Camaldolese of America

New CamaldoliCamaldole Hermitage • Big Sur, • Volume 14 • Issue 3 • FallTidings 2008

New Camaldoli Hermitage Celebrates 50 Years 2 ~ Camaldole Tidings

Prior Knowledge – Father Raniero 50th Anniversary Celebrations During the past Spring and in keeping with our life. We approached Summer the monastic community warmly the liturgies as opportunities to pray in welcomed many guests for the celebration thanksgiving to God for the blessings of of the 50th Anniversary of our Foundation these past years both for the hermitage as . The actual and for all those so beautifully associated anniversary date is July 29th but the with our life and spirituality. celebrations were spread out over several We are grateful for those months due to the limitations of our community members who have gone facility – mainly the refectory. before us and also for our elders with us On May 28th we hosted , today, all of whom made possible our “With a very special blessing upon the clergy and religious of the Monterey present life and this anniversary that Fathers and Brothers diocese. Bruno presided and preached at a brought us together. We are grateful, too, Of the Camaldolese Order and with an Eucharistic Liturgy which was followed by for those who gathered with us, for their earnest supplication a simple lunch. On June 14th we welcomed care and support expressed in so many To God and His Blessed Mother that the neighbors and friends of the Big Sur. loving ways. Providence will guide Our General was with us for the July Many memories were shared The new Community render it fruitful in 27th community celebration. Present at this and Robert provided a wonderful photo prayer and sacrifice event were some of the wonderful people display that captured the moments and And add to the honor and glory of God who helped us to acquire the property events in our history. The simple lunches and His Church.” back in 1958. Also present were some of were carefully prepared by Michael Fish, those volunteers who helped in the actual and our helped with setting-up and With grateful hearts we ask God construction of the cells that have been the cleaning-up. We are so grateful for all of to bless our brotherhood now and in home of many monks throughout the past our oblates. Emmaus created beautiful the future so that our witness to God’s 50 years. And the final celebration was a bookmarks which reflect our Camaldolese presence and love may grow and touch beautiful gathering of our family. spirituality and charism. the lives of many. And that God may be Since our oblate family is large, we spilled For a or a hermitage to honored and glorified. out of the refectory with blankets and be founded, the permission of the chairs scattered throughout the cloister of the diocese is required. Therefore, we lawn and garden. began each celebration remembering When planning for these the greeting sent in 1958 to the young celebrations, the community expressed Camaldolese Community by the bishop a desire that the gatherings be simple, of the Monterey – Fresno diocese- Camaldolese Tidings is published by the Camaldolese Hermits of America for our friends, oblates, and benefactors.

Publisher Father Raniero Hoffman, OSB Cam. Editor Healey, OSB Cam. Development Director Robert J. Allen Public Relations & Design Susan Garrison

If you have questions or comments about this publication, please address them to: New Camaldoli Hermitage 62475 Coast Highway 1 Big Sur, CA 93920 (831) 667-2456 • Fax: (831) 667-0209 E-mail: [email protected] Camaldole Tidings ~ 3 Camaldolese Communications By Fr. Robert Hale, O.S.B. Cam. 22, held in Rome every four years. The International College of Sant’Anselmo, This has been an eventful and even seat also of the , will host historic period for us, given, for instance, the meeting. One of the agenda items is the the mandatory evacuation of most of the confirmation of the present Abbot Primate Hermitage community in the first part of or election of his successor. The July, because of the Big Sur Basin Complex will also journey to Castel’Gandolfo for Fire. But that is being covered amply in a private meeting with Benedict, another article in this newsletter! who has already visited Sant’Anselmo involved in mission work participated. Another very significant event, the and spoken glowingly of the Benedictine I preached the annual retreat for the Camaldolese Congregation’s “Consulta,” family. We Camaldolese are , Cistercian at Our Lady of the held at our Mother House of Camaldoli members of the Benedictine Confederation, Redwoods, Whitethorn—a very hospitable th th from the 30 of September to the 18 and have always followed the wonderful and warm community in a beautiful of October, gathers the and Holy Rule of St. Benedict. setting of giant redwoods. The large representatives of all our houses in , Bede had a fine family visit, and also windows behind the chapel altar look out the U.S., , and Africa. Father made a fraternal visit for a week with onto this glorious scene. One redwood is Raniero will be attending, as well as Fr. the (Episcopal) Holy Cross Order’s probably between 1,000 and 1500 years Andrew, Prior of Incarnation Monastery, community above Santa Barbara, Mt. old. The sisters have a wonderful retreat Berkeley, Daniel and I. We also rejoice Calvary Retreat House. We have had ministry—and we sell their splendid because some ten of our Oblates will be a Covenant of Friendship with the Holy honey in our bookstore! I also preached attending the first portion of the Consulta. Cross Order for decades; the have conferences on monastic spirituality for The theme of the Consulta, which will be encouraged our ecumenical dialogue of all at the “Benedictine Experience” retreat guiding us until the next General Chapter this sort. at Canterbury England—an awesome in three years, is “Becoming Gospel: A nearby , Holy Cross of Santa experience for me! The Throbbing Heart of our Existence Cruz, celebrated their 50th anniversary We celebrated another 50th Anniversary as Monastics.” We invite all to immerse (they also!) by inviting our to luncheon, this for our wonderful Oblates, themselves in the challenge of becoming offer a splendid concert, and our Emmaus with a huge turnout and much warm, Gospel. to exhibit many of his striking canvases. friendly dialogue. Thank you again for In preparation for the “Consulta”, Very many Oblates and parishioners and your support over the years. we had a “Visitation” from our Prior others participated. Enough to indicate we have been up to General, Fr. Bernardino Cozzarini, and Michael Fish spoke to an ecumenical many things, as have you, our Oblates and Bro Ivan Nicoletto, of the Prior General’s “InnerChange Conference,” about our friends. May our prayer and works build Council and designated Visitator for New “threefold good” of community, solitude up God’s humanity, glorify our loving Camaldoli and Incarnation Monastery. and mission, how we (and we believe God! Both are very wise, gentle monks, and their every Christian) want to seek to balance presence had the spirit of a family visit of them. Some 50 Protestant ministers beloved brothers. They also celebrated with us our 50th anniversary. Raniero our Prior will be attending the Benedictine Confederation’s Congress of Prayer Schedule Abbots and Priors, from September 17 to Weekdays: 5:30 am Vigils 7:00 am Lauds Friend of the Hermitage? 11:30 am Eucharist Sponsor a fund raiser /fruitcake 6:00 p.m. Vespers sale at your local church or place of worship. Sundays and Solemnities: Email: 5:30 am Vigils 7:00 am Lauds [email protected] 11:00 am Eucharist or call 866-886-0544 5:00 p.m. Vespers for information 4 ~ Camaldole Tidings

50th Anniversary of the New Camaldoli Hermitage

1958-2008 Camaldole Tidings ~ 5

Thank you to all who have been our friends and benefactors through the years. 6 ~ Camaldole Tidings Fires Wreak Havoc This Summer, Cause Evacuation By Br. Bede Healey, O.S. B. Cam huge dozers to clear old ridge roads around This was a harsh summer for us as a potential firebreak. We vacated to wildlife and forest in our area. Two large St. Clare’s Retreat Center in Santa Cruz, fires, the Basin Complex and the Indians where the wonderful sisters cared for us. fire caused damage and forced the monks We were evacuated for two weeks. of the New Camaldoli Hermitage to seek During that time the fire fighters refuge in Santa Cruz. instituted a major burn and were successful The Basin Complex fire started on in containing the fire on its south end, June 20, the result of dry lightning storms. thereby protecting us. The smoke and ash These are dreaded storms because they were considerable, and made breathing almost always start fires. Two separate difficult for the workers and monks who fires were started as a result of this storm in remained. We were able to return on July the Big Sur area, but as the fires increased 14. in size they merged into one huge fire, This was a destructive fire - called the Basin Complex fire. numerous homes and other buildings were By the time it was contained on July destroyed and businesses were closed. We 27, it had burned over 160,000 acres. Prior ourselves suffered a loss of approximately to this, another large fire, the Indians fire $50,000.00 in income during the time of the had also started, but was on the other side fire. We continue to offer prayerful thanks A helicopter dumps retardant on local of the Coastal mountain range. Although to God for the work of the firefighters and fires. it contributed a tremendous amount of the hospitality of the sisters, and want to smoke, it was not likely to cross the thank all of you who also prayed for us – it range. The Basin Complex fire was more dangerous. The actual fire came within five miles of us, but the work of the thousands of fire fighters encompassed a much wider area. As June came to an end and the fire was still not contained, we were under evacuation alert. We were evacuated on July 1, leaving a skeleton crew of workers and monks at Nearby Pfeiffer Ridge lit up the night. the Hermitage. Fire crews came to A firefighter pauses amid the smoke. the Hermitage and used

Thank You! We appreciate the responses to our recent survey. We want to acknowledge this publicly.

Robert J. Allen Development Consultant The blackened remains of a redwood behind Miller Pond. Camaldole Tidings ~ 7

Book Reviews A Special Message to our Oblates By Fr. Daniel Manger, OSB Cam. We are putting together a new edition of our Oblate Directory, Jesus: A Portrait the last one having been published by Gerald O’Collins, in early 2005. S.J. Orbis Books $25.00 In addition, we are updating From Australia, yet another wonderful our Oblate information. theological and personal portrait We ask that you send an email to: of Jesus from the Jesuit Gerald O’Collins, former professor of Systematic Theology [email protected] at the Gregorian University in Rome. Each chapter is filled with insight of with the following information. our Savior’s way of teaching about the • Name fulfillment of the reign of God, miracles • Address and their revelatory power for us today. • City • State Father O’Collins fills the pages with an continue to increase. We never rent or • Zip/postal code abundant sense of vitality in many of the give out any of this information. If you • Country (if not USA) familiar stories of Jesus in the Gospels. do not wish to have some or all of the • Best phone number to reach you I recommend it for those who want above information published in the di- (outside US, include appropriate coun- to take a fresh journey into the landscape rectory, note that, and we will leave the try and city codes) of Jesus’ teachings in wisdom, His desire information out of the directory. • Email address to heal us, and His path which reveals the If you do not have email access, then • Date of Oblation Father and our communion as brothers please return the requested information and sisters. This book can be of great aid in the enclosed envelope. We are asking for all of this infor- for deeper reflection for Bible groups, If you would like to find out more mation for our use, so we may contact personal encouragement in one’s prayer about what Oblates are and the process you regarding news and information and meditation and for those who would involved in discerning if you are called about us, especially as it applies to our like a resource for preaching ministry. to this level of connection with us, please oblate family. We really appreciate hav- see the following webpage: ing your email address, as postage costs A Guide to Living in the Truth: www.camaldolese.com St. Benedict’s Teaching on Humility by Michael Casey, o.s.c.o. $16.95 Great misunderstandings can abound around the meaning of humility in the Giving to Charities life of any person of faith. Father Casey By Robert J. Allen the charitable planned gift application, taps one of the great of western there are basically nine types and each , whose Rule of Life has “The sluggish economy is showing should be matched to the profile of called woman and men to sanctity in wise its effects on charitable donations the individual. They are: Revocable and prudent practice. St. Benedict left us which rose just 1% in 2007” according Gifts, Outright Gifts, Bargain Sale, a ladder of humility, a principle feature of to Giving USA. However, Americans Remainder Deed or Life Estate, his Rule that leads one to a profound sense donated $306.4 billion in that same Charitable Gift Annuity, Pooled Income of the God who loves us with such deep year. Fund, Charitable Remainder Uni-Trust, attention to our freedom in the Spirit. Individuals donated $229.03 billion Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust This book is a journey in wonder of or 74.8% of all charitable dollars which and Charitable Lead Trust. freedom that the life of Christ calls each to has always been the largest portion of For an explanation and comparative share. Father Casey offers many anecdotes gift donations. Religion as a category Guide for Profile, Donor Benefits, and deep reflection on this virtue as the receives the single largest percentage of Donor Control and Charitable Benefits, bedrock of all holiness in the spiritual life. all gifts followed by education. send your name and address to: Brother I was very encouraged by this wonderful The area that continues to be growing Bede Healey, OSB, Cam or call the book discovery. is gifts received from Bequests. This is Hermitage at 831-667-0480 to receive supported by the fact that people are a free, no obligation reference guide to making plans for their estates. Using help you in your estate planning. 8 ~ Camaldole Tidings Hermitage Big Sur Bakery and Gifts www.HermitageBigSur.com • (866) 886-0544

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3 lb. cakes and 1 lb. samplers

Greeting Cards by renowned artist & Father Arthur Poulin (Soon: coffee mugs with Arthur’s art!)

Rosaries and Beads Hand made at the Hermitage

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