We remind our friends and neighbors that the setting is cramped and we do not have the best conditions for the fitting celebration of the Liturgy. You could probably chose better places to celebrate the Christmas Masses Mass in the Night (Saturday, 24 December at 8:30 PM): Readings: Isaiah 9:1-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14.  An […]

Although he came to us as a little child, what he brought is not little, what he conferred on us is not little. If you ask what he brought: first of all, he brought mercy, according to which, as the Apostle testifies, he saved us. Nor does this benefit only those he found when he […]

21 December: the Retreat House closes for the Christmas Break (it reopens Wednesday, 28 December). 24 December: First Vespers of Christmas, 5:30 PM 24 December Recital of Christmas Carols by Madelaine MacNeil in the Cool Spring House (the “Mansion”) at 7:45 through 8:15 PM. Because of the church renovations and the limited room in the Chapter […]

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-24; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1: 18-25 Any event of a human life, unfolding in time, is not confined to the time it took to happen. Think of your own life experience, whether it’s an event of private and personal importance or a public, historical event, anything as trivial as gossip or an earth-shaking […]

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew  1:18-25 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM in the Chapter Room, Fr. James presiding and preaching.

With 17 December we begin the final week of Advent and, as in every year, the Magnificat at Vespers is introduced by one of the seven Solemn Antiphons. Because each antiphon begins with the exclamation “O” (e.g., “O Wisdom…”, “O Adonai…”, “O Root of Jesse’s stock…”, etc.) they are also called the “O Antiphons”. Each […]

Thank you for all your interest in Fr. Robert’s condition, for your concern, prayers and greetings. About a couple of weeks ago, Fr. Robert availed himself of Hospice care and we’re expecting a long association with them through the coming year. Fr. Robert is doing well, has a good appetite and enjoys fulfilling some responsibilities […]

Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38 We could read today’s texts as dogmatic themes: original sin, God’s grace through the Incarnation, the necessity of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. I could then look at my life and conclude, “Well, I’m only human!” But could such a perspective change my life? Isn’t faith much more […]

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12 Every now and again one hears people speak of a certain person who died and, although never religious, deserved heaven because he or she was good, generous and selfgiving–more so than many religious people. Such sentiments reflect the notion of heaven being the reward and recompense for a […]

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM in the Chapter Room, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. As the Third of Four Sundays of Advent, it is known as “Gaudate” Sunday from the Introit of the day: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. […]