Unacknowledged and unresolved inner conflicts have a way of spilling over into our interpersonal relationships and damaging them. The unfortunate Sosthenes experienced this firsthand as he was cruelly used by the crowd to vent their anger and frustration at Gallio’s refusal to deal with their case against Paul. This clear example of what psychologists call […]
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 […]
From the Abbot’s Lectio Notebook
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter (Mass readings): The destructive effect of envy and jealousy is well illustrated in our first reading—resulting not only in the expulsion of Paul and Barnabas, but also in the suppressing of the Good News. Few, if any of us, are completely free of envy and jealousy whereby we not […]
Summer Retreats at the Abbey
As the end of the school year looms closer on the horizon, whether you’re a student or a teacher, this is a prime time to plan for some silent retreat time at Holy Cross Abbey. If you’re neither a student nor a teacher, this still may be a good time for a break, perhaps as […]
A Final Feline Update
I’m sure someone will be interested in this news, but this post is primarily a big Thank You Note to all the people who have helped us. First of all, our thanks to the five generous households who took in all six kittens. No kitten had to go to a lonely home–either they had the […]
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 […]