NorthWest Journal
By
Brother Stavros
Right after the snow
storm that opened February, I visited some friends and benefactors of the
monastery in Seattle: the Henry James family, who have enjoyed German Shepherds
from New Skete for nearly two decades, and Pam and Gary Mauseth, enjoying their
first Shepherd. Pam created the mosaic of St. Francis and the wolf that
visitors now enjoy when they join us at table, and she showed me a new work
just completed for the new Training Center, an art quilt of three saints and
their animal companions.
I
then moved south to Portland and out to the Pacific Coast for a three-day
silent retreat at a little hermitage overlooking the surf at Rockaway Beach at
Twin Rocks Friends Camp. In addition to the obvious spiritual benefit and
renewing seclusion, I was able to enjoy some spectacular hikes among the
gigantic trees of the coastal rain forest, the best of which was a two-and-a-half-mile
trail to the tip of Cape Lookout. At times it bordered vertical drops of some
500 feet to the roiling surf below, just inches from the path, and after days
of rain the sun came out, making the views all the more spectacular.
Driving
back through the coastal mountains, I reached the Trappist Abbey of Our Lady of
Guadalupe near the town of Lafayette, joined the small community for their
midday office, and had the chance to confer with Fr. Todd about their program
for reaching out for vocations. Continuing southeast through Oregon’s rich wine
and hops producing region, I arrived at Mt. Angel, a large Benedictine monastery
of about 50 monks and a college seminary. They provided me with hospitality for
two nights, also the pleasure of singing the Hours with them. Here too I
enjoyed some extended consultation with Fr. Odo, their Vocation Director and Novice
Master.
Back
in Portland I arrived in time to present a day-long Pre-Lenten Day of
Reflection for St. Nicholas Parish, which has a long connection with New Skete.
The Saturday began with Divine Liturgy and breakfast, followed lunch in the
bright and airy parish hall, and a slide presentation stimulating lively
discussions that carried over into the afternoon. The pastor, Fr. George Gray,
and his wife, Daria, first met while on visits to New Skete in the 1970s. Fr.
George was ordained in our Holy Transfiguration church by Metropolitan
Theodosius.
I was invited to give the Gospel reflection at Sunday Liturgy. Following a savory meal prepared by the men of the parish, the members of the Synaxis of St. Nicholas regrouped at the Grays’ house to discuss a new phase in the life of these associates, or long-distance companions of New Skete.
Despite the bad weather buffeting much of the eastern half of the country, my flight home was safe and on time.
Photos from Brother Stavros' visit to the west coast.
