FEBRUARY 2015

Monday 9th. When we take one of the two vehicles, we sign for it in advance. This winter there have been plenty of revisions to that sign-out list, due to illness, unexpected appointments or snowstorms. Today, Father Roger had to attend a chicken producers meeting in Moncton. Whether it is government regulations or the business side, the chicken industry changes year to year.
Tuesday 10th. Monks moved their furniture away from the corridor wall as the workers began placing heating coils in their rooms. Brother Stephan and Dom Bede both saw doctors about their flus today. This one is a flu that can bounce back on you. Stephan returned to the organ for Vespers last night, but was obliged to lay low today as did Bede.
Wednesday 11th. As Father Adrien made his way to Moncton for a doctor's appointment, the geothermal workers were looking at the electric transformer box on our front lawn, at least the part of it which had been freed from the snow. Someone wondered aloud what the workers on our floor were thinking as they spend days inside our monastery. When they were working outside on the wells, it was different. One thing they are thinking is that it's too bad all this makes a bit of a mess; this is what they said. They are good workers.
Thursday 12th. As 2015 continues, the light outside changes. Before supper at six, the daylight that's left these days gives a slight blue tinge to the snow, sign of a different season ahead. Flu season has meant a shrinking audience for Downton Abbey, Season Three. Tonight we were three.
Friday 13th. Chapter talks are normally Monday, Wednesday and Friday but since Bede has been taken ill we've stopped. For the first time this week, the entire community was present for Mass.
Saturday14th. Brother Stephan resumed singing. We hope he and all the brothers affected are feeling all better in short order. With a storm predicted for tomorrow, and Brother Michael now sick, too, the Sunday visit of Father Maurice and Brother Henry was rescheduled for March 1st. Father Clovis, chaplain to the sisters, decided to head out for Bathurst a bit early in order to avoid the storm.
Sunday 15th. Though the night was clear and very cold, a blizzard did turn up-and last. It is an unusually bad one for these parts. We lost the power, but only for a moment, before lunch. Father Graham said Mass at the sisters, got stuck for a moment on the way out, then gingerly made his way back. Good thing our snow blower is back in service. As Rémi lives practically next door, he sometimes brings the tractor with snow blower to his place, waits for the right moment, then heads over and digs us out. Lunch today was taken to the soothing sounds of the honky tonk heroes of days gone by. Freddy Fender, pray for us!

Monday 16th. In Chapter, Dom Bede suggested that given the state of the community at this moment we make no changes to our meals for Lent, and wait until everyone is back to health before resuming our discussions on the great silence. Our Lenten reading together will be after Lauds just as it was last year. Bede will be absent Ash Wednesday, so Father Innocent will preside Mass and administer the ashes.
Tuesday 17th. At the afternoon milking, the tester was present while Brother Glicerio was doing the milking. She draws off a little sample of what is going into the tank from each cow, using what look like long laboratory beakers which we wash and store afterwards. Currently milking: 74 cows. Although the Lenten regime will not be austere this year, our cook decided to treat us to an especially nice meal before Lent, including a cheesecake parfait.
Wednesday 18th. Father Innocent celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass, and spoke of our preparing to enter the light of Easter. At Mass we saw the return of a regular, a senior who had not appeared in weeks. He had had the flu, and looked happy to be back in his usual seat.
Thursday 19th. Brother Michael's sign is now in full color, with different shades of fall maple leaves. Father Adrien went to the Miramichi to see an orthopedic surgeon about possible work on his feet. The geo-thermal team is working away. Two workers are good friends and talk about many things as they work and the day passes. There are now a line of radiators in the guest-house basement, maybe the guest-house rooms will have radiators rather than the smaller heaters we'll have.
Friday 20th. As we were singing Lauds, a little light came through the window then we heard the sound of the snow-blower passing by-after about half a foot more snow last night. It is a comforting sound in a way. In Chapter, Dom Bede outlined how the first Sunday of Lent would work. He said his chapter talk would be short because his homily at Mass would be longer than usual. Would it be fitting to time this for the chronicle?
Saturday 21st. Mike our computer technician re-arranged the internet connection for the new employee time clock this week because the wireless connection had failed: employees were obliged to write down their hours in a little book. Hopefully in the new week all will be well. Dom Bede was out to the barn to fill his jug of fresh unpasteurised milk from the tank this afternoon. Brother Stephan was around and about, too.
Sunday 22nd. "So that each one may offer up to God in the joy of the Holy Spirit something over and above the measure appointed to him" Saint Benedict gives advice for Lent, which we heard about this morning in Chapter. At Mass, Bede's homily was just under ten minutes, but some at least guessed it had been only six minutes. In the barn this afternoon, our senior-most farm hand gave his weather predictions: just like last year; long winter, late spring, poor conditions for planting.

Monday 23rd. I asked one of the older monks today if they minded the geo-thermal work, which is turning out to take a bit longer than expected. They said: no. They like having the work take place before their eyes.
Tuesday 24th. On the second floor, some of the book shelves which line both sides of the corridor have had their poly covering removed as the workers move on. Father Graham went to Moncton to have the Kia serviced today, and so got to visit Brother Henry and Father Maurice. They were both in good spirits. They share many memories: Maurice was by the monastery in the 1950's, when Henry was a novice for the first time. The snow banks on either side of the highway to Moncton were nearly as high as the car at some points.
Wednesday 25th. After Lauds, as most days now, we proceeded out of the chapel into our chairs in the adjoining scriptorium for Lenten reading. This lasts until 7:10, roughly twenty minutes, though some stay longer. There're seats along the windows, as well as study carrels along the wall facing: room for the nine we are and a few more if need be. As a big truck parked waiting for the shipping of chicken this evening, the snow was falling like it had since before mid-day. Hopefully the work will go alright nonetheless.
Thursday 26th. It is rare to see our apple orchard as it was this morning, with much of the trees buried in snow. With a little help from the snow-blower, and an end to the snow around eight the chicken work last night seemed to go alright. This evening we began watching a 2011 documentary called ‘Buck'. It is about the life of Buck Brannaman, the horse trainer who advised the makers of the motion picture ‘the Horse Whisperer'. It is a successful, even-handed documentary. Lots of horses, too.
Friday 27th. A list for the cook indicates the number of guests for lunch and dinner. After many zero days, a few guests have begun showing up; seven for supper before the end of the week. Brother Michael went to the Miramichi today to get some countertop for a refurbished bread baking room. His sign is now finished. Next steps: a sealant, then with a little help from the tractor, posting.
Saturday 28th. With Father Innocent's pumpkins from the garden, our cooks have now created a pumpkin jam. In refectory, we are hearing read a compilation of texts delivered by Pope Francis during his first year in Rome. Often, he poses questions either to himself or to his listeners/readers. Sometimes, there are a series of two or three questions in a row.