Elevator!

Some had surmised that our new(ish) guesthouse elevator would come into service on the feast of the Ascension... Ultimately, it was a Cinco de Mayo baby. Guests, staff and monks are raving about the smooth and silent ride. We are overjoyed to be able to welcome our guests with mobility issues again.

Puttting the guesthouse elevator in service. From top left, clockwise: technicians making the last adjustments; control panels for the elevator (2 pictures); panoramic view of the inside of the cab; the ground floor shaft door; the elevator on the second floor; the elevator on the third (top) floor.

This week, Br. Randy and Br. Luc were both away on family visits (respectively in Texas and in Kenya). Br. Adam McCoy, from Cathedral City, CA, was on the second week of his visit. He took the opportunity to work in our archives suite. He is preparing an update to the book he wrote in the 1980's on the history of the Order of the Holy Cross.

On Saturday, Br. Marc treated his brothers to Brazilian delicacy for our weekly wine and conversation gathering. He baked Pao de Queijo ("cheese bread" in Portuguese). They are little cheesy, puffy balls of scrumptiousness. Yum!

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise; Br. Aidan in front of a roadside stand of beautiful garden flower bouquets from one of our neighbors; our neighbor's flower arrangements; Br. Marc kneading the dough for Pao de Queijo; guest Paul Whitman, from Southport, CT.

Besides the now complete guesthouse elevator (thanks be to God!), we have three capital projects going on: the renovation of the guesthouse kitchen, the installation of new boilers in the enclosure and the refurbishment of St Mary's House (at the top of our driveway).

Monastery projects. From left, clockwise: trench and newly drilled shaft for the new enclosure boilers; the drill-core that resulted; newly planted gorgeous geraniums on the Middle House entrance porch (two pictures).

The month of May is usually beautiful in the Hudson Valley and this year is no exception. Come and visit us soon.