Greetings
to all our
oblates and friends. The season of
Advent has arrived. It is time to make a new beginning, a fresh start
and that
I am hoping to accomplish which I failed to do last spring. As a result
of that
many people did not know the date of
Dedication
Day in August and were disappointed. I am very sorry about that. It
took place
on Sunday, August 16th and we had a full house, thanks be to God! The church was full for the Eucharist wherein
we thanked God for his goodness and love for us during the past year
and many
years. It was a pleasant day; not too
hot ,as sometimes is the case. The
afternoon musical event was delightful.
Clare Smock and her friend, Jamie, played our two pianos together with
brilliant skill and enthusiasm for more than an hour to the
appreciation of all
and a standing ovation! Our thanks and
appreciation to them for such a pleasant contribution to our
celebration. So, I am behind schedule with
our news report
unless you have checked our web site which Br. Pierre updates each
month. Christmas and the Mystery of the
Incarnation
were the highlight of the season, of course, and many guests came
during that
time. We had some illness namely Br.
William
Uiting who came down with Parkinson's Disease but after a few months of
treatment
he was able to return home and gets around with a walker to most of
whatever we
are doing. Father Martin, now in retirement after 38 years of tending
the flock
and all its needs, is away resting and recuperating. He is 85 now and
needs to
slow down a bit. After a couple of falls which agitated some older back
injuries, he needed a good rest and some
physio-therapy which is helping a great deal.January brought sad news
with the
death of Helen Siegl, a long time oblate, friend and renowned artist
who
peacefully ended her journey through this life on the 26th. Many
friends joined
her family and us for her funeral Mass on Feb. 7th.
In March another friend and unforgetable
presence at M.S. died also, Uli Schiefer at age 93. She assisted us at
St.
Gertrude's guest house for many years with her cheerful and witty
personality.
After our annual ecumenical visit to Grace Church on Laetare Sunday for
Vespers
and Compline, Lent continued on into Holy Week when on Good Friday
morning
Brother John Brown was called into the next life having suffered for
some time
with Leukemia; and, was buried here in the community cemetery. Many
will
remember him as one of the earliest members of M.S. during the "growing
pains" of the foundation.
Our most joyful
event was the solemn
profession
of Brother Thomas Colucci on Pentecost, May 31st. This took place
during Mass
with all the monks and the Colucci family and friends and oblates and
with a
reception afterwards. In the Fall, shortly afterwards, we sent him off
to Saint
Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pa. to begin studies for the priesthood at
their
seminary which he is enjoying. During July and August this summer both
Br.
Pierre and Fr. James had cataracts removed from both eyes at Guthrie
Clinic.
The first discovery for both of us was that all colors were clearer and
brighter than before.
Before
closing, I would
like to tell about a very special event which took place Nov. 19. This
was
a great celebration at Saint Vincent
Archabbey in Latrobe Pa. which I was invited to attend. This is the
mother-house
of the American Cassinese Benedictine Congregation.
It is the one to which we belong founded
in 1846 from the Abbey of Metten in
Germany. The founder was the pioneering Fr. Boniface Wimmer who became
Archabbot of a rapidly growing and expanding community of monasteries
throughout this country,Canada, Central and South America as well as
Taiwan and
Japan. The celebration was in honor of
the 200th anniversary of the birth of this great man and in
thanksgiving for
his inspiration and tremendous zeal which has benefited so many people
in so
many places. The present successor of Archabbot Boniface at St. Vincent
is
Archabbot Douglas Nowicki who with his whole community prepared this
marvelous
celebration to honor and revere their beloved founder.
Many dignitaries attended; especially,
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia who presided at the
solemn
celebration of the Eucharist in the great basilica, local bishops,
abbots of
the houses and priors( even I was invited to represent Mount Saviour!), ecumenical guests and hundreds of the
faithful.
It was my first visit to this large monastery and I was much impressed
by its
exquisite Benedictine hospitality and dedication to the ideals and
ideas of
their esteemed founder.
May the
Advent and
Christmas seasons be cause and occasion of many blessings and joy for
all of
you.
Fr.
James Cronen, osb
ORCHARD AND GARDEN 2009
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