Christmas 2011

This has been a time of many confessions. The usual rush before Christmas, both at the friary and in local parishes, plus many after-Christmas confessions: people sincerely contrite, struggling to live a more Christ-centered life. One of the friars left an interesting book in the confessional, but every time I tried to read one sentence yesterday, the door closed, someone else had come in for confession.

The book was a 1959 classic by Jaroslav Pelikan, the Lutheran minister who much later joined the Orthodox Church: The Riddle of Roman Catholicism. He makes the point that we should not simply perpetuate stereotypes from centuries past, but look at Roman Catholicism as it really is, as it is today. Of course, from the book's vantage, today is actually our 1959, before Vatican II; still, there is much in the book of current merit. Ultimately, our faith is an entry into a relationship--with God and Church. By understanding the history of the Christian Church, we understand better why we do the things we do, why certain relationships, roles, and actions are important.

As this Christmas has been a time of many confessions which I am not able to discuss, so this year has been a time of travel which I am able to discuss. My first trip to New York City proper, a rainy walk through Central Park and a mystifying meandering through the streets of a very polite Manhattan. Parish missions in New York and Ohio, Franciscan meetings in Chicago, visits in Wisconsin and Michigan, retreat at Holy Transfiguration Skete in the Upper Peninsula, a chance to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my former parish near Pittsburgh, and a myriad of parishes for help or talks, including St Joseph Melkite Church in Scranton.

I'm also trying to channel the talents of Dorothy Sloan, an old family friend and book dealer. I've been delegated to run the friary used book sale. Getting books and setting up is easy, but dispensing of the leftovers has been problematic. But for Christmas, I've been packing up paperback books to take to a local prison for their library. May God grant the people there peace and good. I hope our gift is helpful.

Amidst the usual types of books (childrens, fiction, sports, health, art, religion, ...) there are also many books on agriculture, military, ships, aircraft, car repair, old radio/tv/telephone repair, medical and dental manuals. I'm probably forgetting a few topics. I have about 50 books by Zane Grey and a ton of assorted (old) sheet music: tunes, classics, and exercise books. A little bit of almost everything.

In the midst of everything, I wanted to take the time to say Merry Christmas...on this the leave-taking of Christmas on the Byzantine Calendar. May God grant you peace and all good this new year!

Upcoming Icon Workshops - Miracle at Cana

Miracle at Cana Icon Workshop

Iconographer Marylyn Barone will be visiting Holy Dormition Friary in September to give an icon workshop for adults and teenagers of any level of experience. Marylyn has many years experience teaching the techniques of writing icons in easy-to-use acrylic paints. She has studied with Philip Zimmerman.

Participants will create an icon of the Miracle at Cana. Cost for the program includes all supplies and Friday and Saturday midday meals. The workshop is sponsored by the Byzantine Franciscans at Holy Dormition Friary at 712 State Hwy 93, Sybertsville, Pennsylvania 18251.

Cost: $200. Additional cost for housing and extra meals.

Information and Registration: contact Fr Jerome, OFM at holydormition@gmail.com or by phone: 570-788-1212 ext 402.

Retreat Schedule:
Thursday September 8, 6:30pm-9:30pm;
Friday and Saturday September 9-10, 9am-4pm;
Sunday September 11, noon-4pm.

For those who are interested, the Franciscans will have Vespers (evening prayer) in the chapel Thursday and Friday at 6pm; Divine Liturgy will be at 8am each day, and also Saturday evening at 5pm (anticipating Sunday).

Icon Retreat - March 2011

Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
March 3-6, 2011

An icon retreat led by iconographer Peter Pearson and sponsored by the Byzantine Franciscans at Holy Dormition Friary at 712 State Hwy 93, Sybertsville, Pennsylvania 18251.

Retreatants will follow step by step instructions to create an icon of Christ in the Garden at Gethsemane (not pictured). During the retreat, we will also discuss the development of iconography, the spirituality of creating an icon, and praying with icons.

About the retreat director: With nearly forty years experience, Peter Pearson has created hundreds of icons for churches, private individuals, and institutions around the world. He is noted for teaching both the techniques of painting and the spirituality of creating icons, giving presentations to groups ranging from school children and senior citizen groups to artists and seminarians. Samples of his iconography are available online or may be seen in Hazleton at St John Byzantine Catholic Church (St John's iconostasis is on the front page of Peter Pearson's website).

Retreat Schedule:
Thursday March 3 & Friday March 4, 6:30pm-9:30pm;
Saturday March 5, 9am-4pm;
Sunday March 6, noon-4pm.

For those who are interested, the Franciscans will have Vespers (evening prayer) in the chapel Thursday and Friday at 6pm; Divine Liturgy will be at 8am each day, and also Saturday evening at 5pm (anticipating Sunday).

Cost: $200, includes all supplies and materials for completing this icon, plus Saturday lunch. A limited number of rooms are available at $20 per night, plus extra for optional meals.

Information or registration: contact Fr Jerome at holydormition@gmail.com or 570-788-1212 x 402.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Merry Christmas 2010

This is the end of my first year in Sybertsville. We have weathered a few financial storms, including significant roof repairs. Our Emmaus Hall is hosting many programs, though we are still hoping for more retreats and conferences in the coming year. Clare House is available for small personal retreats and visits. People have been very generous to us and are very happy for the ministry we provide - retreats and programs, bible classes, Divine Liturgies, confessions, and sometimes simply a listening ear.

In June I joined the Hazleton Philharmonic (www.hazletonsymphony.org), a volunteer orchestra founded by Fr Joseph Ferrara in the 1960's. Fr Joe also founded a summer music camp for local children. It is good to be playing music with a regular group again. Since we have no violas in the orchestra, I've been learning to read the viola clef–playing viola is otherwise similar to violin. I am also tutoring adults working toward their GED (high school degree).

There are four of us here: Fr Laurian, Fr Anthony, Br Gus, and myself. We post our weekly bulletin and other notices about events and programs online at hdbfm.com/hdbulletin.htm. If you would like to receive our friary mailings requesting donations, I can add your name and address to our list.

Franciscan life is difficult yet rewarding. I appreciate all your prayers. Know that you are also in mine. I often take time to pray for people by name during the preparations and the quiet prayers of the Divine Liturgy. I have been in so many cities and places the last twenty years, that I have many people to remember, for which I am grateful. Just this year I've traveled from New Jersey to Spokane, Washington for ministry.

May God bless your coming year with peace.

Holy Dormition Friary Calendar

Holy Dormition Friary Calendar

During the Great Fast, we will have the Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts at 5pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, starting this week of February 14. There will be no noon liturgies. On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, we have vespers at 5pm, continuing the readings from Genesis and Proverbs that we have at the Wednesday and Friday liturgies.

Sunday February 14: Forgiveness Vespers at 3pm, followed by cake and coffee social

Saturday February 20: Retreat for Men 9:30 am - 4 pm: Put off the old man and put on the New! Scripture reflection and quiet prayer, Divine Liturgy, lunch. $20 registration. Contact Fr Jerome 570-788-1212.

Sunday afternoons during the Great Fast: Vespers at 3pm

If you would like to help with our August pilgrimage for peace, please send email to jeromeofm@gmail.com, with "pilgrimage" in the subject header.

Clare House is available year-round for individual and small group retreats.
Emmaus Hall is available for meetings and conferences.

Men's Retreat February 20

Put off the old man and put on the New!

retreat for men



at holy dormition friary, hwy 93, sybertsville, pennsylvania 18251

9:30 am - 4 pm on saturday february 20, 2010

minimum donation $20 includes lunch

contact Fr Jerome for registration or additional information:
570-788-1212 (ext 402 or option 1 on voice mail tree) or
jeromeofm@gmail.com or
by mail to Fr Jerome at Holy Dormition Friary, PO Box 270, Sybertsville, PA 18251

Brother Cook

As the world finished downloading the year of our Lord 2009, I was being uploaded to Sybertspace, Pennsylvania. Since arriving at Holy Dormition Friary, I have enjoyed the responsibility of helping Fr Laurian cook for our community.

This week's menu included a beef roast (perhaps my first ever) and roast chicken. Roasts are now one of my favorite menus--almost everything fits in the roaster and anyone can take it out of the oven at the appropriate time. Already twice I've prepared cauliflower and peas according to an Indian recipe. I've inherited my Dad's love of sales, and I use my economics-gene to watch the produce sales from week to week, so we get the best deal possible. Sometime I should think to take a photo or two, but the first test of a cook should be the flavor and smell, not the sight. If you don't like how it looks, that's okay--more for me!

Fr Laurian is dedicated to making soup a couple times a week. I'm happy to be sous-chef for soups, and I think my recipe books are getting more use now than they got for the past six years while I was only occasionally a cook.

Transmitting from Sybertspace to Cyberspace...