Donations to the order were down and the convent did not have the funds to continue in their usual manner. Rather than shutting down, Mother Superior ordered an austerity program requiring recycling of old clothing. As the gowns had faded over the years, they were sent to the manufacturer to restore them to their original black.

Unfortunately when the dresses were returned, while improved, they were still a dark grey, which just goes to prove old habits dye hard.

- By Stan Kegel