Our Lady of the Rock’s Foundress and Prioress for 43 years has
retired and the new Prioress appointed by Abbess Lucia is Mother Noella Marcellino.
What is amazing is both are “cheese nuns”. Nov. 28, 2013, I wrote of the West Coast Cheese nun, our own Mother Therese, mentioning the “famous” cheese nun, Mother Noella.
Mother Therese has given of herself to this foundation from its first days. She willingly accepted the mission to leave her native Connecticut and her close family ties to travel over 3,000 miles to the unknown. Her gentle spirit was welcomed by the islanders and old timers, who were suspicious of anything that smacked religion.
Her love of animals is legend. She has often been called the St. Francis of our Order. She has raised prize Scottish Highland cattle, rare breed chickens, Jersey cows and been the general overseer of the monastery farm. She started the dairy, which was the first raw milk dairy in the state (cows milk) and later was helpful in helping others get certification.
To the Community she has been Mother, counselor, infirmarian, cook, singer, and a stabilizing force. She stands only 4'11" but is mighty in her strength, which comes from her heritage. She has taken this foundation from three to where it is today, graciously handing over the baton to Mother Noella. She will remain on Shaw and we pray her remaining years be gracefilled and gentle!
