Winter solstice

Everybody was home this past week! Last Sunday, as is our tradition on the third Sunday in Advent, we had a Lessons and Carols service in the afternoon. The anthems are performed by Kairos: A Consort of Singers and the readings are made by friends, associates, fellow religious, local clergy and brothers (9 of them). The free will offerings from the audience are matched by our community and distributed to a couple of local food ministries.

Lessons and Carols. From left, clockwise: Associate Kelly Fairweather, Br. Raphael, Kairos member Michael Saunders, The Rev. Brian Steadmans, Hildegard Pleva, Br. Aidan, The Rev. Meredith Kadett Sanderson; Sr. Shane Phelan, CMA; The Rev. Suzanne Guthrie.

 

With the approaching winter solstice, the early sunset makes for atmospheric late afternoons and evenings. A flock of Canada geese has decided our meadow is to their liking. They flock in various numbers with loud arrivals and departures. There is an interesting turf war when our herd of deer arrive to browse the meadow. Usually the geese cede the terrain.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: Brothers listening to Kairos during the Lessons and Carols service; members of Kairos singing an anthem; a flock of Canada geese in the meadow (2 pictures); Br. Josép preaching about his eponymous saint on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

This past Friday, some of us went to a Bach Christmas Oratorio performance graciously offered by the Maple Ridge Bruderhof community in nearby Ulster Park. There were about 200 choristers and musicians with a matching number of visitors. The rousing music and texts set us in the Christmas mood.

Christmas oratorio. From top, clockwise: Bruderhof chorister and musicians (two pictures); Christmas tree lights as seen from the crypt through the little cloister; crafty Christmas trees on the stage at the Bruderhof concert.

The Prince of Peace is at hand. We wish you a Merry Christmas.

An initial profession and a goodbye

Br. Jacob is visiting his family in Missouri this week. Br. Bernard led a retreat on Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina at the monastery. It was the last week of his nine month internship for Jack Mullins.

On Tuesday, Br. Daniel (previously known as Br. Ben) made his initial profession of the Benedictine threefold vow (stability, obedience and conversion to the monastic way of life), His family had traveled from Michigan a few days before to be with him for this big occasion. There were also old friends and fellow religious in formation.

Br. Daniel's initial profession. From top left, clockwise: Br. Ben (as he was known then) being questioned about his desire to make his profession; Br. Daniel in his new choir cowl, hugging his Brothers (here, postulant Jeremy); fellow religious in formation with Br. Bruno; Bros. Will and Daniel and intern Jack Mullins in choir; Daniel'sportrait with the Superior, Br. Robert James, the novice master, Br Josép, and his junior master, Br. Ephrem; a portrait with Br. Daniel's family (his brother Martin and his mom and dad).

The profession mass was followed by a feast in the refectory. But not before all official pictures were taken.

Monastery scenes. From top, clockwise: the whole community with Br. Ben (note Br. Bede, on the left who was visiting for the occasion); the Advent wreath for week two of the season; family and friends of Br. Daniel relaxing in Pilgrim Hall; the 10 feet tall Christmas tree delivered and installed in Pilgrim Hall; statue of Jesus healing the blind man in the foreground with a statue of St Joseph outside in the background.

 

On Friday, we said farewell to our intern Jack Mullins. We had a social in the enclosure's atrium to hear give an overview of how the internship was for him and give him a couple of presents. We wish Jack all the best in his continued vocational discernment.

Monastery scenes 2. From top left, clockwise: Bros. relaxing at intern Jack's farewell social (Bros. John, Bruno, postulant Jeremy and Br. Aidan); Bros. enjoying a cup of tea at Jack's social; the Christmas tree lit up thanks to Br. Josép (next picture) and postulant Jeremy; view from a monastic cell after a fresh snowfall.

 

May your Advent also feature moments of silence and solitude to wait expectantly for the Prince of Peace.

 

First week of Advent

This week, Br. Ben was on his pre-profession retreat at St Mary's House up the driveway. Midweek, Br. Bernard was offering in-person spiritual direction at Berkeley Divinity Scool, at Yale, New Haven, CT. On Friday, he visited an incarcerated Associate in Danbury, CT. This weekend, Br. Ephrem is on a mission to St Stephen's, Middlebury, VT.

Throughout the week, at home, we were observing contemplative days (simplified liturgical schedule, round-the-clock silence and encouragement to keep work engagements to a minimum). Many guests prefer to come when we offer full silence. You can always ask Donna, our guesthouse manager when those days are.

The great oak and people. From top left, clockwise: the great oak in the snow storm and after the storm (2 pictures); the snow covered oak as seen trhough the windows of Pilgrim Hall; Br. Will capturing the snowfall on his phone; Br. Aidan and Sr. Shane Phelan, CMA, on an outing at Eveready Diner in Hyde Park.

On Tuesday, we celebrated the feast of St Andrew (transferred). The monks dined in their white habit as is customary for first and second class feast, while snow fell all around the refectory.

This Saturday, a secret St Nicholas (his feast is on December 6) distributed little purses of gelt in all our mailboxes. Thank you, Santa.

At Saturday vespers, we lit up the second candle on the advent wreath.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: the monks in their white habits coordinated with the snow storm around the monastery; Bros. Aidan, Will and Ben, and intern Jack Mullins in choir (advent wreath in the foreground); two candles lit on the wreath; chocolate St Nicholas money (two pictures).

Please pray for Br. Ben who is preparing to make his initial profession of the Benedictine vow this coming Tuesday.