The second week of May was our annual community retreat week, although our scheduled presenter was not present to present. Instead, we enjoyed a quieter week than usual. The only guests scheduled were those who helped with the annual “pen session” which the sheep require for their annual “maintenance” before their annual shearing at the end of the month. The community enjoyed their annual outing, this year at Waneta Lake, located about one hour north of us among the Finger Lakes, courtesy of friends of Mount Saviour.
Four of our “cousin” Benedictine monks from Weston Priory in Vermont arrived on the 14th which enables us to support each other in our monastic journeys and to renew friendships that extend back many years. Just after the brothers left us, Brother Savio returned from his seminary studies in Boston for the summer.
From the 18th to 23rd, we hosted the annual New York Archdiocese Deacons-to-be
retreat, swelling the number of guests in our refectory. Please remember
them in prayer as they are shortly to be ordained. Our population of bald
eagles also appears to be swelling as six were sighted in the same field
as the sheep. They appeared to be conducting some sort of “field exercises”
that we hope will not eventually involve the sheep. The refectory really
swelled with guests on the 26th which was the main sheep shearing day.
Thanks be to God the rains held off and all went smoothly; that being our
perspective, not necessarily that of the sheep. With deep gratitude, we
thank everyone who helped us de-fleece the sheep.
COMING EVENTS:
Sunday, July 22: Father John Dear, activist, lecturer, and author/editor
of some 30 books on peace and nonviolence, twice nominated for the Nobel
Peace Prize, will give a talk in Saint Joseph’s lounge after Mass.
Sunday, August 12: Dedication Day. Mass 10:00a.m., followed by a brunch to which everyone is welcome.