Guests famous and not-yet-so-famous

This week, we were delighted to welcome The Most Rev. Michael Curry to the monastery. He is the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. He was coming to be with nine volunteers of the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) and the Episcopal Volunteers In Mission (EVIM) who were completing two weeks of orientation (most of it at the monastery) with Church staff.


Bishop Michael took the opportunity to preach at the festive Eucharist for the feast of St Peter and St Paul. He preached on how the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.

After the mass, the monastic community had an opportunity to sit down with the Bishop for coffee and conversation. I was a beautiful opportunity to get to know our Presiding Bishop better.

Coffee and Hudson Valley apple cider donuts to fuel conversation

Br. Laurence offers an origami mobile of his making - all with biblical symbols

The community's goodie bag for the PB

Framing the visit of our Presiding Bishop were the receptions of two new Associates; at mass, Br. Josép, our interim Associates Director welcomed Jarrett Kerbel on Wednesday and Meg Galbreath on Friday. It's always a privilege to bring new members into the Holy Cross family of Associates. If you want to become an Associate, get in touch with Br. Josép (associates@hcmnet.org).

Our two newest Associates. Will you say a prayer for them?

On Friday, at Vespers, the community prayed over the YASC and EVIM missionaries who were returning home the next day. They enjoyed their orientation and appreciated their time at the monastery. Some came to call it "home." We certainly look forward to their returning after their year of mission abroad to debrief their experience. Thank you to all the Church Center staff and their consultants who prepare these missionaries so well.

Episcopal volunteers and monks

We keep these missionaries in prayer throughout the year. May they be received as a blessing and receive many blessings in return.

Missionaries and their Presiding Bishop