Mount Saviour Monastery

November 2019 News:
On the 1st the Saints came marching in, followed by our first snow flurries this fall. The next day monks and guests gathered in the crypt after Mass. Father Don led the assembly in blessing the new Memorial Wall Plaque in honor of the deceased monks of Mount Saviour buried in our cemetery. After the Office of None, monks and guests again gathered in the monastic cemetery to bless the graves and to pray for our brothers who have gone before us.

The monastery has gone to the dogs! Or rather the brothers have gone to the dogs. On the 15th brothers Bruno and Mark traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, to meet the owner who had driven from Mississippi to meet them there. Over 1600 miles later they returned with two adult, fully trained Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs. The dogs are cold-hardy and will take up residence with the sheep in the field year round in an effort to reduce sheep losses. Maremmas were bred to take responsibility for keeping the flock safe from 4-legged predators and 2-legged thieves. We ask guests and visitors to keep distant from and not interfere with the dogs so they can perform their job and we can keep our sheep.

After Mass on the 17th the Friends of Mount Saviour sponsored a lecture at St. Joseph's guest house. Pat Ciccarielo, former mayor of Elmira, spoke on the history of U. S. Immigration Policy to help put into context current debates on the subject. Two days later Brother Bruno undertook another journey, this time east to Hackettstown, N.J. taking this year's first load of lambs to auction. The same day a local roofing company began work to renew the entire roof over our kitchen area because of frequent leaks. The previous upgrade was in 1989. Brother Luke, who continues his recovery from surgery, felt well enough to join the community for Mass for the first time in ten weeks.

On the 25th and 26th all hands were on deck for a 'pen session' with the sheep. The sheep were sorted with some going to the left and some to the right. Those chosen to remain with us were vaccinated and given a thorough going-over and the one-month breeding season for spring lambs was begun. Thanksgiving Day was cold with flurries, but the weather did not dampen our festive celebration. The last day of the month was also the last day of the week and the last day of the liturgical year.

Coming Events

December 9: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: We will observe a Sunday schedule.

December 24: First Vespers of Christmas at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Blessing of the Creche.

December 25:  Christmas Day: Mass at 9:00 a.m.