On the 4th we celebrated with an indoor picnic to avoid the outdoor bugs and threat of rain.
Our choir was depleted by the simultaneous absence of Brother Michael who enjoyed a home visit for the first time since before the COVID pandemic and Brother Joseph who was in Cullman, AL, for the Benedictine Junior Summer Institute. The Institute offers monks in temporary vows the chance to pray, study, and recreate together.
Father Columba from Saint Mary’s in Petersham, MA, and Father Antony from Kristo Buase in Ghana briefly replenished the choir during their visit from the 13th – 15th.
We also had an extended choir from the 10th to 16th by way of the
Oriens Arts Group who were here to share time together. The Monastery Arts
Residency brings artists and writers to live and create under summer skies.
Here the simplicity and single-heartedness of the monastic life meet the
creative, seeking energy of the artistic life. It is the only arts residency
in the world that takes place at an active Catholic monastery (as far as
we know!) For further information: https://orien.org/arts-residency
At the end of the month, the national news mentioned a bump in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Some guests have had to cancel their reservations, and others leave early because of sickness. We continue to strongly recommend that guests self-test before visiting us for your sake and ours please.
COMING EVENTS:
August 13 Dedication Day. Mass will be at 10:00 am.