Raised Catholic

RAISEDCATHOLIC

GRATITUDE FOR A STABLE FOUNDATION

by Mike Kuckleman

The monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey have impacted my life in many ways for which I say, “thank you.” However, saying “thank you” is not enough; gratitude is required here. We are instructed on gratitude in the Catechism, “for Christians a special gratitude is due to those from whom they have received the gift of faith, the gift of Baptism and life in the Church.” I owe gratitude to the monks just as I owe gratitude to my family. Gratitude comes from the Latin, gratia, meaning grace. Gratitude is a virtue and requires humility and grace. Saying “thank you” is part of gratitude but it is not equivalent to gratitude. When we say “thank you” to a store clerk that is social politeness – there is an exchange and the customer and store owner each receive something they are entitled to receive; one to payment and one to goods. Gratitude is much more than an expression of social politeness.

Gratitude is the realization that what we have received is unearned, it is a true gift. We receive many gifts that we have not earned and for which we have no entitlement. We are not worthy but instead, it is gratia; a gift bestowed upon us but not owed to us. Thus, gratitude requires humility in recognizing we are not worthy but we are blessed anyway. We receive many gifts strictly by the grace of God. We all are called to show gratitude for many gifts which we were given but did nothing to earn: our parents, our life, our children, air, living in a free country – the list could go on forever. Likewise, I feel gratitude towards the monks for the impact they have on my life, my family and the community.

I am grateful I was raised in the Atchison Catholic community. The presence of the monks provided a continuity to my faith outside of my home. This has been the way for many people in Atchison for many years. The earliest settlers in Atchison County were beneficiaries of the monks who traveled and settled along the river in hope that as the west was settled, faith would be a cornerstone of the communities. The monks were certainly successful in their evangelization considering Atchison became home to a monastery, a convent, two Catholic colleges, two Catholic high schools, three Catholic parishes with three Catholic schools.

I was fortunate to grow up in Atchison and received many blessings as a result of the presence of the monks. My introduction to my faith was a result of being born into the Kuckelman family but my faith was impacted substantially as I grew up in such close proximity to this group of men. I recall dinners at our home that included many of the community members over several years.

One of my earliest memories is of Fr. Germain Kuckelman coming to our house for dinner. I recall the rosaries he made from sweetgum fruit. Even today, the thorny sweetgum fruit laying just north of St. Benedict’s Church serves as a permanent reminder of Fr. Germain and his rosaries. While social interaction with the monks was an important part of my childhood, I am especially appreciative of their role in my formal education in grade school and at Maur Hill.

In considering my personal gratitude for the monks, I have always felt special gratitude for Br. John Peto (above at top right). When I was a sophomore at Maur Hill I was in Br. John’s religion class. His teaching of catechism was especially effective. As Maur Hill students we received a great understanding of tangible versus intangible aspects of our faith. Br. John went so far as to eat chalk to demonstrate the difference between something tangible such as chalk which can be touched, seen and even eaten as compared to intangible features of our faith. To this day when a sacrament is given, I can recall with clarity Br. John’s teaching of the sacrament. Br. John is but one example of many ways the monks impact the lives of those around them on a daily basis but frequently that impact is life-long.

In Luke 17:5-17 we learned of the ten lepers who were healed. One healed leper returned in gratitude. The one healed leper that returned glorified God and fell at the feet of Jesus and gave thanks. Jesus said “Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they?”

I hope in my gratitude for the monks I can be like the leper that had the grace and humility to realize he was given a gift that was unearned. I close with a heartfelt “thank you” to the monks but know that it is really gratitude I am attempting to express.

Ora et labora.

Mike Kuckleman is a native of Atchison, Kan., graduating from Maur Hill Prep School in 1982. He lives in Kansas City with his wife and children.