We’re experiencing some problems with the boiler that heats the church and chapter room. Given how the temperatures still drop so low at night we’ve begun congregating in the refectory, where there is heat, to celebrate the Divine Office and Mass. We hope to have the problem corrected soon. Of course, this is nothing like the unheated […]
First Sunday of Lent, 22 February, 2015
Readings: Genesis 9:8-15; I Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers (5:30 PM)
Availability at the Retreat House
Weekends are often prime time for busy people to take a retreat. If you’re planning ahead, you’ll be glad to know that there is very good availability during the weekend of 24-26 April. If you’re interested in those dates, contact Carol Hensley, Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM by calling 540-955-4383 or email Carol at information@hcava.org
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Sixth Sunday, Year B
Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; I Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45 I suspect we’ve all experienced having dental x-ray images taken and being draped with that heavy apron that shields the rest of our body from exposure to harmful radiation. And, as we know, the person operating the x-ray machine typically steps out of the room and […]
Lenten Reading, 2015
It’s time to begin to consider possible titles for Lenten Reading as mentioned in Chapter 48 of St. Benedict’s Rule for Monasteries: in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning. Theses books are to be given out at the beginning […]
Ash Wednesday, 18 February, 2015
Readings: Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18. Mass with the blessing of ashes will be celebrated at 7:00 AM; Abbot Robert Barnes will preside.
15 February, 2015, 6th Sunday, Year B
Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; I Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45. The Community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30PM)
Fr. James’ Homily for the Fifth Sunday of the Year
Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; I Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; M<ark 6:53-56 Today’s Gospel narrates a series of healings that inaugurates Jesus’ ministry. I’ve often heard this text described as a demonstration of Jesus’ power over disease and demons revealing who he is, a persuasive announcement of the Kingdom of God. If this is a persuasive revelation […]
Work According to the Rule of St. Benedict
In the Chapter On The Daily Manual Labor (Chapter 48), St. Benedict makes the bold statement, then they are truly monks when they live by the labor of their hands as did our fathers and the Apostles. It’s one of those sentences I wish he had expanded and “unpacked” beyond the legitimizing precedent. Did he […]
Fifth Sunday, Year A, 8 February, 2015
Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; I Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 6:53-56. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM).