Moving out, moving in

This week and next week, Br. Randy is on vacation and family visit in Texas. Br. Aidan was on retreat at New Skete Monastery, in Cambridge, NY. 

On Tuesday, we said goodbye to our Brother Josias Morobi. He has now safely returned home to our St Benedict's Priory, in Hermanus, South Africa. It was a joy to pray, worship and live alongside him for a couple of months. We look forward to seeing his in person again in June, when we gather at St Benedict's Priory for our Order's annual chapter. Br. Josias will soon make his initial profession of the Benedictine Vow. Would you keep him prayer as he prepares for this important milestone?

Moving out. From left, clockwise: the Paschal candle on its stand surrounded by flowers; enjoying coffee and donuts in the enclosure's atrium to bid Bon Voyage to Br. Josias (two pictures); Bros. Samuela and Josias sharing their goodbyes.

Every week, Br. Josép makes sure that the men in formation render service to the community with some much needed physical work. The four of them work wonders wherever they turn their attention. This week it was cleaning up, tidying up and better organizing our mailroom.

Cleaning up. From top, clockwise: intern Clay Wackerman, Bros. Anthony, Josép and Samuel working their magic in the mailroom (two pictures); an example of the tidying up (paper bags and plastic bags folded and separated).

Br. Francis has successfully helped our two colonies of bees to survive the winter. This Saturday, he took delivery of a package of bees to start a third colony. He is a devoted and competente beekeeper. He sometimes shares ideas with ex-beekeeper Br. Bernard. He also benefits from advice from his beekeeper brother-in-law and his beekeeping teacher and,... lots of YouTube videos, of course.

Moving in. A new colony of bees makes its home at Holy Cross Monastery. From top left, clockwise: Br. Francis just back from Hudson Valley Bee Supply in Kingston with mellow 10,000 bees and their queen; close-ups of the bee package (2 pictures); Br. Francis prying open the bee package on the back of our ATV; Bros. Bernard and Francis satisfied with a successful move.

May the Holy Cross bees thrive and prosper.