Sidelights

Take a look at our new page called Sidelights. For reference, we will move some older items from What's New to the Sidelights page. This especially includes news items with links to other St. Placid Priory web pages or to other websites. Then we'll have more room on What's New for the most current news of the Priory.

KUOW Interviews Sister Laura Swan

On Friday July 13, our Sister Laura Swan was interviewed about the monastic life on KUOW, Puget Sound Public Radio 94.9. To listen to this interview, go to KUOW and click on either the RealAudio file or the MP3 file. You can access Sister Laura's interview quickly by fast-forwarding to minute 13.

New Programs at The Priory Spirituality Center

OASIS is a new retreat program for clergy. It begins and ends with several days of retreat time, and continues in the interim with one day a month of renewal time at the Spirituality Center. Find out more about OASIS.

TRANSFORMING FIRE: Christian Spirituality and Prayer is the next step for those who enjoyed Tending the Fire and want to deepen their exploration of Christian values and prayer practices. Follow the links to learn more about these programs.

Rosemarie Terwey, OSB 60th Jubilee Sister Rosemarie Terwey celebrated her 60th Jubilee on July 11. She served many years as a teacher and has generously served our community in other ways. She has been one of the mentors to our Tanzanian Sisters, helps staff the Priory Store, and welcomes guests as receptionist. Sister Rosemarie also knits for the Priory Knitters and Spinners.	Stephanie St. Martin, OSB 70th Jubilee Sister Stephanie St. Martin's 70th Jubilee was on July 11. Our Sisters celebrated with her on August 7 at St. Joseph Residence in West Seattle with a tea and renewal of her monastic promise. Sister Stephanie was a teacher for many years, and served our community well for as long as she was able, often remarking, "What I have, I give."	Nathalie Karels, OSB 60th Jubilee Sister Nathalie Karels, who spent many years as a teacher, celebrated her 60th Jubilee July 11. She also worked in the school library at Holy Rosary in Tacoma. We are blessed by Sister Nathalie's faithful work in the Priory library, by her spinning of wool for the Priory Knitters & Spinners, and by her warm hospitality to visitors.

Sister Ann Echtle

August 12, 1921 - May 30, 2007

Sister Ann (Juanita Inez) Echtle, age 85, of St. Placid Priory, Lacey, WA, died at Mother Joseph Care Center in Olympia on May 30, 2007. She was born August 12, 1921 in Yelm, WA to George and Lura Hayford Echtle. In 1940 she graduated from Yelm Union High School. After finishing Business College, she went to work in Tacoma, then as a civilian employee for the Department of the Air Force, working at Paine Airfield in Everett and McChord AFB near Tacoma. One of her fond memories was working for six months in Guam in the Pacific. Sister Ann entered St. Placid Priory in 1959 and entered the novitiate June 18, 1960. She made her Monastic Profession on July 11, 1961. She alternated between life as a college student and teaching elementary school at Visitation, St. Ann and Holy Rosary Schools in Tacoma. She graduated from St. Martin's College in 1967. In 1970 she became a member of St. Placid High School staff and served her community as secretary as well. In 1985 Sister Ann began a new adventure as cook for Priorywood Daycare Center. She loved those children dearly and would regale willing listeners with stories. In 1992 she joined the staff of The Priory Spirituality Center as bookkeeper and administrative assistant as well as continuing to serve her community as secretary and receptionist. As her health deteriorated, Sister Ann slowly and most reluctantly began to let go of her many responsibilities. She had a servant's heart. Sister Ann was faithful to the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass. She had a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego; St. John the Beloved Disciple; and St. Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower. Preceding Sister Ann in death are her parents; her brother George; sisters Margaret and Marian; and nephew Jimmy. She is survived by her monastic community; her sister Freda Echtle of Sumner; brothers James of Lacey and Edward of Tenino, and many, well-loved nieces and nephews. Vigil service held at 7 PM on Monday, June 4 and Mass of Resurrection at 2 PM on Tuesday, June 5 at St. Placid Priory Chapel. Donations in memory of Sister Ann may be sent to St. Placid Priory, 500 College Street NE, Lacey, WA 98516

St. Placid is Now Smoke-Free

The buildings at St. Placid Priory have always been smoke-free. We are pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2007 our entire monastic grounds are also smoke-free. We hope you will enjoy our peaceful, green environment.

Volunteer at St. Placid

Many volunteers help us at St. Placid--doing a wide variety of helpful tasks. If you'd like to know more about occasional volunteering, or about our live-in volunteer program for women, please see our new Volunteer page

The Priory Store

To find out "what's new" at the Priory Store, see our Priory Store page. We have many new books, religious articles and gifts for special occasions.