During the first week of September, Brs Aelred, Josias and Mpumelelo flew across to the USA for two weeks at our Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York. The main reason for their trip was for them to be present for the Installation of Br Ephrem as the next Superior of our Order. This took place on Sunday 13 September, the Sunday closest to Holy Cross Day. Br Robert James has started a well-earned sabbatical, after serving for nine years as the Order’s previous Superior.
Br Ephrem receives the Founder’s Cross from Br Robert James 
Br Ephrem receives the Pastoral Staff from Br Robert James 
Br Ephrem is seated in the Superior’s Chair by Br Robert James 
Br Ephrem exchanges the Peace with the community after his Installation 
Br Ephrem, holding the staff, with the three Brothers who preceded him as Superior
Being at HCM West Park for two weeks allowed for the three Juniors from South Africa to reconnect in person with the Juniors in that monastic community (and, of course, with the whole community there) as well as with Br Ephrem himself, who has been their Junior Master for some time. All the Juniors of the Order attended weekly class in person together and met individually with Br Ephrem in person. They all enjoyed an outing to Kent School which was founded by our Order many years ago and continues to thrive independently.
Back at home in Harkerville, Brs Roger and Daniel maintained the presence of our monastic community in its various aspects on the property, not least the rhythm of daily prayer. The local people who attend our chapel prayers regularly continued to do so.
During this period, we were pleased to have the tree which fell on our enclosure boundary wall removed at last by the same timber company who helped us out in the immediate aftermath of the May storms which brought several trees down including one onto our perimeter fence. They recoup their costs by harvesting the timber. Having the tree out of the way both cleared the direct path between the enclosure building and the refectory building, and allowed for the repair of the damage to the wall itself, which thanks to insurance is being done together with other damage to the enclosure building that resulted from the storms.
During August, we were pleased to welcome several people who spent time in our guesthouse. These included Catherine, one of our most recently received Associates, together with Robert, her husband who is also an Associate. Catherine celebrated her birthday here, and Robert, an Anglican priest, celebrated at our Eucharist during their stay. Particular mention must also be made of Wilma, the chaplain at Volmoed, the previous home of our monastic community, who made her retreat here later in the month.