"It seems strange to say, but what can help modern man find the answers to his own mystery and the mystery of him in whose image he is created, is silence, solitude -- in a word, the desert. Modern man needs these things more than the hermits of old." Catherine Doherty


Friday, April 20, 2012

An International Dinner at MTRC

Now that the Diplomat from Monaco is back overseas we thought it was time for another "International Dinner", this time with more members from the local community represented.

With all the moving and building going on there was only time for a pot luck, with Catholic Home Steaders, Apologetists, Eastern Church members, Social Activists, Educators, Artists, children, infants and lots of ham and pasta!


Sparkling Apple Cider and Melon Juice for kids and Pale Ale for adults. Among the wide array of Christians and various social dogmas the demographics included China, Korea, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and more! 



As the evening past the topics ranged from the most simple and friendly,

To the most in depth analysis of the history of Israel, to the Jewish faith, the Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, with a brief stop over at the present state of the Western Church, St, John Chrysostom, Phonetics, solar panels and G. K. Chesterton.

From the sublime to the surreal. A wonderful evening of faith and fellowship, laughs and love as we recharge our spirits for our separate missions.

After a while the paparazzi were ordered out 




and the night ended with more hugs and farewell blessings.
We hope you will come and join us for a dinner some time 
at the Mary Theotokos Retreat center
in Newark VT., 

Pax et Bonum


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Spring is in the air,..

Though there are still snow flurries every morning, and lows in the evening are just barely above 30 F., Spring is certainly in the air. 

The chickens are glad to get on the lawn again,

And spring also means getting the garden plowed and ready for planting. 


The green house is being used to start plants and the garden has had some  major clearing adding almost 50% more space for planting. Hopefully that will increase our community garden potential.

Work continues on the inside of the retreat house and church is the crew from 
Catamount Electric; installing the fire alarm system for the entire facility.



These guys are consummate professionals and also really nice guys to have around!

More inspections will be on the way as well.

After enough snow run off, the driveway is need of some new layers and the gravel arrives in two truck loads.


Planting, digging, prepping, snowing, still there is a little time to head up to Montreal, only 2 and half hours away to talk a little funding and take some powerful prayerful moments at Saint Joseph's Oratory.


Just what the doctor ordered for a little recharge in the spiritual batteries.

More news on the way as we head full speed into warmer temps and sunnier skies,
....hopefully.


Pax et Bonum

From 

The Mary Theotokos Center

in 

Newark, VT.