My advice to you, friends, is to turn aside occasionally from troubled and anxious pondering on paths you may be treading, and to travel on smoother ways where the gifts of God are serenely savored, so that the thought of him may give breathing space to you whose consciences are perplexed. I should like you […]
Twenty-Third Sunday, Year C, 4 September, 2016
Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. It is the First Sunday of the Month; Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM). All are welcome to join […]
Twenty-Second Sunday, Year C, 28 September, 2016
Readings: Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-14; Luke 14:1, 7-14 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for the 21st Sunday, Year C
Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30 Where I come from, there’s a field of study called “Hebronics” which considers the patterns of thought and speech peculiar to New York City’s Jewish community. One characteristic is to answer a question with a question. For example, ask me, “What time is it?” and I may […]
21st Sunday, Year C, 21 August, 2016
Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13: 22-30 The community Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James Orthmann presiding and preaching.
The Solemnity of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Readings: Sirach 3:17-24; Ephesians 3:14-19; Matthew 11:25-30 The community Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 AM, in place of Lauds, Fr. Robert presiding. There is no sermon today. It is a work day so we follow the weekday schedule; there is no Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament after Vespers.
Good Availability in the Retreat House the LAST WEEKEND of August
Although most weekends have been full, we actually have a good number of openings for the last weekend of the month, 26 through 28 August. Despite the humid and hot days this week, many guests surprised me by mentioning the “beautiful weather” during their retreat. Perhaps the air conditioned retreat house and refreshing summer meals lifted […]
Father Joseph Wittstock Elected Abbot Of Holy Cross Abbey
Father Joseph, born and raised in South Africa, was born in 1957 and joined the Order in 1991. He was solemnly professed in 1995. Father Joseph has held many jobs in the Order and at Holy Cross Abbey including temporary Superior during Father Robert’s sabbatical a few years ago. He currently serves as the Cellarer […]
Fr. James Homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption
Readings: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56 If Saint Luke’s narrative of the Annunciation can leave an impression that Mary is a sedentary, passive agent of God’s will, today’s readings do not support that. They inform us that Mary was never merely acquiescent but attentively receptive. That’s not passive! That is a […]
Monday, 15 August, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM; there will be no Mass integrated with Lauds at 7:00 AM, rather Lauds in its integrity will be celebrated at that hour. Abbot Emeritus Robert Barnes will preside at Mass and Fr. James will preach. Mary […]