Joys and hazards

Br. Robert James will be returning from his one-month sabbatical this coming week. This past week, Br. Randy was on retreat at the Trinity Retreat Center in West Cornwall, CT. The Rev. Samuel Kennedy's parents, Lori and Tom were visiting for the week. Samuel will be received as a Postulant this coming Tuesday.

Monks in their habits. From top left, clockwise: chatting in the coffe area (near the refectory) before dinner (Postulants Jeffrey and Anthony, Bros. Josép and Carl); more Brothers waiting for dinner to be served; Bros. Francis and John doing dishes in the pantry; Br. Francis and Postulant Anthony doing dishes; Bros John and Robert Leo quietly waiting for dinner; Br. Timothy welcoming the customers in the Monk's Cell Gift and Book Store.

On Friday evening a rain storm uprooted a large tree along Route 9W that fell down on St Mary's House (at the top of our driveway). It hit the roof of the house and perforated the ceiling over the kitchen. Br. Robert James' niece Felicia Magliula and her two daughters Artemis and Seneca were in the house. They are physically unharmed but very scared by the event. The young Magliula family is now staying at the Guest House until they can secure longer term housing for themselves.

Storm damage at St Mary's House. From top, clockwise: Br. Aidan surveying the damage; perforated roof over the kitchen; the fallen tree crashed through the fence.

The fallen tree has been disposed of and a tarp covers the damaged roof. We are working with our insurance company to enable restoration work to start as soon as possible.

On Saturday, Bros. Robert Leo an Bernard attended a joyous (if hot) diocesan Mid-Hudson Regional Gathering at Christ Church, Poughkeepsie. We guess over 200 people (lay and clergy) from parishes and religious orders throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley were in attendance as were Bishop Andy Dietsche (Bishop of New York) and Bishop Matt Heyd (Bishop coadjutor of New York). We met a lot of friends for a festive Eucharist followed by a generous potluck pick-nick in the park surrounding the church.

Diocesan Mid-Hudson Regional Gathering. from top left, clockwise: Associate Suellen Nelson of Beacon, NY, and Br. Robert Leo seated for the Eucharist (2 pictures, in the background, Associate Jenny Owen and her husband Sam, of Croton on Hudson): Bp. Andy Dietsche addressing the congregation; Br. Robert Leo at the ensuing picknick; assembled clergy and lay folks at the picknick: the congregation in Christ Church, Poughkeepsie: (Center) Bp, Coadjutor Matt Heyd preaching.

We are looking forward to a restful and (hopefully) uneventful month of August. Our Guest House will reopen on Friday, September 1. In the meantime, you are always welcome to join us for our public worship. During August, the horarium will be: Matins at 7 a.m., Mass at 9 a.m. and Vespers at 5 p.m. There will be no corporate Diurnum or Compline.

Top: the Sunday mass attendees with the brothers in the entrance to the church. Bottom: planted by Br. Aidan, harvested and displayed by Br. Robert Leo; Japanese pink lilies.

The Monastery Column will be on a hiatus until the first weekend of September. May you also find rest in your month of August.