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