ST. MARYS — The peace dove ornaments created by Sister Augustine, OSB, are flying off the shelves.

Sister Augustine, a 92-year-old nun who runs the Sisters’ Ceramic Shop at St. Joseph’s Monastery on Route 255, has worked throughout the past few months on the limited edition Christmas ornament to be sold at the third annual Holiday Open House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the monastery.

Sister Augustine made 100 — 50 were available before the open house, but she reserved 50 for Saturday.

“The 50 are already gone,” volunteer John Schlimm said Monday, adding that many of the people have bought multiple ornaments which has eaten away at the inventory.

The last 50 ornaments are just some of the many items that will be available in the ceramic shop as well as the Trifles and Treasures Gift Shop during the open house. There will also be one set of wind chimes made of the doves as well as candy canes.

Last year, Sister Augustine made 25 nativity donkey ornaments that were sold out within minutes. The reason for these ornaments is because “we need some peace,” Sister explained.

For the first time, the ceramic shop will also feature jewelry that will not be available until Saturday.

The open house will also feature “Gussie’s Specials,” abstract, painted bowls and vases created from leftover paint that Sister Augustine makes and that are so popular, they are hard to keep in stock.

People may know where to find a peace dove ornament, but where does one go when they need blessed straw for their nativity scene, oplatki or even a spider web ornament for the Christmas tree?

The Trifles and Treasures Gift Shop is an obvious answer here.

“We have something for everyone, we hope,” said store manager Sister Margoretta, OSB. “We try to do something with tradition.”

One of those traditions is the story of the Christmas spider, which wove a web over a cave where Mary and Joseph fled trying to avoid King Harrod’s soldiers. That same cave was where Jesus was born, legend said. That is where putting tinsel on the Christmas tree came from.

The ornament with a story card is available at the gift shop.

The open house has been popular and received at least 1,000 people last year.

“It’s become the kickoff to the holiday season,” Schlimm said.

There will also be a sweet shop that day.

In addition to holiday items, shoppers can also find religious medals, prayer cards and statues.

“It’s the only religious store in the area,” Sister Margoretta said.

Those interested in St. Marys history may try to get a St. Marys Christmas tree where all the items on the tree and those underneath were donated by businesses and artists.

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