A Week of Celebration Including Silent Auction
Saturday December 6 through Saturday December 13, 2025
Find your perfect Christmas by attending our week-long celebration.
Christmas at the Monastery has been in existence for over 20 years. This annual series of events is our signature fundraiser,
designed to feel like a
warm visit with your family over the holidays. By attending, you make a meaningful donation that supports our work.
To get started, we’re launching the Empty Basket campaign, because for one, we need your empty baskets. For two, we need items to
fill those baskets for the silent auction. The silent auction occurs over the same week that we offer our Christmas at the Monastery events. Attendees can view the auction items on site at the Monastery or online at a special link, and then bid on them anytime over the week.
We are asking you to contribute by selecting items from our Amazon Wishlist. These items will be crafted into unique gift baskets, providing participants with an easy gifting option and empowering the Sisters essential Ministries:
Prayer: Funding allows the Sisters to focus on their sacred call of praying for all God’s people three times a day.
The Benedictine Center: Offering spiritual direction, education, as well as individual and group retreats at the Monastery.
Maple Tree Childcare Center: Nurturing young hearts and minds through Christian-focused preschool education.
Hill-Murray School: Funding and supplementing an education, which provides a Benedictine and Lasallian foundation.
🛒 Help us ‘Fill This Basket’ Today!
Take a look at our Amazon Wishlist to get inspired.
We will accept donations for baskets until Wednesday, November 12. After that, we will be building the baskets and getting them ready for their online debut. Volunteers, you can assist us further by helping to design these baskets. If you’d like to be a Basket Design and Display volunteer, please contact our Director, Travis Salisbury at 612-325-9380. We’d love to have you as part of the crew! You can also ask him about other volunteering opportunities.
The Christmas at the Monastery Event Offerings:
Finally, you can Find Your Perfect Christmas by participating in our special events from Saturday, December 6 through Saturday, December 13. With your registration, you offer a generous contribution to the Sisters, and we are grateful for your presence, which enriches our Monastery family. Come celebrate with us!
Silent Auction: December 6 to December 13
Our Silent Auction is a week of exciting bidding on exceptional collections and gifts. Sign up now to browse the item catalog and add your payment information for fast, seamless mobile checkout!
| Date | Event | Description |
| Saturday, 12/6 | “Where the Light Comes In” Advent Retreat | Start your Advent season with the annual Advent Retreat, facilitated by Victor Klimoski.
In this extended meditation on light, we will rely on the wisdom of writers and artists to help us find our own words to describe living into the light despite the powers of darkness. |
| Tuesday, 12/9 | Sippin’ with the Saints Wine Tasting and Education | This promises to be a tasty and informative evening!
Join Jason Kallsen, founder of Twin Cities Wine Education LLC to learn about wines from a Benedictine lens paired with delightful bites from chef-created charcuterie. |
| Thursday, 12/11 | Cookies & Carols | Bring your creativity to this festive celebration of the Christmas season.
Enjoy a delicious lunch with the Sisters, followed by cookie decorating and Christmas Carols led by Michelle Plombon on piano. Your time and effort go to a worthwhile donation. All cookies will be hand delivered to Tubman to be shared with their residents. |
| Saturday, 12/13 | Finale of Festivities | Bring your hand-selected team of besties and help us finish with a flourish!
Trivia Mafia is back! You will need a team, so why not bring everyone you enjoy spending time with? Invite a Sister to your table to ensure a win during the Benedictine round. |
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A special thank you to our sponsors: St. Paul Federal Credit Union and Maplewood Toyota.Â
You too can become a sponsor!
Donate now to support our Christmas at the Monastery events and receive recognition for your generosity throughout the week.
With grateful hearts, The Benedictine Sisters offer a blessing over you, and we look forward to sharing this beautiful tradition with you as we work together to secure the future of our community.
