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Sister Joan makes friends with new monastery residents

Sister Joan makes friends with new monastery residents - (13-07-2016)

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Photo: While spending time in private retreat at her monastery in Clyde, Missouri, Benedictine Sister Joan Ridley, OSB, stumbled across two of nature's gifts. (Credit: Missouri Department of Conservation)

Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration Joan Ridley enjoyed a rare opportunity during her private retreat in May at the congregation's Clyde, Missouri, monastery.

“I ran into representatives from the Missouri Conservation Department who were hunting for a newborn fawn that they knew had just been born on our property,” Sister Joan said. “They knew the location because the mother had been outfitted with a tracking device.”

Ten minutes later, the conservation agents and Sister Joan were surprised to find twin fawns, a male and a female, about fifteen hours old. The fawns were measured, medically checked, and fitted with tracking collars that expand as they grow. The collars fall off when the fawns reach one year of age.

“I got to pet and comfort the scared, newborn deer,” Sister Joan added. “Never in my life has my eyesight been good enough to see the spots on a fawn. Well, God took care of that impairment in a creative way! It was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill.”