Mark Lepper

@thelepper

MDiv. Hospitality Coordinator @ Benedictine Retreat Ctr. Friend of Dorothy Day. Spiritual Director. Centering Prayer practitioner. Benedictine Oblate. Dishwasher for the revolution. "If Henri Nouwen reincarnated as a Muppet." L'Arche for Life! He/Him/His 🏳️‍🌈

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Mark Lepper@thelepper· 10d

This morning, our local Episcopal congregation hosted a viewing of The Philadelphia Eleven at the local movie theater. It's a documentary about the ordination of the first eleven women in the Episcopal church. It was a great story of vocation, call, persistence, and determination.

A screen shot of a white background with "The Philadelphia Eleven" in a style that looks like it was cut from a newspaper headline.

A white news reporter in a gray suit in front of a screen showing a scene from a worship service, with a green stripe at the top and "Episcopalians" written in white in the green.

Two white women in white albs and red stoles presiding at communion.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Jun 12

I have spent the past week at a centering prayer retreat in Sewanee, TN. Most of this time has been spent in silence. I did go AWOL one afternoon with Sister Hannah, a nun from the convent next door, and she took me on a tour of Sewanee, which included these goats.

I am standing in the middle of a grassy field. There are several goats standing around me in varying shades of white and brown. I have a smile on my face because I love being with the goats. What you can't see, and what I'm also laughing/smiling about, is that one goat is standing on my foot. She came up to me almost immediately and stood on my foot for several minutes. I think we became best friends.

Similar to the previous photo, I am standing in a field surrounded by goats. This time I have picked up a small brown and white goat. What you can't tell in this picture is that she was not a fan of this choice and is just starting to squirm like a maniac so I will put her down. It worked, and I put her down shortly afterwards.

A sign on the gate of the pasture. It is white and in black letters it says, "Come in. Be calm. Pet goats."

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Jun 7

I'm at a centering prayer retreat where we do several consecutive sits of prayer separated by short, mindful walks. One of the women has a pair of sandals that makes fart noises when she walks. It's hard to stay mindful and prayerful when I can't stop thinking of Fozzie Bear's fart shoes.

It's the Muppet Fozzie Bear's legs. He's wearing brown and white wing tipped shoes, with whoopie cushions tied to the bottom of each. I tried to find a gif or picture from The Muppets movie where they learn they just lost the theater to Tex Richman and they're sadly walking out and Fozzie's shoes are making fart noises and Rowlf says, "Not now, Fozzie."

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Jun 1

Here is a picture of me with my goddaughter 18 years ago on the day of her baptism, and another picture of me with the same goddaughter taken yesterday at her high school graduation party. It doesn't really feel like there has been enough time in between these two events for that to be possible.

A white man with brown hair in a green button up shirt and khaki pants holding an infant with brown hair, dressed in a white gown.

A white man with no hair in a blue button up shirt with various fruits, flowers, and vegetables on it taking a selfie with a young woman with brown hair in a yellow dress with purple polka dots.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· May 19

I had a dream that I actually got to meet Henri Nouwen. It was at some conference or something, and I knew he'd be there (obvi he wasn't dead in my dream). I unexpectedly ran into him, and tearfully told him what he meant to me. He teased me about something I had misspelled on a document.

A black and white photo of Henri Nouwen, in a sweater and collared shirt, smiling at the camera.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Apr 10

Here are some things I noticed today: 1. The sky on my drive to work 2. A potter wasp's nest on the front stairs outside of my work. The beauty of creation in its expansiveness and intricacy.

A photo taken down the center of a street in a small town. The sky is covered in an expanse of fluffy white clouds that are illuminated by the rising sun.

A tiny little mud pot that is stuck to the side of the cement step.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Apr 7

If you see this, I implore you to post a picture from whatever device you’re using with no explanation.

A screen shot of a Fox 2 news story. Kathy McVay, a white woman with short brown hair, is in the screen with a black eye the caption says "Kathy McVay - hit by flying hot dog" someone has taken this screenshot and made it a meme that says "Who tf is out here throwing hot dogs this hard..."

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Feb 20

No cheating: your last saved pic of a celebrity is your therapist

Mr Rogers is seated low on a step looking at the camera and smiling. He is next to 10 year old Jeff Erlanger who is in a wheelchair. He is also looking at the camera and smiling.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Feb 19

On this day, in 1968, the world got to visit Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for the first time. And for 33 years, until 2001, he provided a safe place where young people were invited and encouraged to be kind, ask questions, be creative, use their imaginations, and be good neighbors.

Mr Rogers, a Caucasian man with dark straight hair with a side part in a light blue button up shirt and a gray blue cardigan sweater. He's looking at the camera with a slight smile on his lips. On his hand is his Daniel Tiger puppet, with light brown fur and yellow eyes.

Mr Rogers is cooling his feet in a kiddie pool with Officer Clemens, played by a black man (who also happened to be gay, which Mr Rogers knew but wasn't public knowledge). This was in May of 1969 during a time of great racial turmoil in the United States. Legal segregation had just recently ended. White racists were still angry about having to share pools and water fountains and other things with black people. They would do things like put acid in public swimming pools to avoid having to share them with black people. So, the fact that Mr Rogers was willing and wanted to do this showed that he was an amazing ally, friend, and neighbor to the black community.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Feb 1

I got this bumper sticker a while back. I didn't immediately put it on my car because I had an idea I would be getting a new one soon. Well, I got a new car. But I'm still hesitant to put it on because I'm not sure how comfortable I am saying this about everyone these days.

A white background with blue words that say "The World is Better with You in it, Buddy." Underneath that, in the center is a red heart, on either side are two blue birds with their wings spread, facing the heart. Behind each one is a small rainbow, and then behind each rainbow is a red flower with a blue center and a green stem with two leaves. Surrounding all of these are small blue, red, and green stars and asterisks. The illustrations are symmetrical and span the width of the bumper sticker.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Jan 4

My last day on retreat at St Gregory's Abbey. Time seems to move a little slower here, more contemplative and prayerful. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I'd never been here before, but it was a restful time away and a wonderful way to start this new year.

The chapel at St Gregory's taken from the guest seating area. The walls and roof are wood,with wooden arches and beams supporting the structure. The monks' choir stalls are on the left and the right, the prior and the Abbot's stalls are at the front, facing the altar. There's a lectern in the middle with an icon of Mary and Jesus on the front. Skylights on both sides of the roof let in some gentle sunlight.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Jan 2

I tried it twice... Once at 1:30pm and again at 7:30pm thinking I'd get a word that I liked better. But I got the same one. This does not bode well for me in 2026.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Jan 1

Happy New Year from St Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan! May 2026 be a year that we all grow in compassion, gentleness, love, and holiness!

A white man in a green stocking cap, blue glasses, and a gray and black fleece standing outside in the snow. Behind him you can see the bell tower and the entrance to the chapel at St Gregory's Abbey.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 31

A cold but beautiful day at St Gregory's Abbey today.

The sign for St Gregory's. It's a wooden sign in between two square brick posts. The bottom part where it says Abbey is a little covered in snow but still readable.

The abbey bell tower and entrance to the chapel. The ground outside is covered in snow.

The guesthouse where I'm staying. The roof and ground are covered in snow. The sidewalk is recently shoveled.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 24

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

A frame from the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas. Linus is wearing an orange coat, a green stocking camp, and holding his blue blanket. He's got his arms stretched out. He is standing on a pink stage with a pink curtain behind him and is lit by a spotlight. Lucy and another girl are standing off to the left watching him.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 22

CBS News had a story about the Monastery of Christ in the Desert today. It's a beautiful place that I got to visit last year. It's definitely worth a visit. The road out to the monastery is an adventure in itself! Here's a link to the story: www.cbsnews.com/news/new-mex...

A selfie of me, a bald white man with blue framed glasses wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt with prints of hummingbirds in turquoise in the front. In the background is a butte and in front of the butte is the adobe chapel of the monastery. The sky behind the butte is a brilliant blue.

A close up of the adobe chapel in front of the butte with a brilliant blue sky. My friend Sarah is sitting on a stone wall at the bottom of the stairs in front of the chapel enjoying the warm sun.

A picture of the altar inside the chapel. Above the chapel there's a big window that gives you a beautiful view of the butte. There is a crucifix on the wall to the right of the window.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 19

Slow day at work today so I drew myself a handheld labyrinth. It's a little wonky and wavy but I love it.

A blank ink drawing of a circular prayer labyrinth drawn on a white, circular piece of paper.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 17

Earlier this year, I had the privilege to attend the Midwest Regional Gathering of L'Arche with my friends from L'Arche Heartland. The exec director of L'Arche USA sent out an email with this photo from our dance we had one evening. I am prominently displayed in the middle having a kickass time.

A group of people of various colors, sizes, abilities, and genders all enjoying a sing-along. Several people have their right arm extended in the air, holding up one finger. I am in the center of the photo, with my arm in the air and I am leaning back and seem to be belting something at the top of my lungs. You have not been to a dance party until you've been to a L'Arche dance party. You should go sometime. I'm sure they'd love to have you.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 12

A big donor to the monastery hosts an annual Christmas party at his law firm and invites us every year. He also donates to L'Arche and invites them, so I got to hang out with my pals at the party last night. Some of them asked me to be in a picture at the photo booth with them. Here is the result.

Ok, so honestly, this is a bit chaotic and I'm going to do my best to describe it to you all. So there are seven people trying to squeeze into the small space. In front, you have Emily. She has brown hair pulled back in a ponytail and is wearing sunglasses with hot pink frame that look like hands with blue fingernails. She is giving a thumbs up. Behind her is Alex. He is is wearing a grey zip up hoodie and has short cropped blond hair. He is wearing glasses that are glittery gold treble clefs. He's got his arms outstretched but slightly bent. Behind him are Matt, Mark (me), and Joey. Matt is wearing a light blue button up shirt, a Santa hat, and gold glittery glasses that say Merry Christmas along the top. I'm wearing a red cardigan and a multicolored shirt underneath. I'm wearing an elf hat headband. Joey is next to me and all you can see is his head. He has shaggy brown hair and glasses and chose not to wear any of the photo booth accessories. I grouped the three of us together because we are all making the same face which is kind of a frowny scowl. I didn't realize that they were imitating me until they told me after the picture was taken. Next to Joey is Brad who is wearing a dark green button up shirt and a navy blue windbreaker. He's got dark hair and is wearing a pair of sunglasses that I think are a white male symbol and a black female symbol. Next to him is Ryan's head barely peeking in the frame. He's got long brown hair and a beard. He's wearing tinted glasses and a red cowboy hat with white trim.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 10

An image of a yellow flower with red in the center. Above it is the quote "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength - Saint Francis de Sales."

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 10

You will be visited by three spirits...

Kermit the Frog, Gonzo, and Fozzie in a car. Fozzie is driving, Kermit is in the front passenger seat, and Gonzo is in the back. Yes, I know that Camilla the chicken is also in the car next to Gonzo, but she is a package deal with Gonzo so together they count as one.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 9

Quote with your model of masculinity.

Catholic priest and spiritual author Henri Nouwen standing next to everyone's favorite neighbor Fred Rogers.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 5

This is where I post from, if you even care.

An illustration from The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe of Lucy and Mr Tumnus sitting by the fireplace in Mr Tumnus' cozy house.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 4

Having a frustrating morning printing envelopes & letters for a mailing, so I'm choosing to think about this fun memory from last year when I gave our Prioress, Sister Mary Liz, & Sister Micaela fake tattoos at the 25th anniversary celebration of our spiritual director formation program.

A bald man with glasses in a short sleeve floral print shirt and khaki pants putting fake tattoos on two women, one in a teal shirt and one in a darker shirt, both have shirt white hair and glasses and are looking at the camera and giggling because they think it's kind of ridiculous and silly that they are getting fake tattoos. But they are also really enjoying themselves.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 4

What I'm wearing to the BlueSky Christmas party

It's an image from a Victorian Christmas card. It seems to be a turnip or a beet or some kind of root vegetable walking on two roots like they're legs, holding a walking can in a root and a heart that says 'A Merry Christmas To You" on it in another root. It has a head that looks like a white Victorian man with a top hat and a monacle and a black scarf/ascot/tie thing that is blowing in the wind. And he has a little bit of brown hair peaking out from under the top hat.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Dec 3

I've already been having a hard time remembering what day of the week it is, but this week's schedule for Liturgy of the Hours isn't helping. Today is apparently Second Tuesday. 😂

It's a schedule for the daily prayers of the Sisters at Mount St Scholastica. There's a lot of words and stuff on there that you don't need to worry about. What's important is that the days of the week are listed as Sunday, Monday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday...

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Nov 20

Today was a foggy day which kind of reflects my inner being. Feeling contemplative and quiet today. Thinking about the things that life seems to be putting in front of me and how I might respond.

It's just a foggy scene. You can see some trees and some shapes of trees in the fog. But its mostly a gray and black/dark green picture.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Nov 8

Blue background with yellow letters that say "Coocoo for cocoa Puffs" in the style of Mamdani's campaign signs

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Oct 29

For 12 years I lived and worked with adults with developmental disabilities at L'Arche Heartland. This past weekend was their 37th anniversary party and I got to attend as a member of the board. I also got to visit with my friend Ray who I lived with for 5 years. More details in alt text!

Two white guys smiling for the camera. Ray, on the left, has short cropped blonde hair and is wearing a black sweatshirt. I am on the right in a gray cardigan and a blue and green gingham shirt and blue eyeglasses. I am bald. I am happy to be sitting with my friend Ray. Ray might be enjoying it but he would never let me know so it seems more like he's tolerating the experience. I was helping him drink orange juice at the time which is probably why he tolerated it as well as he did. Ray doesn't like large groups of people and prefers to sit and listen to his keyboards. So the fact that he let me sit by him (and walk with him) as long as he did (both that day at the party and all the days we lived together, too) has been a huge blessing in my life.

Mark Lepper@thelepper· Oct 10

Ending a long and busy day today (started at 7:30am and ended at 7:30pm) with a beer on my back deck. It would be a perfect way to end the day if my view was any better than the drive thru at McDonalds. But I'll take what I can get.