Wednesday, December 14, 2011

THE LORD JESUS IS COMING:

We are already now into the third week of Advent as we continue to look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas.  Advent is a season of anticipation, and also a season of waiting.  We spend a lot of time in our lives waiting for various things.  Perhaps one of the more joyful times of waiting is when parents are waiting for the birth of a child.  Mary too must have looked forward to that with great anticipation.  But, hopefully all of you are looking forward to the coming of our Saviour again on Christmas, 2011.  Obviously Jesus was born over 2000 years ago but he continues to come again and again into our hearts and into our lives.  Every time we turn away from sin we unite ourselves more closely to Jesus Christ.  In a way he is born again into our hearts and into our lives.

Here at Conception we have so far not put up any Christmas decorations, even though they have been up in some stores since Halloween.  We will decorate sometime next week, just days before the feast.  Advent is seen as a time to prepare, not to celebrate Christmas.  Come Christmas eve the monastery and basilica will be fully decorated.  

Although last week was a very cold week, this week seems to be much warmer but it has been cloudy and rainy on most days.  Many jobs continue to be done around here.  As you remember I talked about the bad hail storm we had in August.  Well, we are still busy repairing and replacing roofs.  In this whole area, including Maryville, most people had to replace their roofs.  Since the roofing companies have been so busy a company out of St. Joseph is still working trying to replace some of ours that were damaged.  Right now they are working to replace the copper on the roof of the Health Care Center.

Health Care Center roof being replaced.

They are also presently replacing the roof on the ambulatory -- the enclosed walkway that connects the monastery to St. Joseph Hall and the library.

Ambulatory roof being replaced with hot tar.

They have already repaired roofs on St. Raphael Guest Center, and St. Joseph Hall.  Next spring or summer roofs still have to be replaced on Marian Hall, St. Benedict Hall and the garages.  So you can see that the hail storm was very bad and did a lot of damage.

Work on the guest house is progressing.  Last week no brick work could be done due to the cold weather, but this week they are working and are coming close to finishing the brick work.


December 12, 2011, the front side and main
entrance of the new guest house.  The last
part of the building needing bricks.

Our monks who are away for school -- Brothers Guerric, Victor and Macario at St. Meinrad Archabbey came home last Wednesday, December 7, and Brother Paul who is at St. Vincent Archabbey arrives this evening.  Our own students leave this Friday for three weeks off for Christmas.

God bless you all.