Funeral and palms

This past week, our Br. Carl was at Vassar hospital for gastro-intestinal surgery. The surgery was a success. He is doing well and he is now home recuperating. Please keep him in your prayers.

This past Tuesday, we celebrated Roy's funeral. With the exception of Sr. Janet Ruffing, RSM,  his friend of over forty years, we had no visitors in attendance. But we offered a live stream of the funeral on Facebook. Br. Robert Leo presented a beautiful eulogy of our dear Brother. We were surprised by the number of people who joined us online. We didn't realize so many people would want this event streamed (over hundreds of them).

Br. Roy's ashes now reside in our columbarium in the St Michael Chapel (the crypt under our monastery church). We thank all those who have sent us messages of condolence and support.

Honoring the dead. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert Hagler stopping on one of his daily walks to pray on  the tombs of our brothers, north of the enclosure; Br. Roy's ashes in St Augustine's church; a close-up of Roy's featured calligraphy (with Br. Bernard taking the picture in the background).

This weekend, we started Holy Week on our own. The beautiful liturgy sustained us but we felt the absence of our guests and visitors. No matter, we draped the icon cross and veiled the Blessed Mother and Child as usual. The palms had been ordered before the covid-19 pandemic hit us. We shall have many many of them this year. I got to preach on Jesus' passion and the pandemic.

Palm Sunday. from top left, clockwise: the palms awaiting their blessing in Pilgrim Hall; palms decorating St Augustine's church; Mother and Child veiled; more palms; Br. Aidan rehearsing in Pilgrim Hall and in the church (with the veiled icon cross above him).

Several of us are venturing out alone for walks in the sun as the weather permits. There is less traffic on Route 9W (in front of the monastery) but there are visitors to the Scenic Hudson parks who observe social distancing.

We have several offices streamed this Holy Week. Join us on our Facebook page for matins on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday, or for Vespers on Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday. 'See you online!

Stay safe, stay healthy.