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The Santa Rosa community wanted to meet in a safe and meaningful way to celebrate Sr. Gabi on her Golden Jubilee, but options were limited.

With many Covid-19 restrictions still in place, a Eucharistic celebration in one of our houses was not possible so we met at an outdoor sacred site - the Casa Grande Ruins, about 15 minutes west of Florence.

Six tribes in today's U.S. Southwest have histories that link them to the people who once lived there. For these Native American tribes, Casa Grande Ruins is a sacred place and we felt privileged to be able to share this holy ground with their ancestors today.

We began the morning by seating ourselves at a sheltered picnic area overlooking the Ruins. Simple white and gold table coverings, a large vase of golden yellow roses and a small statue of Our Lady covered the table.

A Communion Service and Lectio Divina focused our sharing on one of Sr. Gabi's favorite scripture passages, Deuteronomy 6:4-9. As we prayed and looked out into the desert, so dry from a long summer of nearly zero monsoon activity, Sr. Gabi was content, for she truly loves this desert land that has grown her soul and her love for the migrant people. It has been a place that has nourished her quest to love The Holy One with all her heart, all her soul and all her strength.

After the prayer service we enjoyed a nice homemade brunch together. A colorful breakfast fruit pie, fresh muffins, and a vegetable quiche satisfied the pallet and enhanced conversation. This actually turned out to be a wonderful way to celebrate a Jubilee - pandemic or no pandemic!

The U.S. Area hopes and prays to be able to celebrate our Jubilarians with each other--together-- at our Spring 2021 Assembly. May our good God heal our suffering brothers and sisters and our dear Earth home from this horrific pandemic that afflicts everyone so severely.