Remembering our departed Brethren

Br. Francis was on retreat at the Community of St John the Baptist, in Mendham, NJ.

This week, Mr. Clay Wackerman, from Fairfield, CT, arrived to be an intern of the monastery until next summer. He will be under the supervision of our Formator, Br. Josép, and will participate in the activities of the novitiate. Until recently he was teaching English in Thailand on a Fulbright scholarship. And he makes Br. Josép look short!

New people. From top left, clockwise: Br. Josép with Clay Wackerman, our new intern (two pictures); Paul Whitman, our most recent Associate from Southport, CT (also with Br. Bernard in bottom picture).

Tuesday was Br. Robert James birthday. We also all went to the local firehouse to fulfill our civic duty in the elections. It was Br. Luc's first opportunity to vote as an American citizen. Well done!

On Thursday, we remembered our Departed Brothers in the office and the eucharist. After mass, the monks and some guests proceeded to the crypt (where our founder's tomb is located as well as our columbarium). After that, we went out to the cemetary, north of the enclosure. In both places we blessed the departed and said prayers for our Brothers.

Honoring our departed Brethren. In the crypt (two pictures) and in the cemetary (four pictures)

On Friday, we received Paul Whitman into the Associates program during the eucharist. Paul is from Southport, CT.

Last Sunday, John Magliula, our Superior's nephew took our Christmas card picture. This time, we remembered to take off darkening glasses in the sun.

This week, Br. Josép started rehearsing a schola of Brothers, intern and friend for the Christmas liturgies. They're already sounding good...

Monastery peeps. From top, clockwise: full community portrait; Br. Edwin and the Rev. Samuel Kennedy, and Summer, the lab, visiting in the north end of the library; view from our cemetary to the rising sun over the Hudson; schola rehearsals in the formation room (two pictures).

Could it be that Advent is around the corner?