Abbey News

Friday, June 27, 2008

Late Notice
We received word of a change in baking days from our bread distributor only yesterday. Because of the 4th of July we will be baking on Monday rather than on Tuesday next week. That necessitates a change in Mass times: Monday, Mass will be at 4 PM, Tuesday, it will be at 6 AM. For further particulars see our Liturgical Schedule page.

More Bakery News
Speaking of the bakery there have been interesting doings going on over there lately. Fr. Stephen has been diligently experimenting with a new loaf which he finally perfected to everyone's satisfaction. Can't let the 'loaf out of the bag' until it goes on the market sometime in July. Stay tuned. . .

Comings and Goings
This past week we were happy to welcome Br. John Klein, F.M.S. into our midst for a week's monastic retreat. Br. John, who lives with the Marist community in Bayonne, NJ, is provincial of the Order's 200 or so Marist Brothers. The week found him living the full monastic schedule including working in the bakery and kitchen.

Fr. Eugene's aged mother, who lives alone, has become critically ill so it was decided he should go to her home in California to be with her at this time. Br. Gregory has transferred to Holy Spirit Abbey in Conyers, Georgia in view of an eventual change of stability there.

Year of St. Paul

Our Holy Father declared June 2008-June 2009 the year of St. Paul in celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth. We'll be doing various things in the course of the coming year to mark the occasion beginning with Sunday's Mass opening the year. There's an interesting page with further details at Year of St. Paul.

SAINT PAUL PREACHING IN ATHENS

Paul like most of us had his faults and foibles, his personality quirks. He suffered the ignorance and ingratitude of others poorly. He could be deeply upset when people distorted and misrepresented him and his views. He seems to overreact when people question his authority and truthfulness.

But withal he was a great and magnanimous soul with enormous natural and spiritual talents. Once Jesus confronted him and sought his faith, he surrendered completely and gave his faith unreservedly and irrevocably to Christ. The job he felt Jesus assigned him to do, he undertook tenaciously and with great distinction.

For the Risen Lord he became and remained a responsible and energetic Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher, Missionary, Teacher/Pastor, Motivator, Consoler, Theologian, Inspired Writer.

The success of his efforts is evident in subsequent Christian history. His work withstood the test of time; it became and remains normative for most Christians. He was without question a great discovery and acquisition. Jesus was exceptionally well served by Paul.

Paul: His Letters, Message And Heritage
Michael Taylor, SJ