May
2010
Dear Friends of
Greetings to all our
oblates and friends! Our greatest joy
and happiness is the celebration of the Paschal feast with it's
fifty day extension. It occurs together with Spring every year as the world around joins with us
to celebrate THE RESURREC-TION to NEW LIFE. The sun rises to its highest point spreading warmth over
the cold earth which responds with blossoms, fresh vegetation all over,
cheerful song birds calling to each other, new life being born among the sheep;
orchards and gardens sprouting cheerful blossoms and welcoming the bees to
spread the pollen around and fill their hives with honey; bright colors and
pleasant aromas abound. All this accompanying our "Alleluias" to the
Risen Lord: "He is risen! He is alive! He has overcome death, sin and
evil, hatred and envy. Many guests come
at this time to quietly absorb some of the peace; to be inspired; to appreciate
the Author of it all and be renewed in Faith, Hope and Love
Meanwhile life goes on; the
winter was mild, comparatively. We were by-passed by most of the storms whether
from the East or West. And, while confined, somewhat, to be indoors more than out we were
sustained by a series of lectures arranged by The Friends of Mount Saviour. They treated themes from the Rule of St.
Benedict for everyday life. Giovina Caroscio spoke about
"Listening to God and one Another" enriched by her years of study and
ministry in Catholic Social Service in the diocese of
Coming next will be the
Annual Damasus Winzen
Lecture on May 2nd. The speaker will be
Dr. Richard Galliardetz, theologian and professor at
the
The gift of 'Life' is a
major and delightful event of this season as the new lambs begin to
arrive. Br. Pierre, our shepherd, was
ready and kept busy as many ewes presented him with twins to be welcomed and
tagged and within a few hours turned out to fresh green pasture on the
picturesque hillside. Many visitors come
to behold this wonderful scene and give glory to God.
We are asked by friends:
"What do you need?" After a
little reflection the answer comes: " Keener
awareness of the Divine Presence and then deeper communion with the Father,
through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. After that, some new
genuine Seekers of God for this House of Prayer. May the Lord grant us this precious gift. After that, some helpers with the "nuts and
bolts" things of everyday life, such as: replacing an aging water pipe
line, now some 40-50 years old, which comes down from the well at the highest
point of our hill. It collapsed in two or three places during the winter months
and now is the time to dig it up and replace it, no small little project! In another area, a generous friend is already
helping to restore and improve our choir books which are used every day by both
monks and guests. There are also180 talks by Rev.Father Damasus recorded on reel to reel tapes which are now old
and deteriorating and we wish to preserve by transferring them to Compact Discs
(CDs), approximately 1050 hrs. of valuable material. The approximate cost will
be about $20,000.
Our annual "D"
Day (Dedication Day) celebration will occur this year on Sunday, August 15th with
the Holy Eucharist at 10 (instead the usual 9) o'clock, followed by a delicious
brunch and musical entertainment, always
a delightful finale.
Since our last letter, a
very dear and devoted friend and oblate has left us to be with the Lord,
namely, Douglas Gravel, who, together
with Maria his wife, guided our premier oblate group in New York City for
several years and was a faithful promotor of
"Mount Saviour" and all our interests and general welfare. May he rest in the Peace of Christ.
Fr.
James Cronen, osb
.
A WORD FROM FATHER MARTIN
Greetings as we approach
the feast of Pentecost!
Let us look at the first book of Holy
Scripture, Genesis, Chapter One: 26-27.
"Let us make the
human in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of
the sea," etc..
God's project in creating us was to give us a share in God's
own life and relationship. Jesus was incarnate by the Holy Spirit - so
able to give the apostles and others the Holy Spirit. Our feast of Pentecost celebrates the fulfilment of God's Project in creating us to share God's
divine life. We "know" this but do we believe it and do we want to
share God's life?