Hiking, gardening, remembering

All the sheep were in the fold this week. All sixteen of us were home.

Br. Luc celebrated his birthday on Saturday, October 15. And he was our preacher this Sunday.

On our sabbath day, last Monday, Bros. Bede and Bernard enjoyed a well-deserved diner breakfast in Port Ewen, the lilttle village north of West Park, after the two visited their dentist. Sr. Elizabeth Broyles joined them.

This week was our postulant Marc Santana's first turn at being our bellringer. He accomplished his duty well.

From top left, clockwise: Br. Bede at the Port Ewen diner; a beautiful sailboat passing the monastery on the Hudson; Marc Santana waiting for the right time to ring the bell and then, in full bellringing action (2 pictures); Br. Ephrem enjoying a quiet morning read on the enclosure porch; temptation, temptation - Br. Aidan's double-chocolate and dried cherries cookies; the turning of colours in the meadow.

This week, Br. Ephrem was leading a group of 9 into contemplative hiking round our beautiful region. 

From top, clockwise: Br. Ephrem and his hikers on top of their game at Minnewaska State Park; the nine retreatants; fall foliage landscape; another fall foliage vista.

And Br. Timothy was leading a small group of garden volunteers in sprucing up our gardens for the fall. On Friday, the formation community (Bros. Josép and Daniel, and Marc S.) joined Br. Timothy for more gardening.

Gardening. From top left, clockwise: Adirondack chairs in the Guesthouse lawn; Br. Timothy supervising the action; Br. Josép weeding; a bee visiting some of the last blossoms of the year (asters).

On Saturday, Bros. Aidan and Bernard travelled to the village of Hempstead on Long Island to attend the funeral of Associate Pat Moore at her beloved St George's Episcopal Church. The remembrance and funeral were heart-warming and insping. Pat was always so humble that it was easy to forget what an accomplished person she was.

Pat Moore. Archival pictures. From top left, clockwise: it looks like trouble - Associates Diane Barker, Ann Wait, Mary Allan and Pat Moore being mischievous; Pat shelving books during a Library Volunteers retreat; A. Patricia Moore with Governor Mario Cuomo; Pat enjoying a read in Pilgrim Hall; in conversation with Associate Beth Baudin; in conversation with President Jimmy Carter; Pat's home parish of St George's Episcopal Church in Hempstead, NY; Pat and Br. Bernard working on the now retired library card catalogue; Pat enjoying some Chritmas carrolling with Br. Scott Borden.

After a warm West Indies welcome, the Brothers drove home with the urn containing Pat's ashes. Her urn is immured in our columbarium this Sunday afternoon. May Pat rest in peace and rise in glory.