07/07/08
June was an exciting month for us. Our four librarians from the USA came to assist us in our long-term project of cataloguing the many donations of books we receive. (take a look at their blog site for more information). Duncan Stroik, the architect working on the inside of the new church, also came for a few days to give us updated designs.
At the end of June, Fr Cassian and I travelled to New Hampshire for the Sedes Sapientiae Foundation annual board meeting. The Board showed great enthusiasm for the capital campaign we are about to begin and helped us form many good proposals to secure the finances of the rapidly growing community. After the board meeting we travelled to Stamford CT along with some of the board members for the Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul. Fr Cassian gave a talk on the liturgy called Continuity and the Council: Vatican II and Pope Benedict XVI. Then he offered the High Mass at St John the Evangelist Church and Br Benedict preached. The Mass featured lovely music from Palestrina and an altar boy squad 20 men strong!
After the Mass, the Marchetti family hosted a fundraising luncheon at their excellent restauarant Columbus Park. Many old friends were in attendance along with new ones. The event was a great help towards the ordinary expenses of the monastery -now for 15 hungry monks!
As I write we are 1 week into our English language vocation discernment program. There are 3 participants this year. One comes from England, the other two from Virginia and Connecticut in the US. We are also running a one week vocation experience for Italians for the first time this year. 8 young men ages 10-22 have come from Sardegna and Milan to experience monastic life with us. Italian vocations are very scarce. Please pray with us that this initiative sews a seed for a later harvest.
Ever thankful for your prayers and generosity
Br Benedict Nivakoff, OSB