Associates galore

On Tuesday, Br. David left for a visit to our OHC Brothers in Toronto. On Thursday, Br. Josép returned from a visit to his mom in St. Petersburg, FL. On Saturday, Br. Francis returned from a 6-day retreat in Aston, PA.

This weekend, we were hosting the Fall Associates Retreat. 22 of them were in attendance for three days themed on "Monastic Wisdom from Monastic Saints." Bros. Robert James and Ephrem led sessions on St Benedict, St Bernard, St Hildegard and Thomas Merton.

Monastery People. From top left, clockwise: our three sacristans (intern Robb, Br. David and postulant Ben (2 pictures in the sacristy); Br. Ephrem making a presentation on St Hildegard of Bingen and viridity; Br. Robert James making a presentation on St Benedict and humility (2 pictures); Br. Ephrem being filmed ringing the bell by Associate John Decker; Br. Anthony weeding a flower bed.

It is always good to welcome our Associates in our home. This week, we received three new Associates: Courtenay Mc Keon, from Liverpool, NY; Winnie Grace, from Middletown Springs, VT; and Michael McCartney, from Queens, NY.

Associates galore. From top left, clockwise: Br. Bernard and new Associate Courtenay McKeon; Winnie Grace and Michael McCartney being received as Associates by Br. Bernard; Br. Robert James addressing the Associates on their Fall Retreat (in St Gregory meeting room); Winnie and Michael, our newest Associates.

Mileposts

This week, Br. Bernard was visiting Yale Divinity School for a couple of days to offer spiritual direction to seminarians. Also, Br. Aidan was serving as chaplain at our diocesan convention in White Plains, NY, on Friday and Saturday.

And of course, we had elections happening on Tuesday. Many of us had voted early, so only a few of us voted on the day itself. Most of us go to bed soon after compline so we found out the results the next morning.

Our Br. Ephrem was preaching this Sunday morning. Among a broader message of care for the lowly, he also offered the following:

... allow me to offer three Christian responses that may be helpful in light of today’s readings:

1. Don’t allow the contrast between your worldview and an opposing worldview to cause you to demonize or dehumanize the other no matter how demonic or dehumanizing their worldview may be.  An “us vs. them” mentality will only widen the chasm.

2. The process toward justice and peace is a long one full of setbacks and disappointments.  So, hold to the faith that God remains God even when the clouds set in.

3. Never tire of preaching the gospel of our crucified Savior.  When the demonic head of hate, division, and lies begins to rear its head, and it almost certainly will, counter it with the gospel of love, unity, and truth.  And don’t just preach it, live this gospel of love in the face of hate, unity in the face of division, and truth in the face of lies.  Absorb these demonic forces in the power that God provides, and put them to death by your refusal to retaliate or propagate them. 

You can find Br. Ephrem's whole sermon (both audio and text version) on our sermon blog.

On Thursday morning, we blessed our newly installed Peace Pole. It greets arriving visitors to the monastery. The message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" is featured in 8 different languages spoken in the Order of the Holy Cross and in Braille.

On Thursday afternoon, the community and our staff celebrated the 75th birthday of Br. Rober James, our Superior with various refreshments in the west atrium in the enclosure.

Thursday mileposts. From top left, clockwise: our Superior, Br. Robert James blessing the Peace Pole (with intern Robb holding the holy water pail - 2 pictures); guests and the monastic community attending the blessing; Br. Robert James checking out his birthday cake(s); Br. Robert Leo offering Br. Robert James a walking stick for shepherding the Holy Cross flock. 

On Satuday, we observed the remembrance of our Departed Brethren with a requiem mass and visits to our columbarium (in the St Michael chapel a.k.a the crypt) and to our cemetary (north of the enclosure building). During the prayers of the people, we name each of our departed brothers in chronological order of their death. We are grateful for each of their monastic lives that support and inspire us still.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: Br. Josép teaching a formation class to interns Chris Renshaw and Robb Benson-Ernst (and postulant Ben, online from his cell, recovering from an illness); the community processes towards our cemetery; Br. Robert James (in the red cope) blesses the graves of our departed brothers (two pictures); Br. Bernard with Associate Bishop Brian Cole (Bp of East Tennessee) at Berkeley Center, the homebase of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

May Peace Prevail On Earth!

The fall triduum

Last week, we had a little farewell party for Br. Mpumelelo, who departed last Sunday and is safely back home at Saint Benedict's Priory in Hermanus, South Africa. Br. Timothy is back from a family visit to his brother Charley on the occasion of his wife Carmen's funeral in Dallas, TX. Br. Carl is on an at-home retreat this week observing extra silence and solitude.

We observed what many now call the "Fall Triduum:" Halloween, that is the eve of All Hallows, All Saints and All Souls. Check out Br. Josép's sermon for the feast of All Saints.

This week, our community purchased its first all-electric car. We have long had hybrid vehicles; our last one being a plug-in hybrid car. As our older cars come to the end of their useful lives, we will convert our fleet (five vehicles currently) to mostly electric cars.

Br. Francis and intern Robb continue to care lovingly for our four colonies of bees. But truth be told, they "stole" a few frames of capped honey too. Most of the harvested honey ends up on sale in the Monk's Cell book and gift store. The sales proceeds support our beekeeping ministry.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: Br. Anthony reading scripture at the ambo during Vespers; intern Chris lighting the candles at the ambo for mass; Chris lighting the altar candles; the community enjoying tea and cake to wish Br. Mpumelelo Bon Voyage (two pictures); Br. Bernard with sales manager David Hayden at Romeo Nissan, in Kingston, in front of our new blue Leaf electric car; Bros. Ben and Aidan playing a board game in the enclosure common room; intern Robb and Br. Francis returning from one of their bee care visits to our apiary.

This Saturday (All Souls), we welcomed two new Associates. Camilla Chiappari, from White Plains, NY and Robby Lynch, from New Paltz, NY. The two are best friends and arranged to be received together.

Associates and blooms. From top left, clockwise: newest Associates Camilla Chiappari and Robby Lynch (two pictures); their two Associate crosses and pledge cards ahead of the ceremony; flower arrangements by Br. Robert James, throughout the church (three pictures); morning river views from the enclosure porch (two pictures).

It is always a joy to welcome new Associates in our extended community of mutural prayer. And when new Associates are received at mass, other guests enquire about the possibility later on. Once could call it "virtuous virality."