Readings: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32 Do you find today’s parable of the two sons good news? I suspect it was as much good news to the Apostles as it was a challenge. I’ll pass over Peter–he’s every preacher’s whipping boy so I don’t need to recall his impetuosity and inconsistency. Instead, think of […]
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28 September, 2014
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers, celebrated at 5:30 PM; all are welcome.
Bringing It Home
In Chapter 38 of his Rule, Saint Benedict stipulates, The meals of the brethren should not be without reading. And so, at the midday meal we eat in silence as one of the monks reads to us. usually there is a substantial book, alternating spiritual subjects with history or biography; it’s not unusual for us […]
25th Sunday, Year A, 21 September, 2014
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will conclude Vespers (5:30 PM) and all are welcome to join us.
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Triumph of the Holy Cross, 14 September, 2014
Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 If you’ve ever watched those commercials of researchers testing the safety of new cars by crashing them, you may recall seeing–often in slow motion–the seeming collapse of the entire front of the car. Initially, one’s reaction might be to consider such a vehicle distinctly unsafe and image that […]
A Preview of the Calendar
WELL THIS PICTURE OF THE COVER ISN’T GOING TO WIN ANY AWARDS, BUT WE WANTED YOU TO GET A PREVIEW OF THE NEW 2015 APPOINTMENT CALENDAR ON SALE SOON! THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT AND THE PERFECT APPOINTMENT CALENDAR! KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEB PAGE FEATURED SECTION FOR DETAIILS ON HOW TO ORDER YOUR COPY […]
“This Monastic Immersion Weekend Changed My Life”
This is the theme of an email I received from a Monastic Immersion Weekend guest this morning. The MIW ‘changed his life’ and I think changed a lot of lives. This was a special retreat for 16 men living with the monks for three and a half days, praying with them, listening to them in conferences, […]
Retreat House Availability, November and December, 2014
It is no surprise that the Retreat House is already reserved, weekdays and weekends, throughout October. Everyone wants to visit that time of year to view the autumn foliage along the Blue Ridge. That’s not to say that November and December are not equally beautiful in a different mode. Since, too, many people are eager to prepare for Christmas […]
Sunday, 14 September, Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This Sunday, in the universal Church, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross takes precedence over the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is also the patronal feast of our Abbey. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. This is also the weekend of the Monastic […]
Br. Edward
Br. Edward was experiencing trouble breathing Wednesday evening so Br. Efrain took him to the hospital. He has been diagnosed with pneumonia in one lung and will be in hospital for the next few days. Please keep Br. Edward and our community in your prayers.