September 17, 2020DEAR FRIENDS,
Last weekend at the RCH was very intense and rich: we had the Fall Volunteer Work Day on Saturday, and the Blessing of the new Stations of the Cross on Sunday. Here’s a short account:
On Saturday we had nearly 30 people coming to help again at the RCH. The famous steps leading from the “Patience” cabin to the Dome House were at last finished, the tree which destroyed the old outdoor chapel was chainsawed and split (I think there is firewood enough for two winters now!), and the last heaps of wood waste mulched and chipped. Many thanks to Steve Hyatt for offering the traditional burritos breakfast, and for grilling steaks for lunch together with Bill Scelza! Thank you to Erv Guzman, the steps project’s foreman, Tom Kaiser, the RCH Director of Operations, for organizing again the event, Darin Gilliland for bringing his splitter and splitting the wood the entire day, and the RCH neighbor Paul Lucci for lending his much chipper! And, of course, thank you to all the other helpers who chainsawed, built the steps, cleaned the area, carried the wood, planted flowers, and made this day a success – may the Good Lord repay you all hundredfold! Please click here or on the photo below to see the photos. The next day there were over 40 people coming for the Sunday Mass and the Blessing of the new Stations of the Cross, leading from the gate of the property all the way to the Mass Rock! I should say I’ve never seen such a crowd at the RCH! I would like to renew my deep gratitude to all those who helped to make this dream come true in such a short time – my own brother Justin who donated wood and stain, José Quezada who crafted the crosses, the anonymous donors who just in 2 days fundraised for the purchase of the Stations themselves, Mitch Berg who drilled the holes for the crosses, and Tony Knepp with the amazing Scelza family “squad” – Bill, Beatriz, Dominic, Oliver and Ben, for “planting” the crosses even under the cold rain! I am sure the Lord and His Blessed Mother have blessed and will continue to bless them for their dedication and gift of themselves to create this “devotional trail,” which will serve our guests not only for the body fitness, but also – and especially – for that of the soul! Please click here or on the photo below to see the photos. |
For those who were not able to attend this amazing event: the Meditations on the Stations of the Cross booklet is, of course, still available on Amazon, just click here or on the booklet cover photo – and if you want a signed copy, you know where to find the author! As a reminder, all profits go exclusively to the maintenance and development of the RCH – so, if you like it, please share about it with your friends and family, your parish pastors and staff (they may want to have something “new” for the Lenten Stations of the Cross in your parish, won’t they?), and rate the booklet on the Amazon page here!
Thank you, Lord, thank you, Blessed Mother – may Your Love and Peace clothe us all in these times of uncertainty - and of Hope! Br. Francis of the Child Jesus, Steward |
Subscribe for Updates
Please sign up for newsletters
and occasional updates (such as about open retreats).
You can unsubscribe at any time via the link found at the bottom of every email.
