.

The first is to Mother Agnes Day, our former abbess, who recognized the need several years ago and was willing to begin a long and challenging process that involved all of us in one way or another.  Now we are beginning to experience the fruits of the process.

The second special thank you is to the Scholl family, represented today by Barbara Scholl Lamont and our own Sister Edith. The Scholls who have helped us in some many ways, as has the Dr Scholl Foundation on whose grants we could always count, have been a godsend for our new Candy House.

The third special thank you goes to the giant contributor to our candy building, Gerry Lorusso.  Gerry, we couldn't have done it without you, and your generosity ing giving so much, and then even more when the more wasn't expected, has touched all our hearts.

Let us now cut the ribbon and rejoice.

Those of you who came to the Open House on October 1 saw a new sign at the entrance to the Abbey driveway. Though it is not yet complete, it does serve to make finding us much easier.  The design is that of Victoria Marcelino, an art design student at a local university, and member of a family close to the monastery for many years.