Getting ready for the return of our guests

This week, Br. David went to Toronto for a two week mission trip. Br. Josép completed a family visit to his mom in St Petersburg, FL. This weekend, our postulant Jeff Costello started a one week pre-clothing leave at St Mary's House, up the driveway.

Br. Bernard visited Br. Bede at his nursing home, the Meadows in Rhinebeck, NY. We caught up on monastic news and then sang vespers together. Br. Bede keeps a couple of monastic breviaries in his room for just such an opportunity. His voice is feebler than in the days of old but he still knows the music inside out.

Monastery people. From top, clockwise: Br. Josép's mom, Elba and her home care aide enjoying freshly opened coconuts; Br. Josép kissing goodbye to his mom at the end of his stay: Bros. Bernard and John on a walk on Floyd Ackert Rd near the monastery: Bros. Bernard and Bede after having sung Vespers for two in his nursing home room.

Our Guesthouse has been thoroughly cleaned and maintained and repaired and spruced up in view of our guests returning this first day of September. The monks are taking advantage of the last wide open days for walks, hikes and visits. On Tuesday, we go back to our full schedule of church services (during August, we dispensed the midday diurnum and the evening compline).

Inside and out. From top left, clockwise: a riotous clematis on the vegetable garden fence: the morning sun shining throug stainde glass above the Lady and Child statue; close-up on the orchid gracing the statue; a harvest of "volunteer squashes" emerging from where we spread our compost.

We hope many of you will get to come and rest, pray and worship with us at the monastery in the months to come.

A birthday and an electric car

Br. Josép came back from his Cottekill, NY, vacation online to turn around and fly off for a family visit to his mom in St Petersburg, FL.

This week, Br. Jacob got a visit form his dad and mom, coming all the way from Western Missouri, coinciding with his birthday.

After the installation of two extra chargers last week, we were ready to expand our fleet of electric vehicles. Br. Ephrem needed to buy a new car for the office of the Superior. He is a big proponent of EV's. He got a great deal on a Ford Mustang Mach E SUV of 2021 but with little mileage.

From top, clockwise: Br. Jacob sitting in the guest court with his dad and mom for Eucharist; neighborhood daisies on a desk; our newest electric vehicle a.k.a as "the corp. car" (owned by OHC Inc. instead of HCM Inc.,  the monastery).

With this new acquisition, the West Park fleet of cars is 50% full EV's, one third hybrids, and only our sixth car is a simple internal combustion engine vehicle.

Below are a few early morning shots when there is a mysterious cohabitation of light and darkness.

From top, clockwise: lacy clouds over the trees; projected shadow of the altartop crucifix in the St Michael Chapel (our crypt under St Augustine's Church); the guesthouse and belltower before the sun peeks over the horizon.

Peace and every good to you.

Saint Mary the Virgin

This week, Br. Robert Leo was on vacation in the Poconos, PA, and Br. Josép was on vacation in Cottekill, NY. Br. Josép was house and pet-sitting at the house of friends of the community just a half hour drive away from the monastery as he has done for several years. It is his tradition to invite groups of Brothers to come and visit him and the dogs for lunch (the cat usually remains out of sight when there are visitors).

Luncheons in Cottekill at Br. Josép's invitation. From top left, clockwise: the sun room; Bros. Bruno, Francis, Rob, Ephrem and Josép enjoying the meal in the sun room: a few days later, it was the turn of friend Dave Coppola, Br. Bernard, postulant Jeff and Br. Jacob; Lucy was on her best behavior throughout; some of the home cooking delicacies on offer; the koi pond in the garden.

But jus in case, you thought it all sounds like hard work, he also knows how to take it easy. Oh, and he's really good with dogs; attentionate, loving and firm at the same time.

Dogs and rest. From top left, clockwise: Br. Josép and Molly (two pictures); Br. Josép not making much progress on his reading (two pictures); Br. Josép with Lucy.

This past week, our electrician has installed two more electric vehicle charging stations in the monks' parking lot to accommodate our expanding fleet of EV's. The new OHC corporation car will be an EV for the principal use of the Superior.

This Friday evening and Saturday, we celebrated our Blessed Mother, Saint Mary the Virgin in style.

Celebrating St Mary the Virgin. From top left, clockwise: our electrician installing two new EV charging stations; statue of the holy Mother and Child in St Augustine church (details; 2 pictures); just above that statue, a stained glass window depicting Jesus crowning Mary in heaven; the refectory part of the feast (four pictures, including one of Bros. John and David patiently waiting for the festive meal).

And on the blooming front, we noticed a lot of different mushrooms coming up.

The blooming report. From top left, clockwise: Russula (?) mushrooms a.k.a. brittlegills; an amanite species (flavoconia or jacksoonii ?); view of the monastery from the driveway; Pluteus (?) mushrooms a.k.a. deer mushroom; Hackberry tree and its paraiste Hackberry petiole gall (at first I thought the hackberry fruit was strangely positioned but it is not its fruit).

Peace and every good to you.