Soli Deo Gloria!
July 18-24, 2011

Retreat and Convocation of BSG

Wappinger Falls,NY

St. Alvernia RC Retreat Center

Well this retreat and convocation came to a close on Saturday, July, 23, 2011. That week always passes quickly.
It is time for all the brothers to attend except those who have been dispensed. They were missed greatly.

It alwats starts at Monday at 5:00 pm with Evening prayer and then supper at 6pm and then the Gathering service at 8:30 pm.

Our schedule at this time is the following:

Mon-Sat

8:00 am breakfast

9:00 am: MorningPrayer
following Daily House meeting
then a workshop

11:40 am: Noon Day prayer

12:00 pm: Lunch

1:15 pm: Eucharist
followed by worhsop, group meetings or free time

5:00 pm: Dinner

6:15 pm: Evening Prayer

following meeetings for some

8:30 pm: Compline

followed by the Rosary( BVM GROUP)

or Jesus Prayer

9:00 pm social hour for all brothers

Thursday am: after Morning prayer, Chapter meeting

Friday at 6:15 pm: Evening prayer with Rites of Admission, Reception and Commissioning of Officials

Saturday am: After Morning prayer: Conversation with Minister General

1:15 pm: Convocation Festival Eucharist and Rites of Profession

followed by celebration with refreshments

5:00 pm: Celebration Supper

Convocation ends with Evening Prayer with Mission Service

All are ok to depart after this service.

Congratulations to Br. Donovan Aidan, BSG for his 25th Anniversary of Profession
Congratulations to the new Postulants: Mr. Harold Slatore, Mr. Eric Shelly, and Mr. Larry Reich

Congratulations to those who made their First Profession:
Br. Blaine-Frederick van Pletzen-Rands, BSG
Br. James Patrick Hall, BSG

Congratulations for those who made their Life Professions:
Br. Enoch John Valentine, BSG
Br. Ron Fender, BSG

Congratulations to new officials: Br. Richard Matthias, BSG, Cellar
Br. Thomas Mark Liotta, BSG, Provincial of Province 2
Br. Thomas Lawrence Greer, BSG, Provincial of Province 4

Br. Willam David Everetts, BSG, Dirctor of Postulants and Novices will retire at the 2012 Convocation and Br. Francis Sebastian Media, BSG will assume this position but ths year he will direct the postulants and will learn the ministry over the year. Congratulations.

I arrived Monday am about 10:30 pm after a 4 hour drive from Harrisburg PA

81 and 84 routes is easy and very beautiful.
The weather all week was very hot and humid.
The air conditioning units at the monastery were working hard in all the rooms of the complex.
The chapel was extremely hot an humid, at times unbearable, but offices and eucharists enable us to continue onward.

The meals were excellent. The chef and his crew were great and there was plenty so we did not neglect anything. Thanks to them.

The Franciscans, Fr. Rock, Michael and the new guardian were gracious hosts and were glad

were were back again to reflect, recharge and pray.

We also had a movie night after the Rosary Thursday Night...a great movie supplied by Our Bishop Visitor, Rt. Rev. Rodney Michel

There was plenty time for relaxation and conversations with many of the brothers I have not seen since last year. I cam away filled with love and refreshed and spiritually renewed.

Every year is special, I ahve been coming to retreats and convcoation since 1979.
I have celebrated 32 years in the community.

For those seeking a "call to religious life" and do not want to enter a monastery, this is the community for you. Read our website, get to know us, discern your vocation in live with a priest and if youy are interested write to our vocation director, Br. Ron Augustine Fox, BSG at
ronfoxbsg@clear.net.

For 32 years, I have been blest with life with in and for Christ, and with all the support of my religious family. Think about your life and see if God is calling you.

Take care and God Bless, Br. Luke Anthony, BSG

Today is July 8, 2011

It is a day after my birthday, I turned 66 years old yesterday.
The time has gone by so fast

in a couple of weeks it will be time for BSG Retreat and Convocation.
I look forward to rejuveniting and renewing my spritual life.

The last couple of weeks has been taken a toll on my brother and I.

First, my therapist, Bill Rugg passed away after seeing him for seven years, and now I need to see a new and start all over, all my!

Second, My brother John as been laid off from his job after 10 years of service.
He lost his benefits and finacially it has put a great strain on our budget.
Third, I am trying to trust and faith in Gof during this, I have been saying the Jesus prayer often each day, saying my daily office and attending a weekly Eucharist and have asked many for prayers for both us.

Today is very hot and humid, calling for thunder storms during the day.
Thank God for air conditioning.

It was great to get so many birthday greetings on face books from BSG, SSG and friends. Once can feel the love that we share with each other.

as they say I keep on trucking each day..to do my best as a religious and knowing that God loves me unconditionally no matter who I am or what I have done.

Soli Deo Gloria

Today is Sunday
June 26, 2011

It is 10:09 am.
The sermon was based on
Psalm 13.
David asking God Why?

and it pertains to our lives that we should trust in God during our illnesses. our troubles, our financial situation, our daily disappointments.

Work for me at The Methodist Church is going ok, still reeling from the salary cut and now my brother is being laid off on JUly 1st.

There was two jobs in the local paper for a church secretary, one for 30 hours and the other for 20 hours.

I am just thankful for my job now.

My rector at my church is now my spiritual director and it is going well.
Hopefully will be more active this fall in my church. He added me to the Spiritual Committee of the Parish.

More news to follow...prayers need always.. Soli Deo Gloria!

St. Francis Reflection Room (small altar)

May 27, 2011
Memorial Day Weekend

Last night, the Harrisburg area was hit with severe storms.
The rain poured sideways with strong winds.
Many areas were hurt very bad. Trees down, electric power out in may areas.
It got so dark and sights of funnel clouds forming were noticed.
Flooding everywhere.
My brother and I were very lucky. Our lights flickered, but it was so scary, loads of lightening also. They expect the same for today.

My life has been in shambles.... spiritually and physically and financially.
I am using this weekend to recoup, pray, reflect and study.
I asked my Pastor, why does God permit this to happen to me? He answered, it is the cross I bear, but my health (mental) happened due to the fact my mother suffered from depression and anxiety.

My job as a church secretary at a Methodist Church is doing ok. I have been there since 2004. The congregation mostly is older members with a few younger families. There income has dwindled due that fact. The total amount of those attending church is roughly about 50 people (and on the books, there is 220 members). So in January 2011, I was told that my hours would be cut from 20 hours to 12 hours and work four days instead of five. Thus, it makes it difficult to
carry on financially, but I try as best as I can to keep up with the bills.

I watch the TV and see the destruction from all over the country and the deaths and what the people have lost. It makes my life so small compared to theirs. My prayers are with them and hope and pray that God will be there for them.

Pentecost Sunday is June 12, 2011. On June 3, 1979, Pentecost Sunday, I was admitted into the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory... Robert Stanley became Br. Luke Anthony. It has been 32 years in this community and 31 years in vows. In 2009, I had my gastric-by-pass revision done and I have maintained my weight at 260lbs.
The doctors are pleased.

Today, I look and touch my profession ring..and am reminded of my commitment to God. Living the life as a Christian and religious. Trying to being a doer instead of a talker.

There are many blessings that I have had and I am grateful To Jesus for that.
I also know that whatever severe sins I have done in my life and earnestly come to Jesus with sorrow and seeking forgiveness. I know he accepts my sincerity and What he had done on Mt. Calvary was his sacrifice for all and for me.

That is the greatest gift that Jesus did for all! Soli Deo Gloria!

Fifth Sunday of Easter

MAY 22, 2011

The raining weather for over the week is finally ended, and we have reached about 19 inches, well over what Harrisburg area woul receive for this year so far. The sun came out yesterday and it was 82..and sun for the next week or so, but it always happen in central PA we are prone to severe thunder showers in the evening.

I had a chance to place some new plants in garden in front of my home. I am glad I did it before the week soaking rain came.

Well my pastor's installation on May 18th in the evening went well. It was of course a heavy down pour of rain that night and flooding all over the area made it diffcult for church members to arrive. There was a good group of people that atetnded. Bishop Baxter was the celebrant. There were about 12 priests from the local churches to be with my pastor. Father Duncan asked me to participate in the service and my job was to be the Gospeller. I have never read the gospel at any service(Eucharistic) and I felt funny, but I did it with much spiritual decorum as possible. It went well. the text was from Luke 10: 1-2.

The New Testament reading was from Romans 12: 1-18. This is my haunting passge that Christ sends to me when I need to hear and read these words to get back on the right road:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sistersm by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual workship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect............."

God has called a good pastor to my church. He has become my spiritual director and we have had a few chats already. My depression/anxiety still overwhelm me and I do not want to leave the safety of home, but with Father Duncan's direction and he seeking me to share his ministry at Mt.Calvary beginning in the Fall.

The Daily Office sustains me each day, at home and at work.
The practice of Christ's presence in all that do in life is essential to being on the right spiritual road to eternal life.

It is so good to write a blog and express my feelings and thoughts on the spiritual life. This year on Pentecost Sunday on June 12th will be my 32nd year in the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory ( I was accpeted on June 3, 1979, Pentecost Sunday) and I will celebrate 31 years in vows this September.

To God be the Glory!

May Our Lady of Poland be with me
St. Gregory sustain me and assist me with the difficuties of life to be transformed or have a conversion experience that you experienced from one of the world to to the one of God;s world.

May 18, 2011

Today will be cause for joy in my church, Mt. Calvary Episcopal Church, in Camp Hill, PA . Our Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Nathan Baxter will officiate this evening at 7:00 pm to install our new pastor The Rev. Duncan Johnson. They are expecting about 250 people, installation/Eucharist and reception in the undercroft afterwards. I was asked to participate in the service and I was asked to read the Gospel. I have met with a few times and I feel the spirituality of this man. He is a blessing to my church and to me as my spiritual director.

Here is bio for those that interested:

CLERGY
The Rev. Duncan H. Johnston


The Rev. Duncan H. Johnston became the rector of Mt. Calvary on January 3, 2011. He formerly served as Rector at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Fremont, Michigan. Rev. Johnston was ordained as a Deacon in 1993 and as a Priest in 1994.

Reverend Johnston has a strong academic background. He graduated from the University of Hull in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology. He then received his Masters of Arts degree in Theology and Mission and Ministry from St. John's Theological College in Nottingham. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry Development from the Virginia Theological Seminary.

Reverend Johnston also has a strong employment history. He spend a year between university and graduate school as a British Youth for Christ team leader, working as a volunteer with inner-city young people in London. He then worked for the UK government as an Executive Officer in the Department of Social Security. Following ordination, Duncan served as Assistant Curate at a large suburban parish, a Vicar in 2 rural parishes. At this time he was also appointed as the Diocesan Evangelism Officer by his Bishop, and charged with helping parishes communicate the Christian Faith in their surrounding communities. He then served as Diocesan Missioner in the Diocese of Durham, UK, before moving to Western Michigan to serve as Rector at St. John the Evangelist. During this time, Duncan served as chaplain at four nearby medical facilities.

Reverend Johnston has made numerous contributions throughout his career on a Diocesan level, chairing and serving on various committees and commissions. He has also pursued continuing education opportunities throughout his career, focusing on growth in the areas of preaching, pastoral care and church leadership and management.

Reverend Johnston and his wife Cindy visited Mount Calvary from October 28th-31st, and met with the Vestry on the evening of October 30th. He was introduced to parishioners at both services on October 31st, and was our guest at Coffee Hour.

May 7, 2011 " Feast of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr
It is sunny and about 58 degrees at 9:38 am

From the daily reading from the "Henri Nouwen " website:

"Right Living and Right Speaking"

To be a witness for God is to be a living sign of God's presence in the world. What we live is more important tham what we say. becuase the right way of living always leads to the right way of speaking. When we forgive neighbors from our hearts, our hearts will speak forgiving words. When we are grateful, we will speak grateful words, amd when we are hopeful and joyful, we will speak hopeful and joyful words.

When our words come too soon and we are not yet living what we are saying, we easily give double messages. Givind double messages- one with our words and another with our actions- makes us hypocrites. May our our lives give us the right words and may our words leads to right life.

ALSO

"Taking Up Our Crosses"

Jesus says: "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him.....take up his cross and follow me"(Matthew 16:24) He does not say: "Make a Cross" or "Look for a cross." Each of us has a cross to carry. There is no need to make one or look for one. The cross we have is hard enough for us! But we are willingto take it up, to accpet it as our cross?

Maybe we can't study. maybe we are handicapped. maybe we suffer from depression, maybe we experience conflict in our families, maybe we are victims of violence or abuse. We didn't choose any of it, but these things are our crosses. We can ignore them. reject them, refuse them or hate them. But we can also take up these crosses and follow Jesus with them.

"One brother wrote me on Friday after ASh Wednesday 2006"

When I think of you I find a man of contradictions. You are so prayerful and so concerned for others, yet seems to be a sense of uncertianity in regard to your own self. (I can sometimes identify with those feelings. Both you and I often forget who is in charge of our lives.) I want you to know that I see you as my Brother who loves Christ and His church and His saints above everything else; who loves the Blessed Virgin; who has earned a place of love and respect within our Community: who loves spending time in study, prayer and contemplation. I admire these qualities very much. So today I pray that God will continue to bless your Lenten preparation; that you will feel the arms of christ ever around you and caressing you as his child and providing you with every gift that life has to offer both in this world and in our eternal life of His ressurection.

Personal comments:

As you look at the above picture, it is the "Profession Cross".

1. Profession
2. Right Living and Right Speaking
3. Carrying our crosses
4. Thoughts of what brother thought of me.

1)Profession is made directly to God in the presence of the community. The Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for life are taken. Besides these, our commitment to follow "The Rule of the Brotherhood of Gregory for Life". Knowing from experience of being in a monastic community, living a religious life is easier to live but your life is a constant flow from the time you arise in the morning through the daily office, meditation, study, work, meals until the end of the day. In a modern comtemporary community like BSG, life as religious is much harder to live. I live in the secular world: work, shopping, owing a home, bills, etc. so that having some schedule for saying the daily office, prayer, meditation and study and being of service as a brother in our local church or...... My personal life when I became a Brother is a "transformation" or " conversion" or "a deeper commitment to God. Brothers in BSG are involved with relationships and families which adds more difficulty, but for me being single, should be easier for me to live a good spiritual life.

2) Right Living and Right Speaking: In my experience of being in various churches, I have heard from former rectors and members of how I changes their lives with my presence of love concern and spirituality. For me, it is difficut to see what they see, all I see is "a contradition", " a very sinful man". The outer me shows a brother and my words speak as one, the inner me shows like I said a contradiction and a very sinful man with no actions to back that up. In order to be Christian, by living the Baptismal Vows which are enhanced by my take my profession vows, there has to be words and actions. Life should be lived fully and in the presence of Jesus Christ, Living as "What Would Jesus do" mentality. The road to being with Christ is long and hard at times. Each day is another day to make positive steps in the spiritual life, but there are days where are negative steps where I fall down and just showing the human side of my life. For me it is a constant concentrating on "The Practice of Jesus all through my day".

3) Caring our crosses: Henri Nouwen really spoke about this. Yes, I suffer from depression and anxiety and I talke three different medications, but most days, I slip ang deeper into depression and aniety hits and I want to seclude myselfm from the world and stay at home and not go anywhere. This is my cross to bear. I need to accep the fact that illness will be there and getting better is a slow process. I have to have the courage and trust to bear the cross just as Jesus carried his cross to Calvary. He fell three times, but I constantly fall, fall deep and it takes me longer to get up and began to carry that cross again

4) What a bother thought me: I have already mentioned some of that in the above. The Br. Luke and MR. Luke need to be complete as one and to live the life of a Brother with words and actions.
This is not for what people will say about me, but for me to know that my Life is For Christ, With Christ and In Christ.

Life continues.....prepartion for returning to our true home, eternal life with my departed brothers and sisters and associates, with Godm Our lady and my family members.

May this day be one of success with Christ walking with me. God bless all!