SEPTEMBER 2023

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…

Saturday 1st. This morning we practiced for the special Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Mass, tomorrow.  Sunday 2nd. At lunch, we listened to music recorded at Sainte-Anne-des-Pays-Bas, our provincial capital’s French-language parish.  Monday 3rd. Brother Paul is re-doing some of the ceramic tiles in the refectory serving area, on the north side, where we…

Wednesday 1st. Two monks had occasion to see a bob cat in our yard this week. Thursday 2nd. We met to discuss some new legislation from our Order, which works year by year on gradually updating, or improving, or adding to things. Friday 3rd. In refectory, we tried listening to monasteries’ house reports, as read…

Wednesday 1st. Our small, commercial dishwasher is showing signs of age, and making a plethora of unusual sounds. But, it still gets the job done.  Thursday 2nd. With winter sunshine a-plenty outside, we had a nice Mass of the Presentation of Our Lord. As Brother Leo heads towards his 70th anniversary of entry he reflects…

Sunday 1st.  Our Abbot General asked all our monasteries to offer Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict January 5th, and shared the letter of condolence he sent to Pope Francis on the behalf of all the members of our Order. Monday 2nd. We are enjoying Christmas treats, on a table under…

Thursday 1st. As scheduled, Anna Stuart, a resource person,  was here for a few days. Friday 2nd. The technician was by again to touch up the  heating system, whose 40 geothermal wells in our backyard have served us well over the years. Saturday 3rd. Dom Innocent placed some fresh foliage before the altar. Sunday 4th.…