Basic Information

July 17 - 19 (Friday to Sunday)
Summer Associates Weekend

Led by members of the Monastic Community

Each year we offer opportunities for members of the Associates of Holy Cross, and anyone interested in exploring association with Holy Cross to come together in an atmosphere of community and prayer to share their experiences of living a rule of life in the Benedictine tradition. This weekend will provide ample time for sharing and conversation as well as relaxation and recreation. Come and be a part of the community of Associates who share their lives with us and with one another.

Fee: $160; Deposit: $75

July 24 - 26 (Friday to Sunday)
Insight Meditation Retreat (Silent)

Leb by Jose Reissig

This retreat is appropriate for both beginners and experienced practitioners. It consists of periods for sitting, walking, receiving instruction, listening to talks, and inquiring. Jose Reissig's teachings are inspired by the teachings of the Buddha. (Brs. Bede and Bernard have long attended Jose's weekly meditation sitting in Rhinebeck, NY).

Participants should not bring any reading materials or electronic devices, and should plan to keep writing to an absolute minimum. Sittings will occupy most of the day. Bring a cushion or a bench, and a zabuton or blanket to place underneath (unless you prefer to sit on a chair). Please bring only fragrance-free hygiene products and no perfumes.

Please note: Holy Cross Monastery is hosting this program, but registration is handled by the presenter. To register, please send an email to raquelrabinovich@frontiernet.net that includes your mailing address. Registration information will be mailed in May, 2009.

Fee: $160 Deposit: $25

September 4-6 (Friday to Sunday)
Meditation in the Christian Tradition (Silent)

Led by The Rev Mary Gates and Br Bede Thomas Mudge OHC

This retreat will introduce the participants to the major practices of Meditation that are in current use in Christianity. Each method will be introduced and a generous amount of time allotted to practice each one, so that full familiarity with the meditation practice can be begun. Plenty of time is also allowed for questions and for sharing the experience of the practices. We also touch on the meditative stage where techniques need to be abandoned so that a deep and silent awareness of God can be cultivated. Beginners will find plenty of help here in getting started and people with some experience will likewise find challenge to develop their practice. If you have a meditation practice and use a cushion or bench, please bring it with you.

The Rev. Mary Gates is a psychotherapist in private practice. She has studied with Thomas Keating and has taught Centering Prayer for more than 20 years. She is has served as a spiritual director and has a wide experience in teaching the ways of prayer.

Br. Bede Thomas Mudge OHC is Prior of Holy Cross Monastery. He has been active in the practice of spiritual direction for many years and in teaching about spiritual direction and meditation. He is the author of the widely-read booklet, Using the Jesus Prayer.

Fee: $240; Deposit: $75

September 22 - 25 (Tuesday to Friday)
Retreat for Adults Who Work With Youth
Living a Life of Conversion

This retreat is designed for adult youth leaders as a time of personal rest, renewal and refreshment within the peace and rhythm of the monastic setting as well as a time to be inspired with new ideas in a community of fellow youth workers. Using the Rule of St. Benedict and the five imperatives (be attentive, be intelligent, be reasonable, be responsible, be in love) as our guide, we will explore the spiritual and practical aspects of ongoing conversion for ourselves and within the communities of youth we serve.

Facilitators:

Br. Randy Greve OHC: Br. Randy joined the Order of the Holy Cross in 2005. Before coming to the monastery he was a youth minister for 15 years. He now blends his youth ministry experience into the insights of monasticism as a source of healthy group formation and growth.

Jenifer Gamber: Jenifer is the author of My Faith, My Life: A Teen's Guide to the Episcopal Church and the forthcoming companion volume for adults.

Fran McKendree: Fran is a singer, songwriter, and recording artist. He lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina and can be frequently found at Kanuga sharing stories, games, and songs with youth and those who love them.

Fee: $300 Deposit: $80

September 29 - October 2 (Tuesday to Friday)
Paint Your Faith

See June 23rd listing for details.

September 29 - October 2 (Tuesday to Friday)
Building Homes, Building Hope

Accompanied by Br. Bernard Delcourt, OHC and George Masters, AHC

Habitat for Humanity (HFH) is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFH seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. We are partnering with Habitat for Humanity in Ulster, Dutchess and Orange Counties to offer our guests the possibility to make a difference on the issue of appropriate housing.

On this volunteering retreat we will work, reflect and pray together. After breakfast, we will grab our bagged lunch and drive to the "Habitat build site". We will work under the guidance of seasoned Habitat volunteers from 9 to 2 p.m. Lunch will provide respite and time for conversation.

After our return to the monastery, you are free to relax, rest and enjoy the rhythm of monastic life. In the early evening, we will gather to briefly reflect on our volunteer work and how it relates to our faith and hopes.

On Friday, we will have an on-site Eucharist and complete some work before returning to the monastery for lunch and prepare for departure.

Prior volunteering experience on similar "builds" is appreciated but not required. Everyone can contribute. Enrollment is limited to 10 volunteers. You should pack work clothes for 3 days of on-site work.

Retreat fee: $180, Deposit: $70

October 6 - 9 (Tuesday to Friday)
Monastic Living as a Vocation

A program for single men aged 20 to 48 who are interested in exploring Benedictine monastic life as a possible vocational path. Join the brothers of Holy Cross Monastery for three full days of prayer, work, study and conversation. Discover what this ancient way of life can offer you today. Begins at 2 p.m. on Tuesday and ends after lunch on Friday.

Fee: $50 to be paid as a deposit at the time of reservation

October 6 - 11 (Tuesday to Sunday)
Its All Greek to Me

Led by Canon Tony Cayless

In this one-week intensive program participants will learn the basics of how to
* read Greek
* read and understand the prologue of St. John's Gospel, and the Lord's
Prayer in the original text.
* comprehend the rudiments of Greek grammar and syntax
* effortlessly have acquired a vocabulary of about 100 words
* hold the key to further study of the Septuagint and New Testament

This program will be of interest to anyone who has wanted to begin exploring the New Testament and the Septuagint in its original language. Participants do not need to know a word of Greek before the program. This program will also be of interest to those who have some Greek,
but have forgotten much of what they learned.

All materials will be provided.

Canon Tony Cayless taught Beginning Classical Greek at the Cathedral Schools of St Mary and St Paul in Garden City, Long Island. He also taught basic and intermediate New Testament Greek at the George Mercer Jr. School of Theology. He holds a D.Min from The Graduate Theological
Foundation. His doctoral project was the development of this form of instruction in Greek with the title Greek for Groups

Fee $600; Deposit $100

October 9 - 11 (Friday to Sunday)
Fall Associates Weekend - Living with your Rule

This retreat is a time for Associates, working with members of the Monastic Community and other Associates, to explore ways of enriching your life through a clearer understanding of the Benedictine Rule and the individual Associates Rule. We share insight and experience as we journey together on our conversion of life. This program is particularly well suited to newer Associates (or to those considering becoming Associates) who are looking for guidance in developing and maintaining their rule.

Cost: $150 Deposit: $75

October 13 - 16 (Tuesday to Friday)
Fall Foliage Celebration

Led by the monastic community

All creation sings of God's beauty, but somehow creation seems to sing a little louder during Autumn in the majestic mid-Hudson valley. Each fall many friends, old and new, come to join the monks in the daily round of prayer and Eucharist, while the valley dons its coat of many colors. The monastery grounds and the region around the monastery provide many opportunities for walks and drives that will put you in touch with God's creation.

This year we are experimenting with our foliage celebration by keeping it during mid-week. You can join us for any and all of the days. Each day will include a short meditation led by a member of the community as well as other activities.

Fee $75 per day; Deposit: $75

November 24 - 27 (Tuesday to Friday)
Thanksgiving - The Monastery Way

Harvest Thanksgiving is a wonderful and ancient tradition that calls us into a thankful relationship with God and with all of God's creation. As Americans, we join with our brothers and sisters without regard to faith tradition in giving thanks; and as Christians it is vital to give thanks and praise to God at every opportunity. At Holy Cross Monastery we blend traditional Americana (yes - Turkey is served at the Thanksgiving feast) with religious tradition. You may come for as many days as you like.

Fee: $70 per day; Deposit $70

Dec 4 - 6 (Friday to Sunday)
Advent Retreat (Silent)

Leb by Br. Bede, and Suzanne Guthrie

Darkness and light, endings and beginnings, longing and fulfillment. These are the themes of Advent; and we will weave them together through reflection, silence, music, and story, to help you prepare for the living of the coming Mystery of Christ among us.

Suzanne Guthrie is an author and conductor of retreats and conferences. Her books Grace's Window and Praying the Hours have been widely read and appreciated, and her retreats at Holy Cross and elsewhere have been greatly valued by those who have attended. She concentrates on
the spiritual tradition of Christianity, especially the Carmelite mystics, and uses their teachings in her work with young people and with retreatants of all ages.

Br. Bede Thomas Mudge OHC is Prior of Holy Cross Monastery. He has been active in the practice of spiritual direction for many years and in teaching about spiritual direction and meditation. He is the author of the widely-read booklet, Using the Jesus Prayer.

Cost: $230 Deposit: $75

Dec 8 - 11 or 13 (Tuesday to Friday or Sunday)
Individually Directed Retreats

Limited Registration

Spending time in prayer and silence is a classic way to deepen your spiritual life and to enhance your experience of Advent. Participantss will meet individually each day with a Spiritual Director who will assist and guide you in responding to God's movement in your life and in responding to the invitation to deeper union with God.

Participants will start the retreat on Tuesday and may conclude on Friday or Sunday, depending on your needs.

Participants are asked to include a brief synopsis of your spiritual journey and a statement of your hopes for the retreat.

Fee: Tuesday - Friday $240, Tuesday – Sunday $400; Deposit: $80

December 23 - January 1
Christmas and New Years - the Monastery Way

Christmas time at the Monastery is quite remarkable. It is a time filled with feasts and celebration. Many evenings in the Pilgrim Hall are accented with a story reading or carol sing. Most of all it is a time to gather, as those shepherds did in Bethlehem, to offer praise to God and pray for peace on earth using the ancient cycle of monastic prayer.

Join us for any of these days.

Fee: $70 per night; Deposit $35

April 27 - 30 (Tuesday to Friday)
Building Homes, Building Hope - Spring 2010

May 18 - 21 (Tuesday to Friday)
Gardening Volunteers retreat - Spring 2010

Note: All deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable