Was that summer?

Well June and July flew by with my work at Vermont Children's Theater and the usual work here. So I am catching up on the blog posts before two massive retreats arrive this month from a College Catholic fellowship group and later a work force of Franciscans from Boston.

The first thing that happened was the repainting of the sign by the end of the driveway. It took a little longer than I thought but the old sign needed some bullet holes repaired and was loosing it's color from the weather. So the sign came down for a few weeks and went back up looking brand new.

Next we embarked more wholeheartedly in our work to help rescue animals in the state. We learned long ago that part of the retreat into silence and prayer in a rural setting needed to involve animals. This was part of Fr. Von Faur's vision of this monastic center. As we are set up for farming naturally some of the animals will be used to feed us as well as retreaters and potential long term community members (if a community is God's plan). But some of the animals are here to simply live and provide that cerebral and spiritual bond with visitors who may participate in their care or just petting them. As Saint Francis demonstrated the moment one interacts with a docile and loving animal the disconnect with the "busy/noisy" world happens thus opening the mind and heart for God to enter.

On that theme of four legged residents we acquired two rescue horses that are eating grass happily in a section of our meadow.

This big girl is a Tennessee Walker named Molly,

And this Arabian eating grass faster than it grows is Abby.

Don't forget our other lawn mowers and walking brush hogs.

This small herd of five will soon increase to twelve as we prepare for another group of Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats that are soon to arrive. Brush clearing, milk making-soap, cream, yogurt, cheese and petting zoo; a truly multipurpose animal.

There is also a new brood of turkeys for meat and 

laying hens.

There is also a rumor of Alpacas heading this way.

The garden has been in full swing this summer and many veggies have already headed out to the interfaith food shelves locally. It has been much easier as several youth groups have come to work the gardens this year.

Busy and blessed times, but now I at least feel the blog is almost caught up.

Stay tuned for more updates. But if there are anymore animals arriving I may only have pictures of me on a row boat in the lake pretending to fish but trying to escape!

Pax et Bonum

From 

The Mary Theotokos Monastic Center

A whirlwind few weeks since Easter!

After a week and a half of rain things are greening up nicely and the goats are prepping the garden for us.

With retreaters, ( Franciscans from Boston and college students from UVM) there is interior work as well and the 

planting season is upon us!

So it's a good thing we attended Divine Mercy Sunday at the National Marian Shrine in Stockbridge, MA, because we need all the Graces we can get!

Over 19,000 were there for Sunday services but it seemed just as crowded when we arrived Saturday.

It rained all the way down to Stockbridge but when we stepped out of the car the rain stopped, when we arrived at the outdoor location for Mass and the Divine Mercy Chaplet started, the sun came out bright and warm!

Mass was very moving as well, and then we had time to visit the Shrine itself, the Chapel; where the drop of blood relic of SAINT John Paul the II  is displayed, the lovely grounds, the life size bronze statue stations of the cross, the Lourdes grotto and then after adoration, off to the Econolodge in Lenox.

The next day there were so many pilgrims heading to the Shrine everyone parked off site, except for the tour buses and took local school buses in. 

Once there, we had time to tour more of the Shrine, visit the gift shop and even go to the confession tent then guard a plot of lawn when the 19,000 plus pilgrims came for 

Divine Mercy Sunday Mass!

It was a very moving weekend, powerful and resonating with Graces abounding for all of us there. I urge you, if you haven't made this pilgrimage to the National Shrine you really should try to attend the event. To learn more visit the website: 

http://www.thedivinemercy.org/mercysunday/ewtn/?page=tdm-home

And plan to go at least once. It was amazing. To be in such as large crowd, where so many languages are spoken from all around the world makes you realize how really universal our Church is. 19,000 plus and everyone I met was happy, at peace and even willing to share food, umbrella's or anything with each other. And if you think communion is tricky at your church, imagine what communion for 19,000 plus was like, even with 65 Eucharistic ministers!

After a long drive, late to bed and then time to gear up fast!

One of the best parts of the whole event was after all that standing in the rain, walking and lack of sleep, my teen age daughter turned to me and said, "Dad can I tell you something about this whole thing." I prepared to explain how important this day was and she continued, "this was really, cool can we do more things like this". That pretty much made my day. 

Once we got back,..the next day was time for my son, Matthew's Confirmation!

Another glorious event where his Godfather drove all the way from Western Connecticut to be his sponsor.

All those pics are on another camera, but we dressed nice and were very happy with how skillfully Monsignor McDermott presided over a wonderful ceremony!

As before, the insulating project continued in full swing immediately the next day, 

THANK YOU Barrett Adams and Northeast Remodeling!

The project was an epic one, masterminded by Barrett.

Such a huge structure over 4,000 square feet, with so many air leaks needed a lot of foam and cellulose to seal up!

The Basement walls began to look like a ride at Santa's Village!

The temps were warm and foam came out hot, working in that spraying suit was a real ordeal!

But Barrett and his crew soldiered on, completing the entire job in under scheduled time.

I highly recommend professional young man for any remodeling or insulating work in the NEK!

He'll be back here for the insulation of the Chapel and other big jobs to come.

The following weekend was a parish family day with fascinating guest speakers, Adoration and Mass at Jay Peak, no pics, by now we were just trying to keep up.

Then, after all these events, came May 10th, my mother's birthday. A day to remember her recent passing with a wonderful memorial service here in our Chapel accompanied by family and friends, 

followed by a reception. 

It was truly a wonderful and blessed event. A Mass coupled with prayers, music and words that shared stories about her life; just a touching way to recall a life well lived and celebrate her.

After such a whirlwind few weeks came Mother's Day and so we took Mom out for fishing and a picnic,..her idea, and a great time!

That's it for now, phew! 

Some local kids from an alternative school are showing up for major garden work in our quest to supply the local food shelves. And as I said retreaters are on the way, Poustinia huts to build in the woods and I think there is a trout in a nearby river with my name on it. 

So for now, God Bless you and we hope to see you soon at

The Mary Theotokos Monastic Center in Newark VT.

"...to Jesus through Mary."