Back in business

It's been over three months since this blogger was able to fill you in on monastery happenings.

Two new men have recently arrived. Mr. Marc Santana arrived in early September from Edinburgh, Scotland. He has started his postulancy under the guidance of Br. Josép Martinez-Cubero, novice master. Mr. Samuel Kennedy arrived this past week with his golden retriever, Summer. He will live alongside the monastic community until his eventual entry in the postulancy. Please hold them in prayer. Br. Josép, who is also our vocations minister, is in conversation with a couple more promising inquirers.

This coming week, several brothers are away. Br. Robert James Magliula is on vacation in France. Br. Josép is vacationing while house and dog-sitting in nearby Cottekill. Br. Ephrem Arcement is paying his family a visit in Louisiana.

Last week, Br. Bernard Delcourt, co-led an eight-day Centering Prayer Post-Intensive retreat with Ms. Leslee Terpay. The two of them will continue to offer an Intensive and post-Intensive retreat at the monastery next year. Leslee Terpay also offers a few shorter retreat programs on Centering Prayer. Check out the Guesthouse caledndar of programs for more informaion.

From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert Leo Sevensky in conversation with Ellen Metzger O'Shea of Poughkeepsie and Greg O'Shea of NYC after Sunday mass: a retreatant contemplating the Hudson Valley from the St Michael crypt during a Centering Prayer retreat; Mr. Marc Santana, works as an assistant sacristan to Br. Daniel Beckham.

Also last week, the Rev. Janet Vincent, once again took portrait pictures of the monks who needed an updated picture for our web communications. Janet Vincent was a professional photographer before being a priest and her photos show it. Thank you, Janet.

The newest "official portraits" ;-). From top left: Br. Randy Greve, Br. Robert James Magliula; Br. Josép Martinez-Cubero; Br. Ephrem Arcement; Br. Aidan Owen; and Br. Bernard Delourt.

We'll be back with more next week.