Abbey Banner - Fall 2010

Volume 10 • Issue 2 • Fall 2010

A B B EY

BANNER Magazine of Saint John’s Abbey

Community: The Art of Living Together, 4 We’re back in the bees-ness, 8 Timothy Kelly resigns as abbot president, 10 “Only God can make a tree”, 12 Meet a Monk: Robin Pierzina, new editor, 14 Profession and ordination jubilarians, 16 Obituaries, 19 Is there a doctor in the house? 22

Prioress Nancy Bauer, OSB and Abbot John Klassen, OSB

Monks in the kitchen, 23 New Benedictine Volunteers, 24 Volunteers build chicken coop in Guatemala, 25 The Abbey Chronicle, 26 Permanent Diaconate Survey, 29 And more

Saint Benedict’s Monastery

Saint John’s Abbey

Community: The Art of Living Together

Adam Bauer, Nancy Bauer, OSB, Lee Hanley

Contents

Susan Sink

Pages 4 - 7 Cover Story

The schola of Saint Benedict’s Monastery

Community: The Art of Living Together

by Prioress Nancy Bauer, OSB, and Abbot John Klassen, OSB

Features 8

We’re back in the bees-ness

by Daniel Durken, OSB

11 Abbey Personnel Appointments 12 “Only God can make a tree.”

10 Timothy Kelly resigns as abbot president

by Daniel Durken, OSB

14 Meet a Monk: Robin Pierzina, OSB, New Abbey Banner editor

Articles Editorials 3 From editor and abbot Jubilarians and Profession 16 Nineteen monks celebrate jubilees 18 Two monks profess solemn vows; new abbey associate

Obituaries 19 Burton Bloms, OSB Stanley Roche, OSB Edwin Stueber, OSB

Benedictine Volunteers 24 23 New Volunteers 25 Volunteers build chicken coop in Guatemala

Banner Bits 22 Is there a doctor in the house?

29 Permanent diaconate survey

The Abbey Chronicle 26 Highlights of April to August, 2010

Monks in the Kitchen 23 Pesto or pizza? How about both?

Spiritual Life 31 Fall Festivals of our Fairest Lady, Mary

NOTE: Please send your change of address to: Ruth Athmann at rathmann@csbsju.edu or P.O. Box 7222, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7222 or call 800-635-7303.

Editor: Daniel Durken, OSB ddurken@csbsju.edu Copy Editor and Proofreader: Dolores Schuh, CHM Designer: Pam Rolfes

Abbey Banner Magazine of Saint John’s Abbey Volume 10, Issue 2 Fall 2010

Circulation: Ruth Athmann, Cathy Wieme, Tanya Boettcher, Jan Jahnke, Mary Gouge Printer: Palmer Printing, Waite Park, Minnesota

Abbey Banner is published three times annually (spring, fall, winter) by the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s Abbey for our relatives, friends and Oblates.

Abbey Banner is online at www.saintjohnsabbey.org/banner/index.html Saint John’s Abbey, Box 2015, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-2015

FROM EDITOR AND ABBOT

July 11, a special day for Benedictines

From one generation to the next

by Daniel Durken, OSB

by Abbot John Klassen, OSB

I

T

n 1981 the Council of the abbot president of the American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines decreed that July 11 should be celebrated as the Feast of Saint Benedict, Patriarch of Western Monasticism. While other Catholics celebrated the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time this past July 11, Benedictines celebrated the feast of our founder.

The celebration was extra special for sixteen monks of the abbey marking 70th, 60th, 50th and 25th anniversaries of first profession of vows. Photos and brief biographies are on pages l6-17. I am among them as a 60-year jubilarian.

Sixty years, 720 months and 21,900 days have come and gone. In 1950, the first of those sixty years, the abbey numbered 288 members. The average age was 44, the median age 40. Presently the community numbers 148. Our average age is 68, our median age 70. The abbey has gotten smaller and older but is still very much alive.

Six decades brought many changes. English, not Latin, is the language of our public prayer. Popular hymns have almost replaced Gregorian chant. We begin our prayer day at 7:00 a.m. instead of 4:45 a.m. Daily private Masses have become one daily community Eucharist. Instead of noon and evening meals being served family style, today’s lunch and supper are presented buffet style.

Benedictine parishes in Minnesota, North Dakota and New York are now staffed by diocesan or religious order clergy. Missions to Indians in northern Minnesota and former dependent priories in the Bahamas, Kentucky, Mexico and Puerto Rico were either transferred to other missionary groups, dissolved or became independent. Our prep school, university and School of Theology•Seminary have grown successfully. Saint Raphael’s Hall for ill and retired monks, Collegeville Ecumenical Institute, Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, Abbey Guesthouse and Pavilion, Benedictine Volunteer Corps, The Saint John’s Bible and Benedictine Institute are among major new projects.

Throughout these years one of my favorite prayers has been, “One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4). I am grateful that the Lord has answered this prayer and that my confreres, family and friends have helped me so much. +

his summer has had more than its share of heavy rainfall, high winds and tornado touch downs. Seeing trees bending in the wind, rain slashing at windows and hearing thunder rolling across the sky reminded me of the accounts of the tornado that hit Saint John’s campus on June 27, 1894.

That twister touched down in the cemetery and swept across the monastery grounds toward the northeast and in its wake left most of the trees broken off like so many matchsticks. The wooden buildings, such as icehouse, greenhouse, bakery and butcher shop, were totally destroyed and the upper wooden hayloft of the barn was ripped off. The second floor of the original south wing attached to the quadrangle was also destroyed. Fortunately there was no loss of life.

The storm was devastating for the community, but out of it came new plantings, a commitment to build even smaller buildings out of brick, and the addition of a third floor to the south wing that matches it to the quadrangle.

This summer we have had to redesign the plaza between the abbey church and the Great Hall. (See “But only God can make a tree,” pp. 12-13). The center of the plaza has been graced with two stately silver maple trees that have provided shade for generations of monks, students and guests. The upper limbs of the trees have become substantially weaker over the past twenty-five years, serving as home for an increasing squirrel population. After careful consideration the community decided to take down these monumental trees. The huge trunks showed 106 rings, indicating that they were among the first planted after the 1894 tornado.

I thought of the monks who planted these trees after the devastation of the tornado. They could not know the joy, peace and pleasure that would come to generations of people because of their hope-filled action. They could not know the incredible sense of place and stability these trees would come to symbolize.

Each generation has to plant some “trees” for the future, has to hand on something that will be a source of life, beauty and hope for those who come after us. + Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 3

FEATURE

Adam Bauer

Community: The Art of Living Together

Prioress Nancy and Abbot John

always the weather. We discuss books and films, the World Series, March Madness and our future.

Introduction Abbot John: Community life is a sacrament where one encounters Christ as surely as in celebrating the Eucharist. The following are aspects of this sacrament.

But I misunderstood perseverance, thinking it meant not leaving the community. This is the easy part of commitment. Harder is fidelity to day-today life of the community—showing up each morning, year after year, doing what the community does.

Stability in community

Community and ritual

Abbot John: Benedictine stability includes both a commitment to a specific place and to specific people.

At Saint John’s we share our deepest feelings and inner life with a few people over the course of many years.

Our default conversation topic is

Prioress Nancy: We have rituals that are not necessarily liturgical. For example, for a community meeting we each receive a packet of red, white and black poker chips. When we vote on a motion, a few Sisters go around with antique white enamel pitchers and Sisters vote by plunking poker chips into the pitchers—white for yes,

2010 page 4 Abbey Banner Spring Fall 2010

black for no, red for undecided. While voting we sit quietly, listening to the plunking.

Susan Sink

Prioress Nancy: When I professed perpetual vows in 1981, I was confident that this was the life for me. As I left the chapel I met Sister Remberta Westkaemper, in her 80s, who said to me, “Pray for perseverance. I pray every day for perseverance.”

If this Sister, six decades professed, still struggled with the temptation to leave, there was no hope for me.

Sisters use poker chips and colored cards to vote on proposals.

We also have a pickles tradition.

Some Sisters raise cucumbers and make dill pickles. At Christmas every living group at the monastery receives a jar of pickles. What we find under our Christmas tree in the dining room on Christmas morning are quarts and quarts of pickles.

Abbot John: Ritual marks and organizes our day such as the way we enter and leave the church. We mark celebrations with ritual action such as the 4th of July when the Declaration of Independence is read and we have

Paul Jasmer, OSB

Editor’s Note: On March 24, 2010, Abbot John Klassen, OSB, of Saint John’s Abbey and Prioress Nancy Bauer, OSB, of Saint Benedict’s Monastery spoke to an attentive audience about Benedictine monastic life. The following are excerpts from their presentation sponsored by the Benedictine Institute. A video of the presentation may be accessed at: Http://webapps.csbsju/streaming/ Klassen-bauer.html

ing program for guests. In 1997 the abbot appointed a new guesthouse committee and the community finally approved its recommendations. In 2000 we chose Japanese architect Tadao Ando to design the facility but his plan was unaffordable. We then hired Minnesota architect Vincent James who designed the present building that was Sister Elaine Schroeder’s Christmas pickles dedicated October 21-22, 2006, twenty-seven years after Abbot Jerome first proposed the a water-balloon toss that soaks the idea. Better late than never. players. The Christmas tree blessing is climaxed by switching on the tree Prioress Nancy: One of the biggest lights followed by the “aaah” of the decisions our community recently community. Each confrere knows made was to demolish an old residenhe is a year older when “Happy tial building called Marmion after a Birthday” is sung to him at lunch. saintly Benedictine abbot, and build When a monk turns 80, he and the a new Marmion. Old Marmion was community are treated to a birthday a firetrap for the elderly Sister resicake. dents. I set a deadline for making a decision. At large and small group Community decision-making and taking counsel Abbot John: Our important decisionmaking is usually a longer, more thoughtful process than for the larger society. A few years ago Krispy Crème built a store in Saint Cloud and within one year it was closed and the building razed. In contrast, in 1979 Abbot Jerome Theisen brought the idea of an abbey guesthouse to the community, noting that we needed to develop the spirit of hospitality.

A committee was formed to develop a program for a new guesthouse. In 1989 the community voted on the proposal to raise $2.5 million to build the facility. The proposal was defeated by five votes.

In 1994 Abbot Timothy Kelly appointed a new guestmaster who began a more aggressive market-

meetings we talked: raze the building; renovate it; raze; renovate. One Sister presented a wild idea: tear it down and replace it with a new building.

But we still discussed: raze; renovate.

The estimate to renovate was exorbitant.

Finally a consultant determined that if we demolished Marmion we would be short on housing. The consultant’s recommendation to construct something better suited to our living in the 21st century made sense. We decided to build. Then Sister Colman O’Connell told us not to feel bad that it took us so long to decide because it took us thirty-six years to decide to make our own wooden coffins.

Listening Prioress Nancy: Saint Benedict begins his Rule with the word “Listen.” “Listen with the ear of your heart,” really listen. We listen for the word and will of God. We

Daniel Durken, OSB

Susan Sink

FEATURE

Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 5

FEATURE the strengths of those who come to us, meaningful, salaried work compatible with monastic life. We can’t hire monks. The abbey guesthouse is one such apostolate.

Susan Sink

What it takes to live in community

The new Marmion residence at the Monastery of Saint Benedict

An obstacle to listening is internal noise that keeps us from hearing with the ear of our heart.

Distraction and preoccupation are the

I saw a statue of Benedict with one ear disproportionately large and his hand cupped behind it. Not a very attractive statue, but it made a point.

Listening is one of the most Benedictine things we do.

Susan Sink

A day in my life is full of listening: from the early bird at my window feeder and Minnesota Public Radio news, to morning, noon and evening community prayer; from appointments with Sisters and other meetings to the late afternoon Eucharist; and finally the night silence of my room where I listen to my mind and heart sort out all I heard this day.

cholesterol of monastic life, clogging our spiritual arteries. How often do we say, “Thanks be to God” at the end of a Scripture reading but cannot recall what the reading was about?

“Listen carefully with the ear of your heart,” Saint Benedict writes.

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Sometimes those characters who first seemed so endearing will make one’s liver turn green. Community members were drawn together by God, not by human choice or affection. These are not a bunch of friends who decided to live together. These are strangers who, by bruising each other’s egos and salving each other’s pains over a lifetime, become sisters and brothers.

Community and making a living Abbot John: Every monastic community struggles with making sure there is enough income to make community life and ministry possible. Communities like ours have developed educational apostolates that started very simply but now have $100 million physical plants. We are challenged to find work well matched to

Simon-Hoa Phan, OSB

listen to anything and anyone that might transmit the word and will of God—Scripture, each other, creation, the subtle messages of triumphs and tragedies of everyday life, our own intuitions, our guests, silence.

Prioress Nancy: To persevere in Benedictine community, one must be drawn to it by God. One will persevere only when there is an unquenchable desire to seek God. This is vocation, a calling. Attraction to community is helpful but not sufficient.

Community will never fill the human need for intimacy. The Liturgy of the Hours may be appealing for a few years. But someday a monastic will wake up to the sound of the bell calling to morning prayer and will want to scream.

Candles mark the table place of a deceased monk.

FEATURE Forgiveness and reconciliation Abbot John: One thing lost to the Church in the aftermath of the past fifteen years is the theological language of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation. Many victims of sexual abuse will not use or permit the use of the word forgiveness.

Simon-Hoa Phan, OSB

We know that if victims of any great harm are to come to some peace with it, they need to take the steps to forgiveness. Before U.S. bishops drew up the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002, the Church in many cases had too easy a path to forgiveness and return to ministry. Since the Charter, offender priests no longer have access to the reality of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.

From their point of view they have lost everything. In monastic communities, however, we argue that perpetrators are still part of our communities. We will not throw them out of the community. We will make sure they have access to therapy, full participation in the life of the community insofar as it does not compromise the norms of the Charter, and the blessing of confreres. +

Susan Sink

Solitaire is a favorite card game.

The Saint Benedict’s community at prayer

We listen to and praise the Lord.

A community conversation

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 7

FEATURE

We’re back in the bees-ness

by Daniel Durken, OSB

The Collegeville Apiary near the apple orchard. Lewis Grobe, OSB (l.) and Nickolas Kleespie, OSB

J

for candle making. When maple syrup production started in the early 1940s, a few of the trees were tapped to supply food for the apiary.

Bees and their apiary are not strangers to Saint John’s. Research in the university archives by Elizabeth Knuth gathered a quantity of quotes that indicate there was a small apiary near the 1864 Frame House, the original building of the abbey when the pioneer monks first settled next to the old Collegeville railroad tracks.

Another apiary was started in 1925 to provide honey as well as beeswax

Long, long before bees came to Collegeville they were present on earth some 130 million years ago. There are 20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families.

They have two pairs of wings that beat with the amazing

im Dwyer, director of planned giving for Saint John’s University, recently donated to the abbey two beehives from the Rocky Hill Apiary, operated by Phil (SJU alumnus) and Caroline Benedickson of Mora, Minnesota. Novices Lewis Grobe, OSB, and Nickolas Kleespie, OSB, volunteered to care for these incredible creatures when the hives were delivered in late April and placed near the apple orchard south of the cemetery.

page 8 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

frequency of approximately 230 times per second.

Novices Lewis and Nickolas became interested in the bee business when they discovered bee hives and

Beekeepers examine a board of bees.

FEATURE equipment in the apple cellar next to Liturgical Press. A booklet and video produced by an extension program of the University of Minnesota gave them instructions on beekeeping with special concern for Minnesota apiaries. The old hives were painted and refurbished and 140 pounds of beeswax left from former hives were used to make small candles.

Beekeeping has been a “lesson in patience,” Lewis and Nickolas agree.

They recall their first sight of bees returning to the hives carrying packets of pollen on their legs and stomachs that they thought were destructive mites. Pollen is the protein source and nectar the energy source for the hive.

The beekeepers’ goal is to create two viable hives that will survive the winter. The bees heat the hives by swarming and beating their wings.

A large swarm of bees

Bees offer valuable lessons in the distribution of labor-intensive tasks.

The queen bee lays 2000 eggs per day during the spring buildup season and 1000 to 1500 eggs a day during the foraging season. Each hive has only one queen who supplies all the baby bees or larvae. The queen leaves the hive only once to mate with several drones and stores enough sperm to last a lifetime. The female worker bees do not breed. Young worker bees tend to the queen bee while the older workers do the foraging for pollen and nectar, feed the larvae, convert the nectar into honey, clean the wax cells of the hive and guard the hive. Workers must visit 4,000 flowers to produce a tablespoon of honey. “Busy as a bee” is what their lives are all about. + Photos by Theresa Reichert The Collegeville beekeepers: Lewis (l.) and Nickolas

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 99

FEATURE

Timothy Kelly resigns as abbot president due to esophageal cancer David Manahan, OSB

by Daniel Durken, OSB

Abbot President Hugh Anderson, OSB (l.) and Abbot Timothy, OSB.

“I accept it. I am 76 years old and have enjoyed a good life. I am not afraid to die.”

(Abbot Timothy)

A

bbot Timothy Kelly, OSB, ninth abbot of Saint John’s Abbey (1992-2000) and abbot president of the AmericanCassinese Congregation of Benedictines since 2001, was diagnosed with inoperable esophageal cancer on Good Friday, April 2, 2010.

Earlier this year Timothy found it difficult to swallow and experienced chest pains. Several biopsies and a PET/CT scan determined that cancer had spread to lymph nodes. Radiation and chemotherapy continue as a palliative measure.

Timothy’s illness prevented him from attending the 50th General Chapter of the Congregation at Saint Bernard Abbey, Cullman, Alabama, but he recorded his “State of the Congregation” message for the meeting. He thereupon resigned his

page 10 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

position as abbot president. Abbot Hugh Anderson, OSB, eighth abbot (1985-2002) of Saint Procopius Abbey, Lisle, Illinois, was elected to succeed Timothy.

Abbot president Hugh spoke of Timothy as an “absolute gift” to the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines, to the international Confederation of all Benedictine communities and to the Church at large. He described Timothy as a “true mentor and leader.”

During his tenure as abbot president, Timothy presided at the election of twelve abbots and oversaw the closure of one community, Holy Cross Abbey, Cañon City, Colorado.

He also appointed nine administrators to lead communities during their process of selecting an abbot.

A major ministry of Timothy has been his work with the China Commission of the Benedictine Confederation, established in 1994.

It supports initiatives of the church in China that encourage openness to the Holy Spirit’s inspirations to develop forms of religious life that will be Christ-centered and respectful of the unique culture of China.

On several occasions Abbot Timothy visited Beijing, Sichuan Province, Shenyang, Hong Kong and Xian. He met with Chinese bishops and visited cathedrals, seminaries and a retreat center. A highlight of a Beijing trip was a visit to the old Fu Jen University built and staffed from 1922 to 1933

by American Benedictines. The site is now a two-year college of the Chinese government.

FEATURE

His visits to Chinese seminaries showed Timothy the desperate need for textbooks. Meeting with Chinese publishers, he promoted a translation project whereby Western publishers, including Saint John’s Liturgical Press, would help Chinese Catholic publishers produce up-todate textbooks. He acquired the first financial grant for these translations.

The project has begun and is administered through the United States Catholic China Bureau.

In a 1999 letter Timothy stated, “There are no simplistic answers to the dilemma of a split church in China. The fact is that most bishops of China in the open church are in union with Rome. Our task is to be facilitators of reconciliation, not condemners of what we cannot understand. If we can serve in a positive manner we will be blessed for generations to come.”

Commenting on his current illness, Abbot Timothy states, “I accept it.

I’m 76 and have enjoyed a good life.

Abbey Archives

One of the needs of the church in China is the education of seminarians and women religious. Timothy encouraged Saint John’s School of Theology to meet this need by, to date, admitting more than twenty seminarians, priests and sisters for theological studies. A Chinese lay woman, Teresa WoYe, spent two years at Saint John’s to develop her art work and returned to China to design the windows of the Shanghai cathedral.

Abbott Ti Abb Timothy th att a podium di

I am not afraid to die. One of my favorite Scripture passages is Sirach 2:18b—‘Equal to God’s majesty is God’s mercy.’ The majesty of God is love. Our salvation is God’s loving, merciful gift, not our reward. I am so grateful for this gift.” +

Abbey Personnel Assignments Dennis Beach, theological studies for priesthood ordination while teaching philosophy classes Nickolas Becker, chaplain of SJU campus ministry, faculty resident with university sophomores, teach a college theology class and study languages in preparation for further studies in theology John Brudney, from abbey development office to assistant fire chief and weather recorder with Neal Laloo while continuing as master of ceremonies of abbey liturgies Andrew Frederick, claustral oblate candidate, to assistant abbey treasurer Brad Jenniges, from assistant abbey treasurer and weather-monk to theological studies for priesthood Jonathan Licari, from pastor of Albany and St. Anthony parishes to community subprior Eugene McGlothlin, retirement as pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Collegeville Dan Morgan, athletic department’s recreation manager, head water polo and diving coach and faculty resident with university sophomores Michael Naughton, from prior and procurator of the international Benedictine college of Saint Anselm in Rome to pastor of Albany and St. Anthony parishes John-Bede Pauley, teaching music theory, music appreciation and voice in the SJU music department and completing his doctoral thesis from Durham University, England Robin Pierzina, from Liturgical Press editor to editor of Abbey Banner with the spring 2011 issue Aelred Senna, from administrative assistant to abbot and prior to sales and circulation manager of a new daily prayer periodical of Liturgical Press Jerome Tupa, from chaplain of SJU campus ministry to pastor of the Collegeville parish + Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 11

FEATURE

Trimming one of the silver maples in the shadow of the Twin Tower.

“But only God can make a tree.”

J

oyce Kilmer (1886-1918) immortalized them with his poem “Trees.” Who has not memorized, “I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree.” and “Poems are made by fools like me, / But only God can make a tree.”? In late May, however, we learned that trees are unmade by humans.

The two silver maple trees shading the plaza between the abbey church and the Great Hall were evaluated by two independent tree experts and judged unsafe because of their deteriorating condition. The decision was made to have both trees removed by Wendt & Sons, Inc., of Waite Park, Minnesota.

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The tree crew and equipment arrived on May 24 and the process of sawing off the branches began. Steve Wendt did the sawing with a very sharp, electric blade from his cherry picker crane and platform. He lassoed each branch with a rope for its safe descent. After four days two massive stumps were the only evidence of the action.

The common question was, “How old were these two trees?” A probable answer was given when Matthew Matt Palmquist counted the 106 rings of the tree.

FEATURE

Wendt and Sons of Waite Park removed the trees.

Steve Wendt works from his cherry picker platform.

Palmquist, an SJU junior history major from Cloquet, Minnesota, and summer assistant at the Pottery Shop, volunteered to count the rings of the larger tree. His total was 106 rings, dating the beginning of the tree to about 1904. The date is substantiated by an early 20th-century photo in the university archives showing a row of small maple trees in front of the old abbey church.

In mid-July the renovation of the plaza continued with the removal of the granite and brick sidewalk. Due to the slippery nature of the granite pieces at times of rain or snow and ice, they are replaced by bricks. The sunken area of the plaza is now filled in and two Majestic Sugar Maple trees planted, known for their spectacular fall color. +

Two Majestic Sugar Maple trees are planted on the plaza.

Photos by Daniel Durken, OSB Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 13

MEET A MONK Brother Robin and the late Abbot Jerome Theisen on the occasion of Robin’s solemn profession in 1980

Meet a Monk: Robin Pierzina, OSB, new Abbey Banner editor

by Daniel Durken, OSB

W

hen I informed Abbot John last spring that I intended to resign as editor of Abbey Banner after the winter 2010 issue that will complete Daniel’s Decade, the first question he asked me was, “Whom do you recommend as your successor?” My answer was immediate: “Brother Robin Pierzina!” I could think of no one with more editorial experience and success than this 57-year-old monk whose resume lists a multitude of editorial and publication projects.

Robin grew up in Little Falls, Minnesota, attended Little Falls community high school and graduated from Saint John’s in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. The following year he

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entered the abbey and made his first profession of vows in 1977. Even before the completion of his novitiate year he became the reviews editor for Worship magazine and held that assignment for a dozen years.

In 1979, as director of Liturgical Press, I asked Brother Robin to be managing editor of The Bible Today.

This popular periodical had pre-dated by three years the 1965 mandate of the Second Vatican Council that “Easy access to sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful” (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, 22).

With contributions from a roster of prominent Scripture scholars, Robin diligently and creatively edited the

magazine for the next twenty-six years. As a member of the Catholic Press Association the magazine consistently earned General Excellence, Best Article and Best Four-Color Cover Awards in the association’s yearly competition. In 1999 it received Honorable Mention for Superb Craftsmanship from the International Gallery of Superb Printing.

Expanding his publishing experience, Robin has served as managing editor of Saint John’s Abbey Quarterly; photo editor of A Sense of Place II, the third edition of Worship and Work, and A Guide to the Lands of the Bible; copy editor of The ISTI Sun for the Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute and Sagatagan Seasons, the publication of Saint John’s Arboretum; and editor of

MEET A MONK

Well aware that “all work and no play makes a dull monk,” Robin enjoys walking in the woods and prairie of the campus, listening to music, and reading with a preference for biographies, especially that of Winston Churchill, and short stories.

Brother Robin and samples of The Bible Today

The newly appointed editor of Abbey Banner is certainly no rookie. His wide experience ably qualifies him to continue to inform our readers about Benedictine life under and around the bell banner of the abbey church. He already knows that publishing a magazine entails imagination, cooperation, serious work and the joy and fun of sharing one’s love of Saint John’s with many others. God bless you, Brother Robin. +

Monica Bokinskie

This multi-tasking monk’s services to the Collegeville campus include the following: • for the past twenty-six years, chair of the design committee for the Order of Saint Benedict that oversees campus design issues, selects architects for the erection and renovation of buildings, makes carpet and paint selections, designs abbey stationery and Christmas cards • corporate secretary for the abbey’s Senior Council and for university and prep school regents • faculty resident in university housing • member of the abbey’s vocation team • member of the abbey’s formation, personnel and admissions committees • member of various university committees such as faculty resident council, calendar committee, and housing planning committees • member of the abbey’s Breuer wing and quadrangle renovation task force and corporate restructuring task force • photographing abbey events such as monastic professions and investiture of novices

Monica Bokinskie

Liturgical Press’ Loose-Leaf Lectionary. He has done the cover design for several Liturgical Press publications and contributed the article, “Nursery of the Arts,” about Saint John’s art and architecture, in Saint John’s at 150: A Portrait of This Place Called Collegeville, published in conjunction with our sesquicentennial celebration.

Brother Robin and a file of the minutes of the Design Committee

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 15

JUBILARIANS

Nineteen monks celebrate 855 years of service to abbey and church MONASTIC PROFESSION 70 Years Fintan Bromenshenkel, OSB, taught and coached Preparatory School students before serving as university mathematics instructor, director and programmer/ analyst of the computing center, hockey coach and faculty resident in student housing. He spent fifteen years in the business and computer operations of Saint Augustine’s Monastery/College, Nassau, Bahamas.

Magnus Wenninger, OSB, served thirtyfive years in the Bahamas as mathematics teacher and comptroller at Saint Augustine’s College, prison chaplain, spiritual director and weekend pastoral assistant.

His international reputation as a master polyhedron builder is confirmed by professional articles and a dozen reprints of his Cambridge University Press textbook.

60 Years Martin Rath, OSB, served in the print shop, garden, refectory, bookstore, sacristy and the Collegeville postoffice. Ordained in 1983, he served parishes and nursing homes. He founded and directed Nazareth House, a place of hospitality and prayer, and produced “The Bells of the Banner,” a CD of original recitations and melodies.

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Wilfred Theisen, OSB, taught university physics, history of science and honors courses and served as faculty resident in student housing and associate director of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. He is liaison officer of the Collegeville Ecumenical Institute, substitute pastor, and receptionist at the Great Hall Information Desk and Abbey Gift Shop.

50 Years

Daniel Durken, OSB, taught speech and theology and was dean of men and faculty resident. His abbey assignments include director of novices, personnel director, publicist, and obituary author. As director he moved Liturgical Press into the computer age and edited The Oblate, Sisters Today, Confrere and Abbey Banner.

Roger Klassen, OSB, taught German and theology at the Preparatory School and directed its study abroad program at the Benedictine abbey in Melk, Austria.

He directed the International Studies Abroad program for the university and served as director of junior monks. He now pastors a nearby three-parish cluster.

Knute Anderson, OSB, taught mathematics, Greek, Latin and the church fathers. He was associate pastor, convent chaplain and weekend assistant.

His expertise in classical languages prepared him for working at Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. He assists visiting scholars with translation projects and distributes the community’s mail.

Blane Wasnie, OSB, served the university theology department as instructor, bibliographer and chair, was a faculty resident and directed programs for deacons, rural life and campus ministry. He has been chaplain of Benedictine women and a medical center. He now serves a nearby parish.

Luke Dowal, OSB, spent much of his monastic life as sacristan.

He cooked and did building maintenance at the abbey’s Mexico City mission/school and was the community’s infirmarian after receiving a RN degree. His talent as a watercolor and oils painter was featured in the spring 2009 issue of Abbey Banner.

Michael Naughton, OSB, taught pastoral theology. He directed the Collegeville Mental Health Institute, taught at Saint Augustine’s College in the Bahamas, directed Liturgical Press, was

JUBILARIANS administrator of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, Richmond, Virginia, and prior of the Benedictine college of St. Anselm in Rome. He now serves two nearby parishes.

Joel Kelly, OSB, taught at the Preparatory School and at San Antonio Abbey in Puerto Rico. He served Spanishspeaking parishioners of a Chicago parish and supervised an alcoholic treatment center. He was chaplain and faculty resident at Saint John’s and served as chaplain of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud.

Roman Paur, OSB, directed the university’s human resource center and residential programs and was a faculty resident, teacher of psychology, vice president of student affairs, and director of the Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute. He founded and directs the Faith Community Learning Resource and is prior of Trinity Benedictine Monastery, Fujimi, Japan.

John Patrick (JP) Earls, OSB, taught at the Abbey of Tepeyac in Mexico. He served as Saint John’s vice president of student affairs, faculty resident and professor of English. He served the abbey as director of monastic formation and is a current member of the chaplain team for Saint Benedict’s Monastery.

Mark Kelly, OSB, for forty-nine years has directed the grounds crew that keeps spring and summer lawns green and mowed and winter roads and

walks free of ice and snow. He is Saint John’s “Number One Football Fan.” Kevin Seasoltz, OSB, was professor of religious studies at Catholic University of America. He taught canon law and liturgy at our School of Theology and was rector of the seminary. He edits Worship magazine and has received several awards from liturgical organizations.

25 Years Peter Kawamura, OSB, son of a Buddhist Japanese family, became a Catholic and joined Saint Anselm’s Priory in Tokyo, was ordained to the priesthood and served the community’s parish. He was elected the first Japanese prior of Trinity Benedictine Monastery, Fujimi.

He continues to serve area parishes, religious communities and monastery guests.

ORDINATIONS 65 Years Fintan Bromenshenkel, OSB Magnus Wenninger, OSB These seventy-year jubilarians of monastic profession were ordained September 2, 1945. Their biographies are on the previous page.

John’s admissions counselor, director of church and civic services and the parents program. He is a member of the Spiritual Life Department of the Saint Cloud Hospital.

Eugene McGlothlin, OSB, was pastor and chaplain of Minnesota and Michigan parishes and hospitals and has recently retired as pastor of the Collegeville parish.

He served as university registrar, assistant vice-president of student affairs, director of the parents’ council and a faculty resident.

Chrysostom Kim, OSB, taught philosophy and honors courses in the university before serving as prior and pastor of Saint Anselm’s, Tokyo, Japan. As author-in-residence at the abbey, he muses on philosophical, historical, poetic-literary and sociological topics and produces occasional essays.

Monastic jubliarians were honored during the community Eucharist on July 11, the feast of Saint Benedict.

Ordination jubilarians were honored on June 9 at the celebration of the Eucharist during the community retreat. +

50 Years Roger Botz, OSB, was associate pastor and teacher at St. Bernard’s, St. Paul, before serving as teacher/ principal of Colegio San Antonio, Puerto Rico. He was a Saint Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 17

PROFESSION

Robin Pierzina, OSB

Two monks profess solemn vows “Receive me, Lord, as you have promised, and I shall live; do not disappoint me in my hope” (Psalm 118:116).

Daniel Morgan, OSB, (l.), Abbot John and Nickolas Becker, OSB, are all smiles after the profession ceremony.

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or the first time in three years, the monastic community of Saint John’s Abbey rejoiced and gave thanks for the profession of solemn vows of two of its members: Father Nickolas Becker, OSB, and Brother Daniel Morgan, OSB, on July 11, the feast of Saint Benedict.

Nickolas, 34, son of Robert and Mary Becker of Wesley, Iowa, graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School, Algona, Iowa, in 1994. He earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Notre Dame, and from Saint Meinrad School of Theology the Master of Arts in Catholic Thought and Life and the Master of Divinity. He was ordained a priest for the Sioux City, Iowa, Diocese in 2002.

From 2002-2004 Nickolas was assistant pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City and from 2004-2006 pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Merrill, Iowa, and St. Joseph Parish in rural Hinton, Iowa. During that time he also taught theology classes at Briar Cliff University, Sioux City.

Choosing to join the Collegeville community, Nickolas made his first page 18 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

monastic profession in 2007. He then served as faith formation coordinator in campus ministry at Saint John’s, taught in the theology department and coordinated the weekly celebration of the Eucharist at the Minnesota State Correctional Facility of Saint Cloud.

During the current academic year, Nickolas will continue teaching a theology class, serve as chaplain of SJU campus ministry, live with university sophomores as a dormitory faculty resident and study foreign languages in preparation for further graduate studies in theology.

Daniel, 30, son of Bernie and Mona Morgan of Savage, Minnesota, graduated from Burnsville Senior High School and received the Bachelor of Arts degree in computer science from Saint John’s in 2003. For the next three years he was the managing partner of Tecnaiva Press, a software company, and a small business consultant.

Since entering the abbey and making his first monastic profession in 2007, Daniel has served as assistant athletic director for the National College Athletic Association Compliance, assistant men’s swimming and diving

coach, administrative assistant to abbey leadership and the director of the StrengthsFinders Program.

Daniel’s current assignments include his duties as the athletic department’s recreation manager, the head water polo coach and a faculty resident with university sophomores.

He is also an accomplished player of the Irish Uilleann pipes. +

A new abbey associate

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ichard Crawford, 27, son of Rich and Sara Crawford of Sioux City, Iowa, became an abbey associate last April. Since graduating from Saint John’s in 2006 as a theatre major, Richard has been the facilities manager for CSB/ SJU theatres. He continues this fulltime work, lives in the abbey and participates in the monastic schedule of prayer, meals and work as his schedule allows. The associate program enables one to discern a vocation to the monastic way of life. +

OBITUARIES

Burton Bloms, OSB 1919 – 2010

the crucial role that schools play in the life of young people. A good education is the launching pad for a life, a place for the development of skills, discipline, character, habits of mind and heart, and sense of self, that can never be taken away.

Following in the footsteps of two older brothers who became Benedictines—Romuald (1914 – 1995) at Saint John’s and John (1917 – 1974) at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Oklahoma—young Allen came to our Preparatory School and began his high school, college and seminary studies.

As a monastic novice he received the name Burton and made his first profession of vows in 1940. Had he lived two months longer he would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of his profession on July 11.

In his funeral homily, Abbot John Klassen paid tribute to this energetic and creative confrere: “There is a strong, unifying thread to much of Burton’s work—he loved to build up schools. Whether in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas or Mexico, he understood

Father Burton’s funeral was celebrated on May 7. May he rest in peace. +

Abbey Archives

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llen Edward, son of Bernard and Clara (Zachman) Bloms, grew up in St. Michael, Minnesota, where his parents operated a general store. After his father’s death when Allen was eleven, his mother continued to run the store with the help of several of her six children.

“Father Burton had a vision for what he wanted to accomplish for the needy student. It was this vision that he used to expand the size of schools, to strengthen and diversify academic programs, and to gather resources for scholarships for the needy. With this vision, his vivacious sense of life and a great sense of humor, Burton was an accomplished fund raiser. He had no ‘call resistance’—he didn’t know what the phrase meant!”

Most Reverend Patrick Pinder, Archbishop of Nassau, Bahamas, expressed his condolences: “Without any doubt, Fr. Burton made a significant contribution to education here in The Bahamas. He re-animated the vision of Fr. Frederick Frey, OSB, the founder of St. Augustine’s College, and with vision, imagination and courage expanded the school into the most modern high school in The Bahamas. By now, thousands of Bahamian students have been the beneficiaries of Fr. Burton’s labors.”

Father Burton with boys of the orphanage he founded in Mexico

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 19

OBITUARIES

Stanley Roche, OSB 1921 – 2010

Netherlands and at a half-dozen U.S. bases. Military bureaucracy frustrated him like when he was assigned to take a career course at chaplain school. He wrote, “I was sure of going to Vietnam. But while men die there, I go to chaplain school! Preposterous!”

His reaction did not impede his being rewarded seven military medals including the Bronze Star medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak-Leaf Cluster.

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aptized Forrest Edward, this second son of the ten children of Lawrence and Evelyn (Brokken) Roche grew up on the family farm near Cresco in northern Iowa. After high school he received financial assistance from Saint John’s Abbey and his pastor to study at Saint John’s. He entered the abbey’s novitiate, receiving the name Stanley, made monastic profession, completed his seminary studies and was ordained to the priesthood.

Father Stanley’s transition from army life to parish life gave him the new challenge of adjusting to the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council. He served short terms as associate pastor and pastor of several parishes before his assignment to the

chaplaincy of a nursing home proved to be more compatible with his spirit during the last thirteen years of his pastoral ministry.

During his retirement Stanley took care of the abbey’s Mass stipends for a while. Then he settled into the routine and rhythm of Saint Raphael’s center for retired and ill confreres with sincerity, good humor and a welcoming smile. In his funeral homily Abbot John Klassen recognized Father Stanley as “a faith-filled and dedicated priest-monk who served so many with gentleness and devotion.”

Father Stanley’s funeral was on May 13. May he rest in peace. +

Abbey Archives

Father Stanley taught English and served as Dean of the Preparatory School whose students remember him as “an extremely effective educator, a kind and gentle man.” He found it excruciating to meet with parents of students facing disciplinary action but he regained his composure at the end of a stressful day by enjoying a good cigar.

For twenty-two years Stanley served as chaplain in the United States Army with overseas assignments in Korea, Germany, Thailand, Viet Nam, and the Army chaplain Stanley is served at a traditional Japanese tea ceremony while visiting confreres at Saint Anselm’s Priory, Tokyo.

page 20 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

OBITUARIES

Edwin Stueber, OSB 1917 – 2010

In his funeral homily for Edwin, Abbot John Klassen spoke sensitively about the depression that was our confrere’s lifelong condition. Comparing this complex condition to a black hole in space that absorbs all the light that hits it, reflecting nothing and allowing nothing through, Abbot John said, “Depression is not a mood or a feeling that passes away. Because of his own pain, Father Edwin had a natural empathy for those suffering from physical pain, or those who were facing death.

“Edwin was especially generous, patient and kind in his visits to the sick in the hospital. There were years when he took most of the funerals at Saint Bernard’s because of his own

desire to do this ministry. Sometimes that could approach one hundred funerals per year. Parishioners realized his vulnerability and were very kind to him. He did his level best to serve them well.”

In the spring 2010 issue of Abbey Banner, the article “The Abbey’s Ninety-Year-Old Avid Readers” by Dolores Schuh, CHM, describes two of Father Edwin’s special interests: his love of music from true classical to country western, polkas and jazz; and his remarkable reading knowledge of some fifteen languages.

Father Edwin’s funeral Mass was on July 2. May he rest in peace. +

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After graduation from Holy Trinity High School in New Ulm, Edwin followed his brother, Father Everard, OSB (1914 – 2001), to Saint John’s and entered the abbey’s novitiate, receiving the name Sixtus until he resumed his baptismal name after the Second Vatican Council. He made profession of vows as a monk, continued his seminary studies and was ordained.

Father Edwin’s first assignment was to St. Bernard’s parish, St. Paul, where he spent twenty-eight years with intermittent periods at several parishes and hospitals. Due to poor health he retired to the abbey in 1983.

Abbey Archives

he fifth of the six children of Henrich and Margaret (Ries) Stueber, Edwin first lived on the family farm near Ramey, Minnesota. His father, who lived to be 109, became permanently disabled when Edwin was two years old. The family moved to New Ulm where his mother died when Edwin was ten. He then lived with an uncle who farmed near New Ulm.

Father Edwin’s young attendants at his ordination to the priesthood in 1946

Remember our deceased loved ones: Rev. Lawrence Boadt, C.S.P. Thomas Fournelle Eleanor Glock Regina Grutsch Hugh Hauser Roland Maus

Mozelle Morgan Lloyd Perron Jerry Pierzina Roger Studer Francis Weber Dorothy Zilka

May they rest in peace.

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 21

BANNER BITS John Sebas, MD, Saint John’s new family physician

Is there a doctor in the house?

Visit our website at www.hpcmc.com.

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he answer to that question is a definite and grateful “YES!” The Saint John’s community is now being served by HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics (HPCMC).

A group of St. Cloud area physicians founded the clinic in 1979 to bring high quality, personalized service to our community with the belief that “It is not enough to get you well. We want to keep you well.”

With its main facility located in nearby Sartell, HPCMC occupies the former Health Center on the southeast, first floor area of the Quadrangle, The clinic serves the monastic community, students, faculties, staffs and other employees of the Collegeville campus.

The staff of the Saint John’s clinic includes: John Sebas, M.D., has been a family physician for thirty years. He received his medical degree in the 1970s from Georgetown University School of page 22 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

Kristin McNutt, PA-C (Physician Assistant-Certified) is a native of New York City. There she attended and performed at the American School of Ballet. She taught dance history and technique at the University of Montana in Missoula, and received the Master of Fine Arts degree from the writers’ school at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She received her master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Cornell University, New York City, and completed her clinical in emergency medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Brother Kenneth Kroeker, OSB, RN, graduated from Saint John’s University in

1997 as a registered nurse. From 1988 to 1992 he was a member of the Cistercian community of Our Lady of the Prairies, Winnipeg, Canada. He received the master’s degree in theology from Saint John’s School of Theology in 1992, transferred his vows to Saint John’s Abbey that year and made his final profession in 1996.

Heather Holden, CMA (Certified Medical Assistant), is Dr. Sebas’ assistant. She received her certification from the Minnesota School of Business, St. Cloud, and is trained in laboratory work and radiology.

Jodi Panek, CMA, also received her certification in patient care from the Minnesota School of Business, St. Cloud. She serves as the receptionist at the Saint John’s Clinic.

Nicole Anderson is the clinic manager. +

Daniel Durken, OSB

Daniel Durken, OSB

Medicine, Washington, DC. His respect for religious life developed there with his interaction with the Jesuit community. Moving to St. Cloud in 1993, he was introduced to Saint John’s when his son sang in the Saint John’s Boys’ Choir in 2001-2005 and graduated this year from Saint John’s Preparatory School. His two daughters have completed the ninth grade at the Prep School. Dr. Sebas’ special clinical interests are health education and prevention.

Staff of the Saint John’s HealthPartners Clinic: Front row: Br. Kenneth Kroeker, OSB, RN (l.), Kristin McNutt, PA-C; back row: Heather Holden, CMA (l.), Jody Panek, CMA

MONKS IN THE KITCHEN

Pesto or pizza?

How about both?

by Aelred Senna, OSB

Aelred Senna, OSB

was pesto, of course, and in quantity!

But what can one do with pesto besides put it on pasta? How about pesto pizza? Sure thing!

Brother Dennis gathers basil from a monastic garden.

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So now each New Year’s Eve the monks of Saint John’s look forward to Br. Dennis’ homemade pizza. The latenight pizza party is a long-standing tradition that Dennis took over from a former confrere. The chicken pesto pizza is one of their favorites. He offers standard fare for those who like their pizza without surprises. But for the more adventuresome, pesto is just one of the toppings offered. Those roasted red peppers always make an appearance, as well as kalamata

olives, artichokes, and let’s not forget the anchovies.

If you ever have the opportunity to enjoy a meal prepared by Br. Dennis, you’re in for a treat. He loves big flavors, is not afraid to try something a little different, and serves up everything humbly for the enjoyment of those for whom he has lovingly prepared it. +

resh . . . green . . . exploding with flavor! That’s how I would Aelred Senna, OSB, is the sales-circuladescribe one of the monks’ tion manager of a new prayer project of favorite summer suppers—Br. Dennis Liturgical Press.

Beach’s pesto pasta. While his first job out of college was as a line cook in the Twin Cities, Dennis didn’t make pesto until he was in graduate schooll at Penn State. While temporarily in charge arge of the kitchen of St. Vincent GE (serves 4) A S U A S d n a S T Archabbey’s Benedictine STA with CARRO A P monks who staffed the atoni, macaroni, 1# pasta (penne, rig campus ministry program meat* mpanelle— 1# Italian sausage medium shells, ca inced and with whom he lived, sta) 1-2 cloves garlic, m any short, thick pa ly ne fi d pe op ch n, io Dennis experimented with 1/2 t. Italian seasoning 1 small-medium on ed ingredients he purchased at gr eese s, 4 medium carrot grated parmesan ch s oe at from local producers and m to 15 oz. can crushed distributers at cut-rate prices. k oc st 1/2 c. chicken When a giant bag of red bell peppers became available— “Take it for a buck-fifty, or we’re gonna hafta throw it out!” !”

—he would fire up the grill andd turn to Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking to find all the things he could do with roasted red peppers. Faced with an abundance of basil, the answerr

n herbs. Add ic, onion, and Italia rl ga d ce in m ith w meat with meat Break up sausage d. re 1) Brown sausage si de if er pp hot red pe crushed or ground are quite small. es. fork so that chunks stir; cook 3-5 minut d er low heat an s ot rr ca ed at Cook, covered, ov o.

2) Add gr an eg or d an af le stock, bay 3) Add tomatoes, k.) se on ay need to add stoc e with grated chee for 30 minutes. (M rv Se e. uc sa ith w n, and mix 4) Cook pasta, drai ey the side. non-red meat, turk ho prefer usages. For those w sa le ho w g a decent substitute. in us if lian spices makes Ita *Remove casings & c rli ga , el nn dition of fe sausage with the ad

Abbey bb Banner Fall ll 2010 page 23

BENEDICTINE VOLUNTEERS

Around the World with Benedictine Volunteers

Aelred Senna, OSB

23 new volunteers serve from Collegeville to Chile, Tanzania to Togo, Israel to Italy and beyond.

Front row (l. to r.): Mike Jaeger, Earl (Trey) Thompson III, Alex Schafer, Michael Goggin, Matt Harren, Jeremy Graney, David Johnson, Colin Cote, Corey Friend. Back row (l. to r.): Alec Torigian, Gabriel Sperl, Simon Sperl, Matt Davis, Anthony Nelson, Greg Sullivan, Kevin Finley, Kenan Woodberry, Brian Walsh, Adam Gentner. Not pictured: Matt Grafsgaard, Alex Kurt, Emmanuel (Manny) McDonald, Connor McIntee, Andrew Stevens

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aint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps begins its eighth year with twenty-three graduates of Saint John’s University serving a dozen Benedictine communities in eight countries around the world. Name, major, home town and community served are listed below: CHILI: Jeremy Graney Biology; Omaha, Nebraska Andrew Stevens Hispanic studies; Stillwater, Minnesota Lay Benedictine, Manquehue community, Santiago GUATEMALA: Gabriel Sperl Natural Science; Menomonie, Wisconsin Connor McIntee Natural Science, Hispanic Studies; Saint Paul, Minnesota Benedictine Monastery of the Resurrection, Coban Kenan Woodberry Philosophy; Madison, Minnesota page 24 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

Adam Gentner Applied Physics; Oakdale, Minnesota Abbey of Jesus Christ Crucified Esquipulas, Chiquimula ISRAEL: Brian Walsh Theology; Plymouth, Minnesota Anthony Nelson Philosophy; St. Cloud, Minnesota Benedictine Monastery of Tabgha at the Sea of Galilee ITALY: Matthew Davis Psychology; Maplewood, New Jersey Matthew Grafsgaard Psychology, Minneapolis, Minnesota Monastery of the Holy Cave, Subiaco PHILIPPINES: Corey Friend Political Science; White Bear Lake, Minnesota Matt Harren Communications; St. Cloud, Minnesota Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, Manila TANZANIA: Alec Torigian

Mathematics and Peace Studies; Crystal, Minnesota Michael Jaeger Biology; Plymouth, Minnesota Abbey of Saint Maurus, Hanga, Songea Simon Sperl Music Composition; Menomonie, Wisconsin Alex Kurt Political Science; Eagan, Minnesota Abbey of the Holy Spirit, Mvimwa, Sumbawanga TOGO: Greg Sullivan Psychology; Omaha, Nebraska Colin Cote English; Billings, Montana Priory of the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Agbang UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Alex Schafer Sociology; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Church of Saint James, Chicago Illinois Manny McDonald Biopsychology; Beachwood, New Jersey Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota Michael Goggin History; LeSueur, Minnesota Kevin Finley Art; Bloomington, Minnesota Trey Thompson Biology, Nassau, Bahamas Saint Benedict’s Abbey and Preparatory School, Newark, New Jersey

Three new sites have been added to this year’s assignments, namely: The priory in Agbang, Togo, founded in 1985 in a ten percent Christian area of this West African nation located at the bottom of the western bulge of Africa, with a population of 6.7 million people crowded into 22,000 square miles.

The Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, founded in 1895 and situated on the campus of the prestigious San Beda College of Manila, Philippines.

The Church of Saint James, a Chicago inner city parish sponsored by the Benedictines of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, Saint Meinrad, Indiana.

BENEDICTINE VOLUNTEERS

Benedictine Volunteers build a chicken coop in Guatemala

by Patrick Deering

support, but even these pillars could not support our project.

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ust before Matthew Ott and I arrived as Benedictine Volunteers in Guatemala in the summer of 2009, Father Bernardine (“Bernie”) Ness, OSB, of the Coban Priory of the Resurrection, the mission of Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, South Dakota, overheard a young boy tell his father, “You are not my father. My father would feed me.”

This little boy probably had only a tortilla and coffee for breakfast and little more for supper. Father Bernie decided to construct a large chicken coop, capable of housing 750 birds in the community of Yalchacti.

When Matthew and I arrived, we quickly agreed to focus on this project. I grew up on a hobby farm with a good-sized chicken coop and Matthew had worked on a poultry farm.

Sounds like an easy project, right?

Wrong!

Delivery of construction materials was our first eye-opener.

WithYalchacti accessible only by 4x4 jeep trails, only small quantities could be transported daily by pickup or carried by hand. No supplies were delivered on rainy days. We experienced protests in Cubilguitz, the town adjacent to Yalchacti, and had to return home without our supplies.

Acquiring materials proved to be even more difficult. Governmentdonated roofing materials were never delivered. A second-hand donation was stolen before we could pick it up.

Compounded with occasional cash flow delays and bouts of malaria with our construction workers, the whole process was challenging, requiring patience, but in the end rewarding.

Daily operations of the project were handed over to the community council to serve two primary purposes. The majority of eggs are to be used as a protein supplement in the school

lunch program at Yalchacti since food high in protein such as meat and peanut butter is expensive in stores and rarely produced locally.

The eggs and meat produced by the chicken coop project will target this protein deficiency, resulting in healthier students with energy to participate in school. The remaining eggs will be sold in the surrounding communities to provide funds to cover operational expenses. Volunteer workers will be given eggs as token compensation and thus benefit the entire family.

Abbey Banner readers wishing to support this and other projects of Benedictine Volunteers should make their checks payable to “Saint John’s Abbey” and send them to the Abbey Development Office, Saint John’s Abbey, PO Box 2015, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-2015. Thank you for your generosity. + Back in the States, Patrick Deering is joining his uncle John at his Minneapolis based theatre design firm. Matthew Ott returns to St. Cloud to work for a local organic farm.

We were quickly thrown headfirst into the sandpits of life that small non-profit groups in Guatemala deal with daily. We had a sound and simple construction plan and community Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 25

Daniel Durken, OSB

THE ABBEY CHRONICLE

Farewell to summer’s finery and fury.

What’s Up? The Abbey Chronicle

by Daniel Durken, OSB

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ummer was good to us. April showers were not plentiful with only 1.5” of rain. Precipitation picked up in May to 2.5”, a bountiful 5.5” in June, 2.8” in July, and almost 10” in August. Ninetydegree temperatures were recorded on only four days in July and three in August. A few high humidity nights made it tempting to grab a pillow and sleep on or under a table in our air-conditioned refectory.

During mid-afternoon of August 13 a rain and wind storm swept through the campus, devastating 32 trees, one of them pictured above. Saint John’s escaped all of this year’s 145 Minnesota tornados that put the state far ahead of Texas’ 87, Oklahoma’s 70 and Wisconsin’s 60.

April 2010 ■ An excerpt from Abbot John’s homily at the Easter Vigil of April 3: “Easter is not like the inevitable return of spring. Easter is about the cataclysmic shattering of the tomb of death. It is the breaking in of a new world. It is joy beyond the confinement of the world. When God raised Jesus from the dead, God broke the iron gates of death. We are grafted into the Risen Christ at baptism. This means we can live in a totally different way, freed from the compulsion to somehow do an end run on death. There is a glorious life beyond our life and death in this world, in union with the Triune God. Christ is risen!”

Placid Stuckenschneider, OSB

page 26 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

■ There were 130 gallons of fingerlickin’-good maple syrup harvested from the 800 sap-traps of the campus sugar maple trees during the 2010 sap-to-syrup season. Days that were either too cold or too warm slowed the flow of the sap and shortened the season.

■ Sunday evening, April 25, Campus Security noticed water coming up through the road that circles the west side of the campus between power plant and Lake Watab. An eight-inch water main, the supply line from two wells to the filtration station, had broken. Power plant personnel, the fire department and Lange Trenching of Avon worked long and hard for five days to replace 180 feet of pipe at 20 feet below the surface and restore water to the campus. Residents cooperated effectively in the conservation of water during repair days.

THE ABBEY CHRONICLE

Gary Feldhege

■ At the Administrative Assembly’s final luncheon of the academic year on May 19, these confreres were recognized for their years of service: John Brudney, 15 years: Abbey Development; Eric Hollas, 30 years: Institutional Advancement; Dunstan Moorse and Aaron Raverty, 35 years: Liturgical Press; Donald Tauscher, 50 years: abbey services.

Dan Morgan received funding from the Paul Lawson Fund for a Level 2 Strength Coaches Training: Team Building program.

Repairing the broken water main

May 2010

Michael Becker

Abbey friends and monks celebrate Evening Prayer.

Fr. Edwin Leahy, OSB, commencement speaker

June 2010 ■ Liturgical Press received ten awards at the Catholic Press Association convention in New Orleans on June 4. First place awards were given to: On the Reception and Implementation of the New Missal by Keith Pecklers, SJ; The Diocesan Priest by Msgr. David Bohr; and Worship in the Early Church, 4 volumes by Lawrence Johnson. A second place award was given From the Pews in the Back: Young Women and Catholicism, reviewed in the winter 2009 Abbey Banner. These titles may be ordered by calling toll free 1-800-858-5450.

Abbey retreat directors: Left to right: Abbot John Klassen, Dale Launderville, David Paul Lange, and Kevin Seasoltz

Daniel Durken, OSB

■ On May 9, 444 undergraduate men, the third-largest class, received degrees at the university’s commencement along with 29 School of Theology•Seminary graduates.

The previous day 494 women were graduated from the College of Saint Benedict. The total of 938 CSB/ SJU graduates makes this year’s the second-largest.

The commencement speaker was Fr. Edwin Leahy, OSB, headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep, Newark, New Jersey, since 1972. He started that assign-

for dinner and a sing-along directed

by Paul Richards, OSB, and Robert Koopmann, OSB. Abbot John welcomed the gathering and acknowledged their generous support of our programs and projects.

Daniel Durken, OSB

Gary Feldhege

ment with 89 students and 14 faculty members. The school now numbers 580 seventh through twelfth graders, most from African and Hispanic backgrounds. Ninety-nine percent of the graduates go on to college.

The Pax Christi Award, Saint John’s highest honor, was bestowed on John Paul Lederach, professor of international peace building at Notre Dame University. He is widely known for his pioneering work on conflict transformation and conciliation among countries.

Saint John’s Prep School graduated 70 students on May 29.

■ About 220 guests came to celebrate Abbey Friends’ Day with us on May 23. Tours of the church, abbey grounds and cemetery were given.

After Evening Prayer in the abbey church we gathered in the Great Hall

■ This year’s monastic community’s retreat (June 7-11) was given by the following members of the abbey: Abbot John Klassen on “Challenges for Monastic Life and Its Witness in the 21st Century”; Kevin Seasoltz on “The Spiritual and Practical Dimensions of Forgiveness”; David-Paul Lange on “Lectio, private prayer and conversatio;” and Dale Launderville on “Speaking and Being Silent.” The conferences were thoughtful, inspiring, creative and well received by the community.

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 27

■ During a week in mid-June the choir stalls, pews of the lower level of the abbey church and doors of the baptistery were refurbished by Brent and Micah Stoeckel of Stoeckel Decorating, Inc., St. Cloud. In the photo, Micah is in front, Brent in back.

July 2010

■ On August 3 this notice appeared on the daily campus online Bulletin Board: “‘Monk’ rhymes with ‘junk’ but there is little of that at today’s ANNUAL ABBEY RUMMAGE SALE. At prices far below Walmart’s, items include furniture, appliances, clothing, books, dinnerware and knickknacks—an amazing assortment of stuff.”

David Manahan, OSB

■ Sixty-five Benedictine Oblates and candidates participated in the annual Oblate Retreat on July 9-11. Directed

by Dr. Jeanne Lacourt, associate professor of American Indian Studies at St. Cloud State University, the theme of the retreat was “Viewing St. Benedict’s Rule through indigenous eyes: Where do our eyes meet and where do they gaze elsewhere?”

August 2010

page 28 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

Matt Grafsgaard

Benedictine Oblates participate in their annual retreat.

■ Boarding a bus on July 15 and heading for the new Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, 22 monks donned their Minnesota Twins’caps

Matt Grafsgaard

Micah and Brent Stoeckel refurbish choir stalls.

Directed by Paul Richards, OSB, and assisted by Benedictine Volunteers, novices and junior monks, the sale brought in $2,500 for the support of the abbey’s Initiatives for Peace and Justice and the Saint John’s Benedictine Volunteer Corps.

only to see the Chicago White Sox defeat the Twins, 8-7. Joe Mauer ended his batting slump with two doubles and a single. This outing is the annual treat of Willis of Minnesota, the corporation’s insurance agent/ broker that rents a stadium box for the occasion. The Collegeville contingent was part of the sold-out crowd of 40,600, typical of the Twins’ home games in this awesome ballpark.

Dinner at Sisters’ Day

■ The abbey’s Sisters’ Day and Diocesan Clergy Day were held respectively on August 8 and 10. After prayers with the guests, a sumptuous meal was served. The Sisters’ menu was a German meal that included rinderrouladen, schnitzel, spatzle and German potato salad. The clergy dined on shrimp and steak, green beans, baked potatoes and corn-on-the cob. A good time was had by all.

Matt Grafsgaard

Daniel Durken, OSB

THE ABBEY CHRONICLE

Lots of stuff at the annual abbey rummage sale

■ Beginning with 2000 guests for the SJU Commencement on May 9 and concluding with120 guests at the Mark and Maria Lange wedding reception on August 14, over 13,200 guests were welcomed to Saint John’s this summer. Events included sports camps, boys’ and girls’ leadership camps, retreats, reunions, and a fourweek and one-week introduction to Buddhist prayer.

■ August 22 was “Move-In Day” for SJU students who swarmed the campus like lemmings rushing to the sea. The 504 new Johnnies arranged clothes, desks, beds, recliners, computers, microwaves, CDs, books and snacks, were duly oriented and began classes on August 25. +

BANNER BITS

A Perspective on the Permanent Diaconate

Abbey Archives

Editor’s Note: The following are excerpts from a survey of alumni of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program at Saint John’s University. The survey was developed by Kieran Nolan, OSB, original director of the program, and Victor Klimoski, Director of Lifelong Learning in the School of Theology.

The faculty and candidates of the inaugural program for permanent deacons at Saint John’s in August 1969. (l. to clockwise) Daniel Durken, OSB, Alan Bohner, Joe Kemper, Tom Cunningham, Kieran Nolan, OSB, Bill D’Arche, William Abraham, Jerry Bals, Steve Mirabetti, Larry Mich, Tom Kasbohm, Matt VanWallene, Jerome Theisen, OSB, John Eidenschenk, OSB, and Thomas Wahl, OSB.

Q

Why did you want to become a deacon?

Q

■

I thought the church could be a change agent for social justice. My study of the gospels caused me to see Christ as a much different prophet than my traditional Catholic education led me to believe.

■ My pastor recommended me for the diaconate program. I sensed it would prepare me for deeper involvement in leadership positions in the church community and strengthen my faith.

■ I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the diaconate was open to married men with families like myself, so I became the first applicant in my diocese.

■ I wanted to serve God and others with the additional graces of the sacrament of Holy Orders.

What are the most memorable features of your formation time at Saint John’s?

Q

What surprised you most as you began your ministry as a deacon?

■ ■

The initial support of my bishop, inclusion of wives, ecumenical emphasis, highly qualified instructors, hospitality shown to candidates and families, monastic setting, well-organized liturgies, emphasis on prayer.

■ I remember Father Dominic Keller, OSB, teaching homiletics, telling me to keep it short, keep it simple.

“You can’t explain the Catholic faith in one sermon, so don’t try.”

■ The monastic style of life made a deep impression. Father Kieran kept in touch with many of us long after we completed training at Saint John’s.

The resistance of the clergy and many nuns. The priest response was very complex and somewhat age related. There would be opposition from a group of priests for numerous reasons while other priests would be supporting deacons. Nuns were somewhat the same, plus they experienced the gender issue, which was certainly understandable.

■ That the ordinary chores of my life and my family commitments did not go away. Somehow I had expected a new life. My deacon ministry consumed my time, energy and attention. My wife was very supportive and this made all the difference.

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 29

BANNER BITS The respect people gave me because of ordination. I’m a farmer and after preaching in a nearby parish one weekend, a man saw me in a livestock sale barn a few days later and commented on my homily: “This guy was up there on the altar and here he is now, working with these pigs!” Even though he used some crude language, he was respectful.

■ The time requirement. We were only expecting ten hours a week but it turned out to be forty hours, plus my regular forty-hour-a-week government job.

Q ■

What have been your greatest challenges as a deacon?

Trying to determine how to support the people of God while co-existing with the hierarchy of the church.

■

Time, family, exposure, the institutional church, the diaconate community, and the clerics.

■ Seeing Saint John’s approaches to liturgy, theology, pastoral ministry, and ecumenism challenged by elements within the church at large and, at times, by the magisterium.

■ The biggest single challenge has been to see Jesus Christ in the faces of all those I meet in my daily encounters: the sick, dying, homeless, lonely, poor, blind, elderly, etc.

■ Some pastors would not allow deacons Wives of the diaconate candidates participated in the to preach. In two of program. the seven parishes I served, this was the case.

What are your hopes for the Sometimes lay staff members felt permanent diaconate? threatened by unpaid deacons taking away their jobs.

■ Given the current church leadership, I do not expect much.

From your perspective, Perhaps individual deacons can what have been the most provide quality service to the notable changes in the people. diaconate over the years?

■ That the focus will return to service ■ The shift from a service role to a as the primary role, as opposed to the clerical. That the church clerical role; the stagnation of the will allow all sacraments, except diaconate; the sheer number of Holy Orders, to be administered by candidates and deacons.

■ Nobody calls us lay deacons permanent deacons.

■ I hope the permanent diaconate anymore. In many parishes deacons truly serves the needs of the people coordinate the baptismal program of God and brings the kingdom of and witness marriages. They often God closer to the lives of all people, fill the role of pastoral assistant or and that deacons are accepted as a associate pastor.

■ A better balance between liturgical proper work of the hierarchy by the Roman Catholic Church and charitable duties. The increase everywhere. + in the number of deacons to over 17,000 in the United States.

Q

David Manahan, OSB

Q

Deacon Walter Kieffer, OSB, proclaims the Good News.

page 30 Abbey Banner Fall 2010

Abbey Archives

■

SPIRITUAL LIFE

Fall festivals of our Fairest Lady, Mary

by Robert Pierson, OSB

A

s I write this piece, we are soon to be celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15. When you read this, we will have already celebrated or soon will celebrate several noteworthy Marian feasts: the Birth of the Virgin Mary on September 8, our Lady of Sorrows on September 15 and our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. Such feasts challenge the tradition of May as the Month of Mary when these feasts can be considered the fall festivals of our Fairest Lady.

Some people in the church want to place Mary on a par with the Blessed Trinity. But that is not good Catholic theology or spirituality. Mary is one of us, and her assumption into heaven is a celebration of God’s gift to her rather than something that she earned herself. Her primary prayer, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), clearly states, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; the Mighty One has done great things for me.”

I like to imagine reading the headline of the Nazareth Gazette on the day of Mary’s assumption: “Local Girl Receives Heavenly Honor.” Mary was like us in every way except for origi-

nal sin. We are able to do what she did in her life, only in a slightly different way.

Mary brought Jesus the Christ into the world to bring us salvation. We bring Jesus Christ into the lives of countless people when we witness to our faith and love in her Son. Mary suffered greatly when her Son was tortured and killed on the cross. We share in Mary’s suffering when we bear the crosses that come our way in our own lives with the same love that she had.

Mary was taken into heaven to be with God forever. And we, because of our baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection, will be raised up one day to join her and her Son in heavenly joy and glory.

Mary became our mother when, at the cross, Jesus gave her to the apostle John as his own mother. We are members of the same Holy Family, and we

Placid Stuckenschneider,OSB

are called to live in such a way that those around us can recognize the family to which we belong. We are one of “Mary’s kids.” If we take this seriously, we can model our lives after hers in the hope that we, too, will one day share her joy in heaven. + Robert Pierson, OSB, is director of the abbey’s spiritual life program and guest master.

Upcoming Retreat Opportunities October 22, 2010

Benedictine Day of Prayer on “Why do Christians die?” by Fr. Simeon Thole, OSB. Understanding my death and that of my family and friends.

December 10-12, 2010

Advent Retreat: “Parables and the Reign of God, II” by Abbot John Klassen, OSB. These conferences, following a similar retreat in Advent 2008, will continue to focus on Jesus’ use of parables (in either speech or action) to proclaim the reign of God.

For more information or to register, go to our new website www.abbeyguesthouse.org and click on “retreats.”

Abbey Banner Fall 2010 page 31

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Saint John’s Abbey

PO Box 2015 Collegeville, MN 56321-2015 www.saintjohnsabbey.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

The 2010 Sunday at the Abbey Lecture Series The fourth year of this series is sponsored by Saint John’s Abbey and presented by monastics and other speakers who address the relationship of monasticism to theology, culture and contemporary issues facing the church and society.

OCTOBER 17, 2010 –

“The Physiology of Gregorian Chant” by Br. John-Bede Pauley, OSB, SJU instructor of music, and Sr. Ruth Stanley, OSB, holistic services specialist at Central Minnesota Heart Center, St. Cloud.

NOVEMBER 14, 2010 – “The Beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman” by Fr. Wilfred Theisen, OSB, SJU professor emeritus of physics and history of science with special study of Cardinal Newman’s writings.

DECEMBER 12, 2010 – “InSense: Iconography in a Literal World” by Fr. Nathanael Hauser, OSB,

iconographer and associate professor in Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary.

The lectures are held in the chapter room of the abbey pavilion on the east side of the Abbey Church at 7:00 p.m. on designated Sundays and are free of charge. Come for an enlightening evening. +

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Waiting in Joyful Hope Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas 2010-11 “A prayerful pondering of the daily readings of Advent is one way of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Sacred Scripture, God’s glorious revelation, is a gateway into the mind and heart of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Through gentle contemplation we ‘see’ God’s providential love and mercy revealed in the person of Jesus. As we attempt to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, let us not forget that God’s gaze is always upon us. During Advent we are first seen and, because of that, we are enabled to fix our eyes on the great miracle of the incarnation.” incarnation.

—Bishop Robert F. Morneau, Introduction S978-0-8146-3083-9 Paperback, 112 pp., 4 x 5 1⁄4 , $2.00; 50 or more copies, $1.00 net* each | eBook, $1.00 net

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