Blessing the bees on the feast of St Francis

This past week, Br. Ephrem was visiting his family in Raceland, LA. He got home on Thursday, in time to teach a formation to the community before driving off to a parish mission in MD. He is now back home. Br. David-Bryan is in his second week of visiting friends in England.

This Sunday, we celebrated the feast of the Dedication of our St Augustine Church. It is now entering its 106th year of sheltering our prayers and worship. This was also the feast of St Francis. Our Br. Francis organized a blessing of the bees. After mass, we trundled up the hill to the beeyard, sang hymns, read scripture and said prayers. Bros. Francis and Randy donned protective headgear before entering the beeyard with holy water to sprinkle our four beehives.

Blessing the bees. From top, clockwise: Bros. Jeff, Josép, Jacob, John (all the J's to one side :-), Daniel, Bruno, Francis and Randy; Br. Francis reminding us of the saints under whose protection each beehive is named; Bros. Francis and Randy getting geared up to enter the beeyard; Bros. Randy and Francis sprinkling holy water on hives (2 pictures); a statue of St Francis near the beeyard.

On Saturday, we received Gergő Balázs, of Astoria, NY, as our latest Associate. If you have wondered about the Associates program, get in touch with Br. Bernard.

Receiving Gergő as Associate. From top, clockwise: Hudson River traffic (2 pictures: a tanker and a yacht): Br. Bernard reading prayers for Gergő and all our Associates; a "usie" with Br. Bernard and Gergő; Br. Randy praying the offertory with Br. Francis as server.

And finally, pictures taken by Sr Greta, of the Community of Divine Love, during her retreat with us last week. Thank you, St. Greta; come back soon.

Sr. Greta's pictures. From top left, clockwise: the monastic choir singing the incense rite at the start of Vespers; Pilgrim Hall; Greta's selfie with the Guesthouse in the background: Greta's selfie with our Route 9W sign at dusk; detail of the labyrinth; calligraphed quote from our Founder's Rule.

Peace and every good to you.

Peace vigil and autumnal bonfire

Br. Ephrem attended the reunion of CAROA* Superiors in Toronto this week. He also visited our dispersed monks there (Bros. Brian Youngward, Leonard Abbah and Reginald Crenshaw). He drove back home with Sr. Greta Ronningen of the Community of Divine Love (in California) who is taking a few days of retreat with us. Ephrem proceeded to fly out to New Orleans the next day to attend his mom's 80th birthday. 

Last Sunday, Bros. Bernard and John attended an International Day of Peace Prayer Vigil at Port Ewen's Reformed Church at the invitation of their pastor, the Rev. Brian Steadman, an OHC Associate. There were representatives of the Bruderhof Maple Ridge Community in Ulster Park, NY, of the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Woodstock, NY, the Sisters of the Companions of Mary the Apostle, and Reformed Church parishioners. We all shared prayers for peace for the world, country, state and county.

People and flowers. From top left, clockwise: attendees at the International Day of Peace Prayer Vigil at Port Ewen's Reformed Church: CAROA Superiors in Toronto, ON (Sister Greta is standing on the left, Br. Ephrem, in our travel habit is standing third from the right); American pokeweed, beautiful but toxic (except to birds); flower arrangements in the refectory and the church (3 pictures).

On Monday, our two Assistant Ground Stewards, Bros. Jacob and Daniel did a Fire Departement authorized burn of brush and branches the whole day. Large piles of them have accumulated through the gardening season by the red barn. Various Brothers visited the bonfire and helped a bit. The fire permit is till December. The fire was monitored at all times. There will need to be a few more fires before the piles of brush and branches are consumed.

Bonfire. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Jacob and Daniel posing like the farmers in the famous painting American Gothic, by artist Grant Wood, painted in 1930; Br. Daniel monitoring the fire; Br. Bernard giving a hand: Br. Jacob picking up more combustible from the pile; Br. Daniel set up his tent for the day to enable those who wanted to take a sheltered nap by the crackling sound of the fire.

This weekend's Nor'easter mostly affected coastal areas of NY and NJ. We got sever winds Saturday afternoon and some intermittent rain Saturday and Sunday but essentially came out unscathed.

White caps on the Hudson River in the hours leading to the passage of a Nor-Easter storm.

Peace and every good to you.

* CAROA stands for the Conference of  Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas

Happy happenings in droves

In the last two weeks, so much has happened. In the second week of September, then postulant Jeff Costello completed his pre-clothing leave; Br. David Bryan returned from his mission trip to Toronto, ON; Bros. Scott and Randy attended a week-long Jungian Spiritual Direction formation at our near-neighbors, the Marist Brothers.

Over those two weeks, more Brothers converged on West Park in view of our new Superior's installation. Our three Juniors from South Africa were already here (Bros. Aelred, Josias and Mpumelelo). Bros. Leonard and Reginald arrived from Toronto, ON, and Br. Adam from Cathedral City, CA.

Br. Ephrem's mom, Nancy, and nephew, Brennan arrived from Louisiana.

On Labor Day, we had a cookout hosted as usual by Br. Josép and many helpers.

Labor Day cookout on the enclosure porch.

The next weekend, we hosted a contemplative photography retreat led by our Associate Tim Auman, from Winston Salem, NC. Tim encouraged his contemplative creators to share some shots with this blogger. There were of course, many beauty shots.

Contemplative photography. Monastery beauty shots.

But Tim also encourage the contemplative photographers to find beauty in subjects that might not often be photographed.

Contemplative photography. Beauty in the details.

The first portentous event of these two weeks was the installation of Br. Ephrem as our new Superior. It took place at last Sunday's Eucharist (September 13 when we observed the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross early). Mass had been moved to 11 a.m. for more guests to be able to attend. It was joyous and spirit-filled. Please pray for Br. Ephrem in his new ministries.

The installation of a new Superior. From top left, clockwise: the outgoing Superior, Br. Robert James "passes the baton" (the Superior's crozier; 2 pictures): Br. Ephrem receiving the embrace of his Brothers (2 pictures); Br. Ephrem and three previous Superiors (in chronological order, Br. David Bryan, right, Br. Robert Leo - left, Br. Robert James - center right).

On the morning of the next day, our sabbath rest Monday, we were treated to authentic Louisiana beignets compliments of the Arcement family. Yummy! We could taste the love.

Beignets! Compliments of the Arcements. From top left, clockwise: in the refectory before dinner (Associate Zachary Roeseman, of Woonsocket, RI, Brennan Arcement, Ephrem's nephew, Nancy Arcement, Ephrem's mom, Br. Ephrem, Associate Nadine Revheim, of Beacon, NY): the three Arcement frying beignets (2 pictures): the announcement to the monastic community on the enclosure's blackboard.

And on Tuesday, Br. Ephrem got to preside to his first community milestone; the clothing of a novice. Mr. Jeffrey Costello, having completed his postulancy received his monastic habit from the hands of the new Superior. He is now Br. Jeff. Please pray for Jeff in the continuation of his discernment of the monastic vocation.

Br. Jeffrey's clothing as a novice. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert Leo reading an excerpt from the Rule of St Benedict to Jeff: Br. Randy reading an excertpt from the Rule of our Founder to Jeff; Jeff being examined; Jeff receiving his habit; newly clothed Jeff being blessed with holy water; final examination; Jeff receiving the love of his Brothers (2 pictures); center picture, Br. Jeff comes back from the sacristy in his new monastic habit (nice fit, by the way).

In other news, Br. Josép attended and preached at the installation of Associate Asa Coulson as rector of Grace Church, Nutley, NJ on the Saturday preceding the Superior's installation.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: three past Superiors doing dishes (ora et labora); Br. Josép with Associate Asa Coulson in Nutley, NJ; Br. Daniel cutting down a dead tree. the Trinity parish hall in NYC where Br. Bernard led an Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop this past weekend.

The second week of September, we were glad to host the pre-ordination retreat of four ordinands of our local diocese of New York, facilitated by The Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah, of Hyde Park, NY. They were ordained priests at the Cathedral of St John the Divine that Saturday.

And this past week, Leslee Terpay, of Lone Tree, CO, and Br. Bernard co-led an 8-day dual track Intensive/Post-Intensive Centering Prayer retreat. As is our tradition, we ended with a talking ice cream social on the last eveing.

Monastery scenes and people. From top left, clockwise: flowers for the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the church (2 pictures): relic of the Holy Cross on view on the altar for the first Vespers of Holy Cross; flowers and votives with an icon of Hildegard of Bingen on her feast day (September 17); an ice cream banquet for Centering Prayers; the newest priest of the diocese of New York at the Cathedral of St John the Divine after a three day retreat at the monastery.

We treasure your prayers. You are in our prayers regularly. Peace and every good!

Crying wolf or "coywolf" ?

This week, Br. David Bryan continues his mission trip in Toronto, ON. Our postulant Jeff Costello moves from his pre-clothing leave (akin to a vacation) to his pre-clothing retreat (still at St Mary's House up the driveway). Br. Leonard arrived Thursday from Toronto to be present at next week's installation of Br. Ephrem as OHC's new Superior. For the same reason, our three intially professed Brothers from Harkerville, South Africa, arrived on Friday. It is starting to feel like a family reunion (not unlike at our annual chapter meetings).

This week, also saw the return of our hardy volunteeers after our August recess. Thank God for all the work they get done in support of our monastic lives and ministries.

Monastery peeps. From top left, clockwise: Associate Susan Barbarisi working with Br. John in the monastic library: old friends reunion (Br. Scott lived with our South African Brothers for several years) from left, Bros. Mpumelelo, Aelred, Scott (in front) and Josias; OHC Brothers Made in Africa, Bros. Mpumelelo, Aelred and Leonard; Br. Jacob transplanting a basil plant (2 pictures); Bros. Jacob and Bernard and more non-pictured enjoyin s'mores round our fire pit.

On Tuesday, we observed the feast day of David Pendleton Oakerhater, the first Native American saint in the Episcopal Church. This week, we hosted a retreat led by the Rev, Masud Ibn Syedullah, TSSF* and the neuro-scientist, Dr. Vladimir Miskovic on "Cultivating Loving Presence: Spirituality, Science and the Whole Human Being." Br. Bernard was blessed to attend. Subjects such a consciousness, awareness, neuro-modulation and the spiritual journey were discussed. Masud and Vladimir will repeat this program at the convent of our St John the Baptist sisters in Mendham, NJ, in November.

Monastery visitors. From top left, clockwise: an icon of David Pendleton Oakerhater in the entrance to St Augustine church; Vladimir Miskovic and Masud Ibn Syedullah leading the "Cultivating Loving Presence" retreat; lingering incense smoke caught in midday rays of sunshine; guests resting in the Gueshouse gardens; a mystery quadruped spotted in the meadow.

This past week, our Br. Randy captured the photo above of what appeared to us as a grey wolf. However, a Google search delivers the following on wolves in the mid-Hudson valley.

There are no established populations of wild, pure wolves roaming the Mid-Hudson Valley. Native gray wolves were extirpated from the Hudson Valley region by European settlers in the late 17th and early 18th centuries due to hunting and habitat loss. While occasional wandering wolves can be spotted, DNA tests proves it is rare. Genetic dispersals occasionally show up in upstate New York (such as the Adirondacks or near Canada), sightings in the Mid-Hudson area are almost exclusively large local canines. Eastern Coyotes are frequently mistaken for wolves, local coyotes often carry some historical wolf DNA from northern breeding corridors and can grow quite large (sometimes colloquially called "coywolves").

What do you think? Did Br. Randy spot an occasional wandering grey wolf or a "coywolf?"

Blessings and every good to you.

* The religious suffix TSSF stands for the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis.

Getting ready for the return of our guests

This week, Br. David went to Toronto for a two week mission trip. Br. Josép completed a family visit to his mom in St Petersburg, FL. This weekend, our postulant Jeff Costello started a one week pre-clothing leave at St Mary's House, up the driveway.

Br. Bernard visited Br. Bede at his nursing home, the Meadows in Rhinebeck, NY. We caught up on monastic news and then sang vespers together. Br. Bede keeps a couple of monastic breviaries in his room for just such an opportunity. His voice is feebler than in the days of old but he still knows the music inside out.

Monastery people. From top, clockwise: Br. Josép's mom, Elba and her home care aide enjoying freshly opened coconuts; Br. Josép kissing goodbye to his mom at the end of his stay: Bros. Bernard and John on a walk on Floyd Ackert Rd near the monastery: Bros. Bernard and Bede after having sung Vespers for two in his nursing home room.

Our Guesthouse has been thoroughly cleaned and maintained and repaired and spruced up in view of our guests returning this first day of September. The monks are taking advantage of the last wide open days for walks, hikes and visits. On Tuesday, we go back to our full schedule of church services (during August, we dispensed the midday diurnum and the evening compline).

Inside and out. From top left, clockwise: a riotous clematis on the vegetable garden fence: the morning sun shining throug stainde glass above the Lady and Child statue; close-up on the orchid gracing the statue; a harvest of "volunteer squashes" emerging from where we spread our compost.

We hope many of you will get to come and rest, pray and worship with us at the monastery in the months to come.

A birthday and an electric car

Br. Josép came back from his Cottekill, NY, vacation online to turn around and fly off for a family visit to his mom in St Petersburg, FL.

This week, Br. Jacob got a visit form his dad and mom, coming all the way from Western Missouri, coinciding with his birthday.

After the installation of two extra chargers last week, we were ready to expand our fleet of electric vehicles. Br. Ephrem needed to buy a new car for the office of the Superior. He is a big proponent of EV's. He got a great deal on a Ford Mustang Mach E SUV of 2021 but with little mileage.

From top, clockwise: Br. Jacob sitting in the guest court with his dad and mom for Eucharist; neighborhood daisies on a desk; our newest electric vehicle a.k.a as "the corp. car" (owned by OHC Inc. instead of HCM Inc.,  the monastery).

With this new acquisition, the West Park fleet of cars is 50% full EV's, one third hybrids, and only our sixth car is a simple internal combustion engine vehicle.

Below are a few early morning shots when there is a mysterious cohabitation of light and darkness.

From top, clockwise: lacy clouds over the trees; projected shadow of the altartop crucifix in the St Michael Chapel (our crypt under St Augustine's Church); the guesthouse and belltower before the sun peeks over the horizon.

Peace and every good to you.

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.

Quiet days of August

These past two weeks, a lot of cleaning and repairing has been taking place in the guesthouse while we are without guests for the month of August. August is a good time for monks to go on vacation or family visits. This Sunday, Br. Ephrem is preaching and teaching at Bethesda Episcopal Church, in Saratoga Springs, NY.

On the last Sunday of July, Br. Randy organized one of his popular "Jazz Classes" in the St Augustine meeting room. We gather for an evening of enjoying a playlist curated by Br. Randy (with input from Br. John). We enjoy drinks and snacks and commenting on what we are hearing. This "class" focused on Cool jazz.

Cool jazz emerged in the late 1940s and hit its stride during the 1950s and 1960s, defined by a relaxed tempo, lighter tone, and sophisticated arrangements. Key artists of this style include: Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Bill Evans.

Jazz class. From top left, clockwise: saxophonist Gerry Mulligan; a resident buck near the enclosure; Br. Randy and Joshua Reinke, of NYC on the last week of his aspirant visit; Bros. Bruno, Raphael, Josép and Randy enjoying popcorn and jazz; trumpetist Miles Davis; Bros. John, Daniel and Bruno listening to cool jazz; the back of St Augustine church in the rising sun.

Br. Bernard took a week of vacation in Manhattan by the grace of friends who lent him their apartment while they were on their own summer vacation. Another generous friend treated him to a Metropolitan Museum pass. He took in a lot of exhibitions at the Met over four daily visits...

He visited the 9/11 Museum. He used to live near the World Trade Center when living in NYC (1998-2004). It took him 25 years to gather his courage and face this emotional experience. The museum is well worth visiting but intense. He also attended Evensong at the Cathedral of St John the Divine.

Br. Bernard's Manhattan vacation 1. From top left, clockwise: Central Park west: a mural art installatioon at the 9/11 museum; Jean Arp sculpture: The Visitation attributed to Meister Heinrich of Constance; "The Grief of the Pasha" by Jean-Léon Gérôme; "Bashi-Bazouk" by the same French painter; the Reservoir in Central Park looking west; Alberto Giacometti sculptures shown in the Temple of Dendur (two pictures).

 Br. Bernard's Manhattan vacation 2. From top left, clockwise: Axel Salto Royal Copenhagen stoneware; Richard Orpen self-portrait; Br. Bernard in front of the Cathedral of St John the Divine: Paul Cézanne "Laurette in a green robe"; evensong at St John the Divine; Willem de Kooning "Landscape at Stanton Street"; Osman Hamdi Bey "Man meditating of the Q'uran"

This past Tuesday, nine of us went on an excursion to the Center for Bioregional Living in Ellensville, NY. We got a tour of the premises that are managed along the precepts of permaculture. Andrew Faust was an enthusiastic and highly informative guide. Helped for fun by his goat sidekick, Jack.

 

Learning about permaculture. From top left, clockwise: Andrew Faust, permaculture designer with ovine friend Jack; Andrew showing us one of the permaculture buildings on his property; Andrew second from left and Bros. Raphael, Will, Bernard, Jacob, John, Daniel, postulant Jeff and Br. Josép: tomato sandwich with heirloom tomato from Br. Jacob's vegetable garden: Jack the goat "weeding."

We hope you are enjoying the graces of the season.

Peace and every good to you.

The church piano arrival

This week, Joshua Reinke continue his one-month aspirant visit.

On Tuesday, our long-awaited electronic piano for the church arrived. Thank you to all our generous donors. We collected enough to upgrade to an even better piano than we had set our sight on. This one sounds lovely. For the moment, it will live in the side aisle when not in use, but we may decide to store it in the unused church entrance between uses. Br. Ephrem enthusiastically tried the new instrument with Br. Raphael turning the music pages and Br. Jacob snapping the pictures.

The new electric piano. From top left, clockwise: Br. Ephrem trying the new piano: Br. Raphael turning the music pages for Br. Ephrem in the side aisle, just off the chancel: Bros. Ephrem and Raphael enjoying the sound of the piano: the ambulatory (red brick wrap-around) the chancel and belltower of St Augustine's churh in rhe rising sun; the new piano in its current storage space.

We have decided to assign the cleaning of each of the four cars we own to a different monk. Br. Raphael thoroughly cleaned our silver Prius plug-in hybrid car. It is a joy to enter a clean car for a ride. Thank you, Brothers for your cleaning.

Br. Raphael doing an inside cleaning of our Prius plug-in hybrid car (3 pictures). Bottom picture: through and ambulatory arch, the arches of our enclosure porches.

This weekend, Br. Jacob's interfaith group of transmen called G*d Talk met in person at the monastery. They have been meeting monthly on Zoom for two years. This was the first time they were together in the same place. Their ages range from 21 to 73 and besides NYC and locals, guys came from Massachussetts, Maryland, Oklahoma, Colorado and California. Along with one they picked up at our Guesthouse who just happened to be on retreat with us this weekend. All in all there were 11 of them and they greatly appreciated gathering in a safe welcoming place to share on their journeys with G*d.

Peace and every blessing to you.

Icon writing retreat

Br. Daniel is on a family visit and vacation in Michigan, coming home soon.

This week, our new Associate Christine Hales, from Sarasota, FL, led an icon-writing retreat for a dozen guests. Her teaching of painting icons prayerfully is always popular.

This week, the retreatants were writing an icon of St Francis of Assisi with the wolf of Gubbio. The legend of St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio tells of a ferocious, man-eating wolf terrorizing an Italian village. Rather than fighting the beast, St. Francis met it, made the sign of the cross, and commanded it to stop harming the townspeople, taming the wolf and negotiating a historic peace.

Icon writers at work in St Augustine's meeting room.

On Friday morning, on the closing day of their retreat, our guests gathered with their completed icons in our church for Br. David Bryan to bless the fruit of their art and prayer.

Icon writers having their icons blessed by Br. David Bryan in our St Augustine's church.

The gardens and the trees have been suffering from the drought and episodes of extreme heat these past few weeks. Br. Francis has also given extra ventilation to our four beehives when necessary.

Monastery visitors. From top left, clockwise: a fawn spotted near the monastic enclosure; our newest Associate Christine Hales sporting her ebony Associate cross; a garden flowers arrangement by Br. Robert James in front of the St Augustine icon (two pictures).

Peace and every good to you.

Happy St Benedict's feast!

This week, Br. Jacob took a four-day vacation in Rochester, NY. Br. Daniel left this weekend for a ten-day family visit and vacation in Michigan.

Mr. Joshua Reinke of NYC arrived last week and will be with us for the month of July. Please keep him in your prayers as he discerns his call to the monastic life in the Order of the Holy Cross.

After an extensive search where we interviewed several chefs for our kitchen and tested their cooking, we have found a great executive chef, Kendell Taylor, and assitant chef, Jordan Pomfrey. Not only do our chefs have to cook very well, they also plan menus, manage a budget, order ingredients and supplies, report to our bookeeper and keep walk-in freezer, fridge and kitchen suite in tidiness and cleanliness. It's a big job and critical to our hospitality ministry.

We hope you'll come and enjoy their cooking soon. We sure do.

Monastery people. From top left clockwise: Assistant Chef, Jordan Pomfrey, Executive Chef, Kendell Taylor with Br. Ephrem; Kendell and Br. Ephrem; Mr. Joshua Reinke in line for dinner in the refectory; Br. John with Associates John Chichester, from Ulster Park, NY, and Liz Haak, from NYC; Bros. Daniel and Jacob reviewing the moves they played in a previous chess game to learn more about alternative options of play.

On Friday, the initial formation team and two junior professed lent a hand in doing a big summer cleaning of the kitchen storage spaces and the kitchen office.

Tidying up the kitchen suite in the Guesthouse. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Bruno and Raphael tidying up the chef's office; Br. Jacob, Postulant Jeff and Aspirant Joshua tidying up the kitchen's storage spaces; Bros. Will and Josép tidying up the house supplies storage space.

But the week started with a delayed Fourth of July cookout on Monday. Br. Josép inaugurated the new gas-fired grill we recently purchased. It is a big improvement from the too small charcoal-fired grill we had before.

Br. Josép's vegan pepperming chocolate mousse was a big hit.

Fourth of July cookout (transferred to Monday, July 6). From top left, clockwise: Br. Josép trying his hand at the new grill: Bros. having a drink while waiting for the grilling to be done; Bros. Francis and Bruno with "clean" plates proving the grilling was successful; Br. Josép's scrumptious vegan chocolate mousses; Bros. in line to help themselves to the food.

On Saturday, we received the Rev. Bowie Snodgrass into the Associates program in the presence of her husband George, son Jacob, daughter Eszter and dad James Snodgrass (himself an Associate of four years already).

The Rev. Bowie Snodgrass, of Short Hills, NJ, and Br. Bernard at the ceremony to receive her as an Associate of Holy Cross. From top left, clockwise: Bowie signing her Associate pledge; Br. Bernard officially receiving Bowie as our latest Associate; Bowie and Br. Bernard exchanging the peace after the ceremony; Br. Bernard blessing Bowie with holy water at the end of the ceremony; Bowie with her family and Br. Bernard in Pilgrim Hall under the portrait of Fr. Huntington, our founder (from left: James Snodgrass, Bowie's dad, Br. Bernard, Bowie, Eszter, Jacob, Bowie's children, and George, Bowie's husband).

This week, the bellrope broke twice leaving us without a bell to signal the offices. Our maintenance contractor, Jamie Morano, twice repaired it. Fingers crossed that the second repair will last.

This weekend, Br. Ephrem was leading a retreat on monastic wisdom to coincide with the feast of St Benedict, on Saturday, which is also the anniversary of his Life Profession of the Benedictine Vow in 2014.

On the blooming front, hostas continue to be big. For St Benedict's feast, we got two beautiful orchids. One is near St Benedict's icon at the entrance of the church. The other is at the foot of the Mother and Child statue in the side aisle.

Hostas and orchids. Bottom left: the bell rope having fallen to the ground and being temporarily unusable.

Our blog readers are regularly in our prayers. Peace and every good.

Contemplative days

Last week, Br. Robert James was on an at-home retreat and Br. Bruno was on staycation (staying at St Mary's House at the top of our driveway). 

Last week also, Bros. Ephrem and Jacob co-led a hiking retreat for a group of seven guests. On Sunday, Bros. Josép and Raphael went to  NYC to see Raphael's friend Maxine Thévenot in her directing debut at Carnegie Hall.

This week we all observed Contemplative Days when we are in greater silence round-the-clock with a lighter liturgical schedule and the expectation of lighter work engagements.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Josép and Raphael at Carnegie Hall: Br. Josép waiting for the right time to ring the church bell (two pictures): Bros. Ephrem (third from left) and Jacob (on the right) at Lake Minnewaska with seven guest hikers: Br. Ephrem with the Rev. Guimond Pierre Louis of Covington, LA, at Kaaterskill Falls:

This past week has seen a heat dome linger of the Northeastern United States. Thankfully, we have several air conditioned spaces for guests and monks to get reprieve from the heat wave.

Monastery grounds. From top left, clockwise: the Old Oak and Little Cloister in the rising sun; a doe browsing low hanging foliage; a bumblebee sampling hosta nectar; St Joseph and child Jesus in the hostas; variety of hostas near the enclosure.

The prominent blooms indoors and outdoors this past weeks are hostas and yarrows.

Indoors blooms. A variety of yarrow and hydrangea arrangements throughout the church and the guesthouse (4 pictures); votive candles in the church (2 pictures).

May you enjoy temperate weather wherever you are.

Last week of spring

Br. Francis was on vacation this past week. He visited a Shaker friend at Sabbathday Lake, in Maine.

On Saturday, three of the Brothers went to the Community of St John the Baptist, in Mendham, NJ, to witness and celebrate Sr. Monica Clare's ordination to the priesthood.

Br. Bruno enjoyed the visit of a couple of Spanish friends from Glasgow, Scotland. It has been good practice for Br. Bernard who studies Spanish.

On Monday, Bros. Josép and Randy went to purchase an new outdoor grill. They are our two grilling chefs. We look forward to testing it on our Fourth of July cookout.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: our new gas-powered outdoor grill: two types of yarrows near the vegetable garden; scenic clouds sailing over the Hudson; uninvited guest (a bat) taking a nap on the ceiling in the enclosure (Br. Bernard, our bat whisperer, caught her and took her outside): a Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria cybele) visiting Br. Josép's flower garden.

We have several shrubs of white oak leaf hydangeas putting in a great show this week. Some of it graces the church.

St Augustine church scenes. From top left, clockwise: oak leaf hydrangea arrangement near the Mother and Child sculpture (two pictures): Br. Jacob playing the mandolin during communion at Sunday mass (two pictures).

Peace and every good to you.

Falling Upwards

This week, Br. Ephrem was on vacation in Hunter, NY, in the Catskills, before heading North for leading a weekend retreat at St Eustace Episcopal Church in Lake Placid, NY. Br. Carl was on an at-home retreat.

On Wednesday, our men in early formation went on a pilgrimage outing to the Catskills. They visited the Cragsmoor Stone Church in Pine Bush, NY. Later, they went to Stony Kill Falls in Wawarsing, NY. The views at Cragsmoor were beautiful but the Stony Kill Falls was down to a trickle for lack of rain lately. They said the mid-day office of Diurnum in the church.

Novices, postulant and formator at Cragsmoor Stone Church. On the selfie, from left to right: Bros. Raphael and Josép, Postulant Jeff and Br. Will.

Several of us participated in Christine Hiester and Associate Chris Amy's retreat at the monastery entitled "Mirrors to Windows; Falling Upwards" about the spirituality of the later years. Many of us are of the appropriate age after all. Br. John was a retreatant and Bros. Bernard, David Bryan and Robert Leo offered one-off spiritual direction.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: the formation team at Stony Kill Fall: Christine Hiester (second from left, front row) and Associate Chris Amy (right end of front row) with their retreat group in St Gregory's meeting room; the centerpiece of light in (2 pictures); a 4-sail sailboat passing by on the Hudson.

Peace and every good to you.

The election of our future Superior

We celebrated Br. Timothy Jolley's 81st birthday on the first day of our OHC chapter meetings this week. This was the 316th meeting of chapter since the foundation of the Order in 1884. Most of our monks were at Holy Cross Monastery for the occasion. All but two life professed were in attendance. Only they have a vote in the deliberations of chapter even though all the members of the Order (postulants, novices and initially professed) have a voice in them. Our Bishop Visitor, the Rt. Rev. Andy Dietsche was with us for a few days.

Opening chapter meeting in St Gregory's meeting room (5 pictures)

The most important matter at hand was the election of a new Superior for the Order of the Holy Cross. We called forth likely names on Tuesday. We took a day of silent retreat on Wednesday to let the Holy Spirit guide us in our choice. On Thursday morning, we assembled in St Augustine's church and proceeded with the election. Br. Ephrem Arcement was elected by 18 votes out of 19 on the first ballot.

Congratulations were in order after this smooth election. We wish our Superior elect many blessings in his new ministry. Br. Robert James Magliula remains our Superior until the installation of Br. Ephrem on Sunday September 13, when we will also celebrate our feast of title, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

After the election in St Augustine Church. Brothers congratulating Br. Ephrem (2 top left pictures): the Superior elect and the incumbent Superior (Bros. Ephrem and Robert James); group picture with our Bishop Visitor, the Rt. Rev. Andy Dietsche.

The annual meeting of chapter is also akin to a family reunion where we get to not only work together but also hang out with each other. Brothers from California, Canada and South Africa join with their New York-based Brothers for a week. We get to catch up with one another and hear about each other's monastic life. On Thursday, we observed the feast of Corpus Christi for which our friend the Rev. Matthew Wright came to preach. His family accompanied him. We got to see little Maël whom we had last seen on New Year's day as he came out of the Poughkeepsie hospital where he was born. We're always surprised to see how fast babies grow.

Relaxation during chapter week. From top left, clockwise: Bros. enjoying refreshments between Vespers and dinner; Br. John journaling on the enclosure's porch; Br. Brian enjoying a quiet read in the North end of the monastic library; the Rev. Matthew Wright (and his son Maël) browsing books on the Monk's Cell sales cart; Br. John in conversation with Matthew and Yanick Wright-Savain.

During the recesses of chapter week, Br. Francis continued to take good care of our four colonies of honeybees. He set a swarm trap to entice swarming bees to choose his appositely placed hive box for their new home. He also named the four colonies for a saint. We used to identify them by their geographical location on a South-North axis. Now they are each labeled. It is not determined if our bees are literate enough to read their house names.

Beekeeping. From top left, clockwise: morning full moon over the ambulatory and the church's apse; swarm trap awaiting a new colony of honeybees; the swarm trap sitting atop a pile of wood chips: the newly labeled hives (Blessed Solanus on the right, St Francis on the left): and St Ambrose on the rightand St Benedict (tallest hive we have) on the left.

The new septic system for the enclosure and the middle house was completed on the Tuesday of chapter week. The overturned earth was neatly leveled and seeded with grass. In a couple of months it will look like nothing happened in the meadow. As for the seasonal blooms, peonies continue to be big but roses are joining the feast.

Blooms. From top left, clockwise: leveling and seeding the new septic system's leech field; peonies inn the church: roses near the tabernacle; roses in the crypt's Lady chapel; arrangement of sage, irises and peonies on the refectory's central table; (center) peonies and sages at the foot of the Mother and Child statue in the church.

Having swiftly conducted all the necessary business of chapter we adjourned it on Friday. On Saturday morning, at our Eucharist, all the Life Professed renewed their monastic vows as is the custom at our annual chapters. Later that day, a gang of twelve monks recessed to nearby Red Maple Vineyard for beers, pub food and live rock music. As we arrived and parked, a freak storm with half inch hail struck. The rock band delayed their playing as they couldn't be heard over the ruckus of hailstones hitting the roofs. When we got home, Route 9W was closed just North of the monastery because of a tree fallen over an electric line. The monastery is still on generator power 24 hours later.

Monks' wild night out (back home at 7:30 p.m...). From top left, clockwise: Bros. Daniel H. and Ephrem; Postulant Jeffrey and Br. Daniel H.; from left to right, Bros Roger and Jacob, Dave Coppola, Bros. John, Daniel L. and Randy; Bros. Brian and Jacobe reconnoitering the fallen tree on Rte 9W with Dave Coppola: emergency services managing the fallen tree situation: Br. Josép; Br. Bruno.

Please hold our two Superiors, the incumbent, Br. Robert James, and the Superior elect, Br. Ephrem, in your prayers as they transition the responsibilities of their office from one to the next over the summer.