Our Lady of Calvary Abbey
11505 Route 126, Rogersville NB, E4Y 2N9
Tel : 506 775 2331
E-mail : CalvaryAbbey@aol.com
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Archived Chronicles 2011 - text only Saturday 1 January 2011 - Feast of Mary Mother of God and the first
day of the New Year. The Abbot spoke in chapter about various events that will take place in the coming year. Monday 3 - Father Peter Osborne of the diocese of St. John arrived for a few days retreat. Tuesday
4 - Another priest, Father Keith Kennific, is staying in the guest-house. There is also an Anglican, Ronald Ingalls, among
the retreatants. Lots of comings and goings in the guest-house. Several of us, from inside the enclosure, have doctors'
and clinical appointments. Wednesday 5 - Our monthly open discussion focused on the singing. The Abbot emphasized that
it was for each one to contribute to creating the ensemble or unity and that this involves, on the one hand, listening, and,
on the other, giving out one's voice the best one can. Nobody should set out to dominate or see himself as the leader
that everybody is supposed to follow. This afternoon the Abbot left for Europe, to take part in the Blessing of the
new Abbot of Mont-des-Cats in the North of France, almost on the Belgian border. Then he will be going to Tilburg, daughter
house of Mont-des-Cats in the Netherlands. He will also be going to his original monastery of Mount Saint Bernard in England.
On the way to the plane, the Abbot went to see Brother Henry, who collapsed while he was there. He is in a pretty weak condition. Thursday
6 - We celebrated for the first time the feast of Brother André Bessette, who was canonized last October. He was a
Brother of the Holy Cross Society, to which Religious Congregation, our current Archbishop also belongs. St. André
Bessette was also the founder of the renowned Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal. Friday 7 - A big snowstorm. Saturday
8 - The Abbot's birthday. In his absence we prayed for him. The storm abated during the day and left behind another
foot of snow. Sunday 9 - Feast of the Baptism of our Lord by St. John the Baptist. This feast completes the cycle of
Christmas feasts and returns us to "Ordinary Time." For this period we return to having the blessing of water at
the beginning of Sunday Mass. We do not have it during the Advent and Christmas period. Enjoy your ordinary time! Tuesday 11 - In his capacity as infirmarian, Father Graham went to see Brother Henry in the Georges
Dumont Hospital in Moncton. He did not find him in a very good state. Monday 17 - Tomorrow will be
Brother Leo's birthday. His brother and his sisters came to celebrate it today, because one of them had an appointment
tomorrow. These are happy people, you can tell from the amount of laughter. Our oldest member is 84 and he is still working
as receptionist, much appreciated by guests and visitors. Wednesday 19 - We had our monthly Mass for the deceased members
of our Order and our relatives and friends. Thursday 20 - Feast of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi (1903 - 1964).
He was the first Nigerian to be beatified and the first African apart from the North African martyrs of the ancient Roman
period. In 1950 he entered Mount Saint Bernard, the monastery that our Abbot came from and he remembers Cyprian well. Friday
21 - The Abbot came back from his trip to Europe, including Mount Saint Bernard. Saturday 22 - In chapter, the Abbot
gave a report on his journey and said he was happy to see Canada well-covered in snow! We were happy to see him again. He
spoke about his visits to Br. Henry in Moncton on his way to and from the plane to London. Brother Henry who has been ill
since June last year, is still having problems related to the cancerous mass he had around the kidneys. Besides that, he
is suffering more and more from his Parkinson's Disease. Monday 24 - The Abbot gave us news of the three monasteries he visited in Europe, Mont des Cats in the
North of France, Tilburg in the Netherlands, and Mount Saint Bernard in England. Tuesday 25 - Today the Abbot played
the recordings he had made of the liturgy in the three monasteries he had visited. Wednesday 26 - Feast of our Holy
Founders, Robert, Alberic and Stephen Harding. The Abbot took the Mass and gave the homily. Later, Br. Gilles took me to
the optometrist's. Friday 28 - Br. Gilles took Father Maurice and me to have our eyes examined. Saturday 29
- We had our first guest in two weeks. It is most unusual for the guest house to be empty for so long. The reason is, certainly,
the quantity of snow we have been having this winter. Sunday 30 - The Abbot took the Mass and Father Graham preached
the homily. Just before vespers we found Father Maurice unconscious and had to call the ambulance. He was take to the hospital
in Miramichi. They discovered evidence of gastro-intestinal bleeding and cellulitis. The following day he was in intensive
care and still running a fever. FEBRUARY 2011 We have had so much snow that we are seeing everything in shades of white. We had a lot going on this
week. Sunday we had the shock of finding Fr. Maurice locked in the bathroom unconscious. He could have been there an hour
or two. We found him just before Vespers. the ambulance came but the crew of two could not get P. Maurice out. So the firefighters
- six of them - were called out. Father Maurice was rushed to the hospital at Miramichi. Of course, Br. Henry is still in
Moncton getting over his cancer and keeping on top of his Parkinson's Disease. This makes for a lot of travelling between
Moncton and Miramichi. Br. Gilles finds it difficult to keep up with the demand. Tuesday 1 - We learned that Fr. Maurice's
problem is cellulitis. It seems that this takes a lot of effort to get rid of. At the end of the day we had a big snowstorm. Wednesday
2 - Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, created the Day of the Consecrated Life by Pope John Paul II. Thursday
3 - Br. Gilles has been suffering from heel spurs for the last six months. In an effort to avoid cortisone injections, radiotherapy
or surgery he is trying traditional methods proposed by a lady from Africa. We await the outcome. Saturday 5 - A mixed
group of 60 people came to reflect with Fr. Innocent on the spiritual value of work on the potter's wheel. The Abbot
also met them, exchanged a few words and was presented with a book "The Trinity and Creation in Augustine - An Ecological
Analysis." by Scott A. Dunham, who was part of the group. Sunday 6 - The Abbot and Brother Stephan went to Moncton
to see Br. Henry at the Residence Notre-Dame du Sacré Coeur and found him very much better than two weeks ago, able
to move about quite freely. Monday 7 - The latest news on our seriously ill members by the Abbot: Br. Henry seems to
be getting over his cancer very well and less limited by his Parkinson's disease. Fr. Maurice is still a little precarious
and in hospital in Miramichi. Sunday 13 - The extra-mural nurses are coming in every day to change
Father Maurice's dressing on his leg. He is getting about quite well on his walker. MONDAY 14 - In the refectory,
we finished reading the book : « Les Réfugiés Acadiens en France. » (Acadian Refugees in France.).
What struck me about this book was the title. We do not normally talk about Acadian Refugees in France. It was a very detailed
and monotonous book. Monday 21 - In the next two or three months we are expecting visits from several abbots of the
Order, from Europe, and there are some meetings planned in the Canadian Region. The Abbot spoke about these things this morning
in chapter. We shall look forward to benefitting from these encounters. Tuesday 22 - A historic event took place.
Brother Leo went out, as a result of an invitation from the doctor. Brother Leo is our porter who rarely goes out of the
monastery and is not often seen in town. He is very faithful to his post. Perhaps he takes his inspiration from Saint Simeon
the Stylite, an ancient monk of the desert, who spent 36 years of his life in the same place and on a 20 metre high pillar! Wednesday
23 - For the second time in as many days, armed militia attacked the monastery of Wadi El Natrun in Egypt, about 110 km from
Cairo. This is one of the oldest monastic foundations in the world. Two monks and half a dozen other Copts were shot. We
are united with them in their trials. Thursday 24 - Bishop Gerald Lacroix, a member of the Secular Institute of Saint
Pius X, has been appointed Archbishop of Quebec. He succeeds Cardinal Marc Ouellette, who was appointed to the Roman Curia
as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Friday 25 - A bobcat got into the barn. The poor thing was not exactly
made welcome. Monday 7 - Fr. Fowler spent several says
in retreat here. He is pastor of St. Mary's church in Miramichi.Tuesday 8 -Mardi gras, we did not get fat! Monday 14 - This year we are having Lenten reading in common in the
scriptorium after Lauds. There have been lots of comings and goings this week, for a variety of reasons. The Abbot and Brother
Gilles went to visit Brother Henry. On the same day Father Maurice had a medical appointment in Moncton, with Father Graham
as his driver. So at one point there was more than half of the community in Brother Henry's room at the Residence Notre-Dame
du Sacré Coeur. On other days people were here and there for eyes, teeth, ears, feet and other components. Tuesday
22 - On Sunday, the Abbot went to La Pocatière to meet Dom André of Val Notre-Dame, at the half-way point between
our two monasteries, and bring back Dom Guerric. The travelers were here in time for dinner today and, in the evening, we
had talking at supper so as to be able to welcome Dom Guerric and hear what he had to say. Sunday 27 - 3rd Sunday
of Lent.d We continue our journey towards Easter. Monday 28 - Father Graham went off to Moncton early in the morning
to take Brother Henry to the hospital, where he was due for a day surgery to change to a new system of catheterization. Friday April 1 - After Lauds we began sharing our reflections on how we live the monastic values of our
Constitutions. This is the second stage of preparation of the report on our house for the General Chapter which will take
place in Assisi in September. This afternoon saw the start of a severe snowstorm which deposited a couple of feet of fresh
snow. Will this be the end of the winter?Saturday 2 - After Mass we continued our sharing on how we live our monastic values. Sunday
3 - Mid-Lent or Laetare Sunday. A day of joy, coupled with the reading of the gospel of the man born blind. Chris McKee,
an aspirant, arrived by train and bus from New York to repeat his observership living in the community. Monday
4 - Father Clovis, Chris McKee and I began pruning the apple trees. A nice warm day. Dom Clément, Superior of Mistassini
Abbey in Lac Saint Jean, and our Father Immediate, arrived in time for a welcoming supper at which we could talk. Tuesday
5 - Opening of the Canonical Visitation. Each of the monks was expected to meet with Dom Clément in private and discuss
how things were going in our community. Sunday 10 - Fifth Sunday of Lent, when the gospel of the Raising of Lazarus is
read. The Abbot left for Val Notre-Dame for a meeting of the Abbots and Abbesses of Canada. Chris McKee, our observer, undertook
the driving. Monday 11 - The Abbot left for Val Notre-Dame to take part in a meeting of the Canadian Superiors
of our Order. The same night we had a wild electric storm, which caused a power outage during the night but no other damage,
except we lost some sleep. Saturday
16 - We had a singing class to prepare for Holy Week. We will have several others in the course of the week. In the refectory,
besides reading the book "Le Jardinier de Tibhirine" when the reading is in French, we are reading "The Hermit
Monks of Grandmont" and it is giving us some new light on the monastic history of the eleventh and twelfth centuries,
when the Cistercians were founded. Monday 18 - The judge, Alfred Landry,
came for a short retreat. He is retiring after 25 years on the bench. Our observer and I began to get the greenhouse organized
for the tomatoes. Monday 25 - During the night there were some very
strong winds and an electric connection to part of the chicken operation was lost. The team of workers acted quickly and
soon put everything back to normal. Saturday
30 - The Abbot and Brother Stephan went to Moncton airport to pick up Dom Guillaume, former Abbot of Mont des Cats in France,
who has come to preach our annual retreat. MAY 2011 Sunday 1 - Some of us watched, via internet, the ceremony of beatification of Pope John Paul II in Rome. Monday 2 - We had the second conference of our retreat this morning.
There are two conferences a day, one after Lauds, the other after Vespers. Vespers is a quarter of an hour earlier, for
those who remember. The theme of the retreat is: "Looking in the Bible" (Le regard dans la Bible.) Dom Guillaume's
is a very lively delivery. Everybody is happy with him, and nobody goes to sleep. Wednesday 11 - I went to see my specialist in Moncton. He prescribed
another tablet for me, supposed to be very effective. We took the opportunity, Fr. Graham and I, to visit Brother Henry at
the Residence Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur. Thursday 12 - Brother Gilles is expecting, with persevering patience,
72 American lime or linden trees. He quotes Cicero as saying: You should plant trees for the benefit of future generations.
Taking his inspiration from this Brother intends to make the planting of these trees his great pride and joy. He says planting
trees is like growing fresh air. We have to remember that a big tree in leaf absorbs 40 tonnes of pollution during its lifetime. Saturday
14 - Father Maurice had to go to the hospital because his foot was swollen. They gave him antibiotics and it is recovering
well. Sunday 15 - A had a very enjoyable visit from some members of my family. Monday 16 - Brother Leo, who rarely
goes out, went to the hospital for a medical appointment. Brother Gilles had to have minor surgery to remove a pimple on
his nose which the dermatologist said was cancerous. The operation was a success. Monday 23 -
During his commentary on the Rule, the Abbot explained that in the spiritual life and the monastic life we are all pilgrims
travelling towards God in union with our brothers and sisters. Tuesday 31 -
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Rosaire Richard, who hails from Gaspésie, concelebrated
with us. He is staying for a whole week. There is also an aspirant to the priesthood in the guest-house. JUNE 2011 Wednesday 1 - Feast of Saint Justin, which the Abbot enjoyed celebrating in Rome. Thursday 2 - Father Maurice
was celebrating his birthday. His only sister came for the occasion from British Columbia, and is staying for a few days. Brother
Stephan has a rock-picking machine, which he built himself. When he started working with it he found it needed a few refinements. Friday
3 - Feast of the Martyrs of Uganda. I have wonderful memories of the Canonization of these martyrs by Pope Paul VI. I was
present in Saint Peter's Basilica for the entire ceremony. The Pope said that Africa was the Church's future! Saturday
4 - We are expecting the Abbot back soon. He has been away six days so far. Sunday 5 - Feast of the Lord's Ascension.
The Abbot was not here to preside the liturgy as is his wont. Father Innocent preside and Father Graham gave the homily. Monday
6 - Father Leopold Leblanc is on retreat here. He is a priest of the Moncton diocese. Monday 13 - In chapter the Abbot
presented the statistics of the Order which had just become available. There are houses that are really flourishing, with
big numbers, but the majority have a lot smaller communities than they once did. Thursday 16 - We had
another meeting of the business council. There is question of buying a little bit of land adjacent to our property, and originally
part of it, that the owner has put up for sale. Sunday 19 - Trinity Sunday. The feast reminds
us of God's faithfulness, and his love for his children. Happy Fathers' Day. Monday 20 - Because of an appointment
in Moncton, I got to see Brother Henry. Father Graham, who was with me, was invited to celebrate Mass for the residents and
staff at the Résidence Notre-Dame du Sacré Coeur. I chapter the Abbot made new arrangements for the way of
dividing the house-cleaning up between us. The house is too big for one man to do it! Tuesday 21 - Feast of Saint Aloysius,
a Jesuit and patron of young people. Wednesday 22 - In chapter the Abbot spoke about St. John Fisher, whose feast day
it was, along with St. Thomas More. I had a three hour session with two doctors. Thursday 23 - I had another appointment
at the Miramichi Hospital. A busy week! After Lauds we had a meeting of the business council, a further one about the possibility
of buying a piece of land that is next to ours. Friday 24 - The Abbot was personally invited to the opening of a new
biological greenhouse in Rogersville. Br. Stephan accompanied him to meet the New Brunswick minister of agricultural who
was present. It is a step ahead for the whole province. St. John the Baptist's Day, patronal feast of Quebec. As the
Vespers hymn sings: "I exult for joy, I dance in his presence, I wait for him." Saturday 25 - The Abbot went
to the graduation ceremony at the École Secondaire Assomption, in Rogersville. The number of school-leavers was rather
low compared with previous years, only 17. Sunday 26 - Feast of Corpus Christi, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Feast of what we are, the Body of Christ. Monday 27 - In chapter this morning the Abbot informed us that Fr. Roger
Neck, a former member of the community, who has been absent from the monastery for 21 years had asked to return. Well, why
not? JULY 2011 Friday 1 - Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, symbol of Love. Monday 4 - Father Frédéric Poitras is on retreat here. He is a priest of the diocese
of Edmunston working in Grand Falls. As a young man he tried his vocation here as a lay brother. Sunday
10 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Let us try and be that good soil that brings forth much fruit, a power for good, according
to the will of God. Monday 11 - Feast of our Holy Father Saint Benedict, whose Rule we follow. Three of our
oblates, Claude Hébert, Sean Tobin and Rodrigue Landry were in the guest-house. There was also a Father Peter Hanna
and a Sister Girouard who belong to the new congregation of the Franciscans of Halifax. The windows for the third floor were
delivered, after several months wait. We expect the builders to start fitting them tomorrow. The Abbot took the train to take part in the meeting of the Canadian Abbots and
Abbesses at Val Notre-Dame in Quebec north of Montreal. Dom Bede is the Regional President. Tuesday 19 - Our monthly
day of prayer for the deceased of our Order who have died in the last month. Wednesday 20 - A hot day, just right for
bringing in the hay, which is what the farm team did. This evening a young man called Jean-Pierre Baril arrived. He has
spend four years at Madonna House. He is tidying up our greenhouse and weeding the garden. Thursday 21 - At the end
of the Superiors' meeting, Abbot Bede went to visit our Mother House at Dolbeau-Mistassini in the Lac Saint-Jean area. Saturday
23 - This evening, after supper, we had a type of tornado. Not a big one, but impressive since we do not normally see them
and for some of us it was a first time experience. Sunday 24 - Yesterday's tornado caused a power outage that lasted
until after Lauds this morning. We had problems getting the elevator to work again. Monday 25 - Yesterday, Father Maurice
was overcome by weakness while outside riding his tricycle. He had to be taken to hospital. This morning the newspapers
were full of the damage done by Saturday's tornado across New Brunswick. A deacon from the diocese of Charlottetown,
Prince Edward Island, began his retreat here for his ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Innocent was giving him some guidance. Tuesday
26 - Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Local people have a special devotion to Saint
Anne. This midday Dom Bede returned from his journey to Quebec for a meeting about the affairs of the Order. Thursday
28 - The Abbot went to see Father Maurice and found him not too well. With Brother Gilles, I went for two medical appointments
for minor ailments. Brother Gilles took the opportunity to do some errands. Father James McLeavy is here for several days.
He is a priest from Halifax, nephew of a priest who was an associate oblate, whom we have known for a long time. Friday
29 - The Abbot and Father Graham visited Father Maurice in the hospital. He is now making satisfactory progress. He should
soon be coming out. The repair work on the barn is just about finished. The windows of the third floor have also all been
changed, but the insides have yet to be made good. Saturday 30 - Another wet day! Sunday 31 - This afternoon the
Abbot went to see Father Maurice again. He seemed to be back to his normal self, but the doctors want to keep him till the
end of the week. AUGUST 2011 Monday 1 - Dom Bede gave us a report on the Regional Meeting of Abbots and Abbesses. As in many other parts
of the world our region is suffering from lack of vocations and aging communities. Sunday
7 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Fr. Peter Osborne of the Saint John diocese concelebrated with us. Father Maurice is still
in hospital, under observation, but recovered. That gives us two people to go visit, but Father Maurice should be back soon. Monday
8 - The Abbot commented on the report on our Canadian Region to be presented at the forthcoming General Chapter in September
in Assisi. Tuesday 9 - The Abbot asked our opinion about a young man who wanted to come and do a photographic study
of our community life. We were happy to give him the opportunity. Wednesday 10 -The Abbot presented the reports on
each of our Canadian monasteries prepared for the General Chapter. This was interesting, even if there are lots of grounds
for anxiety. Thursday 11 - On the farm, a lot of people were predicting a poor maize harvest, but this seems to be disproving
itself. The corn is looking healthy and promises a good harvest. However the tomatoes are not looking so good. Friday
12 - This morning the Abbot had the flu! Saturday 13 - The replacement of the windows on the third floor is nearly complete. Sunday
14 - This week there have been lots of comings and goings in the Guest-House, due, no doubt, to the novena in preparation
for the Assumption in the Rogersville parish, being preached by a Redemptorist. Monday 15 - Feast of the Assumption
of Mary. Our Trappistine sisters of the monastery of Assumption invited us to go celebrate with then and share their BBQ
in beautiful sunshine. Earlier the Abbot had been to celebrate Mass for them and had returned to preside the Solemn Mass
here. He then returned, once again on his bike to take part in the festivities. Monday 22 - Feast of the Queenship of Our Lady. We note that it
is the titular feast of the Cathedral at Montreal, Marie Reine du Monde. Tuesday 23 - Feast of Saint Rose of Lima, Peru.
The first canonised saint of the Americas. Wednesday 24 - Feast of Saint Bartholomew, the Nathanael of the Gospels,
who marked medieval history by giving his name to important centres of care for the sick. Thursday 25 - The Abbot defeated
the beavers at Frère Urbain's lake, by building up the banks so that the water no longer flows over the road.
The beavers' dam then maintains the lake at its correct level. Friday 26 - We had our monthly day of prayer for
the dead at Mass, Lauds and Vespers. We also had our weekly gospel-sharing. Saturday 27 - The haymaking was completed.
We had enough surplus to sell to people in the area. Sunday 28 - Hurricane Irene was supposed to arrive by midday,
but was a bit on the late side, and then rather a non-event. Tuesday 30 - The Abbot left for the General Chapter to
be held in Assisi. He will be away a whole month. SEPTEMBER 2011 Thursday 1 - We lost another cow. This happens from time to time. Wednesday 14 - Letter from the Abbot, from
Assisi. On Sunday he was called in to the commission that was studying the house report on our monastery of Our Lady of Calvary.
Everything went well. The members of the commission were impressed with our large agricultural operation. Above all they
were happy to hear about the group of postulants that is coming soon, as, indeed, are we. Thursday 15 - Feast of Our
lady of Sorrows. This is the day on which we celebrate our patronal feast. We have a solemn Mass and a festive dinner.
But, this year, we have put it off until October 4th, the Feast of Saint Francis, on account of the Abbot's absence. Friday
16 - An association for soil improvement asked to hold a conference day here. Br. Stephan acted as host. The conference-giver
was Bob Shindelbeck, a soil physicist from Cornell University in New York. About thirty qualified people took part, including
a number of agricultural advisors from Atlantic Canada. This should make for more profitable agriculture in the region.
The atmosphere was very friendly and everybody was impressed by the place. Monday 19 - We had a long letter from the
Abbot, news about matters concerning the Order. OCTOBER 2011 Saturday 1 - Father Melvin Doucet, M.A., came to direct a retreat in the guest-house. The Abbot returned.
He seems on good form. Rhéal DesRoches and his wife Irène went to pick him up at the airport, where he arrived
five hours later than scheduled, on account of crowds of people overwhelming the immigration officers in Montreal. Tuesday 4 - Today we
are celebrating here. It is the feast of Saint Francis and the Abbess of Assumption and our Abbot have just come back from
Assisi. We are celebrating the transferred feast of our community. Other special moments we had to recall were: Sister
Thérèse's 75th birthday, as well as the 53rd of Br. Stephan and the 46th of Father Graham. Then, not to
be forgotten was Br. Henry's 72nd birthday which fell on September 20th. Brother Henry and six of our sisters from Assomption
came along to help us celebrate. Wednesday 5 - Feast of Saint Bruno the founder of the Carthusians. Friday 7 -
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. We turned all our apples into nice sweet juice, with the help of friends who volunteered. Saturday
8 - In the refectory we are reading all the reports on our monasteries presented to the General Chapter. We have a total
of 176 monasteries worldwide, 74 monasteries of nuns and 102 monasteries of monks. Sunday 9 - Father Maurice gave the
homily, while the Abbot presided the Mass. Monday 10 - Father Jean-Bernard Malais, a priest of the Moncton diocese and
Robert Pichette, our historian, are with us. Monday 17 - Thanksgiving
Day in Canada. Monday 24 - We had our monthly Mass for vocations. After Lauds, Father Graham spoke to us in
chapter about his trip to Val Notre-Dame, at Saint Jean de Matha in Quebec. Good to hear.Guy Savoie, who has been coming
to our guest house for years, was here on retreat. Monday 31 - The Abbot announ ced in Chapter that we had completed the process of buying a piece
of land on the edge of our property that includes a large industrial garage. This will be useful for storing our biggest
farm machines which used to have to spend the winter out of doors. The property had been ours since Friday. Roger Neck
came back after 21 years' absence. He was solemnly professed and a priest, but has been living outside the monastery
as a layman. We are very happy to see him back. NOVEMBER 2011 Tuesday 1 - Feast of All Saints. 109th anniversary of the founding of our community of Our Lady of Calvary.
We marked that with a cheerful talking meal. We were also remembering the anniversary of Father Maurice's receiving
the habit and of Fr. Graham's entry into the monastery. Mike, the next postulant due to enter, joined us for the festal
meal. Wednesday 2 - All Souls' Day. Friday 4 - Feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, a very pastoral Archbishop
of Milan who was very influential in the reforms of the Council of Trent, especially with regard to the founding of seminaries.
With Roger, the Abbot started work on a footpath to run along the side of the lake from the Grotto. Monday 7 - Our
external oblate, Claude Hébert, is here for a week's retreat. Tuesday 8 - Michael Perry entered the community
as a postulant. With these two new members there are ten of us and the choir is already sounding better. Wednesday
9 - The Abbot went to Moncton to look after Br. Henry's needs. Father Innocent was the driver. In chapter the Abbot
is still talking about the General Chapter. Thursday 10 - Today is the anniversary of the death of our founding superior,
Dom Antoine Piana, who died in 1938. Friday 11 - It rained all day. Saturday 12 - A priest from Saskatoon, Kevin
McGee stopped off for a day on his way to Prince Edward Island. Monday 14 - This morning we had our monthly community
dialogue. Monday 21 - Today we learned of the death of Father Théodule
Richard, formerly a monk of our community and then a Missionary of La Salette. He was 87 years of age, was born at St. Ignace
very near here and died in the United States, at the house of the Congregation in Hartord, Connecticut. He was a brother of
our Archbishop, André Richard. Sr. Felix Gionet of Assomption died November 27. Monday 28 - Sr. Felix Gionet of the Cistercian nuns in
Rogersville died yesterday evening. She died after a rather short illness from cancer of the pancreas. December 2011 Friday 2 - The postulant Michael and Father Innocent went to Dartmouth to get clay and materials for the
pottery and for replacing the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes for the grotto. There were few of us at the Mass. Father Graham
had to say Mass for the nuns because the chaplain, Fr. Clovis, was incapacitated by back and leg problems. Monday 5 - Brother Henry had an appointment
with his cancer specialist, Dr. Ruben, to see whether his cancer showed any signs of coming back. The doctor found no particular
causes for alarm. Monday 19 - Brother Leo had a big visit from members of his family. Monday 26 - St. Stephen's Day and Boxing Day. But we keep on celebrating
Christmas for 8 days. |
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