All Saints

Br. Daniel is on retreat at San Damiano Friary, in San Francisco, CA, for a week. Br. Scott is still at the Hudson Valley Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center in Highland, NY. This week, Br. Bernard visited Yale Divinity School in New Haven, CT, to offer spiritual direction to seminarians.

As is their annual autumnal custom, Bros. Josép and Randy walked the River to Ridge trail in New Paltz. It meanders from the Walkill River to the Shawangunk Ridge. The views were spectacular with glorious leaf colors.

Bros. on the River to Ridge trail. Bros. Josép and Randy on the trail and autumnal colors views from the trail.

Associate Suzanne Guthrie, from Poughkeepsie, NY, and her husband Bill Consiglio, visited Br. Bede at The Meadows, his retirement home in Rhinebeck, NY. They were fully attired for Halloween. Later that day, Suzanne showed up in her Halloween costume for a Christmas schola rehearsal.

The eve of All Hallows. From top left, clockwise: Br. Bede and Bill Consiglio as "grass man" (you just have to believe me that it's him); Br. Bede and Suzanne Guthrie: Suzanne at the Christmas schola rehearsal; Br. Josép's Dia De Los Muertos altar in his cell.

A guest from Somerville, MA, sent us a series of beautiful pictures she took during her retreat with us in mid-October.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: on our trails; the last supper (ceramic sculpture): the labyrinth in the rising sun; sunrise over the Hudson.

Br. Bernard will be on a mission to our New Zealand Associates for most of November. The Monastery Column will be on a hiatus until early December.

Peace and every good to you.

CAROA New Members gathering

This week, we were sparsely populated in the monastic choir (8 of us vs. 18 when we, rarely, have a full complement there). This was because our men in formation (novices and juniors) and Br. Josép were a the CAROA New Members gathering at St Gregory's Abbey, in Three Rivers, Michigan. CAROA is the Conference of Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas. Br. Raphael had to stay home because of his rehabilitation from hip replacement surgery. Br. Scott continues his rehabilitation from knee replacement surgery at the Hudsan Valley Rehabilitation and Extended Care Center in the nearby village of Highland.

CAROA New Members gathering in Three Rivers, MI. From top left, clockwise: a group photo of the formators; the grounds of St Gregory's Abbey; an announcement at mealtine in the refectory; a group photo of all the attendees.

The New Members gathering has several objectives. It enables the new members to have an experiential knowledge of the wider religious life in the church. It creates bonds of friendship across communities. It gives an opportunity for the formators to share best practices, challenges and blessings.

CAROA New Members gathering in Three Rivers, MI. From top left, clockwise: recreation in the refectory; leisurely time on the porch; the well-stocked theological library of the Abbey; a discussion group of the new members; the Abbey church,

Meanwhile, the Hudson Valley was displaying glorious fall colours this week. Yachts and river cruise boats are passing by on the Hudson to take in the show. We give thanks for living in such a beautiful place.

Fall colors at the monastery (three pictures) and a bouquet of Montauk daisies in the entrance to St Augustine's church.

Peace and every good to you.

The Associates Fall Retreat

This week, Br. David Bryan came home from his vacation in England and North Carolina. Br. Raphael came home from HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston and is recovering from his hip replacement surgery. Br. Scott is recovering from knee replacement surgery at Hudson Valley Rehabilitation Center in the nearby village of Highland.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: Asters and Mums blossoming in front of the Guesthouse; Br Raphael exercizing his new hip on the enclosure porch; asters and cosmos from the gardens (2 pictures).

This weekend, we welcomed 14 of our Associates for their Fall Retreat. Bros. Bernard, Josép, David, and Daniel addressed them on various themes related to life as an Holy Cross Associate.

Associates Fall retreat. From left, clockwise: Br. Josép addressing the Associates about the requirements for being an Associate in good standing: Br. Josép leading the Associates in some chanting accompanied by his shruti box; Associates discussing thematic questions in small groups (2 pictures).

As is customary on Associates Retreats, we had a reception with for the monks and Associates to socialize.

The Associate reception. From top, clockwise: Associates group picture with past and present Associates Directors (Bros. Josép and Bernard); Br. Josép photo-bombing with Associates Liz Haak from Manhattan, NY and Kelly Fairweather, from Mahopac, NY; Associates Eloise Monzillo-Hiris, from Verona, NJ and Kathleen Murray from Cranford, NJ; Br. Robert Leo with Associate Marjorie Swett, from Silver Springs, MD; Associates Joan Golan, from Bronxville, NY and Julett Butler, from Ellenville, NY, cooperating on a jigsaw puzzle: Associates Rick Backlund, from Topeka, KS, Nicholas Peake, from Washington, DC, Oliver Alkins, from Yonkers, NY, with Br. Jacob.

Do you wish you were a Holy Cross Associate? Find out more on our Associates webpage and contact Br. Bernard if you have questions on what you find there.

Peace and every good to you.