HECLA — Two bald cypress trees were dedicated and blessed Sunday at St. Mary’s Cistercian Monastery in honor of two monks who have served there.
The two trees were planted to replace others that were previously removed. One of the three trees cut down at the monastery had special significance because it came from Israel and was planted by the then-Rev. Hugh Montague, who died March 7, 2015. All three trees, which had died, were cut down last summer. Originally, only the branches were going to be trimmed on the cypress tree from Israel but the person doing the work told Victoria Calabretta, secretary/finance minister, that it was dead. The tree was close to the building and, for safety reasons, it was agreed that it should be removed.
“I was so upset because I knew that to be a special tree. It was one of a kind,” she said.
The two new cypress trees, each approximately 9 feet tall, are in honor of Montague and the Very Rev. Dr. Luke Anderson, 88. Anderson is the only remaining priest of the original five Cistercian Monks of the Common Observance from when the community was founded in 1967. The other monks have since passed away.
“It seems I was sent here on a mission,” Joe Orlowsky, chairman of the Pottsville Shade Tree Commission and an attendee at the monastery, said.
Orlowsky said he never planted a tree at the monastery and was happy to do so. He donated the trees, which came from a nursery in New York. Orlowsky said he could not find two bald cypress trees in the area. The plan was to get one to replace the cypress that was cut down, but the nursery had two available.
He planted the trees about a month ago. Orlowsky said the trees can grow up to 75 feet tall and have a long life expectancy.
A dedication ceremony was held after an 8 a.m. Sunday Mass. Anderson and Orlowsky spoke about the role, and importance, of trees in history. Glen Belmont, who attended the Mass, also read a poem about trees.
John T. Mellinger, another attendee, said Anderson is “inspirational.”
“He has good opinion on how you can make yourself a better person,” Mellinger said.