Monastic Juniorate Summer School:
On June 9th, Brothers John and William
departed for St. Meinrad's Archabbey in Southern Indiana for the 3rd. Annual
Monastic Juniorate Summer School program. They were part of a contingent
of 51 temporarily professed monks from throughout the United States and
Canada who came together to study Liturgy and Patristics. From June
11 through 16, Abbot Primate Marcel Rooney presented "The Word of God in
the Liturgy: Grace-filled Tool for Monastic Formation." From June
17 through 22, Fr. Columba Stewart of St. John Abbey, Collegeville, presented
"Prayer and the Passions According to Early Monastic Writers." Both
scholars helped Junior monks develop the tools for further study and Lectio
using scripture and monastic texts. Brs. John and William report
that highlights of the trip included the gracious hospitality of St. Meinrad
community where they were made to feel welcome and at home, the classes
which were informative, thought provoking and well presented, and the opportunity
to share ideas and develop friendships with other Juniors. Outings
included a visit to Louisville, Kentucky to see the Cathedral of the Assumption
and then on the the Abbey of Gethsemani. On June 21, the group visited
the monastery of the Immaculate Conception Ferdinand, Indiana and later
joined by the Juniors if the Ferdinand community for a picnic supper.
Brs. John and William returned home on June 24 after an overnight stop
at St. Vincent's Archabbey in Latrobe PA where they were also graciously
received and were able to talk with and tour with Br. Mark who had also
been part of the Juniorate Summer School. The Summer School is growing
in numbers each year, with next year edition to take place at the Prince
of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, California.
Italian
Trip:
We heard lots of satisfaction and praise for the two week trip to Italy.
One traveler had a leg injury and on the last days, Br. Bruno became
sick with high fever and diarrhea after a hike in Assisi. Since he
was not in condition to return with the group, he was able to stay at S.
Anselmo in Rome (Benedictine College) to recover. We are grateful
for their assistance.
"Journeys of Faith and Political Commitment"
On June 13th, a special evening in honor of J.
Madeleva Roarke, was sponsored by The Friends of Mount Saviour,
The Interfaith Hospitality Center at the Elmira Correctional Facility,
The League of Women Voters and The Southern Tier Interfaith Coalition.
Fr. Martin welcomed the crowd (75 persons). Ms. Martha
Horton, former editor of the Chemung Valley Reporter presented the
Journey
of J.Madeleva Roarke. Ms. Georgia Verdier, president of
the NAACP, Ms. Mary Pat Ciccariello, former mayor of Elmira and
Ms.
Pauline Leveen, professor emerita at Corning Community College were
the main speakers.
Viola Recital:
On June 26, we had the opportunity to listen to Gina Russo,
who spent some time at St.Gertrude's. She played J.S. Back and some
improvisations.