Happy happenings in droves

In the last two weeks, so much has happened. In the second week of September, then postulant Jeff Costello completed his pre-clothing leave; Br. David Bryan returned from his mission trip to Toronto, ON; Bros. Scott and Randy attended a week-long Jungian Spiritual Direction formation at our near-neighbors, the Marist Brothers.

Over those two weeks, more Brothers converged on West Park in view of our new Superior's installation. Our three Juniors from South Africa were already here (Bros. Aelred, Josias and Mpumelelo). Bros. Leonard and Reginald arrived from Toronto, ON, and Br. Adam from Cathedral City, CA.

Br. Ephrem's mom, Nancy, and nephew, Brennan arrived from Louisiana.

On Labor Day, we had a cookout hosted as usual by Br. Josép and many helpers.

Labor Day cookout on the enclosure porch.

The next weekend, we hosted a contemplative photography retreat led by our Associate Tim Auman, from Winston Salem, NC. Tim encouraged his contemplative creators to share some shots with this blogger. There were of course, many beauty shots.

Contemplative photography. Monastery beauty shots.

But Tim also encourage the contemplative photographers to find beauty in subjects that might not often be photographed.

Contemplative photography. Beauty in the details.

The first portentous event of these two weeks was the installation of Br. Ephrem as our new Superior. It took place at last Sunday's Eucharist (September 13 when we observed the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross early). Mass had been moved to 11 a.m. for more guests to be able to attend. It was joyous and spirit-filled. Please pray for Br. Ephrem in his new ministries.

The installation of a new Superior. From top left, clockwise: the outgoing Superior, Br. Robert James "passes the baton" (the Superior's crozier; 2 pictures): Br. Ephrem receiving the embrace of his Brothers (2 pictures); Br. Ephrem and three previous Superiors (in chronological order, Br. David Bryan, right, Br. Robert Leo - left, Br. Robert James - center right).

On the morning of the next day, our sabbath rest Monday, we were treated to authentic Louisiana beignets compliments of the Arcement family. Yummy! We could taste the love.

Beignets! Compliments of the Arcements. From top left, clockwise: in the refectory before dinner (Associate Zachary Roeseman, of Woonsocket, RI, Brennan Arcement, Ephrem's nephew, Nancy Arcement, Ephrem's mom, Br. Ephrem, Associate Nadine Revheim, of Beacon, NY): the three Arcement frying beignets (2 pictures): the announcement to the monastic community on the enclosure's blackboard.

And on Tuesday, Br. Ephrem got to preside to his first community milestone; the clothing of a novice. Mr. Jeffrey Costello, having completed his postulancy received his monastic habit from the hands of the new Superior. He is now Br. Jeff. Please pray for Jeff in the continuation of his discernment of the monastic vocation.

Br. Jeffrey's clothing as a novice. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert Leo reading an excerpt from the Rule of St Benedict to Jeff: Br. Randy reading an excertpt from the Rule of our Founder to Jeff; Jeff being examined; Jeff receiving his habit; newly clothed Jeff being blessed with holy water; final examination; Jeff receiving the love of his Brothers (2 pictures); center picture, Br. Jeff comes back from the sacristy in his new monastic habit (nice fit, by the way).

In other news, Br. Josép attended and preached at the installation of Associate Asa Coulson as rector of Grace Church, Nutley, NJ on the Saturday preceding the Superior's installation.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: three past Superiors doing dishes (ora et labora); Br. Josép with Associate Asa Coulson in Nutley, NJ; Br. Daniel cutting down a dead tree. the Trinity parish hall in NYC where Br. Bernard led an Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop this past weekend.

The second week of September, we were glad to host the pre-ordination retreat of four ordinands of our local diocese of New York, facilitated by The Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah, of Hyde Park, NY. They were ordained priests at the Cathedral of St John the Divine that Saturday.

And this past week, Leslee Terpay, of Lone Tree, CO, and Br. Bernard co-led an 8-day dual track Intensive/Post-Intensive Centering Prayer retreat. As is our tradition, we ended with a talking ice cream social on the last eveing.

Monastery scenes and people. From top left, clockwise: flowers for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the church (2 pictures): relic of the Holy Cross on view on the altar for the first Vespers of Holy Cross; flowers and votives with an icon of Hildegard of Bingen on her feast day (September 17); an ice cream banquet for Centering Prayers; the newest priest of the diocese of New York at the Cathedral of St John the Divine after a three day retreat at the monastery.

We treasure your prayers. You are in our prayers regularly. Peace and every good!

Crying wolf or "coywolf" ?

This week, Br. David Bryan continues his mission trip in Toronto, ON. Our postulant Jeff Costello moves from his pre-clothing leave (akin to a vacation) to his pre-clothing retreat (still at St Mary's House up the driveway). Br. Leonard arrived Thursday from Toronto to be present at next week's installation of Br. Ephrem as OHC's new Superior. For the same reason, our three intially professed Brothers from Harkerville, South Africa, arrived on Friday. It is starting to feel like a family reunion (not unlike at our annual chapter meetings).

This week, also saw the return of our hardy volunteeers after our August recess. Thank God for all the work they get done in support of our monastic lives and ministries.

Monastery peeps. From top left, clockwise: Associate Susan Barbarisi working with Br. John in the monastic library: old friends reunion (Br. Scott lived with our South African Brothers for several years) from left, Bros. Mpumelelo, Aelred, Scott (in front) and Josias; OHC Brothers Made in Africa, Bros. Mpumelelo, Aelred and Leonard; Br. Jacob transplanting a basil plant (2 pictures); Bros. Jacob and Bernard and more non-pictured enjoyin s'mores round our fire pit.

On Tuesday, we observed the feast day of David Pendleton Oakerhater, the first Native American saint in the Episcopal Church. This week, we hosted a retreat led by the Rev, Masud Ibn Syedullah, TSSF* and the neuro-scientist, Dr. Vladimir Miskovic on "Cultivating Loving Presence: Spirituality, Science and the Whole Human Being." Br. Bernard was blessed to attend. Subjects such a consciousness, awareness, neuro-modulation and the spiritual journey were discussed. Masud and Vladimir will repeat this program at the convent of our St John the Baptist sisters in Mendham, NJ, in November.

Monastery visitors. From top left, clockwise: an icon of David Pendleton Oakerhater in the entrance to St Augustine church; Vladimir Miskovic and Masud Ibn Syedullah leading the "Cultivating Loving Presence" retreat; lingering incense smoke caught in midday rays of sunshine; guests resting in the Gueshouse gardens; a mystery quadruped spotted in the meadow.

This past week, our Br. Randy captured the photo above of what appeared to us as a grey wolf. However, a Google search delivers the following on wolves in the mid-Hudson valley.

There are no established populations of wild, pure wolves roaming the Mid-Hudson Valley. Native gray wolves were extirpated from the Hudson Valley region by European settlers in the late 17th and early 18th centuries due to hunting and habitat loss. While occasional wandering wolves can be spotted, DNA tests proves it is rare. Genetic dispersals occasionally show up in upstate New York (such as the Adirondacks or near Canada), sightings in the Mid-Hudson area are almost exclusively large local canines. Eastern Coyotes are frequently mistaken for wolves, local coyotes often carry some historical wolf DNA from northern breeding corridors and can grow quite large (sometimes colloquially called "coywolves").

What do you think? Did Br. Randy spot an occasional wandering grey wolf or a "coywolf?"

Blessings and every good to you.

* The religious suffix TSSF stands for the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis.

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.