Back from retreat

I returned Saturday to my beloved monastery after a beautiful and serene eight-day retreat at the Eastern Point Retreat Center in Gloucester, Massachusetts. I met every day for up to 45 minutes with a Spiritual Director. I greatly appreciated the guidance of Fr. Randy Sachs, SJ, who accompanied me in my retreat.

I had been to Eastern Point a few years ago. In the meantime, they have rebuilt the guest wing to great effect. All the rooms have en-suite bathrooms, an ocean-view and a balcony to sit on.

I rested thoroughly, took walks on the Eastern Point peninsula, thoroughly enjoyed nature, read bounteously, journaled, meditated and prayed. Conclusion: God loves me and I love God! OK, I knew that before, but I now know it with a renewed intensity.

Eastern Point peninsula. From top left, clockwise: a large sailboat in Gloucester Harbor Bay; large rock outcropping at the end of the garden; sunrise over the ocean; a favorite rocking chair with a view; the front of the retreat house; rock and ocean from the Lady Chapel.

One of the gifts that kept giving was the wildlife that can be observed at Eastern Point. Birds are plentiful. I am not fast enough with the iPhone to capture flying birds. I spotted egrets, coots, cormorants, seagulls, gray catbirds, common grackles and barn swallows. The latter gave hourlong acrobatic shows just outside the floor to ceiling windows of the dining room that overlooks the ocean. I delighted in their games of tag and imagined myself sensing the joys of flying like that.

On one of my daily walks, a fellow walker came to me all excited and told me where he'd spotted a sea turtle laying eggs. I paid the good mother a visit and sure enough, she had dug up in the sand a pit large enough for her to lay her eggs in. I felt honored to witness this wonder of life. I returned the next day to see that she had dutifully filled up the pit to protect the eggs until they hatch.

Viewed on my walks. From top left, clockwise, Momma Turtle laying eggs in a sand pit; sea glass gathered on top of the seawall, the turtle with Niles Pond in the background; unidentified bulb flowers; a tapestry of geraniums; a courtyard parterre at a historic house near the retreat house.

The Beauport - Sleeper-McCann House was reopening to visitors just the week that I was at Eastern Point. I had spotted this Historic New England on my previous visit (but that was in winter and it was closed to visitors).

Henry Davis Sleeper is considered America's first professional interior designer and Beauport was his summer house and his designs have essentially remained untouched since he died. I took a guided tour (for a fee) and then returned a few times to enjoy the small but delightful grounds (free). The garden is a beautiful spot to take in Gloucester harbor.

Beauport. From top left, clockwise: lots of nooks and crannies with recycled architectural details: a terrace overlooking Gloucester harbor; one of the many themed collections Sleeper liked to display - color and shape mattered more than the intrinsic value of the various items: green crockery in one of five dining rooms; more themed collections; the complex roofline features many chimney that vary in style and decoration.

And now, most life-professed member of our Order are gathering at our monastery for our Annual Chapter of the Order of the Holy Cross. It is our parliamentary forum to take stock of how we are doing, make legislative decisions and generally catch up with one another. It feels like a mixture between a weeklong family reunion and business meeting.

We start with a bang on Tuesday, when Br. Aidan will be ordained a priest.

Please pray that the Holy Spirit may help us in our deliberations.