Brighton Friars’ Christmas Newsletter

NEWS FROM BRIGHTON

When summer was over and our students had finished another school year, I asked Br. Isaiah to write you about his experience in the Dominican Republic. Brs. Isaiah and Moses went off to the Santo Domingo for a total immersion Spanish experience in one of our Monasteries. Here is a report on that experience.

CARMEL IN THE CARIBBEAN BY BR. ISAIAH

“When I was a novice and seemed to have all the time in the world, I checked out a book in Spanish from our monastery library. It turned out to be far too advanced for me, but it made me think, wouldn't it be helpful if I could read Holy Mother and Holy Father in their own language?

Turns out, I wasn't the only one who had that wish. Several of us started having a "Spanish lunch" once a week in the monastery. I read the Bible in Spanish and took my first steps with the Castilian of Saint Teresa (not the easiest author to learn from!). It became a shared goal, and with so many Spanish speaking Catholics in the U.S., it seemed all the more worthwhile.

That is how Br. Moses and I came to spend this past summer in a Carmelite monastery in the Dominican Republic. We were happily sent there for a full immersion, not only in Spanish, but in the Carmel of Latin America. Friars were visiting there from many countries for a month of formation and fraternity. Our Order is blessed to be incarnated in so many diverse cultural settings.

Despite the incredible heat and an unlucky allergy to mangoes, the trip was a great success, not only on the level of Spanish, but also and even more so because it was a chance to meet fellow climbers of Mount Carmel. We all came out of the experience feeling strengthened in our vocation. Br. Moses and I are so grateful and want to express our deepest thanks to all of you for your support and your prayers. Please keep praying for us and be assured that we do for you. ¡Adiós!”

Here are Brs. Isaiah and Moses with the friars in Santo Domingo (from left to right) Friars Hansel (Honduras), Ricardo (Mexico), Juan (Paraguay), Nelson (Nicaragua), Isaiah (USA), Jaime (Colombia), Moses (USA), Daniel (Colombia), Igor (Brazil), Reinaldo (Perú)

REPORTING ON BR. NATHANAEL

Br. Nathanael spent a very busy summer in Brighton making four habits for our Postulants who became Novices this October.

He also reports his work on the grounds here:

“The Red Sox aren't the only ones in Boston with a Green Monster demarcating the boundary of their lawn. Our monastery does, too. Towering more than thirty-feet high, stretching greedy branches and tentacle-like vines through the chain link fence to grasp at the unwary pedestrian, the arborvitae hedge along the sidewalk at the front of our property had become a veritable monstrosity. Yet now it is tame.

Faithful to the Carmelite Rule's exhortation to work, the temporary professed have little by little been restoring our hedge to its proper beauty. Last year, they trimmed it all to an even height. They lopped off the branches growing through the fence, uprooted the vines and pulled them down. This October, they brought the project to near completion when they transplanted periwinkle from our woods to take the place of the vines they had uprooted. As you can see from the picture, the little plants are thriving in their new location.”

REPORT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD

We have lots of neighbors here on Foster Street. We also have wildlife. One character showed up during the day time to watch us all. Our former cook, Shawn Godfrey, took this photo in our driveway.

This coywolf belongs to a small pack of coywolves who live in our woods above the monastery. We have heard their pups attempt to howl like their elders with amusing puppy sounds. They are very wary of us, but have shown some interest in “Jack,” Fr. Donald’s dog.

Fr. Donald (photo below with Jack) has run into them a number of times while walking Jack after dark. But Jack is very safe with Fr. Donald’s protection.

MONASTERY UPDATES

NEW POSTULANT

On November 8th we received another student, but not a simply professed member. His name is Jack Sullivan. He is our only postulant this year. He was sent to be with our seven students so that he will not be alone. He will live and train here until June.

Our former Provincial, Father Michael Berry (photo above) joined us on November 22nd. He is the new Student Director. He replaces Fr. Bonaventure (photo below) who is our new Prior.

We all miss our former Prior, Father Ralph-Elias (photo below) who was Postulant Director here. He has transferred to Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin, our Shrine and Basilica to Mary, Help of Christians. Our house is getting too full for all of us to fit in here.

Our new Provincial, Fr. Daniel Chowning celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with us all.

Front row: Bros. Jonathan Maria, Joseph Teresa, Isaiah, Moses, Nathanael. Middle row: Jack Sullivan, our new Postulant; Fr. Jorge, a guest from Columbia, S.A.; Frs. Leonard, Bonaventure, Daniel, George, Br. John-Magdalene & Fr. Donald. Back row: Br. Vladimir Guadalupe, Frs. Michael, Paul, & Br. Chuck.

During the liturgy, Fr. Provincial invested four of our students:

Br. Joseph Teresa as Lector; Bros. Isaiah, Moses & Nathanael as Acolytes. So, congratulations are in order.

That is all the news for now. I am sorry I could not report on the Halloween pumpkin carving party we had. It was very creative. We ran out of space.

Thank you for your help in supporting these young Carmelites and us old-ones as well.

MASS SCHEDULE & PRAYER REQUESTS

MASS SCHEDULE

You are welcome to attend Mass here at 7:30 AM Monday through Saturday and 8:00 AM on Sundays.

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Masses will be on December 24th at 8 PM and December 25th at 8 AM. You are most welcome to attend.

YOUR PRAYER INTENTIONS

We will remember your personal intentions. We keep your intentions in a book at the door of the chapel so that the friars can remember them in their prayers. If you wish your intentions to be remembered, please send them to us at brightonprayerrequests@gmail.com

MASS CARDS & PERPETUAL MASS UNIONS

We offer online ordering for requesting a Mass, Mass Cards, and Perpetual Mass Unions.

FROM THE PRIOR’S DESK

Greetings to all in this Advent Season. Christmas and Epiphany are just around the corner.

May Our Good God Bless you and your families during Advent and the Christmas Seasons, draw you all deep into the mystery of the Incarnation, the manifestation to the Jews (Shepherds) at Christmas, and beyond that, to the manifestation to the Gentiles at the celebration of the Epiphany (to the Magi)!

Let us continue to meet one another in the Heart of Our Good God in prayer! Have a Holy Christmas and Epiphany!

Friar Father Bonaventure, O.C.D.

Prior of The Espousal of Mary and Joseph Community)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

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Visit our Website brightonfriarsocd.org to learn more.