News: On January 3rd., Abbot Gregory
Polan from Conception Abbey
conducted our annual retreat. He made us reflect on some of the
350 questions that come from God or Jesus in the Bible. Those
questions are from a good teacher, seeking us out. When we
embrace our weaknesses, we allow God to touch us and bestow his
grace. Discipleship is to walk in Christ's steps. To
forgive is to participate in God's love. Union with God allows us
to see ouselves in a different light. Those are some of the key
lines that he developed. Br. James Cronen attended the
funeral of his brother Richard on January 3rd.. Br. Thomas
accompanied him for the trip. We ended the
celebration of the Epiphany with a supper at St. Gertrude's guest house
with some treats by Maureen Cadley
that you find mostly in
England. The Following week, Penny Allen organized an
other successful retreat for knitters. Br. Pierre gave an account
of life of the sheep on site and was followed by a demonstration of
carding and spinning wool by some of the participants. The monks
were invited for their Sunday dinner in the guest house.
On January 13th, Fr.
Roman Paur, monk psychologist from St. John's
Abbey and prior of a small monastery in Japan spent a week with us to
lead some discussions on the strengths
and concerns of the community. By knowing better the talents and
limitations of the present 10 members of the community, we can live
better the present and figure out our options.
A dozen seminarians from Huntington, Long Island were here for their
retreat before the cold spell came upon us.