Two postulants!

 Br. John came home from his mother's funeral near his childhood home in Galax, VA. Br. Carl is on an "at home" retreat. Br. Randy in on retreat at Trinity Retreat Center in West Cornwall, CT.

The big news this week is that we welcomed two postulants to our community. Mr. Anthony Letchworth, previously of Pittsford, NY, entered on Tuesday. Mr. Jeffrey Costello, previously of Magnolia, NJ, entered on Thursday. Please keep our two postulants in our prayers.

Receptions of two postulants. From top left, clockwise: Anthony Letchworth being examined by Br. Robert James, our Superior; Anthony put into the charge of Formator Br. Josép; Anthony doing the rounds of Chapter to be welcomed by his new community; Jeffrey Costello being examined by Br. Robert James; Jeffrey doing the rounds of Chapter to be welcomed by his new community (two pictures).

Anthony was brought here by his dad, Tom who stayed overnight to see his son settle at the monastery.

Jeffrey was brought here on Wednesday afternoon by a couple of friends from Magnolia, NJ. Anne Marie Gallagher and her husband Bruce Husted stayed with us for a day to see their friend setttle into his new home; the monastery.

Bruce who moves in a automotive wheelchair would not have been able to stay overnight at the monastery before our new elevator became functional. We were overjoyed to see his appreciation of our efforts at making the guesthouse fully accessible. We hope to see Bruce and Anne Marie again before too long.

Jeffrey's friends. From top left, clockwise: Bruce Husted, postulant Jeffrey Costello and Anne Marie Gallagher; Bruce using and appreciating the new elevator.

This week, we also welcomed members of Br. Robert James' family. John and Felicia Magliula and their two daughters are staying in the newly renovated St Mary's house (at the top of our driveway) for a few months, while looking for a home in the Hudson Valley. Br. Robert James is taking a couple of weeks of family leave to be with his nephew and his family. After that, he will take an "at home" one-month sabbatical.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: guests Felix and Joan enjoying a jigsaw puzzle in the Pilgrim Hall; volunteers Joan McGilvray, Elisabeth Sheehey and Maryanne De Prophetis in the monastic library; The Rev. Samuel Kennedy and Summer studying on the enclosure porch; Br. Robert James and his grand-niece Artemis; Felicia Magliula, Br. John, Br. Robert James and Artemis Magliula.

 

And just because, we live, pray and worship in a beautiful place, here are a few shots of the outside of St Augustine Church.

Saint Augusting Church from the outside. From top left, clockwise: the rose window and the bell tower; the angel weathervane at the top of the bell tower; the ambulatory wrapping around the apse and the bell tower; Mother Mary in her own garden behind the church.