Not too many miles from here, the Wright Brothers realized a long-cherished dream—that of taking flight and, however briefly, severing the heavy gravitational forces binding us to the earth. Space travel and the desire to explore distant galaxies is a further expression of this fundamental human longing to transcend the limits of earthly existence. Spiritually, […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B
Readings: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 You’ve probably noticed that during the Easter Season we soon abandon the Gospels narrating Jesus’ Resurrection to return to his controversial ministry which, you could say, precipitated his death. This really isn’t explained by the limited number of resurrection accounts or that the Easter Season, […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for May
Faith, whether by word or sign, opens the eyes and ears of the heart. Those who believe are said to see and hear because faith is a light and a word. It is light, in accordance with what the Apostle says, God who told the light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our […]
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B, 6 May, 2018
Readings: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. It is the first Sunday of the Month and we will observe the monthly Eucharistic Adoration beginning at 4:00 PM and concluding with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament after Vespers […]
ABBOT JOSEPH’S HOMILY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
If you’re familiar with the old farm buildings below our natural cemetery you will have seen the old Waterloo House falling into ruin. It was once a beautiful house and is probably not beyond restoration. However, if this were done the complex process would include removing much of the existing structure that has decayed beyond […]
22 April, Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B
Readings: Acts 4:8-12; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48 Isn’t it a compelling detail that Jesus asks the disciples for something to eat? In the Gospels, he provides the bread or fish, or even the catch of fish when there seems to be nothing. Now, raised from the dead and glorified, he takes the part […]
Third Sunday of Easter, 15 April, 2018
Readings: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching.
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for April
Be grateful for God’s grace; and as you have been transformed into a new creation by Easter’s healing action, so walk always in newness of life. You have been given a share in Christ through the fellowship of faith, by participation in his Sacrament, by communion in the Holy Spirit. Strive not only to keep […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Solemnity of the Annunciation
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 I’d draw your attention to a detail in today’s Gospel which I think is important: we’re told that the Angel Gabriel appeared to a virgin betrothed to a man. The context of this episode is courtship and marriage. No matter how different the customs and conventions of […]