Friday 1st. A list has been posted for Mass duties for Holy Week; another list gives the schedule. Easter Vigil will once again be at the regular time for daily vigils, 3:40. Saturday 2nd. The snow has melted enough for the little no parking signs opposite the front of the guesthouse to reappear. Sunday 3rd.…

Tuesday 1st. In chapter, Dom Innocent presented questions for monks to answer; questions created by our order, to help prepare the usual house reports sent to the General Chapter, which resumes its meetings in September. The order’s hope with these questions is to bring out the positive in house reports. Each of us is asked…

Tuesday 1st. The front door re-opened today for Mass-goers, with two of them joining us this 8 AM. Before long, Bede was selling a bit of honey again out front. In Chapter, Dom Innocent read us accounts of the gyrovagues of long ago: monks on the loose, so to speak. Wednesday 2nd. One couple only…

Saturday 1st. Upon rising, we found gifts from a secret Santa. As per custom, we met after Lauds to exchange New Year’s greetings, and pick up a calendar, or two. We had a wonderful lunch together, and shared stories of friends old and new. Sunday 2nd. In one of Brother Leo’s first dreams of the…

Wednesday 1st. Cook Simone is making some meat pies, to set aside for Christmas; two varieties. Thursday 2nd. Bede was looking at some of the heating units today. Some parts of the monastery are warmer than others, like the Chapel. Friday 3rd. With rain, and outside temperatures just above normal, a December salamander made his…

  Monday 1st. At All Saints Mass offertory, Brother Stephan played Leonard Cohen’s Alleluia on the organ. As Stephan observed at lunch, this day next year, the community will be celebrating its 120th anniversary. Nothing is planned yet for marking the milestone. When we turned a hundred, the year was peppered with special events, including…

  Friday, October 1st. With grace, a heron flew just over the lake’s surface, and out of sight. I don’t often see them here.  Saturday, October 2nd. At Mass, Brother Stephan once again sang at the organ for communion; a contemporary hymn adds a different light to the whole celebration. Sunday, October 3rd. At lunch,…

  Wednesday 1st. The dishwashing machine really gave up the ghost. Today was the world day of prayer for creation, and Father Roger so offered Mass.   Thursday 2nd. One of the ride-on mowers made circles around the apple trees today. Our cemetery lawn also got a trim. It’s striking to see Brother Henry’s cross…

Sunday 1st. Some eagles were casually circling over the lake this morning. After several good hits of rain, the lawn is a lush green. Monday 2nd. Our newest refectory audiobook, ‘Educated’, by Tara Westover, describes her emergence from an isolated, survivalist family  in the USA, to a fuller life, and education. We had a welcome…

Thursday 1st. This Canada Day morning, a friend and his dog dropped by to offer greetings, and some treats. Conditions permitting, there are just a few more visitors to the grounds now. After Mass, Father Roger stepped outside the basement door, which is under the big red Chapel doors, to feed our cats. Friday 2nd.…