Receptions galore

Most of this weekend our novitiate and Br. Francis were away for an inter-novitiate formation at nearby Mount Alvernia Retreat Center, in Wappinger Falls. Our friend, Br. Don Bisson, FMS, was teaching about the relevance of dreams in the spiritual life.

This Sunday, the monastery was abuzz with cultural and spiritual events. 

Our bishop visitor, Andy Dietsche, and his wife Margaret were visiting for several functions they were attending in the region. The community had an opportunity to sit and chat with them over refreshments in the enclosure on Saturday evening. Bishop Andy will continue to be our bishop visitor after he steps down as the Bishop of the diocese of New York over next few months.

On Sunday afternoon, the "Monastery Poets" were receiving friends and members of the public in Pilgrim Hall to recite poems of their composition. Br. John's poems were accompanied by a jazz saxophonist. The Monastery Poets regularly meet at the monastery to hear, reflect and react to each other's poems as a form of encouragement and development of their poetry. They currently are: Maryanne de Prophetis, Br. John Forbis, the Rev. Suzanne Guthrie, Tessa Kale and The Rev. Clair McPherson. 

The Monastery Poets. From top left, clockwise: Br. John Forbis welcomes the many attendees; Suzanne Guthrie reciting some of her poems; Maryanne de Prophetis presenting some of her poems; Br. John's turn.

On the heels of that poetry event, our friend Ellen Metzger-O'Shea was hosting friends of hers for a showing of her paintings exhibition in our litlle art gallery.

Monastery people and sights. From top left, clockwise: Br. Marc helping with the administration of the Associates program in the monastic library; the great oak has lost all its leaves now letting our church show through the branches; at the end of the weekend, the trash has to be taken up to the dumpster in the uphill parking lot (here by staff member Tim Consavage).

But the portentous event of the day for our community was the reception of Br. Ephrem's priestly orders in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Andy presided over the occasion within the context of our Sunday Vespers. The Livestream is available on the monastery's Facebook page. Here is the link to the ceremony: the reception proper starts during the 38th minute of the stream. 

We all look forward to Br. Ephrem presiding his first Eucharist in the Episcopal Church this Tuesday morning. May there be many more. Thanks be to God! 

The reception of Br. Ephrem's priestly orders. From top left, clockwise: The Superior, Br. Robert James, the Assistant Superior, Br. Robert Leo, and the Bishop Visitor, Andy Dietsche preparing for the ceremony; The Superior presenting Br. Ephrem to the Bishop; the Bishop looking on as Br. Ephrem signs the documents witnessing his reception; Br. Ephrem on bell duty before the ceremony;  the reception by the Bishop (two pictures).

And after the reception of Br. Ephrem's priestly orders, there was another reception to celebrate with some time of companionship with our friends.

Social celebration for the reception of Ephrem's Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Ephrem and Timothy arriving for "the reception after the reception;" Br. Josép in conversation with Associate Michael Cudney, from Manhattan, NY; Bros. Robert Leo and Ephrem with Associate Suzanne Guthrie, from Poughkeepsie, NY; Postulant Samuel Kennedy and Br. Timothy in conversation with Br. Ephrem.

Thanks be to God for all the wondrous gifts that gather at our monastery.