Olive Oil

In 2001 we began to plant our olive groves. We now have 1800 trees. They are Italian varieties: Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolino, Maurino, Moraiolo from Tuscany; Canino from Latium; Taggiasca from Liguria.

We were helped in choosing the mix of varieties and in getting started by the Sisters of Valserena Abbey near Pisa, who are considered to have the finest olive oil in the Cistercian Order of monks and nuns.

Our olives are grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizer, and the oil is Extra Virgin.

We pressed the first oil for ourselves in 2006!

• Sister Julie's Olive Oil, our premium oil, is available for sale online and in some stores and wineries.

• Olio Nuovo (The New Oil). The "in your face oil" as Chef John Ash calls it. Available for a limited time only after the harvest.

Other Olive Oil Products

• Sister Marti's Olive Oil and Lavender Balm (olive oil infused with lavender) is available in both oil and lotion form. Putting olive oil on the skin is an ancient practice for deep healing and moisturizing and, surprisingly, leaves no oily or sticky residue.

To Order

We are currently expanding our online sales for the olive oils, balms, books, and more. If you are interested in purchasing our olive oil now, please use the order form on the PDF of our Spring 2008 Newsletter: <click here> to open.

Books

A Winter Walk by Tolbert McCarroll

Written by our own Brother Toby, this gem invites us to stroll through the season of winter.

His perceptive and eloquent reflections enhance and enrich our appreciation of nature’s gifts: birds, stars, rain, and above all, children. It also explores the rich history of celebrations of many different faith traditions, from Advent Wreaths to Bodhi Day, Chanukah, Ramadan, and Santa Lucia, helping us to embrace others and quietly fostering tolerance and peace. Beautifully illustrated by artist Dorothy Beebee, this hardbound book is a wonderful gift that will become a treasured part of the holidays for your family and friends for years to come.

Item: Book / Price: $14.95*

Thinking with the Heart by Tolbert McCarroll

The publisher wrote: “In his new book, award-winning author Tolbert McCarroll shares his lifelong quest for the sacred with spiritual seekers who wish to rediscover their ancient faith traditions yet go beyond the official church and religious hierarchy.

"There is an old official path across the meadow of our spiritual heritage and it is still recommended by some," McCarroll writes. "That old path is worn out and not very inviting to most people. But, the meadow itself is fresh and vibrant, always growing and changing. It would be a tragic mistake to abandon the meadow when we reject the old path. There can be many new refreshing paths into this magnificent landscape."

So begins this beautiful exploration of the common legacy. But even more than an exploration, it is Tolbert McCarroll's spiritual will and testament to us, we who are seekers of the divine.

Tolbert McCarroll, "Brother Toby", is the author of eight books, including Notes From the Song of Life and Childsong, Monksong. He is a monk/parent at Starcross, a small monastic community in Sonoma County, California.

A former attorney for human causes, he still frequently ventures forth in response to children in need. The adoptive father of three teenage children, he has established homes for children oppressed by the AIDS pandemic in California, Romania, and Uganda.

Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing: info@starcross.org.

Holiday Gifts

31 Years Of Wreaths

Your orders were both greatly needed and greatly appreciated, as this is our primary means of self-support. Since 1986, we have adopted, fostered, and been advocates for children, many of whom were born HIV positive. We have supported young people in other countries with our Houses of Hope for children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic in Romania and Africa.

To us, Christmas means kids, and not only do the many children overseas in our care benefit from your orders, our own children at home are actively involved - helping decorate the wreaths, tucking in the enclosures, and boxing and loading them onto the trucks. They are often the first to recognize the names of our customers and say "I remember her from last year!" and off goes your package with a shower of goodwill.

2007 marked the 31st anniversary of the founding of Starcross, located in the peaceful hills of northwest Sonoma County, seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. We are a very small, autonomous community of lay people who have chosen to live in the monastic tradition and offer encouragement and affirmation to gentle paths. It is deeply moving to have friends from all over touch our lives with orders every year. We like to think of our wreaths as decorating the world with love at Christmas.

Ordering

We sell wreaths and fruit baskets only during the holiday season. You may still order books by contacting us.

The Starcross Wreath

Our extra large 22" holiday wreath is handcrafted from fresh, long-lasting Noble Fir generously mixed with Cedar boughs for fragrance. Blue Juniper berries, three Ponderosa Pine cones, and a red velveteen ribbon decorate the greenery. The gold trimmed bow can be placed wherever you like on the wreath. The Starcross Wreath is a holiday tradition in homes and offices across the country for 31 years now - a country classic you will be proud to display or to give as a beautiful and thoughtful gift for the holidays. What could be better than to enjoy the fragrant beauty of this wreath and to know that your purchase brings love and hope to the children in our care, making the world a little better.

Our wreaths are shipped in a sturdy cardboard box, along with your personal greeting. (Also tucked into each box is a humorous commentary written by our resident Chief Wreath Elf.)

Sun-Dried Fruit Basket

Two pounds of a gourmet selection of fruit: peaches, pears, mangos, dates, pineapple rings, glazed cherries, prunes, Angelino plums, and apricots! Artfully arranged on a re-usable woven basket, our delicious sun-dried fruit is just right for a festive afternoon around the hearth or a quiet moment with a cup of tea during a busy day.

This fruit is a beautiful and healthy snack for special holiday occasions and a gift that is enjoyed by everyone. Once you have tried this fruit you will likely agree with many of our friends and customers ~ there is none better! Shipped in a sturdy burgundy box decorated with pictures of fruit, with your personal greeting.

Your patronage also makes the world a little better; proceeds from our sales supports the Starcross Community the year round. Thank you.