Saint Mary the Virgin

This week, Br. Robert Leo was on vacation in the Poconos, PA, and Br. Josép was on vacation in Cottekill, NY. Br. Josép was house and pet-sitting at the house of friends of the community just a half hour drive away from the monastery as he has done for several years. It is his tradition to invite groups of Brothers to come and visit him and the dogs for lunch (the cat usually remains out of sight when there are visitors).

Luncheons in Cottekill at Br. Josép's invitation. From top left, clockwise: the sun room; Bros. Bruno, Francis, Rob, Ephrem and Josép enjoying the meal in the sun room: a few days later, it was the turn of friend Dave Coppola, Br. Bernard, postulant Jeff and Br. Jacob; Lucy was on her best behavior throughout; some of the home cooking delicacies on offer; the koi pond in the garden.

But jus in case, you thought it all sounds like hard work, he also knows how to take it easy. Oh, and he's really good with dogs; attentionate, loving and firm at the same time.

Dogs and rest. From top left, clockwise: Br. Josép and Molly (two pictures); Br. Josép not making much progress on his reading (two pictures); Br. Josép with Lucy.

This past week, our electrician has installed two more electric vehicle charging stations in the monks' parking lot to accommodate our expanding fleet of EV's. The new OHC corporation car will be an EV for the principal use of the Superior.

This Friday evening and Saturday, we celebrated our Blessed Mother, Saint Mary the Virgin in style.

Celebrating St Mary the Virgin. From top left, clockwise: our electrician installing two new EV charging stations; statue of the holy Mother and Child in St Augustine church (details; 2 pictures); just above that statue, a stained glass window depicting Jesus crowning Mary in heaven; the refectory part of the feast (four pictures, including one of Bros. John and David patiently waiting for the festive meal).

And on the blooming front, we noticed a lot of different mushrooms coming up.

The blooming report. From top left, clockwise: Russula (?) mushrooms a.k.a. brittlegills; an amanite species (flavoconia or jacksoonii ?); view of the monastery from the driveway; Pluteus (?) mushrooms a.k.a. deer mushroom; Hackberry tree and its paraiste Hackberry petiole gall (at first I thought the hackberry fruit was strangely positioned but it is not its fruit).

Peace and every good to you.