As the warm green season of summer blends into a cooler, golden autumn, the frosty winter lays ahead of us. Here in Minnesota, black bears have long been preparing for the cold months of winter. As early as  midsummer, bears begin digging holes for a den or searching out a small cave or hollow tree trunk. Bears may spend up to twenty hours a day eating and gaining weight for nourishment during the coming winter months.

Say what? Alleluia in September and it’s not even the Easter Season. As the Monastery continues to navigate the pandemic and Say what? Alleluia in September and it’s not even the Easter Season. As the Monastery continues to navigate the pandemic and challenge our norms, we move forward and enter what some call a “new norm.”