The flock returns to the fold

Towards the end of this week, three Brothers came home from vaccations and retreats: Brothers Robert James, Josép and Robert Leo. It is great to have the gang reunited!

This week, I got to work with both of  the Associates administrative volunteers: Joan McGilvray and Maryanne de Prophetis. Thanks to their effective help I will be able to keep a handle on the large administrative work involved in managing our connection with over 460 Associates throughout the country and the world. I have started reading Rules of Life and Annual Reports. Whe have a remarkable collection of children of God in our Associates.

If you wondered about becoming a Associate, wonder no more, and get in touch with me at associates@hcmnet.org. Being an Associate of Holy Cross is spiritually rewarding and probably easier than you think.

From top left, clockwise: Br. Randy cleaning the mail room; rolling a new Covid-19 protocol in the church; a bulker ship at anchorage in the Hudson; a Saint Bernard puppy to celebrate my patronal feast (August 20)

As the Covid-19 pandemic keeps evolving and morphing, we adapt our Covid-19 protocols. This week signs went up requesting every guest and visitor to wear a mask in all public areas of the monastery.

On Friday, we observed the feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a cistercian monk and my baptismal patron. He also keeps an eye on my monastic vocation. My niece sent me a gif. file of a band of Saint Bernard dogs frolicking in the snow that day.

This Sunday morning, the 310th Chapter of the Order of the Holy Cross assembled in West Park and on Zoom. At his request, we dispensed The Rev. Bob Pierson of his Life Vow. We are grateful for our years in community with Bob and wish him joy in his life's next chapter.

After his dispensation, we prayed the following for Bob:

God of our beginnings and ending,

we celebrate all we have shared with Bob

and ask your blessing as he continues on his journey.

May the love that is in our hearts

be a bond that unites us forever,

wherever we may be.

May the power of your presence

bless this moment of our leave-taking;

this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

Amen. 

Be safe. Wear a mask when you're in public. And help someone decide to get the vaccine, if you can.