Preparing for OHC's chapter meetings

Little by little, our Life Professed Brothers are arriving from California, Canada and South Africa. Bros. Roger Stewart and Daniel Ludik arrived from Harkerville, Western Cape Province, SA, on Friday evening after a long and tiring couple of flights.

This week, Br. Jacob is on retreat, camping at Taconic State Park, Copake Falls, NY. He will be home in time for chapter.

The week started on Memorial Day (a Monday sabbath day for the community) with our traditional cookout orchestrated and grilled by Br. Josép. The weather was cool for a late spring but agreeable. Beside grilling the proteins, Br. Josép had also prepared a scrumptious vegan chocolate pudding.

Memorial Day cookout. From top left, clockwise: Br. Josép in conversation with our friend Dave Coppola while grilling burgers (multitasking?); a Br. helping himself to the chocolate and berries pudding: Br. Adam, OHC Companion Suzette Cayless, Bros. David, Scott and Robert Leo;
Bros.Carl (foreground), Will, Timothy, Dave Coppola and Bros. John and Daniel (partially visible).

This week has seen a lot of (noisy) activity on our grounds. Our plumber, Bobby Taylor and colleagues have been installing an entirely new septic system covering the needs of the middle house and the monastic enclosure. The system is now functional but some remaining work will take place the week after chapter.

Enclosure septic system renewal. From top left, clockwise: a bucket excavator digging a trench for the new system's cistern; the new cistern, piping and system components being driven in reverse down on back driveway (tricky: 2 pictures); plumbers Bobby Taylor and Hugh supervising the digging; current state of the completed system (some old cistern removal, landscaping and grass seeding will happen later).

On Wednesday and Thursday, a large team of tree service people took down, cut up and shredded several trees that were threatening to fall on buildings or people. Trees grow and mature on their own, but a property like ours requires active maintenance. Kudos to Bros. Timothy and Jacob, our groundskeepers, for their care. Deforestation is not to be feared, we plant a lot of new trees on a regular basis.

Dangerous trees removal (tail end of the two days of work - 3 pictures)

As for blooms, this is definitely the peonies' turn. They give cutting flowers in abundance but you have to immerge them to get rid of the symbiotic ants that like to inhabit them.

Peonies galore. Peonies arrangements throughout the church (5 pictures): a florist arrangement with fresh fruit in the "coffed corner" near the refectory.

May you enjoy the work of the Spirit in this Pentecost season.