Vigilant in prayer, marching for our lives

This week we hosted a clergy retreat for priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, NJ. Kudos to Bishop Mark Beckwith for motivating so many of his fellow priests to come away and rest awhile. We always encourage initiatives that can make clergy take note of the opportunity for rest and refreshment at the monastery.

From top, clockwise: The Rev. George Wong, from Denville, NJ, and The Rev. Mark Durand, from Princeton, NJ; Mark browsing the shelves of the Avery Brooke Library; The Rev. Cari Pattison and Jacob Clark enjoy the quiet of Pilgrim Hall.

During the week, Sr. Elizabeth Broyles, CMA, was offering a retreat program about discernment of the Spirit called Holy Listening. Sr. Elizabeth will be back for leading a retreat with Sr. Shane on "Seeking Christ Sophia: A Gender-Integrated Christianity."

From top, clockwise: the "Holy Listeners," Diane Fadely, Yanick Savain, Sr. Elizabeth, Br. Aidan, and Jennifer Reis;
The Rev, Joyce Duerr, an ABC minister from Westerly, RI; Richard Cavanan, from Sidney, NY.

On Friday night, instead of the office of Compline, we had a vigil of prayer in solidarity with the March For Our Lives. We welcomed a full church of guests and visitors who sang and prayed together for an end to gun violence and for reasonable gun legislation in our country.

Participants were encouraged to light a candle as a symbol of their prayer for safety from gun violence.

The next day, Saturday, Brother Aidan, frequent guest Sam NNN and I went to the Hudson Valley March For Our Lives. We were pleased to walk in cool but sunny weather with 8,000 people from our region. Br. Bob was our chauffeur and dropped us off on the Poughkeepsie side of the Walkway Over the Hudson. He met us a the Highland end and took the picture with the banner. Thank you to all the marchers throughout our country (and abroad).

From top, clockwise; Sam Young, from NYC, Bros. Aidan and Bernard, and Deacon Terri Jones from Ascension Holy Trinity Parish in Highland and West Park; marchers on the deck of the Walkway Over The Hudson; Monks on the march, Br. Aidan and Br. Bernard.

This weekend, we had two groups of students visiting with some of their faculty. These faculty members take the time to bring new groups of each year. Hats off to them for introducing their charges to Anglican monasticism. One group was from Swarthmore College in Western Philadelphia, PA, and another from Princeton University, NJ.

From top, clockwise: communion at the Passion Sunday Eucharist, note the icon cross newly veiled for Holy Week; the Princeton University group under the guidance of Pr. Bo Karen Lee (bottom center); the Swarthmore College group under the guidance of Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, Dr. Joyce Tompkins (bottom center).

And then to cap a prayerful and beautiful start to Holy Week, we had the yearly "Hymns and Anthems for Lent" service with the singing of Kairos - a consort of singers and six readings by friends of the community from throughout the mid-Hudson region.

Have a blessed Holy Week!