Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy Easter Season!  Don’t forget that the liturgical Easter season continues all the way until Pentecost Sunday, May19.  

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The practical aspect is that it falls on the last time on which we meet this year (the third Sunday being May 19). So note that the community Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. rather than 9:00 a.m. (The Mass in the cemetery chapel will be as usual 12:00 p.m.)  As far as the lay order schedule goes, all is normal 12:00 p.m. on (lunch, adoration, talk), so the only difference will be that the formation class will not take place (normally at 10:45 a.m.).  I am simply canceling it, since the theme for this year has been ongoing formation.

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Note that on all other Sundays, Mass will continue to be at 9:00 a.m. (as I was told some thought it was a permanent change in schedule).

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If you missed any of the afternoon talks this year (i.e. since September) I ask if you would please listen to it (which is available on the computer, as Paul kindly shows us with his emails).  The reason is that understanding what it means to be a Norbertine is very important, and thus is why I had this year be one of ongoing formation (at the request of many of the members).

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At the meeting this month (May) those who are at the end of the first year of formation will be receiving the small white scapular, beginning officially their time of being in the novitiate. This will take place immediately after exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (1:30 p.m. in the church).

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An act of consecration to Mary (St. Maximilian’s) will be recited with the prayers we pray in the assembly hall. A rosary will be prayed with the community (after 4:20 p.m. None).  Solemn Vespers of Eastertime will follow that at 5:00 p.m.

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Please note the following solemnities of this month (May):

- Dedication of Abbey Church - Saturday, May 4

- Ascension - Thursday, May 9

- Corpus Christi - Thursday, May 30‍

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On all three days: Morning Office is at 5:45 a.m., Mass is at 10:00 a.m. (one Mass only)

On Corpus Christi, there will also be the procession at Vespers (5:00 p.m.)

Check the abbey schedule on this web site in case of any last minute changes.

During the Summer I will still put out notes for you on this site. However keep you reyes on our calendar on the abbey website to see when the events are (ordinations, etc.).

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One last note is that I will be offering a class every Friday (unless noted otherwise) from August 16 to the Summer (and hopefully another class will continue the following school year as well).  The topic is that of spirituality / prayer (with practical application).  This year I will have an introduction for the topic and then center on the teachings of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross (bringing St. Therese in as well). One point is that it will be a series of classes and not merely a numberof independent talks, showing the importance of not missing many of the classesas one leads to the other.

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May God bless you.

Br Mark
charlesworth.mark@gmail.com