OBLATES: This month the Oblates of Saint Benedict will have their monthly meeting on Sunday, 14 June 2009. Please note that this is a change from our normal third Sunday of the month meeting date. New members and inquirers are welcome!  For information, call Father Hilary 973.538.3231 [ext. 2019] or e-mail oblates@osbmonks.org

SUMMER SCHEDULE: During the summer months, the schedule for prayer at the Abbey varies slightly.  Beginning on Monday, 8 June 2009, the schedule for Saturday is observed Monday through Friday, i.e., the Eucharist is celebrated in the morning with Lauds at 7:30 a.m..  Vespers is sung (without Mass) at 5:15 p.m. in the abbey church.  You are always welcome to join the monks for prayer.  Let all guests be received as Christ! (RB 53).  The following is our summer schedule for Sunday:

• Lauds, 7:30 a.m.
• Mass, 11:00 a.m.
• Vespers, 5:15 p.m.

The weekly schedule Monday through Saturday is as follows:

• Lauds with Mass, 7:30 a.m.
• Midday Prayer, 11:50 a.m.
• Vespers, 5:15 p.m.
• Vigils, 7:15 p.m.

FATHER’S DAY: As has been our custom for many years, we will mark this day at the Sunday Eucharist on 21 June 2009 with a special blessing for all fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, and godfathers at the end of Mass.  Congratulations!

SECOND FRIDAY: Come to the abbey church for Adoration & Reconciliation on Friday, 12 June 2009.  Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament is from 3–5 p.m., during which priests will be available for confessions for those who wish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  All are most welcome to attend!

ABBEY RETREAT: The monks of Saint Mary’s Abbey will gather for their annual retreat on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (June 14-17, 2009).  The Very Rev. Dominic Izzo, O.P., provincial of the St. Joseph Province of Dominican Friars, will preach the retreat.  This is an important opportunity for renewal and prayer within the monastic community.  Please keep us in your prayers.

BUON VIAGGIO: Join us as we bid adieu to Father Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B. as he leaves Delbarton to assume his new position as Prior of the Primatial Abbey of St. Anselmo in Rome, Italy.  For the past twenty years Father Elias has coordinated many aspects of our Sunday Eucharist.  Therefore, it is fitting that we bid him farewell at the Sunday Eucharist on 28 June 2009, 11:00 a.m.  A reception will follow the liturgy.  Please reply only for the reception to Roberta Roser at 973.538.3231 [ext. 3042] or e-mail her: rroser@delbarton.org.

GIFT SHOP: During the summer months, the gift shop will the following hours of service:

• Sunday, 12–1:30 p.m.
• Monday–Tuesday, 8:15-11:00 a.m.; 12:30–2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, 8:15-10:30 a.m.
• Thursday - Friday, 8:15–11:30 a.m.
• Saturday: 8:45–11:00 a.m.

Please note that the store will be closed for inventory from June 29 through July 5.  New hours will be posted for July.  For specific items or information, contact Father Patrick at 973.538.3231 [ext. 2105] or e-mail him at Patrick@delbarton.org

PAULINE YEAR: The Year of St. Paul, inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on June 28, 2008, concludes on Monday, June 29, 2009 with the solemnity of the Saints Peter & Paul.  The Pope will return to the Abbey in Rome to conclude the Jubilee Year.  We can participate in the conclusion of this year of grace and blessing by receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, receiving Holy Communion, and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father.  The following is the official jubilee prayer:

Glorious St. Paul,
most zealous Apostle,
Martyr for the love of Christ,
give us a deep faith,
a steadfast hope,
and a burning love for our Lord
so that we can proclaim with you,
“It is not I who live,
but Christ lives in me.”
Help us become apostles
serving the Church
with a pure heart
witnessing to her truth and beauty in the midst of the darkness
of our days. 
With you we praise God our Father, ‘To him be glory in the Church
and in Christ Jesus forever and ever.  Amen!” 

The Benedictines of St. Mary’s Abbey will conclude the Jubilee Year with the celebration of the Eucharist on the solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul, Monday, 29 June 2009,7:30 a.m., and Solemn Vespers.

ABBEY HISTORY: The month of June brings to mind a wide variety of events in the history of the Abbots at St. Mary’s Abbey.  On June 18, 1929 Pope Pius XI granted to Abbot Ernest Helmstetter the privilege of wearing the cappa magna (a long cape formerly worn by prelates).  On June 13, 1975 Abbot Brian Clarke was elected as the our seventh abbot.  On June 27, 1995 Abbot Gerard Lair was elected as our eighth abbot.  On June 25, 1998 Abbot Thomas Confroy was elected as our ninth abbot.  On June 10, 2006 Bishop Arthur Serratelli blessed our tenth and current abbot, the Rt. Rev. Giles P. Hayes, O.S.B.  We have been blessed with such wise and gifted leaders.  Deo gratias!