A Morning of Stewardship, Community, and Hospitality
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Each spring, the grounds of St. Paul’s Monastery awaken with new life. Gardens begin to bloom, pathways fill again with visitors seeking prayer and quiet, and the sacred landscape surrounding the Monastery prepares to welcome hundreds of guests throughout the summer and autumn months.
On Saturday, May 16, we invite you to help prepare this beautiful and sacred place through Hill-Murray’s Annual Pioneer Day of Service. St. Paul’s
Monastery and Benedictine Center will host a morning dedicated to caring for the monastery grounds as a gesture of Benedictine hospitality for all who will visit as our sharing in this day of service.
In the Rule of St. Benedict we are reminded that all guests who arrive are to be welcomed as Christ. One of the simplest and most meaningful ways we can live this value is by ensuring that the monastery grounds remain a peaceful and beautiful place for prayer, reflection, and renewal. That is where you come in.
Caring for Creation Together
Our grounds are more than landscaping—they are part of the sacred environment of St. Paul’s Monastery, where retreatants walk the paths, families pause for reflection near the memorial pavers in the St. Benedict courtyard, and many experience a moment of stillness with God. Tending this land is one way we respond to the Gospel call to care for creation and steward the gifts entrusted to us.
During the Pioneer Day of Service, volunteers will help with simple outdoor tasks such as:
- Raking leaves and clearing garden beds
- Planting and refreshing landscape areas
- Sweeping walkways and gathering branches
- Helping tidy the grounds for the summer season
No special skills are required—just a willingness to lend a hand and share a morning of service.
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Mutual Blessings in Action
This day is also a joyful expression of the Mutual Blessings partnership between St. Paul’s Monastery and Hill-Murray School. Hill-Murray students, families, alumni, and staff will join the Sisters, Oblates, volunteers, and friends of the monastery to work side by side.
It is a beautiful witness to the Benedictine values that unite us: community, stewardship, humility, and service.
Together we care for the place that has shaped generations of prayer and learning.
A Morning of Fellowship
The Annual Pioneer Day of Service is not only about work—it is also about community. Volunteers often describe the morning as one of the most joyful gatherings of the year. There is laughter, conversation, fresh air, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from working together for something meaningful.
Whether you can rake, plant, sweep, carry, or simply offer a helping hand, every act of service contributes to the beauty and hospitality of the monastery grounds.
By the end of the morning, the gardens will be refreshed, the walkways cleared, and the monastery ready to welcome the many visitors who will come seeking rest, prayer, and peace during the summer months. Join Us!
We hope you will join us for this wonderful morning of service and fellowship.
Pioneer Day of Service
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 8:00am-12:00pm
at St. Paul’s Monastery
Bring your energy, your love for the monastery, and your desire to serve. Together we will prepare this sacred place so that all who visit may experience the peace, beauty, and hospitality of the Benedictine way of life.
Please RSVP by May 11 to let us know you will be joining us.
Your helping hands will ensure that the monastery grounds remain a welcoming place for prayer, reflection, and encounter with God.
Come spend a morning caring for creation, strengthening community, and living the Benedictine spirit of Mutual Blessings.
We look forward to serving alongside you.
