Giving and receiving

Happy New Year! May your year be healthy, peaceful, serene with joy sprinkled all over it.

The Magi are on their journey to Bethlehem. They move from our Chapter Room to the Church to pay their visit to Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. They are carrying presents for the newborn Prince of Peace. The tradition is that unknown brothers move the magi figurines along when no one is looking. Somehow, they always make to the creche in time by the Epiphany.

From left, clockwise: Br. Josép going past the Magi on his way to the guesthouse; the Magi on their pilgrimage (two more pictures); light shining trough Christmas tree ornaments in Pilgrim Hall.

We celebrate a holy and beautiful Christmas with our guests last weekend. Another tradition that always warms my heart is the monastic community's exchange of presents late on Christmas day. After we have closed the guesthouse, we get together in our common room with some refreshments and we "open our presents." What to give to the monk who's got all the necessities of life provided for? One of the things we don't get to do is to have management of private money to give away. At Christmas, we each receive $100 from our community to give away to a charity of our choice. When we "open our presents" we tell each other the charity we have given to and why it is dear to our heart. Between the 15 of us, we give to a great variety of charities. Below are the charities that received the brothers' present this year.

Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, Kingston, NY - provides a network of safety and support to immigrants, regardless of status; provides household support, education and school support, transportation and accompaniment. Started by local episcopalian clergy concerned with the poor.

Foundation Cristosal, Burlington, VT - works to promote justice, human rights, and democratic societies in Central America, through strategic litigation, research, learning, human rights monitoring, and assistance to victims of human rights violations. 

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Poughkeepsie, NY - provides high quality counsel in civil matters for low-income individuals and families and other vulnerable persons who do not have access to legal representation to maintain their basic needs, and to pursue equity through dismantling systemic oppression.

World Central Kitchen, Washington, DC - devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. Its method of operations is to be a first responder and then to collaborate and galvanize solutions with local chefs to solve the problem of hunger, immediately following a disaster.

Scenic Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY - preserves land and farms and creates parks that connect people with the inspirational power of the Hudson River, while fighting threats to the river and natural resources that are the foundation of the valley’s prosperity.

Holy Cross School, Makhanda, South Africa - started by the Order of the Holy Cross; provides high quality education and holistic care to rural children and their families.

Holy Savior Catholic Church, Lockport, LA - small church in dire need of damages related to hurricane Ida. Br. Ephrem was baptized there and said one of his first masses in that church.

Allies for Health & Wellbeing, Pittsburgh, PA - provides integrated medical care, supportive human services, and community-based education for individuals living with, or at risk of HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.

The Humane Society of the United States, Washington, DC - addresses animal-related cruelties of national scope, and resolves animal welfare problems by applying strategies beyond the resources or abilities of local organizations.

Associacao Menino De Belem, Belem, Brazil - residential assistance to homeless people in Brazil

International Rescue Committee - helps people affected by humanitarian crises — including the climate crisis — to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.The IRC is now at work in over 40 crisis-affected countries as well as communities throughout Europe and the Americas.

All this is small change compared to the generorsity of hundreds and hundreds of donors to our own monastery. But it is meaningful to the brothers. All giving is grace. Thanks be to God for all of it.

Our Community will be on Long Retreat from Tuesday, January 3 to Tuesday, January 10. Our guesthouse will reopen to the public on Thursday, January 12.