Fr. Timothy Kelly (Abbey of Gethsemani Chaplain) - Christmas Talk with Retreatants 12/23/2023

Fr. Timothy Kelly
(Current Abbey of Gethsemani Chaplain and Former Abbot - Born 5/26/1935)
Christmas Talk with Retreatants
Christmas Weekend - Saturday, December 23, 2023
I was present for this Christmas talk as a retreatant for the weekend.
The audio is my recording.
The video is my recording and is from 1/17/2024 after some snow had fallen.
monks.org/
"After more than 20 years of service at the OCSO Generalate in Rome, Gethsemani’s former abbot returned to the abbey on April 6, 2022. Dom Timothy Kelly was abbot from 1973 until 2000. About a year after his resignation, he was called to serve the Order as Procurator General. The Procurator General is the main intermediary between the Order and the Holy See.
Originally from Ontario, Fr. Timothy entered Gethsemani under Dom James Fox in 1958. He made solemn vows in 1963 and took holy orders two years later. In 1965, he was sent to Rome to study and was there during the Second Vatican Council.
After his return to Gethsemani in 1968, he packaged cheese and taught moral theology. He also served as undermaster. When Dom Flavian Burns resigned in 1973, Dom Timothy, then 37 years old, was elected to succeed him.
As abbot, Dom Timothy oversaw the completion of the monastery’s infirmary as well as the renovation of the retreat house. His abbacy also saw the redesign of the front of the church and the completion of the guest chapel. But, his primary focus was the community life of the monks.
The brothers are grateful for Fr. Timothy’s presence among us. Welcome home, Fr. Timothy."