Mount Saviour Monastery

February 2019 News:
The Presentation of the Lord was celebrated on the 2nd. This feast is one of the occasions when guests and community gather in the crypt to begin Mass with lit candles and then process to the upper chapel to conclude Mass. There were not any candles specifically for Brother Gabriel who preferred to keep the day, the 60th anniversary of his profession, low key. The number 60 was notable again on the 4th as the temperature rocketed and our snow cover disappeared once again.

Four newly refinished refectory tables taken away last month returned on the 11th. Brother Luke made a home visit to Pennsylvania from the 15th ' 19th. Several brothers had heard, but not seen, robins this month. On the 23rd both a robin and woodchuck were sighted which seems to bode well for a possible early spring. Brother John of the Cross also returned that day from the seminary in Buffalo for spring break with a newly obtained driver's permit. Brother Antonio is helping him learn to drive.

  The table refinishers returned on the 25th to set up a tent to contain dust resulting from their ongoing work. This time they are working in-situ on the 'horseshoe' table which receives the most use for dinner and supper. Father John Denburger, former Abbot of Genesee Abbey, is the facilitator for our community retreat this year. On the 25th he embarked on a series of two talks daily which will end on March 1.
 
Coming Events:
MARCH 3rd:  Kathryn Tolbert will give a talk on "Japanese War Brides".  Kathryn did a documentary on war brides - her mother, Hiroko Tolbert O'Connor, is one.  Kathryn is a graduate of Elmira Free Academy and Vassar College.  She has worked as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post.  She got her start writing school news and proofreading for the Elmira Star-Gazette.
 
Masses for reparation of sin and healing in the church will be held on March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 and 12.

MARCH 31: Vespers (6:00pm) and Compline (8:15pm) will be at Grace Episcopal Church, 375 West Church Street, Elmira. All are welcome.

MAY 5th at 10:30 a.m.: The yearly Damasus Winzen Lecture with Sr. Julie Upton, RSM and Benedictine Oblate, past President of the American Benedictine Academy.
 
OCTOBER 6th: A talk will be given in Saint Joseph's lounge with Sr. Mary Donald Corcoran as the presenter.