Impromptu music and sending off eager missionaries

On Wednesday, we were treated to an impromptu recital of lute and voice. Our guest, Philip Horne, was staying with us a few days visiting his friend Vance Greenway. Philip was on his way to a Lute Convention in New Jersey so he had lugged his lute from California.

He and Br. Josép struck a conversation and decided to rehearse some songs together. Philip interspersed the medieval songs with "ricercars" (short fugal compositions). They gave their recital after supper in the Pilgrim Hall to the great joy of many guests and brothers.

Br. Josép and Philip Horne in their lute recital.

This was the first week that the brothers and our guests and visitors could fully enjoy the new air conditioning units in our church. It is a big thumbs up from everyone! The two units are sufficient to keep the church comfortable with an inconspicuous low level of blowing noise. We expect temperatures in the nineties towards the end of this week. We'll see how the units fare in that environment.

I had the pleasure of going on a hike with my friend Joan Ball on Thursday morning. The weather was perfect for it (sunny and not too warm). We went to the Scenic Hudson's "Esopus Meadows Preserve, just a few miles north of the monastery. It gave us time to catch-up on each other's lives and I was back home in time for Diurnum, our mid-day office.

From left, clockwise: Br. Josép photo-bombs Br. Aidan's modeling his newly-crafted t-shirt with a Virgin Mary print he received from one or his crafts vlog followers; Br. Bernard and Joan Ball a the Esopus Meadows Preserve; another stylish flower arrangement from Br. Robert James to greet people into our church.

This week, several of the brothers taught the YASC and EVM missionaries about tending their spiritual life while away on their mission. Br. Robert James taught art therapy, Br. Josép taught journaling and Br. Bernard taught centering prayer. The hope is that some of these spiritual practices may resonate with and be of use to our missionaries.

Br. Bear helped Br. Bear-nard to teach Centering Prayer and reported that he never has any problem detaching from fleeting thoughts during meditation. Such a show-off!

This Saturday, I visited Br. Randy at his work a Christ Church, Red Hook, where he became Priest-in-charge in early May. It's a beautiful church. The whole physical plant is in great shape and Br. Randy has a pleasant office in one of the three buildings on the property. Br. Randy showed me around. I even got to spend one dollar on two lovely mugs in the Thrift Shop! To celebrate his new ministry, I took Br. Randy out for lunch a the local Savona's branch (a good Italia Trattoria). Br. Randy is settling in nicely and already making a difference for the Christ Church congregation.

Christ Chruch, Red Hook. From top left, clockwise: the altar; Br. Randy checking out the tidy contents of sacristy closets; Br. Randy in the Rector's Office; the nave of the church.

This Sunday was the last full day of the YASC and EVIM missionaries at the monastery. As is our custom, we gathered around them to pray for them and bless them as they scatter to their ministries in the next weeks and months. We keep praying for these missionaries throughout the year. And they often return to the monastery at the end of their year abroad for a few days of reorientation.

This year's batch of YASC and EVIM missionaries with Br. Robert James on the right.

The monastic community surrounding the missionaries for a prayer of blessing on their ministries.

Please pray for these young adults and adults who give a year of their lives to service.