Sr. Margoretta, O.S.B., manager of the St. Joseph’s Monastery Trifles and Treasures Gift Shop, prepares the shop for the convent’s upcoming 4th Annual Holiday Open House, taking place on Sat., Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By Amy Cherry
Daily Press Staff

    This year’s annual Holiday Open House at Trifles and Treasures Gift Shop at the St. Joseph’s Monastery will kick off the Christmas season on Sat., Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by honoring the late Sr. Augustine, O.S.B.

As founder of the Sister’s Ceramic Shop in 1964, Sr. Augustine, created a wide-range of clayware pieces throughout the years including those one-of-a-kind, limited edition pieces offered at each of the convent’s four open houses.

    Before her death this year on Easter Sunday, Sr. Augustine had created two new ornaments for 2008, The Love Dove and The Nativity Angel. In her honor, the 200 ornaments were preserved exactly as she had left them with volunteers applying a white sealer coat of paint.

    Fifth ornaments were released for sale on Nov. 6 - which would have marked her 93rd birthday - with the remaining stock available during the open house.

    Sister’s remaining clayware pieces from her shop have been packaged in several dozen, uniquely-themed gift baskets including those for the kitchen, holidays, animals, Bavarian, wildlife, religious, children (Mother Goose items), babies and much more, as part of a tribute sale at the event.

    This year’s event has also expanded with the clayware baskets being displayed in the convent’s music room.

    Throughout the years, Sr. M. Margoretta, O.S.B., manager of the gift shop, has overseen the open houses. Gift shop volunteers Patty Burden and Pam Pauline also assist with the event.

    “We have some new things in addition to our regular item,” according to Sr. Margoretta.

    Trifles and Treasures, one of the largest religious gift shops in the area, offers a wide range of religious and secular gifts for the Christmas season and beyond including statues, medals, rosaries, nativities, books, cards, Baptism and Confirmation gifts and holiday specific items.

    On the day of the open house, a stitchery show, Sweet Shop bake sale, music and other activities will take place for the hundreds of visitors who attend each year.

    Many local contributors donate a variety of bake goods to the Sweet Shop, which features mouth watering treats ranging from the Sister’s homemade “heavenly fudge” - a consistent best seller - pies, cookies, cakes and a gingerbread house.

    St. Joseph’s Monastery is located at 303 Church St. in St. Marys, along Rt. 255. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Sr. Margoretta at 814-834-2267 or visiting www.benedictinesistersofelkcounty.org