Saturday, September 17, 2016

SAULT STE. MARIE PRIEST RETREAT - CONTINUED


ONE GREAT WEEK IN THE WOODS OF CANADA

At the Laurentian Lodge on Elliot Lake


see September 9th post below



The bishop and his priest pose for a photo. 



We were truly out in the woods. We saw one bear prowling outside the dining room.
Everything was great except the internet. 


A stream flows into the lake outside the lodge. 


Evening sunset outside my room.


Every night Father Patrick built a fire for us to sit around, tell stories and roast marshmallows and hot dogs. It's a tradition.


Morning Prayer


Right side


Left side


Two of the Nigerian priests. Like most dioceses today, the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is multicultural with several priest from Africa and India.



Laurentian Lodge (rear)



Laurentian Lodge (front)

Friday, September 16, 2016

ONE OF MY STUDENTS MAKES GOOD!


THERE IS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
Abbey of the Incarnation
in
Agbang in the French speaking country of Togo
AFRICA

becomes an independent abbey and elects its first abbot, Abbot Romain Botta OSB


Incarnation Abbey was the the idea of Brother Boniface Tiguila who wanted to see a more "Africanized" Benedictine Monastery in Togo. With the help of the Benedictines of Saint Ottilien in Germany, Incarnation Priory (dependent on another abbey) was established in 1985 and raised to the status of Incarnation Abbey (independent abbey) in 2016.



Saint Ottilien Archabbey in Emming, (southern) Germany



Abbot Romain Botta, OSB

I had the pleasure of teaching then Brother Romain at St. Meinrad Seminary during his last semester. He was a student in my Transition Into Pastoral Ministry class. He was once an Olympic volleyball player for the national team, I once heard.  


I believe he is wearing the cross that I gave to the then Prior as a gift on the occasion of Father Romain's ordination to the priesthood. It was a gift that looked forward to the day when they would elect their first abbot. Who knew then that it would be Father Romain himself? 



I have taught several monks from the two monasteries in Togo that send monks to St. Meinrad for seminary.




TOGO - small French speaking country (in pink) inside the blue circle.



The Monastery of the Incarnation



The monastic community processing into church.



The community gathers for a photos after the election of the new abbot.



Exterior of newly blessed Abbey Church



Interior of the newly dedicated abbey church.



Bell Tower



The community gathers in the Chapter Room for educational events, retreats and community business.




Chapter Room with Monastery and Bell Tower in the background



The Benedictine monks of the Abbey of the Incarnation at prayer.



Native instruments are used in the liturgies of the monastery.



Three Benedictine Brothers  from two Abbeys in Togo are now studying at St. Meinrad Seminary.
Brother Cajetan on the left and Brother Justin on the right are from the Monastery of the Ascention. Brother David in the center is from the Monastery of the Incarnation (above). 

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

HELP ME - SECOND APPEAL

HELP ME GET THE OFFICE AREA DONE BY CHRISTMAS


For the last two years, I have been working to establish a program in which retired priests, bishops and professional lay people  can offer their talents, connections and resources to the mission churches of the Caribbean. I believe this program will enrich the lives of those who offer themselves, as well as that part of the church which could use some help. 

One of the biggest needs that I identified in my first four trips is a place to receive the volunteers while they offer their services. The Diocese of Kingstown has such a place in its Pastoral Centre, but the whole building is in great need of maintenance and updating.  It houses the bishops residence, the diocesan offices, a chapel, meeting rooms and about eight guest rooms. 

The areas I want to focus on immediately are my own CATHOLIC SECOND WIND GUILD headquarters (bedroom/office, bathroom and entrance). The other area is a new chapel. The old chapel is really a large closet that holds about 6-8 people. The third area is the guest room area.








I want to fund the headquarters before Christmas. To do so, I will present two parish missions and five priest retreats this fall.  I hope to raise about $15,000 personally, but I am going to need some help.

I have been given another $6,000 by some friends.

While the committee down there is working to get bids on the work itself, I am estimating that it will cost a minimum of $50,000. Everything in the islands is double what it costs here because everything has to be imported. 

With $21,000 down and $29,000 to go, I am almost halfway there!

Help me build an organization that has the potential of bringing in many more retired volunteers willing to offer their services and expertise to build up the church struggling in the islands.

I believe it can be done, somehow, before Christmas ---  and the chapel before Easter! I am hoping the guest room area can fall in there somewhere soon.





If you want to be part of this miracle, contact me.
1-502-303-4571
jrknott@bellsouth.net


GUEST ROOM AREA
There are about eight guest rooms that are used for retreats guests, for diocesan guests and for priests and others from the outer islands when they come in to see the bishop or attend diocesan meetings. These rooms could also be used by Catholic Second Wind Guild volunteers when they go to SVG to work on projects.

Our vision is to make the rooms simple and clean, as well as more workable, inviting and comfortable.










CHAPEL



The present chapel seats about six people and is really a windowless closet in the center of the pastoral center. 




This seldom-used end of a large gathering room will be walled off for a new chapel with a glass wall.














This is what we hope it will look like when finished.
The name is negotiable with a major donor.



The doors can be opened all the way back, the furniture turned, to add many more chairs when a large group is expected.



The new chapel would take advantage of the breath-taking ocean view in front and a prayer balcony to the left.

Monday, September 12, 2016

INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY

CHEF DEAN CORBETT

Every other Wednesday, local Chef Dean Corbett cooks a special dinner for the residents of Marian Hall at Nazareth Home and their family guests. 

On Wednesday, August 31, I volunteered to assist him in the kitchen and dining room. I plan to return when I am in town. I normally visit my friend, Jack, on the week ends as well. His generosity is truly amazing. He has four restaurants and a family, but manages to do this too. 




Nazareth Home's Marian Hall Dining Room prepared for Guests



CHEF DEAN CORBETT'S RESTAURANTS
Try them all! They are wonderful! 







CORBETT'S
 5050 Norton Health Care Blvd



EQUUS and JACK'S 
122 Sears Avenue



WARD 426
426 Baxter Avenue

Sunday, September 11, 2016

DIOCESE OF SAULT STE. MARIE PRIEST RETREAT

I'm Headed Up To
Where Canada and the United States Meet



Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (left), Soo Locks and International Bridge (center) and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (right) with St. Mary's River in the background.



Bishop Marcel Damphousse
Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada



The Presbyterate of Sault Ste. Marie at an Ordination

RETREAT BEGINS TOMORROW AND ENDS FRIDAY
September 12-16, 2016

To be updated on Thursday at 3:00 pm