The month began with the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. On the 2nd, for All Souls’ Day, the community visited and blessed the graves of deceased brothers in the monks’ cemetery. The weather was pleasant, sunny, and in the mid-50s.
Brother Bruno made three trips to New Jersey to auction a load of sheep: his second of the year on the 4th, his third a week later on the 11th, and the fourth on the 18th
On the 10th, the community saw its first snowfall of the season—a light but evocative preview of the winter ahead.
The weekend of the 14th, the community hosted a retreat for members of the Cornell Korean Catholic Community.
The 23rd brought the Solemnity of Christ the King, and the 27th was Thanksgiving Day. Though areas not far away experienced heavy snow, we were fortunate to have only a few flurries.
With snow and ice covering our back road from Saint Gertrude’s, we closed the road on the 29th for the safety of all concerned. We already had a driver slide off the road into the electric fence, who had to call a tow truck.
With the end of the month came the beginning of Advent, a season of spiritual preparation, reflection, and hopeful waiting.
COMING EVENTS:
Dec. 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: We will observe a Sunday schedule with Mass at 9:00 a.m.
December 24 at 6:30 p.m.: First Vespers of Christmas, followed by the Blessing of the Creche and singing of the carol “Silent Night.”
December 25: Christmas Day: Mass at 9:00 a.m., and a Sunday schedule.
