Cookbook Recipe Demo - Pork & Apple Casserole

New feature here on the blog!

Periodically, we'll feature a recipe blog, giving information on recipes that can be found in the sisters' cookbook "Morsels and Chuckles from the Monastery."

This first entry is a favorite of Sister Marilyn Schroering's. She made it often for her fellow sisters when she was on mission at both Evansville St. Joe’s in the county and Holy Family in Jasper. It can be put together one day and baked the next if you'd like. Another tip from Sister Marilyn, it can be froze (after being baked) and reheated again at a later date.

Pork & Apple Casserole

Sprinkle 6 pork chops with salt & pepper to taste.

Brown chops on both sides in a skillet.

Place chops in a large shallow casserole. Save the fat drippings in the skillet.

Peel and cut 3 tart apples into slices and arrange on the chops.

Pour 3 tbsp. molasses over all.

Stir 3 tbsp. flour into fat in the skillet. Cook and stir until brown. Slowly stir in 2 cups hot water and cook until mixture boils.

Add 1 tbsp. cider vinegar, ½ tsp. salt and 1/3 cup raisins.

Pour sauce over the apples in the casserole.

Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

Ta-da! Sister Marilyn with the finished product.

This is just one of over 450 recipes the sisters, the Oblates and monastery employees share in the sisters’ third cookbook edition, “Morsels and Chuckles from the Monastery,” available at For Heaven’s Sake Gift Shop and online.

Rogation Day Observance

For the beauty of the earth, for the gifts of all creation, we give thanks.
Farmers, gardeners, stewards of God’s creation, lovers of the earth — we all gathered this evening to pray in gratitude, but especially to pray for all who work on the land, for a favorable planting, growing, and harvesting season, and for safety and protection from natural disasters. Following the centuries-old tradition of blessing the fields and praying for good harvests, we began this Rogation Day service in the monastery church and then processed to St. Ferdinand parish church for a Mass and special blessing of seeds and soil that participants brought. Bishop Charles C. Thompson, bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, presided at the services. Our monastery, St. Ferdinand Parish, and the Diocesan Office of Catholic Rural Life sponsored this annual Rogation Day event.

(Sister Paulette Seng)

"Get Fit — 55+"

About 25 to 30 of our sisters are participating in this eight-week fitness/exercise program geared toward 55 and older. The sisters, ages 58 to 89½, attending the weekly sessions have lots of fun and are happy with the results so far. “I feel energized when it’s over.” “Feel more alive.” “It’s jump starting my daily exercise routine.” “I don’t want to get stiff.” “It’s fun to exercise with a group.” The exercise sessions are conducted by Jill Memmer, a certified health/fitness specialist from Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper. “The sessions are lively and fun, and Jill’s energy is contagious.” As director of our Community Health Services, Sister Barbara Ann Offerman had set a goal to provide a holistic exercise program for community members, under the guidance of reputable health providers. Check off that goal as 100% successful.

(Sister Paulette Seng)