
8 minute read
The Banquet
“We’ve all said: Give us a man who makes us proud to be Catholic, to live our faith fully, to celebrate the love we share in Christ. And God gave us Barnabas.” story by Joe Akers | photos by Dennis Dunleavy
With these words, longtime friend Karen Wuenstel introduced Abbot Barnabas Senecal at the retirement banquet in his honor.
On April 27, 2013, the Society of St. Benedict, the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey and many, many family and friends celebrated together the life of Abbot Barnabas (below with Ceil Patton.) The event raised $519,740 for the benefit of St. Benedict’s Abbey. Almost 550 people joined us at the DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas, to pay tribute to the eighth Abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey. We gathered to honor a former student, scholar and athlete; a teacher, administrator and pastor. We came to honor a monk-priest and a humble servant. And led by Karen Wuenstel, we sang to the “Singing Abbot.”
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you Pray that I might have the grace
To let me be your servant too - The Servant Song
With a masterful blend of well-wishers on video and appearances by Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Karen Wuenstel and Abbots Barnabas and James, the evening captured the life of Abbot Barnabas in remarkable style. The night highlighted various parts of the Abbot’s life from centerpieces created from the Abbot’s photography to dessert with each serving of cake emblazoned with the Abbot’s coat of arms.
Karen Wuenstel led the program with her poem, “And God gave us Barnabas.” (Excerpt on back cover) She shared the Abbot’s story; from birth as a twin in Atwood, Kansas, to his schooling at Maur Hill Prep; from entering the novitiate at the Abbey to serving at Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park; from being elected Abbot to his role as confidant and friend, Karen’s poem captured the spirited life of this humble monk. When Karen finished leading us in The Servant Song, she gave him a hug and introduced Abbot Barnabas.
And he didn’t disappoint:
With ease of spirit Abbot Barnabas drew laughter and applause with stories of his induction into the “Running Revs” hall of fame, his years as a teacher, administrator and pastor, and of his service as Abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey. He made us laugh. He made us cry. And as expected, he wanted to sing:
Abba, abba Father, you are the potter,
We are the clay, the work of your hands… Mold us… mold us and fashion us, into the image of Jesus your son… of Jesus your son - Abba Father
Then he shared these words, “We are molded by God, and by those who love us and by those whom we love. We are God’s instruments in molding one another. Thanks to all who have loved me and those who have allowed me to love them.”
Abbot Barnabas closed with a tribute to his mother and to all women by asking everyone to join him in singing:
Gentle woman, quiet light Morning star so strong and bright
Gentle mother, peaceful dove
Teach us wisdom, teach us love -Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
While honoring Abbot Barnabas, the event also offered the opportunity to support the Abbot Barnabas, Maur & Placid Fund. At St. Benedict’s Abbey this fund addresses a problem that prevents many college graduates from considering a religious calling: educational debt.
As Abbot James (at left with Abbot’s Table underwriter John Gillcrist) explained, “this fund provides men the freedom to discern a calling to the monastic life at St. Benedict’s Abbey.” He announced a challenge issued by friends of Abbot Barnabas. “This couple, in honor of Abbot Barnabas, will contribute $100,000 to the Abbot Barnabas, Maur & Placid Fund, if we can raise another $100,000 tonight”.
The response was overwhelming, with the event raising $519,740. After banquet expenses, the Abbey development office estimates that your gifts will net approximately $450,000. After humbly sharing the benefit total, Abbot James invited everyone back: “In the Rule of St. Benedict, one of the highest honors is to be invited to the Abbot’s Table. It’s an honor reserved for closest friends and family. That’s the way Abbot Barnabas and I and all the monks think of you, as close friends and family. And so beginning next year, this banquet will be referred to as The Abbot’s Table, to which you all are invited.”

in honor of the Artful Abbot

I’d like to specifically thank Michael and Patty Morrisey from the Catholic Education Foundation and Sue Durkin from Benedictine College. Their advice and direction were essential for the success of this banquet. It’s easy to see why Gaudeamus and the Benedictine Scholarship Ball are so very successful.
Thank you to our chair couples Mike and Lisa Boddicker and Bob and Janet Wholey and to our banquet emcee Joan Charbonneau (at left with Joe Akers). Lastly, thanks to our development staff of Amanda Klein and JD Benning for your extraordinary commitment in making this banquet so memorable for Abbot Barnabas.
Banquet Underwriters
Abbot’s Table
J.E. Dunn Construction John & Terry Gillcrist Michael R. & Marlys Haverty Family Foundation Gene & Angela Hegarty
Abbot’s Table
april twenty-sixth two-thousand fourteen A benefit for St. Benedict’s Abbey
kansas monks tv
The Banquet Special Prior’s Guild

Benedictine College Mike & Lisa Boddicker
Chair-Couple Larry & Teresa Buessing Byron Thompson & Country Club Bank Exchange National Bank & Trust Tom & Molly Freeman P.J. & Virginia Keeley Jim & Katie O’Brien Bob & Janet Wholey
Chair-Couple
Banquet Steering Committee
Lisa Boddicker Sue Durkin Laura Moccia Michael & Patty Morrissey Karen Wuenstel Abbot James Albers
Recently there has been a noticeable increase in Catholics seeking spiritual direction.
If you are interested in this tried and true method that leads to spiritual health and eternal wealth, I suggest reading Navigating the Interior Life, Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God, by Daniel Burke.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann endorses this book in saying, “Navigating the Interior Life is an immensely practical book to help a serious Catholic take advantage of the wealth of experience and knowledge of those who have trod the path to sanctity for the past 2,000 years.”
This book explains what spiritual direction is, the need for spiritual direction, how to find the right director for you, how to prepare for spiritual direction and how to make the most of it in your daily life. The book is ideal for the pew potato who wants to get more of the spiritual wealth that Jesus Christ has entrusted to his Church.
For me, the strongest part of the book is the chapter on “Spiritual Self-Evaluation.” Each sin a person commits has a root cause. In this chapter, Burke explains the concept of “root sins,” thereby helping a person deal with the underlying cause of particular sins and eradicating them at their source!
If you want to grow in your spiritual life but never knew where to start, this book is for you.
Spiritual Direction is...
• Understanding the general direction of one’s soul • Working with a spiritual guide to help unite one’s soul to God and find peace and joy through the pursuit of His will and ways • A process of growing in holiness - Excerpt from cover of - Navigating the Interior Life This book is available at Amazon.com for $12.00
Table Sponsors
Monte Cassino
Koechner Family Mike & Susan Gangel Subiaco
Blish-Mize Bob & Shirley Chenoweth Hank & Susan Keeley
O’Malley Beverage, Inc. Stevenson Family Pharmacy Mark & Barbara Wetta Knights of Malta - St. Joseph, Missouri
Nursia
Bob & Betty Albers Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Atchison Hospital Carrigan Family Cronan Family
Lathrop & Gage, L.L.P. Maur Hill-Mount Academy Paul & Laura Moccia Pat Smith & Tom Whalen Stephanie Van Dyne, D.D.S. Norm & Shirley Youngberg Zielinski Companies
Porter’s Circle Sponsors
Ray & Mary Jo Becker Joe & Colleen Cernich Mike & Mary Alice Easterday Dick & Kathryn Forge Jack & Rosemary Miller John & Ines Gilbert Hausman Metal Works & Roofing Larry & Linda Kaminsky Dave & Sherri Laughlin Bernie & Jacqueline Madden Michael & Patty Morrisey Miles Otoupal Cecilia Patton Tom & Michon Quick Bob & Caroline Reintjes Steve & Lynn Rus Corky & Molle Stueve Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth
Friends of St. Benedict’s Abbey - Tour to Brazil
Make plans now to join Abbot James Albers this coming October 8th – 19th, when he leads the Friends of St. Benedict’s Abbey on a tour to Brazil. Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world and home to largest national population of Catholics, 123 million. Catholic Mass has been celebrated in Brazil since the beginning of the 16th century and Benedictines have been there since 1590. Highlights of the tour will include: the Benedictine Monastery at São Paulo founded in 1600; the shrine to Our Lady of Aparecida, patron saint of Brazil, that has been visited by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI and soon by Pope Francis; and the city of Rio de Janeiro which will host Pope Francis when he visits for World Youth Day in July. Details of the tour and the itinerary are being finalized, but you can be certain to get the information as soon as it is available by calling Trinity Travel 913 422 4141 to register your interest.
