February 2024

Winter quiet reigned, as we made our way through February; a month with a fair bit of sunshine. The loop in front of the guesthouse continues to be popular for walkers, including those with dogs. Brother Charbel from the OC monastery of Rougemont in Quebec was by, for the first time in a while, and…

Early in the month, we tried out a new doorkeeper schedule. The ol’ front door is fairly quiet, with nice surprises, now and then. Father Bede turned 81, and the occasion was marked with a lovely black forest cake. Brother Léo turned 97 and escaped the flu which closed the doors of his care home…

DECEMBER 2023        Considering the amount of rain this month, it was nice to once again have a watertight roof, thanks to expert repairs last summer. As Dom Innocent had planned, we launched into some spring cleaning a few seasons early, on our top floor, which is nearly entirely unused. Father Roger patiently cleared…

As usual this time of year, we began preparing for snow, and wondering when the first storm might hit. Narrow markers are being put up to indicate the edges of drives within our property.      Overall bookings at the guesthouse are not up, but we continue to have a high number among them of first-time…

We had a quiet October this year: post-Covid life has gone smoothly and well in general, with one notable change. Bede did not return to presiding Mass when we started back, owing to mobility issues. He still concelebrates, happily, and on other fronts, such as the laundry, is just as active. He got in to…

Friday 1st. Some farm equipment was remade at a shop in the area. For such an out of the way place, our part of the province has some fine services to draw on. Saturday 2nd. Monks seemed to be tidying up, today. Outside, temperatures just above normal are producing a mild and lovely late summer.…

  Tuesday 1st. Some colossal weeds, thriving behind shrubs, were removed today on the south side of the monastery. Wednesday 2nd. Moose suddenly appearing on roads have been making driving difficult nearby, even as Brother Paul continues to wait for his first glimpse of a moose. Thursday 3rd. Father Roger regularly puts a vase of…

Saturday 1st. A fine Canada Day Mass was celebrated this morning. This evening, Dom Steele Hartmann of Tarrawarra Abbey in Australia arrived at Moncton Airport, and Dom Innocent was there to greet him. Sunday 2nd. Our vintage Viking dehumidifier from Eaton’s chugs away in the refectory between meals. We look forward to our first conference…

Thursday 1st. With a monastery guest onboard, the train rolled in yesterday evening, next to Main Street as quiet as it could be. Friday 2nd. Youngsters who’d gotten stuck out back on their ATV’s found their way to our front door, in their quest to get unstuck, and were pleasantly surprised by the peaceful atmosphere…

Monday 1st. The recent winds which accompanied rain, have blown buds off the trees, and these are now scattered across the pave. Tuesday 2nd. Brother Paul has drawn our attention to pronunciations of the word ‘leisure’, American and British. I guess Canadians use both. Wednesday 3rd. Father Bede has been successfully navigating cataract surgeries, thanks…