Br. David Bryan is still in Toronto, returning in time of the Easter Triduum.
This week, we welcomed back the Rev. Raphael Okafor who was only recently making his aspirant visit in March. Raphael comes to us from Albuquerque, NM. He is trying his monastic vocation with us as a postulant.
On Wednesday, we received a new Associate, Diane Kraus, from Covington Township, PA. Her mom accompanied her to witness her deepened Christian commitment.
On Wednesday, the interns, our vocationer (Raphael) and our novice (Ben) went on a pilgrimage with their formator, Br. Josép, to visit St Gregory's Episcopal Church where our friend Rev. Matthew Wright is rector.
On Thursday, Bros. Aidan and Robert Leo went to visit Br. Lary in his nursing home in Montrose, NY.
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Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: five brothers watching "Wicked - part one" in our TV room; Bros. Aidan and Robert Leo paying a visit to Br. Lary; the Rev. Raphael Okafor, our latest postulant; formator and men in formation visiting the Rev. Matthew Wright at St Gregory's church in Woodstock, NY; Br. Bernard with our latest Associate, Diane Kraus, from Covington Township, PA (2 pictures). |
On Friday, Br. Timothy came home after a few weeks in rehabilitation at the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck, pursuant to surgery. He's mighty happy to be home.
This week, we said goodbye to our intern Chris Renshaw, from Princeton, NJ. Chris was a great addition to our community over the nearly eight months he was with us.
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A farewell tea party. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert James and the Rev. Chris Renshaw, intern; Bros. Bernard and Aidan; from the left, intern Jack Mullins, intern Jeremy Cannon, Bros. Robert Leo and John; postulant Raphael Okafor, Br. Bruno); Bros. Aidan, Timothy and Bruno. |
On Saturday, we had a snow fall followed by sleet and freezing rain. Luckily the magnolias are still in buds. They may have weathered the wintery episode. Will they bloom for Easter?
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Magnolias and snow. From top left, clockwise: budding magnolia (two pictures); snow on the meadow and fog on the river; our neighbor across 9W is in festive mood for secular Easter. |
This Sunday, we have observed Palm Sunday. We blessed the palm in Pilgrim Hall and processed to the church to hear the account of Jesus's passion. Visiting Princeton seminary students read the various parts of the account.
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Palm Sunday. From top left, clockwise: icons and statues are veiled for Holy Week (2 pictures): the palms waiting to be blessed and being censed (2 pictures); Bros. Bruno and Robert Leo distributing the palms; guests processing from Pilgrim Hall; Brothers processing into the church (2 pictures). |
May you have a blessed Holy Week.