February Features

We were happy to welcome Fr. Brendan back on the 7th from his trip to Ireland to help facilitate the merger of three communities in that region. He had been superior at Mellifont Abbey for some time, and was familiar with the situation of the communities. For the time being, he has resumed living at Mississippi Abbey as part of his post-superior sabbatical and fills in when a celebrant for their eucharist is needed.

The communities of Mississippi Abbey and NMA have been joining in efforts at on-going formation. This year we have been fortunate to host Dr. Anthony Pagliarini of the Theology Department of the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN). He presented the first part of his very thorough exposition of the Letter to the Hebrews on the weekend of February 14th and 15th. He will be returning on the same dates in March to complete his discussion of this New Testament letter. He is a very engaging speaker and there was lively interaction with the communities as he presented his material. The sisters come over to New Melleray for the first morning lecture and return home after Sext and dinner. Dr. Pagliarini presents the second lecture to the monks alone in the afternoon and then repeats this lecture to the sisters at their Abbey. In the afternoon, the monks travel over to the sisters for the final lecture. This arrangement allows the communities to share together and seems to make it a more stimulating experience.

Some basic maintenance work continues, with plans to install a new series of windows on the ground level and replacement of lighting with LED around the monastery. We are looking ahead to March and the beginning of Lent. We plan to have a week of quiet retreat during the first week of the month, although no director or presenter has been engaged for the week.