These days, we are, among other things, preparing for planting the gardens and stocking the bookshop and gift shop for the summer crowds.

The staff at the gift shop are asking for thin, sturdy bottle brushes (for cleaning small-neck vases and bottles), orange oil (for cleaning wooden items) and gold colored Rub ‘N Buff for restoring gilded frames and statues.

They would also appreciate any mantel clocks you can send—even if they are broken. (They can repair them.) Statues and medals of St. Joseph and St. Christopher are also very popular these days.

Our handicraft center works closely with the shop, producing crafts and restoring some of your donated items for sale. Thus both departments take part in the work of raising funds for missionaries to distribute to the poor in many parts of the world.

For their projects, the crafts people need super glue, white glue for repairing books and Bibles, and straight pins with colored heads (for crafts).

At the farm, the men have been busy pouring a new cement floor in the dairy. They are asking for bungee cords, (12, 14 and 16 inch), elbow-length rubber wash-up gloves, and men’s work gloves.

Thank you for keeping our office needs in mind; we depend on you for almost all our office supplies. Right now the main paper need is for good-on-one-side paper that can be used in printers.

The nurses are asking for a supply of Epsom salts, magnesium capsules (citrate, if possible) and white cotton gloves to wear over medication.

Mary Davis, our orchard keeper, is eager to get going in the gardens. Her one request this month is for bloodmeal.

Kate O’Donnell, our new head of the cleaning department, too, has just one request: non-electrical, hand-operated carpet sweepers.

Finally, it has just come to our attention that we are low on matchbooks and flypaper. Are you able to help us out with these?

We are grateful that you continue to read this column to know our needs. Whether or not you are able to send something, your care, your concern, and your prayers are a great comfort and support to us.

May the Risen Lord fill your hearts with light and peace.

In Our Lady of Combermere,
Susanne Stubbs and Mark Schlingerman (April 2012)