A false start

Br. David Bryan is priest-in-residence at House of the Redeemer in Manhattan until the end of the month. Br. Francis is making a family visit in Clewiston, FL. Br. Josép is on retreat up the hill at St Mary's House.

Our South African Brothers had a false start on Tuesday. Their flight to Cape Town was delayed; then there was a change of plane; and after a gruelling evening the flight was cancelled. The next flight they could take is this Sunday. We enjoyed having them all with us for another four days. We ardently wish them bon voyage this time around.

A false start. From top left, clockwise: saying goodbye to our South African Brothers (two pictures): nearly all the junior professed with Br. Robert James our Superior and Br. Roger the St Benedict's Prior (from left: Bros. Jacob, Bruno, Aelred, Josias and Mpumelo); our two postulants waiting for dinner to be rung (Raphael Okafor and Will Mohan); Bros. Aelred and Jacob in front of our gallery of the departed brethren.

We received two new Associates this week. On Thursday, we received Oliver Alkins, of Yonkers, NY. Friends and family came to witness his commitment; including past Bishop Visitor of OHC, the Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk. On Saturday, we received The Rev. Daniel Meeter, of New Paltz. His family was there to witness his commitment.

New Associates. From top left, clockwise: Br. Bernard and Oliver Alkins; Oliver with his friend Bishop Mark Sisk; Br. Bernard with Daniel Meeter; Daniel and his family (from left, son-in-law David, grandaughter Naomi, daughter Anneke, Daniel, grandson Theo and wife Melody).

The weather has been unusually temperate for this time of June. The gardens have benefited from lots of rain. Everything is lush.

The outdoors blooming. From top left, clockwise: a cervid visitor caught through the North end window of the monastic library: Lavender and Japanese maple in the entrance almond at the top of our driveway; Japanese lillies blooming in the Little Cloister (two pictures).

The peonies are past their apex but still grace our church abundantly. Lillies, yarrows and roses are coming into their own.

Indoor blooms. From top left, clockwise: a bouquet of yarrow, rose and day lilly at the entrance of the church; peonies everywhere else (three pictures).

Blessings for this last week of Spring (in the Northern hemisphere).