For two days on the 10th and 11th the community delighted in the aerial acrobatics of a flycatcher (bird) that found its way into our chapel. As the brothers prayed below, the flycatcher was busy ridding our chapel of flies. The flies were coming into the chapel through the open doors which we were hoping the bird would exit. It did, in its own time.
We received a group of 14 various artists here as guests from the 11th – 17th. They could be observed writing, drawing, singing, having discussions, going for walks and in general enjoying their time on the Mount as we enjoyed their presence among us.
There was a Memorial Mass and burial for long-time friends of the monastery, Jack and Ellie Lesser, on the 18th. Their son Richard from the Diocese of Albany was the celebrant. Burial was in the Good Shepherd Cemetery as they had reserved a plot back in the 80’s when Father Martin compiled the final list of interments.
The next day Franciscan Father Richard Crawley took over as celebrant while our chaplain, Father Don, enjoyed some time away.
Along with the high temperatures recorded through the month, on the 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor upped our area to the category of moderate drought. Last year Brother Bruno had difficulty getting into the hayfields because of continual moist conditions. This year the hay harvest was well on its way to completion by the end of the month.