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Serve one another

Yesterday morning, snow flurries blew around in the cloudy sky, as Br. Jacob, Br. Anselm, Postulant Eric, and I traveled to St. Joseph, Missouri.  We began our day’s work by helping out at the Open Door Food Kitchen in downtown St. Joseph.  We visited with the men and women who came inside to escape the cold and enjoy a warm meal.
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Above:  We helped clear trays and wipe down tables, and once every was finished eating lunch, we swept and mopped the floor.

Below:  Then, we were on to the Salvation Army, where we delivered clothes that were collected from the monastery clothing drive. Postulant Eric opened the trunk where the bags were sorted and ready to be unloaded.
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Above: Br. Anselm and Br. Jacob sort clothes at the Salvation Army as a big pile of clothes still looms in the background.
Below: Postulant Eric inspects the quality of the clothes before adding to the pile.
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We spent 2 hours at the Salvation Army and returned just in time for Vespers at the Abbey. It was a good outing of brotherhood and service.

You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.
-From Today’s Gospel, Matthew 5:14-16