February 17, 2013
ABBEY NEWS
February 17, 2012
Lenten Books
In keeping with that most Benedictine of practices, Lenten reading as outline in St. Benedict's Rule, During this time of Lent each one is to received a book from the library, and is to read the whole of it straight through. These books are to be distributed at the beginning of Lent (RB 48:15, 16) our Lenten books were distributed to each of us at the beginning of this morning’s chapter meeting. To help enhance the importance of this practice Lenten reading is a community exercise beginning shortly after supper until Compline.
Choir Practice
The next item on this morning’s chapter agenda was choir practice by our neighbor from Geneseo, Glenn McClure. It has been ages since we’ve had a practice and so a good bit of fine tuning is in order. At this point in the development of our choir (or lack thereof) it was thought to be a good and even necessary idea to bring in a professional musician to help us along. When contacted Glenn graciously agreed to share his expertise with us. 
Glenn McClure is a composer and university professor. Glenn's acclaimed “Kyrie” from St. Francis in the Americas: A Caribbean Mass has enjoyed multiple performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and more. His work has also gained audiences in Mexico, Italy, Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The St. Olaf Choir (under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong) performed the “Kyrie” at the culminating concert of the 2002 World Symposium of Choral Music. His oratorio, The Starry Messenger was featured on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” He teaches at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and in the Ella Cline School of Education, State University of New York at Geneseo.
Glenn's main compositional interest lies in the mixing of classical music with ethnic music traditions. His work is published by Earthsongs (www.earthsongsmus.com) and Roger Dean Publishers (www.lorenz.com).
We profited much from this initial session and look forward to the next one which will be next Sunday.
Regional Meeting
This Wednesday Abbot Gerard and Fr. Justin will head out to the Abbey of New Melleray in Iowa for the Regional Meeting of all U.S Trappist communities. The purpose of the meeting is to help prepare the agend for the next General Chapter. Each community sends its superior and an elected delegate and for this meeting Fr. Justin was elected. They will return the following Wednesday, February 20th.
Looking Ahead
Come Sunday, April 7th, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, our Sunday and Solemnity Masses will begin at 9:30 AM rather than 9:45 as at present.
|
Lectio Notebook The experience of compunction is basically an experience of spiritual awakening. It provides the motivation for conversion to God, with the necessary rejection of sin and of whatever is less than the Creator. The alternation of different experiences of compunction purifies the heart’s self-centeredness and gradually configures it to the image and likeness of Christ the Lord. They can be easily interpreted as manifestations of the “good zeal” of Christ the Bridegroom. He corrects and encourages us by means of his Word, which we confront in lectio divina. His Word acts like a mirror of what the person is and what he or she can become through divine grace. Christ, the Spouse of every Christian, is purifying those he loves so as to prepare them for deep fellowship with him in a single spirit. The Sun at Midnight |
|
Visit our On-Line Store at monksbread.com. |
