Entering Summer

We reached the summer solstice this week. Days will stay warm but will get shorter. The gardens have welcomed what little rain we have gotten. Br. Luc has a big job of watering the vegetable garden to make sure it prospers.

Our Capital Campaign projects continue to make good progress. We are nearing the completion of the construction of the new elevator shaft. We will now be able to give ThyssenKrup the geen light for the manufacturing of the elevator cab. If production is not too affected by the covid-19 pandemic, the cab might be ready for installation by year-end (fingers crossed).

Another contractor is busy renovating the tile roof over our Middle House. Some timber needed replacement and several new tiles will replace those that have failed over their century of existence. The roof renovation will keep going throughout the summer.

We often pray in gratitude for our contractors and for their safety on the job.

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Summer blooms and summer jobs. From top left, clockwise: a view of the Middle House roof from the enclosure; an arrangement of garden blooms by Br. Robert James (including carnations, Russian sage and phloxes); an area of the roof under renovation

This week, twelve of us started attending a 5-Week Virtual Retreat offered by The Rev. Masud Ibn Syedulla in collaboration with the Reparations Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The retreat is entitled "Knee on My Neck: Slavery’s Ghost." Some of us could claim the name People of Color. But the majority of us would be identified as white folk. This is just part of an ongoing effort at informing and forming ourselves to be anti-racist allies rather than part of the problem.

I have deliberately chosen to view, listen and read more cultural contents authored by non-white people. I started this two years ago when I realized how many white male authors dominated my cultural diet. It's only a small step but it helps me get out of my "white bubble" more often.

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This coming week, Maximilian Esmus (a.k.a Br. Max) will be completing his novitiate. He, has decided to withdraw to continue his Christian discernment outside of the monastery. He feels drawn to explore other life options. As anything, he does, Max has done a thorough discernment and we feel that he is making the most responsible decision for himself at this point in time.

In no small part, thanks to his monastic experience, he leaves us with a greater sense of himself and a greater capacity to live into and as himself; a wonderful fruit of a novitiate lived to the full. His presence has enriched us and we will miss him. His departure will be this last Sunday of June.

Br. Max Esmus. From top left, clockwise: Max and I on a Hudson River cruise on the Rip Van Winkle out of Kingston; Br. Max empowered many a user to make the most of their electronic geegaws (with our late Br. Roy, in our conservatory, and with Br. Luc, in our mailrom); two friends waiting for the meal bell (Bros. Josép and Max); at a game of Qwirkle with Bros. Josép and Bernard and Sister Shane, CMA); playing cribbage with Br. Laurence (who also trained Max in origami); preaching in St Augustine Church; decorating the Guest House Christmas tree; (center) at the organ, at which Max excels.

Please keep Max in your prayers. And if you know of more good men who would like to try monasticism, direct them to our Vocations Minister, Br. Josép Martinez-Cubero.