August Adventures

We began the month with the classes given by Fr. Douglas Wathier on Christian Anthropology. We join with the sisters of Mississippi Abbey for these classes, meeting at OLM for an afternoon session on Monday and then meeting at New Melleray Tuesday morning. They continue to be stimulating and informative classes, sparking questions and observations from those participating in them.

Our biggest joy was the clothing and readmission to the novitiate of Br. Philip (Charles Ross). Br. Philip was most recently a resident of Clinton, IA and had spent time in the service as a Marine. He had been a novice with us, but had to leave temporarily to assist his mother during her last illness and death. He has returned and received the habit in a ceremony in the Chapter Room after Vespers on August 15th, the feast of the Assumption. Please support him with your prayers.

Renovations on the exterior of the building continued with the installation of about 17 new windows on the first floor. These replaced ancient wooden ones in the kitchen, bakery, and wardrobe areas. In addition to providing better thermal protection, they add an aesthetic harmony with the other windows already in place. New overflow drains have been installed to prevent a repeat happening of the flooding which occurred last month. We are looking at replacing the elevator in the guest house with one which offers more space and security in its ascents and descents. Several other projects are under examination to take more advantage of using our available space to increase personal interchange in the community. We seem to be back in regular pattern of a monthly Information Forum which allows everyone to learn what projects are underway in the community.

At the end of the month, we hosted another Come-and-See weekend for men discerning a religious vocation. Three men joined us for these days which exposed them to the processes and experiences of considering a religious vocation.