“Our Common Search for Peace” Buddhist/Christian Dialogue at Graymoor - May 13 - 15 Website Feature: Our Lady of the Atonement, the Blessed Virgin Mary Upcoming Benefactor Appreciation / Heritage Days A Special Confirmation Gift: Ave Maria Hour Episodes of the Lives of the Saints Sunset on the Hudson - an Extraordinary Evening, Thursday May 12

MAY, A GENTLE MONTH — MARY'S MONTH

Greetings from Fr. Bob ...

May is such a wonderful month. If I had to sum it up in one word I would say “gentle.” At Graymoor the flowers and trees are in full bloom, the birds are singing and the temperatures are moderate. What a wonderful month to dedicate to Our Blessed Mother.

We began the month with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. He was a humble and just man who was the protector of Jesus and Mary. It is because of him that Jesus is called “the carpenter’s son”, a son of a working man. I often wonder what life was like in the small town of Nazareth. Did Mary and Joseph ever wonder why they were chosen to raise and care for the Son of God? Did they ever ask why?

As a priest I am often asked why this or that happened. Why this illness, why this tragedy, why this untimely death and why does it always seem that the good people carry the heaviest cross? We can spend a great deal of time and energy trying to discover “why”? But in the end we must admit that we just do not know. To glibly say – “It is God’s will” is wrong because pain and suffering is an evil and God would never inflict or harm those He created. He loves us too much.

There are other times when our lives seem to be going in the wrong direction, or a direction we never planned. Sometimes God asks us to change our plans, to do the unexpected. Perhaps, it is something we do not feel qualified to do and this can be a real test of our faith.

We encourage you to always think of Our Blessed Mother. She is, indeed, a gentle woman and a woman of great faith. Though possibly Mary never fully realized what was being asked of her by the angel at the Annunciation, one thing is clear, it was enough for her to know that it was God’s will. For she said – “Be it done onto me according to your word.” It is because of this great faith that all generations have, and will always, call her “Blessed.”

Enjoy May for all its gentleness. Look for and find the peace, beauty, and most importantly the promise that is yours through Christ and Our Blessed Mother. We friars thank you for all you do and pray that God will bless and keep you always.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Bob Warren

“OUR COMMON SEARCH FOR PEACE", BUDDHIST / CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE AT GRAYMOOR - MAY 13 - 15

A SPECIAL CONFIRMATION GIFT FOR YOUR LOVED ONES: AVE MARIA HOUR EPISODES OF THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS

The Confirmation of a child is a special day for family and friends. As part of Confirmation the youth will take the name of a Saint. The Friars would like to offer you the opportunity to obtain a truly unique gift: A CD containing an Episode that depicts the story of the life of a Saint which corresponds to the Confirmation name.

Each CD is availabe for a suggested donation of $10 plus $2 shipping/handling.

View the List of Available Episodes >>

JOIN US! 2ND ANNUAL SUNSET ON THE HUDSON COCTAIL PARTY

Join us for an extraordinary evening of fun, fine dining and conversation with noted authors Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. All proceeds benefit the ministries of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Thursday, May 12, 2011, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM.

Individual Tickets $175.00

XAVIARS ON THE HUDSON
71 Grant Street, Yonkers, NY 10701

View the Flyer For More Details >>

Register Online >>

St. Francis Chapel, Graymoor

Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

Headquartered at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement is a Roman Catholic religious community with social, pastoral and ecumenical ministries in the United States, Canada, England, Italy, and Japan.

Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

In the Franciscan tradition of hospitality, Graymoor Spiritual Life Center welcomes individuals and groups of all faiths for spiritual retreats, meetings, conferences and pilgrimages.

Located on a mountaintop overlooking the Hudson River Valley, facilities include overnight accommodations, large dining room, a library, three chapels, as well as meeting/seminar facilities.

Centro Pro Unione
Christian Unity and
Ecumenical Research

The Centro Pro Unione, founded and directed by the Society of the Atonement, is an ecumenical research and action center. Its purpose is to give space for dialogue, to be a place for study, research and information in ecumenism: theological, pastoral, social and spiritual.

Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute

Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute promotes Christian unity and interreligious dialogue in North America through its monthly (except August) journal, Ecumenical Trends, Lecture Series, and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources.

St. Christopher's Inn
Residential Shelter & Substance Abuse Treatment Center

St. Christopher's Inn is a temporary shelter dedicated to the rehabilitation of men in crisis. Today the Inn shelters over 1,200 men per year, most of whom suffer from alcohol and/or drug addiction.

Our mission is to offer a continuum of quality health care services that facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing by providing chemical dependency treatment, primary health care, and temporary housing.