No ... I'm back in Indy, but with more snow that I saw in either Finland or Switzerland. Over the course of last night and this morning, we got over ten inches of snow ... lovely. It was supposed to continue through midday, but actually let up by late morning. This afternoon, the sun is shining through scattered clouds. Needless to say, the city was pretty well shut down today.
The trip home was uneventful. The flight from Zurich to Chicago wasn't completely full, and I was fortunate enough to have an empty seat beside me. I watched two movies and did some work on an upcoming project. Yesterday I unpacked, did some laundry, went through the mail, and started to get caught up on things. The snow day today provided for another relaxed day to just putz around nad tend to odds 'n ends. One of the things I need to do soon is transfer my photos off the camera and onto a CD, and see which ones I want to print off.
But for now, I've got a big pot of chili on for supper ...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Winding down
Just got out of Mass for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. The Abbot presided and preached (I actually understood a few words) there was a large mixed choir of men and women (from the surrounding area, I guess) and a brass quintet. It was definitely a High Mass. I didn't even mind my cold nose and ears. On this Feast of St. Paul, I especially prayed for all the folks of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral Parish in Indy.
The sky is a clear blue and the sun is shining brightly.
This afternoon I'm gonna make one more swing through the Monastery Gift Shop, then start to pack.
In the morning, I'll probably attend Lauds "in civvies" so I can head for the train station right after. I want to get to the airport plenty early to request an exit row seat, or maybe even an upgrade ... anything to get a little more leg room. I fly Zurich to Chicago, then Chicago to Indy. If all goes according to plan, I'm supposed to be in Indy around 8:30pm, which will be 1:30am "body time." It will be a long day.
My visit to the Mutterabtei has been everything I wanted and needed it to be ... restful, prayerful and educational. I'm grateful for the opprtunity, the permission and the means to make it happen.
So having drunk deeply of the monastic tradition here, I head back to the parish for a few more months. The plan is that I'll return to Saint Meinrad around the first of July. As for what I'll be doing then ... God knows... the Abbot isn't telling and I'm not asking ... there's plenty for me to do till then.
The sky is a clear blue and the sun is shining brightly.
This afternoon I'm gonna make one more swing through the Monastery Gift Shop, then start to pack.
In the morning, I'll probably attend Lauds "in civvies" so I can head for the train station right after. I want to get to the airport plenty early to request an exit row seat, or maybe even an upgrade ... anything to get a little more leg room. I fly Zurich to Chicago, then Chicago to Indy. If all goes according to plan, I'm supposed to be in Indy around 8:30pm, which will be 1:30am "body time." It will be a long day.
My visit to the Mutterabtei has been everything I wanted and needed it to be ... restful, prayerful and educational. I'm grateful for the opprtunity, the permission and the means to make it happen.
So having drunk deeply of the monastic tradition here, I head back to the parish for a few more months. The plan is that I'll return to Saint Meinrad around the first of July. As for what I'll be doing then ... God knows... the Abbot isn't telling and I'm not asking ... there's plenty for me to do till then.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday evening
Yesterday afternoon's rain turned to sleet then to snow, but there wasn't much accumulation overnight. Late in the evening there were fierce winds, but turned out to be all sound and little snow. Cloudy today.
This morning I went exploring some other parts of the village, and found another grocery store, which of course I explored carefully. I was out looking for an Einsiedeln t-shirt, but none werre to be found. The tourist office had one, but it was very plain and I wasn't gonna pay the money.
This afternoon I got a special tour of the church with Father Wolfgang. He's in his 80's now, and was Guestmaster here for over 34 years ... he is well known to any monks of Saint Meinrad who ever passed through Einsiedeln in the last 50 years. I had asked him if he'd walk through the church with me, since I had some questions about things, and he was pleased to oblige. We made an appointment for 3:15, so I made sure to be there by 3:12 ...he was waiting. (StM Monks will understand the significance of that.) His memory is sharp, his English fluent, and he spits out pieces of history with ease. It was a very enjoyable time. He told me the other day that he's been undergoing treatment for bone cancer, but seems to be holding his own for now.
Supper last night was interesting ...at first I thought it was gonna be something like french toast ... not quite. It was toasted slices of bread soaked in warmed, spiced red wine. It was accompanied by a very nice rice pudding. Supper is the light meal here anyway, and Friday is traditionally a pentitential day, but this was ... well ... an interesting take on both. The midday meal was somewhat puttanesca (chunks of tuna with tomatoes, onions and olives) without the pasta ... quite tasty.
They eat alot of bread and cheese here ... brown breads with wodnerful crust, and a variety of hard cheeses. It will be hard to find bread like this at home, and the Cathedral Rectory food budget can't afford the cheeses (at least regularly) so I'm enjoying it while I got it.
This morning I went exploring some other parts of the village, and found another grocery store, which of course I explored carefully. I was out looking for an Einsiedeln t-shirt, but none werre to be found. The tourist office had one, but it was very plain and I wasn't gonna pay the money.
This afternoon I got a special tour of the church with Father Wolfgang. He's in his 80's now, and was Guestmaster here for over 34 years ... he is well known to any monks of Saint Meinrad who ever passed through Einsiedeln in the last 50 years. I had asked him if he'd walk through the church with me, since I had some questions about things, and he was pleased to oblige. We made an appointment for 3:15, so I made sure to be there by 3:12 ...he was waiting. (StM Monks will understand the significance of that.) His memory is sharp, his English fluent, and he spits out pieces of history with ease. It was a very enjoyable time. He told me the other day that he's been undergoing treatment for bone cancer, but seems to be holding his own for now.
Supper last night was interesting ...at first I thought it was gonna be something like french toast ... not quite. It was toasted slices of bread soaked in warmed, spiced red wine. It was accompanied by a very nice rice pudding. Supper is the light meal here anyway, and Friday is traditionally a pentitential day, but this was ... well ... an interesting take on both. The midday meal was somewhat puttanesca (chunks of tuna with tomatoes, onions and olives) without the pasta ... quite tasty.
They eat alot of bread and cheese here ... brown breads with wodnerful crust, and a variety of hard cheeses. It will be hard to find bread like this at home, and the Cathedral Rectory food budget can't afford the cheeses (at least regularly) so I'm enjoying it while I got it.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Have I mentioned ...
...that there is no heat in the Abbey Church of Maria Einsiedeln? I don't mean the heat isn't working ... I mean there IS NO HEAT in the church... EVER. One can literally see one's breath when singing or reciting. I saw a thermometer today that said 10 degrees celsius ... so that's what, somewhere in the low 40's? Given my high tolerance for cool and cold temperatures, I haven't found it too bad ... until today. By the end of Mass my feet were getting cold and my nose and ears were quite cold. It puts a new spin on "old world charm." But I'm still loving it.
I'm really enjoying the food here ...with traditional monastic style service at meals, there is a certain portion control in effect, but that's OK. I could get used to this style of meals, and would greatly benefit from the imposed portion control. I lament our loss of the family style meal in the Monastery at home ... with regular buffet service it's much too easy to eat too much, and I do.
The fare here is very simple and very flavorful. I have yet to salt my food ... and those who know me understand the significance of that.
I'm supposed to meet Brother Edward at the stables in a bit. Alas, this afternoon it is raining, but I hear more snow is coming. I hope, I hope, I hope ....
I'm really enjoying the food here ...with traditional monastic style service at meals, there is a certain portion control in effect, but that's OK. I could get used to this style of meals, and would greatly benefit from the imposed portion control. I lament our loss of the family style meal in the Monastery at home ... with regular buffet service it's much too easy to eat too much, and I do.
The fare here is very simple and very flavorful. I have yet to salt my food ... and those who know me understand the significance of that.
I'm supposed to meet Brother Edward at the stables in a bit. Alas, this afternoon it is raining, but I hear more snow is coming. I hope, I hope, I hope ....
Thursday, January 22, 2009
All is bright
A glorious crisp, sunny day. I was out walking in the village this morning, hitting a couple of grocery stores ... one more like our small city supermarkets, the other not unlike the OLD Modern Store in Saint Meinrad. I picked up a few things to snack on in my room these next days. Got lots of pics as I came back up around the monastery.
One of the monks is gonna take me through the stables tomorrow and show me his favorite horses. He has a broad interest in things hooved, and is a member of the Swiss Mule Society.
I'm inclined not to make any side trips this time ... I'm quite content just to hang out and absorb. And, since I'm on holiday (as they say) take naps.
One of the monks is gonna take me through the stables tomorrow and show me his favorite horses. He has a broad interest in things hooved, and is a member of the Swiss Mule Society.
I'm inclined not to make any side trips this time ... I'm quite content just to hang out and absorb. And, since I'm on holiday (as they say) take naps.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Elegance
Saint Meinrad Day at the Mother Abbey has been a grand experience. They do it up right, all with elegant style and nothing is ever overdone. Good church. Good food. Gracious hospitality with "old world charm". Too much to go into here.
For Second Vespers I was an Assistant to Abbot Martin. (We were ordained Deacons together at Saint Meinrad when he was a student with us.) It was an honor to be asked and a BIG thrill. At the end of Vespers, the silver reliquary which contains St. Meinrad's skull was carried in procession through the Church to the Lady Chapel for the Salve Regina. Then the procession with the Relic moves back through the Church to the Altar area. All this processing is done while responding to polyphonic invocations sung by the Schola. Awesome.
When I logged on to check the email a bit ago I found word that Brother Stephen Shidler died this morning at Saint Meinrad. Stevie lived in the Infirmay just below my room in the Monastery. I had helped take care of him when I worked in the Infirmary before my Sabbatical, and would always stop by to see him whenever I was home from Indy. God rest his soul ... Needless to say, I will miss the funeral, but will lift him up before God from here.
There was light snow on and off through the day, but this evening the skies have cleared a bit. I have no idea what the forecast is, and I don't care ... I'm just enjoying what we got as we get it.
For Second Vespers I was an Assistant to Abbot Martin. (We were ordained Deacons together at Saint Meinrad when he was a student with us.) It was an honor to be asked and a BIG thrill. At the end of Vespers, the silver reliquary which contains St. Meinrad's skull was carried in procession through the Church to the Lady Chapel for the Salve Regina. Then the procession with the Relic moves back through the Church to the Altar area. All this processing is done while responding to polyphonic invocations sung by the Schola. Awesome.
When I logged on to check the email a bit ago I found word that Brother Stephen Shidler died this morning at Saint Meinrad. Stevie lived in the Infirmay just below my room in the Monastery. I had helped take care of him when I worked in the Infirmary before my Sabbatical, and would always stop by to see him whenever I was home from Indy. God rest his soul ... Needless to say, I will miss the funeral, but will lift him up before God from here.
There was light snow on and off through the day, but this evening the skies have cleared a bit. I have no idea what the forecast is, and I don't care ... I'm just enjoying what we got as we get it.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Schnee
I arrived at the Mother Abbey just in time for Abendessen (Supper) yesterday (Monday). It had been a long day of travelling, so I was in bed early and slept very well.
Much to my delight, I found it to be snowing steadily when I arose for Lauds this morning ... and it snowed most of the day. I took lots of pictures when I was out walking this afternoon.
Tomorrow is the Solemnity of Saint Meinrad, which is, of course, a major feast day here. I am looking forward to seeing how they do things up.
This will have to be short ... almost time for Abendessen.
Much to my delight, I found it to be snowing steadily when I arose for Lauds this morning ... and it snowed most of the day. I took lots of pictures when I was out walking this afternoon.
Tomorrow is the Solemnity of Saint Meinrad, which is, of course, a major feast day here. I am looking forward to seeing how they do things up.
This will have to be short ... almost time for Abendessen.
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