Mount Saviour Monastery

October 2022 News:
This year the first of the month coincided with the first Sunday of October. That is our yearly cue to switch from summer to winter hymns. Because the weather turned decidedly cooler, it was also our cue to put the refectory and chapel fans away until we need them again next year.

Three names' days were celebrated this month. Brother Francis on the 4th, Brother Bruno on the 6th, and Brother Luke on the 18th. The brothers all gathered for three evenings of special recreation.

Brother Pierre was diagnosed with pneumonia on the 5th, the first serious sickness in the community since the pandemic began. All is well after following doctor's orders.

We ask for prayers for our neighbor, Jack Bartlett, who died from an accident on the 7th. He worked with Brother Bruno for more than 40 years, helping to maintain our equipment and vehicles. Please remember his family also.

    Oblates began arriving on the 8th for an in-person gathering after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, some came down with COVID while visiting and others after returning home. The brothers waited five days after the Oblates left then all self-tested together. It was certainly a different group activity for us. Thankfully, all tests were valid and negative.

Our chaplain, Father Don, enjoyed a week away amidst our glorious fall weather. We thank Franciscan Father Richard Crawley for substituting for him.

    Our custom is not to celebrate birthdays but rather names' days instead. However, the 90th birthday is an exception. And so we celebrated with Brother Gabriel on the 26th. A catered main meal with his favorite foods was arranged for the main meal at noon. We moved up the weekly community recreation period one day so we could extend the celebration to the evening as well.