abbey NOTES
By Fr. Edward Seton Fittin, OSB
Abbot Richard Cronin, O.S.B. had a busy Holy Week this year! After celebrating Palm Sunday Mass with the DPGA in attendance, followed by their annual brunch, Abbot Richard, Abbot Elias Lorenzo, O.S.B., newly professed Br. William McMillan, O.S.B., and newly clothed novice Br. Javier Brion, traveled to Paterson to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to participate in the Chrism Mass. Abbot Richard was the celebrant for the Triduum liturgies, preaching at all the liturgies, with the exception of Holy Thursday. At that liturgy, Fr. Andrew Smith, O.S.B. preached well on the significance of the foot washing as an important gesture of Christian service. Abbot Richard washed the feet of oblates, students, friends of the abbey and several monks. The Good Friday liturgy was especially moving with three students exquisitely singing a capella the Passion of St. John, according to the Vatican usage. On April 12, Abbot Richard and Abbot Elias attended the Tri-County Women’s Achievement Luncheon at Fiddler’s Elbow, Bedminster. On April 17, Abbot Richard also attended with area clergy a meeting at the Police Academy in Morristown with the Morris County prosecutor on Police Use of Force and Officer Involved Shooting. Later that night the Delbarton Mothers’ Guild hosted its annual fashion show at the Birchwood Manor, Whippany. Abbot Richard continues as the moderator of the Mothers’ Guild. In April, the abbot celebrated several Confirmations in the diocese of
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DELBARTON TODAY
On November 18, 2017, Abbot Giles Hayes, OSB, presided over the baptism of cousins Carter and Jameson Donnelly in the Abbey Church, with the extended Donnelly family present to witness the service. From left are Courtney and Patrick Donnelly ’03, Michael Donnelly ’00 and wife Ashley, holding Jameson, Julie Donnelly, Abbot Giles, Brian Donnelly ’98, wife Sarah with Carter, and John Donnelly ’01.
In early January, Abbot Elias Lorenzo, OSB, was in London for a meeting with the English Benedictine Congregation. While there he hosted an alumni gathering on Sunday, Jan 7th at the Admiral Codrington in Chelsea. From left are Holly and Jake Caldwell ’09, Iris and Mark Erenstein’80, P’07, Abbot Elias, Chris Wolf ’88, Tom Muoio ’81, Michael O’Mara ’82 and Julia Muoio.
In November, Bill and Kathy Magee, founders of Operation Smile, renewed their vows in an Abbey Church service presided over by Abbot Elias Lorenzo, OSB. Family members and friends attended the service to celebrate the couple who continue to organize medical teams around the world to correct juvenile cleft lips and cleft palates. St. Mary’s Abbey and Delbarton, which has a very active Operation Smile chapter, salute the Magees on their Op Smile mission and on their 50 years together.