Brothers Josép and Aidan went to formation on "Candid Conversation" in Philadelphia last Tuesday, at the invitation of our Associate Chery Kuchler who was hosting the event.
This week, we were in silence throughout the day again to facilitate the Advent individually directed retreats. We had a dozen retreatants for this. Many other guests took advantage of the silence to do their own silent retreats.
My friends Lisa and Steve from Washington, DC, invited me and my friend Lewis to a matinee of Alvin Ailey choreographies at the City Center in NYC this Saturday. I had long wanted to see the Alvin Ailey Ballet. It was a beautiful and energizing programme. The audience was very responsive. And I admired how the African-American heritage is woven through many of the pieces.
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| Getting togther in NYC for an Alvin Ailey Ballet matinee. From top, closckwise: Steve Roberts and his wife Lisa Polisar, Lewis Folden and I: me and Lewis; the same four as above in front of the City Center theater. |
On my way into the city, I couldn't help to notice the large number of young people dressed as Santas or other related characters. On my way back home, one such young Santa regaled our car to Christmas pop classics while making pronouncements on passing people being on his "Nice" list. Back home, I discovered that I had been in the city on the day of Santacon NYC 2019; a large convergence of generously imbibed merriment... All this can seem so foreign from our hopeful expectation of Christ in the world and yet some think of it as a Christian phenomenon. And it was quite a contrast with the silent week I had experienced at the monastery.
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| Commuting to and from Santacon NYC 2019. I was wondering why I was seeing so many young Santas. |
Whether you've been Naughty or Nice, I hope you slow down to enjoy our expectant hope this season Advent. Blessings!
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