St. Peter’s Abbey Newsletter Vol. 33 No. 1 Winter and Spring 2012 Renovations connect past to present Renovations have been completed on Michael Hall — the home of St. Peter’s College. The classrooms and offices of St. Peter’s College have a bright, wel - coming look, beckoning students into a new world of learning. Michael Hall, the official name of the college building, resembles a modern educational institu - tion and yet retains a sense of the past in its design and atmosphere. The rooms of Michael Hall are painted a light brown, accented with dark brown trim around the wallboards, doors and baseboards. The floors are lined with heritage oak hardwood. The rooms are lit with low- energy fluorescent lighting and enjoy natural light with the help of large, ener - gy-efficient windows. All the classrooms have comfortable leather-padded chairs and access to high-speed Internet. Some rooms are equipped with an overhead Ready foR futuRe — a new elevator and entrance add to the facade of Michael projection system for the display of Hall, otherwise known as St. Peter’s College. the elevator, standing 85 feet high, was PowerPoint and one has a Smart Board. designed by Maurice Soulodre architect Ltd. It is designed to accommodate wheel - The renovations to Michael Hall chairs and stretchers. began in September of 2008 with the launch of the Key to Success campaign. ment and a modern lab were added to the 1999. The lower level of Severin Hall, The campaign set a goal of raising $15 science rooms. The library entrance area previously used for guests at the abbey, million to improve the college infra - was expanded and joined to a new student was renovated in March of 2008. Student structure, enhance the classroom facili - recreation room and lounge. The college residents have the advantage of both liv - ties, and improve student residences. The building already had access to a new ing on campus and having access to an provincial government gave $3 million sports centre and renovated gymnasium. excellent food plan, Fr. Demetrius added. in funding and the federal government St. Peter’s Abbey complemented the St. Peter’s College was built in 1921 provided a $6 million grant. A local renovations by giving students access to when Michael Ott, OSB, was the fund-raising campaign raised another $2 more student residences. The abbey leader of the Benedictine community. million from donors, students and alum - transformed its guest wing into a student Michael Hall was named in honour of ni. The college is presently campaigning residence in the fall semester of 2011, Abbot Michael who initiated the build - for another $4 million to pay the remain - according to Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, ing of the college. He was a staunch sup - der of the renovations. OSB, supervisor of student residents. porter of education, especially the spiri - The renovations to the infrastructure of Students had accommodations in 14 tual, intellectual, and cultural education Michael Hall provided for a new heating rooms for 21 students in the lower level of the person, Abbot Peter Novecosky, and cooling system, electrical wiring of the guest wing, otherwise known as OSB, said. Michael Hall became a resi - replacement, plumbing upgrades, new Severin Hall. Another 18 rooms were dential high school just after it opened in elevator and stairwell entrance, and win - opened in upper Severin Hall with space November of 1921. High school students dow refurbishment. All the classrooms for 34 students. Another building, known lived on the top floor of the building in a and offices were enhanced with better as Scholastica Residence with accommo - technological access. New science equip - dations for 11 students, was opened in Continued, page 10 A message from Abbot Peter’s desk Dear friends of St. Peter’s Abbey, Though his memory This newsletter has not been pub - failed him lished for two years. The former editor, for events Fr. Werner Renneberg died after a period that hap - of poor health and now Fr. Paul Paproski pened a volunteered to carry on the tradition. In week ago, addition the abbey website offers oppor - he contin - tunities to record some of the happenings ued to rec - at the abbey. ognize and Looking back since the last newslet - appreciate ter, the major events have been the vis itors. He deaths of three long-time community main tained members. a spirit of The first was Fr. Roman Schneider equanimity who died Dec. 26, 2010, while a resident and peace - at St. Mary’s Villa in Humboldt. It was fulness un til determined later that a carbon monoxide his death. FAREWELL TO COACH – Abbot Peter, back left, joined a group of leak at the residence was a factor in his Fr. Leo Regina clergy at a farewell supper for Saskatchewan Roughrider coach death. At age 89, he was the oldest mem - Hinz, age Ken Miller and his wife Maureen. Among them is Bishop Donald ber of our community. 86, died of Bolen, next to Abbot Peter, and Daniel Bohan, front left. Fr. Roman’s appar ent love was being a heart failure on the feast of the in Saskatchewan also called on his pastor. He became Annunciation of the Lord, March 25, expertise as they revised their constitu - pastor of Sacred while eating supper with the monastic tions after the . Heart , Wat - community. Fr. Leo’s work with the marriage tri - son, serving from Fr. Leo was ordained in 1950 and then bunals made him very sensitive to diffi - 1956 - 67. He was studied canon law at St. Paul Uni versity, culties facing married couples. He was resident pastor in Ottawa. He re turned to the abbey to involved in marriage preparation courses Carmel, Bruno, teach at the high school from 1953 - 67. for young couples and in the marriage Cudworth and During this time he did a lot of manual encounter movement to foster healthy Muenster. He also work during the construction of the col - marriages. Fr. Roman Schneider provided services lege and abbey buildings in the late At the time of his death, Fr. Leo was in LeRoy, Ro- 1950s and early ’60s. semi-retired at the abbey and he served mance, Fulda, Peterson, Dana, St. He then served as pastor in many of as archivist for the community. Benedict, Marysburg and Burr. While in the larger parishes of the St. Peter’s Fr. Werner Bruno he was chaplain for the Ursuline Territorial Abbacy. In the later 1960s he Renneberg died a Convent there. He undertook renewal served in the Watson area, and again in month later, May studies at Divine Word Institute, London, 2006. Twice he was pastor in Bruno 3, while a resident Ont., from 1972 - 73 and this marked a and chaplain for the Ursuline Sisters. at St. Mary’s Villa significant turning point in his life. He was pastor of Muenster from 1977 - in Humboldt. Fr. After retiring as a resident pastor, Fr. 82, then served in Werner was born Roman was named of St. Peter’s Humboldt for 10 in 1925 in Abbey in 1994 and held that post until years. The new Leofeld, the oldest 2003. At the abbey he enjoyed reading, St. Augustine parish in St. Fr. Werner playing cards during recreation and get - Church was built Peter’s Abbacy. Renneberg ting regular exercise outside. He was a during this time. He was a later vo - willing hand at garden work and picking He was resident cation when he joined his , Fr. berries. His contacts with many people pastor in Cud - Florian, at the abbey in 1951. in the parishes remained a pleasure for worth from 1998- He taught at the high school for a cou - them and for him. 2006. ple of years then became manager of St. Peter’s Press from 1959 - 67. In the last couple of years his health Fr. Leo Hinz Fr. Leo worked began to fail and he could no longer at the regional Fr. Werner was well informed about drive. After being a resident at the abbey matrimonial tribunal in Vancouver from the church’s social teachings and re ceived infirmary for over a year, he moved to a 1971 - 74 and at the regional tribunal in a Certificate of Social Leadership and care home, first at Watson then to St. Regina from 1975 - 77, and again from Mary’s Villa in Humboldt. 1992 - 93. Many religious communities Continued, page 7 2 Guest wing on top floor of abbey

Visitors to St. Peter’s Abbey who have trouble finding the new guest wing need only to look for rows of yellow and orange dots. The dots follow two routes that lead them to the new location of the guest wing — the top level of the abbey (). A line of yellow dots begins on the floor outside the monastery gift shop. The gift shop is at the top of the stairs from the north church entrance. Nearby is the famous Benedictine cross embedded in the floor. Another row of orange dots lines the floor outside the sacristy of the abbey church: Sts. Peter and Paul Church. The orange dots trace a path along the floor at the south end of the church. The path leads to a set of stairs behind the church sacristy. It is very easy to become lost when searching for the new guest wing, accord - ing to guest master Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, OSB. The long hallways and KItCHenette — fr. demetrius shows of St. Peter’s abbey the kitchenette adjoining corridors resemble complicated of the new guest wing. He conducted a tour at the november 2011 meeting. mazes to new visitors who sometimes became disoriented when looking for room and kitchenette. Both are comfort - wings are impressed with the idea of their rooms. It is easy to take a wrong turn able sitting rooms that can each sit 15 spending time in a room that was once and end up in the college building or even guests. The new guest wing has 18 rooms occupied by a , Fr. Demetrius in a section of the monastic enclosure. that accommodate 34 people. Three noted. The top floor of the monastery has The guest wing of St. Peter’s Abbey rooms have their own private bathrooms been home to Benedictine since has become part of an interesting with double beds. Most rooms measure the building was built in 1962. There in the history of the abbey. The guest 12 ft. x 15 ft. were approximately 68 monks in the wing opened in September of 2011, Some of the more luxurious rooms community at that time. The notion of occupying what was once the top floor of have been given their own names. They converting it to a guest wing would have the Benedictine monastery. The guest are known as the Abbot’s Suite, the been inconceivable back then, remarked rooms and oblate library are in what once Bishop’s Suite, and the Antique Suite. Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB. Monks were rooms of monks. The recreation Some guests have already commented were involved with their local communi - room and lounge fill the former TV how proud they are to occupy the ty, but never planned to open a portion of rooms of the monks. Bishop’s Suite or the Abbot’s Suite, Fr. their monastic building to visitors. The The monastic community decided to Demetrius commented. The rooms are Benedictine community has decreased to move the guest wing to the upper floor of very comfortable with their own double a fraction of what it was in the 1960s. It the monastery when it was informed by beds, bathrooms, elegant furniture, and numbers 15 today. Rob Harasymchuk, president of St. beautiful art. The rooms facing the east Converting the top monastery floor Peter’s College, that the college needed side of the building have the picturesque began with a search of the abbey more rooms for student residences. The view of the east lawn with trees in the archives where the blueprints of the monks agreed to convert the former background as well. monastery building are stored. A com - guest wing into a student residence and The Benedictine oblates should be mittee, at the end of 2010, investigated move the guest wing to the upper floor of pleased that they have a new oblate the possibility of enlarging some rooms the monastery. The old guest wing was library, Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB, oblate on the top floor so they could be supplied housed in Severin Hall, named after director said. There are four large shelving with showers and bathrooms. There was Abbot Severin, who was abbot when the units that hold devotional books. The a common washroom with three toilets building was constructed in 1959. library has also had books recently donat - and three showers for men. Two rooms One of the first impressions of the ed to it by the Ursuline and Franciscan had their own bathrooms and the remain - new guest wing is its spacious size and (Elizabethan) Sisters in Humboldt, and der only had their own sinks. The com - bright, cheery look. The hall of the guest the Saskatchewan Writers Guild. Guests mittee sorted through the blueprints of wing is wider and longer than Severin may use the oblate room. There is a chair the monastery and decided to fit in a Hall and the rooms are larger. The most for sitting and a table for cards and games. impressive rooms are the new recreation Many of the visitors to the new guest Continued, page 8

3 People and events around the Abbey 2010 April 23 — Fr. Roman Schneider, OSB, is moved to the Watson Central Plains Care Home. May 16 - 20 — Abbot Thomas Hillenbrand, OSB, of Blue Cloud Abbey preaches the annual monastic retreat. May 27 - 31 — Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, attends the bi-annual meeting of the Canadian Religious Conference, where he is elected as secre - tary-treasurer on the national executive. June 13 - 18 — Abbot Peter and Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB, attend the general chapter of the American-Cassinese con - gregation at St. Bernard’s Abbey in euRoPean SISteRS — eighteen elizabethan Sisters from europe visited St. Cullman, Alabama. Peter’s abbey in May of 2011, during the centennial celebrations of the Humboldt June 26 — Oblate Day. elizabethan Sisters. July 9 — The Saskatchewan Writers Guild holds the first of five weeks of Feb. 22 - 25 — Abbot Peter attends March 26 — Oblate Day. colonies for writers. the meeting of Western Bishops in April 18 — Bishop Bolen celebrates July 11 — The Canadian government Prince George, B.C. last chrism at St. Patrick’s; several sponsors a plaque at St. Peter’s Cathedral March 10 - 17 — Fr. Paul leads a Benedictine pastors attend. recognizing the role of the abbey in Lenten workshop at St. Leo Abbey, St. May 1 - 6 — Fr. Paul leads the annu - founding St. Peter’s Colony in 1903. Leo, Florida. al retreat of the Archdiocese of Regina at July 18 - 22 — Abbot Claude Peifer, March 15 — Men in Black sponsor St. Michael’s in Lumsden. OSB, and Br. Alban Petesch, OSB, con - the Medieval feast for college students, May 3 — Fr. Werner dies at St. duct a visitation at St. Peter’s Abbey. staff, monks and guests the day before Mary’s Villa. July 30 — Ken Mansfield, resident at Ash Wednesday. May 18 — Eighteen Elizabethan sis - the abbey for a decade, moves to March 16 — Proposed merger be- ters from Europe visit the abbey, during Humboldt where he takes a job as care - tween St. Peter’s College and Carlton the Humboldt Elizabethan centennial taker with the Humboldt school Trail Regional College is denied. celebrations. system. He later moves to Arnprior, Ont. March 25 — Fr. Leo Hinz, OSB, May 22 - 26 — Bishop Don Bolen of Aug. 3 - 5 — Abbot Peter attends the dies while eating supper with the com - Saskatoon preaches the community Knights of Columbus supreme conven - munity. retreat; several Ursuline sisters join us. tion in Washington, DC. Oct. 2 — Oblate Day. Oct. 7 — Annual general Chapter meeting. The community discusses using the top floor of the abbey as a guest wing and turning Severin Hall into a student residence, to meet the demand for more students. Oct. 25 - 29 — Abbot Peter attends the annual meeting of the Canadian bish - ops at Cornwall, Ont. Dec. 26 — Fr. Roman dies at St. Mary’s Villa, Humboldt.

2011 Jan. 7 — Fr. Werner Renneberg, OSB, begins using a wheelchair. Feb. 7 — Fr. Werner takes residence at Lanigan Central Parkland Lodge. VeSPeRS In CeMeteRy — ursuline Sisters and monks of St. Peter’s abbey gath - Feb. 18 - 21 — Abbot Peter attends ered for vespers in St. Peter’s abbey cemetery in May of 2011 during the annual the workshop in Jacksonville, retreat of the abbey. Some ursulines joined the monks for their 2011 retreat led by Florida. Bishop donald Bolen. 4 nursing home while Br. Pierre Rouillard takes a holiday. Sept. 9 — Br. Cosmas Epifano leaves to visit family in Syd ney, N.S., and to study theology at Sant An sel mo, Rome. Sept. 9 - 11 — The People of Praise community is the first to use the new guest wing on the top floor of the monastery. The guest wing opened Sept. 2. Sept. 12 - 16 — Fr. Paul conducts a retreat for the Archdiocese of Grouard- McLennan in Edmonton. Sept. 17 — Frs. Andrew and Rudolph Novecosky, OSB, accompany Abbot Peter to a Riders football game in Regina and visit the coach after the game. fIRSt VoWS — Br. Cosmas epifano, oSB, is congratulated by abbot Peter Sept. 23 - 26 — Abbot Peter attends novecoksy, oSB, left, and Saskatoon Bishop donald Bolan after making his first the ATRI meeting in Calgary for reli - vows in May of 2011. Br. Cosmas is studying for the priesthood in Rome. gious superiors and accountants. Sept. 30 — Fr. Andrew is a resident of May 22 — Haus of Stitches 10th an nu- sary get-together in Jerome Assembly the Humboldt hospital for three and a al stitching conference attracts more than Room (JAR). half weeks. 250 people for more than two weeks. July 25 — The Knights sponsor a Oct. 3 — Men in Black college cam - May 26 — Br. Cosmas Epifano, OSB, Clergy Day at the abbey. pus ministry sponsor a supper for the stu - makes his first vows. July 30 — Oblate Day. dents and monks. June 6 — Fr. Bernard Stauber, OSB, Aug. 1 - 4 — Abbot Peter attends KC Oct. 17 - 21 — Abbot Peter attends moves to Humboldt. supreme convention in Denver. the CCCB plenary meeting in Cornwall, June 6 - 10 — Abbot Peter preaches a Aug. 8 — Several Benedictine pas - Ont. retreat for 40 Hamilton diocesan priests tors attend the bishop’s annual golf and Oct. 20 — Bill Thurmeier repairs the at the Carmelite Retreat Centre at BBQ get-together in Saskatoon. abbey bells, which have been silent all Niagara Falls. Aug. 10 — Fr. Paul reports that 117 summer. June 13 — Br. Wolfgang Thiem, OSB, gallons of saskatoons were picked at the Oct. 22 — Muenster community travels to Germany for his sister’s funeral. abbey saskatoon orchard. Wet weather, sponsors a trade show at the college June 26 — Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB, the previous year, reduced the harvest to gym. has a come-and-go tea at the abbey to 11 gallons. In 2009, 62 gallons were Oct. 22 — Fr. Paul convocates from celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordina - picked. the University of Saskatchewan with a tion. Sept. 5 — Potato-picking day. MA in history. July 1 - Aug. 5 — Writers come for an - Sept. 6 - 26 — nual Saskatchewan Writers Guild sessions. Fr. Andrew Britz, July 9 — St. Peter’s College alumni OSB, takes a respite from 1971 and 1972 have a 40th anniver - break at Cud worth

CLeRGy day — fr. daniel Muyres, oSB, takes part in Clergy day in July of 2011, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Potato PICKInG day — a healthy crop of potatoes was Clergy from three in Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, gathered on September 5 of 2011, by monks and visitors to St. Prince albert and the archdiocese of Regina participated. Peter’s abbey. 5 People and events around the Abbey Oct. 27 — Fr. Rudolph invites his dents and staff come for their annual retreat. the University of Manitoba. He is a rep - family to the abbey to celebrate his 75th Feb. 20 - 23 — Br. Kurt attends the resentative of the Saskatchewan Organic birthday. Canadian Organic Science Conference at Directorate, specializing in Horticulture. Nov. 5 — Oblate Day. Nov. 17 — The Elizabethan Sisters of Humboldt join the monks for dinner and tours, in honour of their centennial. Nov. 20 — Monks attend the college student awards program in the JAR. In the evening Fr. Andrew interviews Dennis Gruending in the college library at Gruending’s book launch. Nov. 23 — Br. Basil is admitted to the hospital for a few days. Nov. 24 — The community holds its annual general Chapter meeting. Nov. 27 — The new English Roman Missal is introduced. Dec. 13 — Fr. Daniel has a knee replacement operation in Saskatoon CentennIaL — abbot Peter watches as Sr. Philomena dobmeier, gener - Dec. 16 — Martha Cowley gives a al, cuts the centennial cake for the Sisters of St. elizabeth () in harp concert in JAR. Humboldt. the Sisters were recognized on their centennial by St. Peter’s abbey Dec. 27 - Jan. 1 — Peter Van Ginkel of monks on nov. 17, 2011, the feast of St. elizabeth. Winnipeg came to the abbey as a live-in.

2012 Jan. 5 - 8 — Abbot Peter attends a retreat for Western bishops at Westminster Abbey, Mission, B.C. Jan. 15 — Saskatchewan gets its first big snow storm of the year, and some cold weather for a week. Jan. 16 - Jan. 30 — Andreas Hofer of New Zealand comes to the abbey as a live-in. enGaGeMent enCounteR — Representatives of the Western district of Jan. 22 — Br. Anthony Nguyen and engagement encounter met at St. Peter’s abbey, June 10 to 12 in 2011. the facilita - Abbot Peter celebrate New Years with the tors came from Kelowna, Vancouver, Calgary, edmonton, Regina and Muenster. Vietnamese community in Saskatoon. engagement encounters are held at St. Peter’s abbey annually, under the coordina - Jan. 27 - 29 — St. Thomas More stu - tion of fr. demetrius Wasylyniuk, oSB.

BenedICtIneS — abbot Peter welcomes Br. Alban Petesch , oSB, middle, of assumption abbey in and abbot Claude Peifer, oSB, of St. Bede abbey in Illinois. the visitors led aRCHBISHoP VISItS — abbey Peter novecosky, oSB, visits a visitation of the abbey in July of 2010 on behalf of the american with archbishop albert LeGatt of St. Boniface, Manitoba. the Cassinese Congregation. Visitations take place every five years. archbishop joined the monks and staff for coffee on dec. 29. 6 Fr. Andrew was active force in community

By Abbot Peter Novecosky

Fr. Andrew Britz, OSB, died after I had finished my abbot’s column, which listed three community members who have died in the past 14 months. Thus I will write a separate article with his death still fresh in mind. The community received many trib - utes about him. Here is one sample: I have always had a deep admiration for Fr. Andrew and his grassroots Christian theological teachings which came through in his editorials in the Prairie Messenger for many years. He was a respected speaker at conferences and a beloved pastor. I loved his passion to pursue the reforms of Vatican II. Fr. Andrew was well known for his MaILInG BooKS — fr. andrew prepares his books, truth to Power, published in strong opinions which he shared as editor 2010, for mailing. He continued to remain active in projects even as his Parkinson’s for 21 years through the Prairie advanced. Messenger (1983 - 2004). Some of his editorials were collected in 2010 in a While he gained a reputation as edi - of life, Fr. Andrew lived with a gradually book, Truth to Power. tor, he was involved in many other progressing Par kinson’s Disease. His last aspects of life at St. Peter’s. two years were spent in a wheel chair. After his ordination on June 10, After spending three months at the Hum - Fr. Werner 1966, he became chaplain and teacher boldt hospital, he transferred to Samaritan at St. Peter’s College. He was principal Place in Saskatoon. He lived there for less remembered when the high school closed in 1972 than two weeks when he died of a massive and he then pursued doctoral studies heart attack on Feb. 14. Continued from page 2 for two years in Toronto. In the late Fr. Andrew was born in Lake Lenore 1970s he again took up the leadership in 1940. He is survived by his monastic Community Development following stud - of the college as principal for several community and by two sisters, Helen ies at the Coady International Institute in years. (Bill Krynowsky) and Karen (Wayne Antigonish, N.S., during 1969 - 70. He He used his manual and organization - Schreiner) and their families. was pastor of Muenster and St. Gregor al talents to reor - from 1970 - 77 and then became pastor ganize our Liturgy for Pilger and area. Following a few years of the Hours, to as assistant at Humboldt he was pastor at renovate the heat - Bruno from 1986 - 92, then served at ing system in the Cudworth from 1992 - 98 and at Watson college building, from 1998 - 2000. reorganize the After he retired to the abbey, he served library into the as prior and regularly celebrated Mass for Library of Con- the residents of St. Mary’s Villa, Hum - gress system, and boldt. He spent many hours translating the to su pervise the history of St. Peter’s Colony in the first 11 building of the volumes of St. Peter’s Bote. abbey church, One of Fr. Werner’s loves was work - among other ing with married couples. He was active things. He also in Worldwide Marriage Encounter for served as a pastor decades, and was much loved and appre - in Humboldt, St. ciated by the couples whose lives he Benedict, Engle - touched. The community is grateful to feld, Naicam, ANNUAL RETREAT – Students from St. Thomas More College, have been blessed by the lives of service Anna heim and Saskatoon meet at St. Peter’s Abbey each year for their annual and devotion of these confreres. Their Lake Lenore. Newman Retreat. They gather in the Jerome Assembly Room legacy will serve us well into the future. In his last decade where group discussions are often part of their program. 7 Vocations program helps in discerning

By Fr. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB mittee. The committee established some us as a “live-in”. The candidate lives with guidelines for each prospective candi - us for up to two weeks in the monastery I lived in the rectory in the Annaheim date. The guidelines include: the setting where he follows the monastic schedule parish from 1987 to 2008. At that time I of the cut-off date for entering monastic of “ora et labora,” pray and work. The was called back to the abbey to be novice life at 50 years of age; a letter of refer - visit gives the candidate insight into master and formation director. This was a ence from a pastor; and confir - monastic life. The visit also gives each challenge I accepted with a certain amount mation certificates; relatively good member of the admissions committee the of hesitation and timidity. Being away health of a candidate; freedom of a can - opportunity to interview the candidate. from the monastery for 21 years totally didate from debts and obligations out - At the beginning of Lent in 2009, involved in parish work meant I had to side the monastery. Joseph Epifano of Sydney, Nova Scotia make a dramatic change in my life. But I These guidelines eliminated many came as a candidate. The candidacy pro - was ready for a change and welcomed the inquirers because the majority were men gram lasts for six months during which scheduled life in the monastery. over 50. Some had debts or obligations time a candidate studies monastic life. He One of the first lessons I learned as to their children. We do make exceptions is encouraged to learn the customs of the formation director was that not everyone to the rules on occasion depending on the monastery, the Rule of Benedict, do spir - who wants to join a monastic communi - circumstances involved. We also decided itual reading and meet with a spiritual ty has a vocation to the monastic life. I to start the candidacy program in director. The candidate may learn other formed an admissions committee to help September, around six months before the practical skills to help in future studies with the discernment process of new - program starts on March 20. such as becoming familiar with comput - comers. Two other members of the When a person is accepted as a candi - ers, improving typing skills and using the monastery are on the admissions com - date we encourage him to spend time with Internet. He is assigned tasks by Br. Basil Schaan, OSB, work co-ordinator. The novitiate program follows the Guest wing is remodelled candidacy and lasts for one year. It is Continued from page 3 insightful options for expanding rooms, more intense than the candidacy pro - Abbot Peter remarked. gram. A candidate takes classes on the with three toilets and three showers for Six monks were living on the top floor Rule of St. Benedict, scripture, spirituali - women. A meeting room was converted when the decision was made to convert it ty, Benedictine history and the history of into two rooms, one an oblate library and to the guest wing. They relocated to the our monastery. Abbot Peter Novecosky, the other a room with a full bathroom middle and bottom floors of the OSB, teaches the Rule of St. Benedict; (Bishop’s Suite). An additional bath - monastery. Some guest rooms were reno - Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB, instructs in room with shower was installed next to vated with new flooring and painted. The monastic history and I do the rest. Not all the kitchenette. Among those on the ren - Humboldt Knights of Columbus donated of the classes are lectures. I find videos ovation committee was Fr. Andrew their time to paint the hallway of the and tapes very helpful. Britz, OSB, who remembered when the guest wing. Furniture from the previous Joseph Epifano, now Br. Cosmas, is monastic building was first constructed. guest wing in Severin Hall was moved to studying in Rome in preparation for the His research was impressive considering the new location. Framed photographs of priesthood. We are expecting two people he was confined to a wheelchair because Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB, line the walls of to apply for the candidacy program start - of Parkinson’s. Fr. Andrew had amazing, the hallway, recreation room, and lounge. ing this September. One is a music The new guest teacher from Winnipeg and another is a wing accommodates certified cabinet maker and mason from 34 guests. The two New Zealand. Both have come to the floors of the previous abbey for “live-in” visits and have asked guest wing ac com - for application forms. modated 47 guests. It is somewhat disappointing that During the months there are almost no inquiries about the from May to August, monastic life from our own . I when students are had a brochure printed that I send out to absent, the full capac - people who want to know more about ity of the past and our monastery and our way of life. If present guest wing is anyone wishes to put some brochures in 81 guests. Scho - the entrance to your church, I would be lastica Residence is happy to send you some. We also have a used for most of the website at www.stpetersabbey.ca if any - ReCReatIon RooM — the new guest wing of St. Peter’s summer by the Sas - one is interested in more information abbey has a large, comfortable recreation room, complete katch ewan’s writers about our abbey and our formation pro - with a large tV. colony. gram. 8 Donations are essential for charities

By Peter Goddard, CFP EPC supports. The ‘awareness’ of the tax make to help these institutions build long- treatment of charitable donations is lasting, ‘strong and stable’ benefits for It has been a while since we last dis - finally being recognized by Canadian generations to come. Before applying any cussed contributing to a charity of your taxpayers because advisors are using this tax strategy consult with your advisors to choice. Since that time (about two years as a tax strategy. Donations do not have make sure you are doing the right thing. ago) it has been abundantly clear that to be in cash. Your contribution to a charity will only Canadians are contributing to their Whether you are contributing to the work if it is a registered charity. Make favourite charities in ever increasing charity of your choice or taking advan - sure it is registered so you can receive numbers and ever increasing amounts. tage of a ‘generous tax reduction’, you your tax credit. There are a couple of reasons that contri - should consult with your tax advisor to The author of this article, Peter butions to charities (churches, schools, determine if this ‘charitable tax strategy’ Goddard, CFP EPC, has more than 30 hospitals, etc.) are on the increase. would be of help to you and your charity years of experience in the financial servic - The largest group in our population, of choice. In many cases contributing to es industry. Peter is a ‘friend’ of St Peter’s ‘the Boomers’, are facing tax situations a charity will offer both immediate and Abbey. He is a ‘certified financial plan - that are larger than ever before. This future benefits to you, your family, and ner’ and, a ‘certified elder planning coun - trend may be due to businesses winding the charity you support. sellor’. Always check with your personal down or the ‘triggering’ of retirement If you decide to contribute to a chari - financial advisor, accountant or lawyer incomes where the withdrawals of ‘reg - ty, you can do so in many ways: before implementing any ‘tax strategy’. istered assets’ form the majority of 1. cash dona - income. People are looking for ways to tions; 2. securities, preserve their income and their estates. i.e. stocks and The second reason, made abundantly mutual funds etc. clear over the last three to four years, is (these help avoid the change in the marketplace. The Capital Gains Tax); downturn in the economy has had reper - 3. life insurance cussions on charitable institutes in our policies or their communities. The services offered by ‘proceeds’; 4. do- various charitable organizations have nating ‘real proper - been significantly reduced. The support - ty’ such as land, art, ers of these charities have come forward etc. (Do you need in ever increasing numbers to pick up the an assessment?). shortfall because they realize that with - Supporting out the efforts of these charities, the charities in your social structure suffers. community repre - Communities don’t realize the values sents one of the WELCOME STUDENTS – Donna Remenda of Spalding, man - of their schools, hospitals, and churches most valuable con - ager of St. Peter’s Abbey kitchen, serves students at an until charities ‘cut back’ in their essential tributions you can Orientation Day Lunch, sponsored by St. Peter’s College Campus Ministry. The lunch was served at the beginning of the new school year to welcome the students to college.

NEW HEATING SYSTEM – Br. Basil Schaan, OSB, stands beside the new energy-efficient boilers of St. Peter’s Abbey. The BR. WoLfGanG — Br. Wolfgang thiem, oSB, 87, prepares boilers, installed in 2011, each have the capacity of 399,000 plaster for one of the rooms of the monastery of St. Peter’s BTU. They take up less than 25 per cent of the space of the old abbey. Br. Wolfgang has had a full-time job renovating rooms boilers installed in 1958. of the monastery for the past few years. 9 Ministry team has presence on campus

Topics ranging from journaling and ministry sponsors a Christian customs to cults and exorcisms welcome lunch, tours have been addressed at St. Peter’s College of the campus and Campus Ministry luncheons during the door prizes. The cam - past six years. Guest speakers have spoken pus ministry team of to students and staff of St. Peter’s Abbey, Fr. Paul Paproski, St. Peter’s College and St. Peter’s Press. OSB; Fr. Demetrius The guest speakers are part of the pro - Wasylyniuk, OSB; gram of campus ministry that strives to and Br. Pierre bring Christian spirituality to student life, Rouillard, OSB, is according to Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB, introduced to every - chair of Campus Ministry. We have been one. Some of the very privileged to have Bishop Bryan events sponsored by Bayda, CSsR, of the of campus ministry dur - Saskatoon speak on topics ranging from ing the college se - Byzantine spirituality to our attachment mester have includ - to technology. Sr. Theodosia Papirnik of ed: writing contests the Sisters of St. Joseph in Saskatoon on grace, the mean - addressed the Ukraine and her work with ing of Christmas and orphanages in the Ukraine. Rev. Bill Easter; a Seder Sup - BISHoP BRyan — Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR, of the Nelson, a pastor and former professor in per that commemo - eparchy of Saskatoon discusses Byzantine (ukrainian a Lutheran seminary, spoke on journaling rates Passover; and Catholic) spirituality at a luncheon attended by students and and grace. Rev. Colin Clay, an Anglican Alpha, a series of lec - staff of St. Peter’s College. His presentation was sponsored by priest, gave lectures on cults. The stu - tures on the basics of St. Peter’s College Campus Ministry. dents and staff learned about aspects of Christianity. Alpha is Benedictine spirituality from guest an interdenominational program that looks enjoy a menu of medieval food at a ban - speakers Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB; at basic Christian beliefs. quet where the plates are made of bread. Frs. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, OSB, and One of the highlights is the annual A king and queen are the guests of honour Paul Paproski, OSB. Medieval Feast held on Shrove Tuesday, and everyone is entertained with singing, Students are first introduced to mem - the day before Ash Wednesday. The feast charades, poetry and “pass the parcel.” bers of the campus ministry team at the celebrates the beginning of Lent. Partici- “We are always looking for new ideas beginning of the school term. Cam pus pants dress in medieval costumes and to bring to our program,” Paproski said. College renovations link to future . . . Continued from page 1 improved facilities. A new fitness centre dormitory. The building served as a opened to students monastery for the monks who lived on the and staff in 2010. third floor. They gathered for prayer in St. Peter’s Col - their church on the south end of the third- lege offers two years floor. The other floors were reserved for of arts and sciences, offices and classrooms. Everyone ate in busi ness, and agri - dining rooms on the bottom floor. Food culture courses. The was prepared by the Franciscan (Elizabe - classes enable stu - than) Sisters of Hum boldt. The college dents to begin their became affiliated with the Uni versity of FINANCE OFFICER – Alison Kilpatrick is the new finance and degree program en- Sas katch ewan in 1926. In 1968, the col - administration officer for St. Peter’s College. Alison was born in trance re quirements lege was registered as a corporate body. Windsor and raised in LaSalle, Ontario. Her last residence was for colleges in: com - It was necessary to improve the 46,000 Clementsport, Nova Scotia. Alison began her work on March 5. merce, medicine, square foot in fra struc ture of Michael Hall, law, education, nu- ac cord ing to Abbot Peter, to meet the for its use and was unable to provide ade - trition, kinesiology, nursing, and pharma - needs of students to day. The wiring sys - quate wheelchair access. The new look cy. A creative writing program and other tem was not designed for computers or brings an improved atmosphere for learn - professional community programming is modern lab equipment. The elevator ing. The college is better able to offer also offered. could not keep up to increasing demands more courses that need to have access to Continued on next page 10 Hallway of the Main floor of St. Peter’s College.

Entrance area to the Main floor of St. Peter’s College.

Student recreation lounge of St. Peter’s College.

A newly renovated classroom of St. Peter’s College.

A look at the elevator shaft from the fourth floor.

KITCHEN STAFF — Three new members of the kitchen staff of St. Peter’s Abbey stand in the newly renovated guest dining area. They include: from left, Valerie Weber of Naicam, baker; Shannon Forster of Lake Lenore, and Linda Demmans of New reception desk of St. Peter's College library. Humboldt, cooks. Missing from the photo is Lisa Bruesch. 11 Thesis examines loyalty of Colony

By Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB Saskatchewan. Separate schools were denounced as a threat to The people of St. Peter’s Colony national unity. Criticism was aimed, were loyal Canadian citizens who had in particular, at German-Catholic the same aspirations as other separate and parochial schools. It Canadians. They lived in a religious was believed their schools were jurisdiction that enabled them to hold being used to resist assimilation into onto their German-Catholic traditions the larger culture. German Catholics and, at the same time, build communi - comprised the largest minority of the ties that became part of the fabric of province’s Anglo-Protestant com - their new country. This was the con - munity. clusion of the thesis, The German One of the targets of criticism Catholics of St. Peter’s Colony: 1903 - was the school system of St. Peter’s 1930, written as part of my require - Colony. The colony was home to ment to complete a Master of Arts Saskatchewan’s largest German- (History) degree at the University of Catholic settlement and most of the Saskatchewan. I convocated in German-Catholic schools. School October of 2011. inspectors would occasionally pass The thesis examines the concept through the schools criticizing them of loyalty in St. Peter’s Colony ReCeIVeS deGRee — fr. Paul Paproski, oSB, for being used to propagate the between 1903 and 1930 among three is congratulated by Peter MacKinnon, president German language and Catholic reli - genres, Benedictine monks, commu - of the university of Saskatchewan, at the oct. 22, gion. One of the inspectors, James nities, and families. The German- 2011, convocation ceremonies. Anderson, later became premier of Catholics lived in a province where the province. One of the most vocal the majority of citizens were Anglo-Protestants. Similar to opponents of the separate schools was Rev. E.H. Oliver, prin - other minority ethnic groups they were encouraged to adopt the cipal of the Presbyterian Theological College in Saskatoon. He culture of the majority. The elite believed there would be was a University of Saskatchewan historian and prominent fig - greater unity in Canada if immigrants became “Canadianized,” ure in the Better Schools Movement. Oliver suggested the or in other words, like the Anglo-Protestants. The Anglo- schools were promoting German nationalism and he used the Protestant majority feared losing their culture as the province media to voice his opposition to them. His accusations came in became increasingly multicultural. This fear materialized in the 1916 during the First World War when tensions were high popular support of the Ku Klux Klan in the late 1920s. between Canadians of German descent and the Anglo- The question of loyalty became a concern in the Anglo- Protestant majority. Protestant community when separate schools opened in The thesis looked at the loyalty of the , com - munities, and families by analyzing their attitudes towards education, religion, nationality, and citizenship. It explored In your last will and testament their perceptions of family, community life, and non-German ethnic groups living within the colony. Insight was given into please remember the goals and aspirations of the German-Catholics through their stories and approaches to issues of the day. St. Peter’s Abbey. The first chapter of the thesis concerned the Benedictines. It found the monks were preoccupied with building a monastic Our legal title is: community and colony. The monks were active in parish and community life where they promoted German-Catholic tradi - THE ORDER OF tions that included their religious faith, education, and health care. The second and third chapters of the thesis focussed on ST. BENEDICT the communities and families of St. Peter’s Colony. The thesis found the colonists were preoccupied with building schools Muenster, SK S0K 2Y0 and churches, and working together to promote their future. All the community history books celebrate their citizenship in Canada. Published and printed by the Benedictine community of The thesis concluded the majority of pioneers in St. Peter’s St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, SK S0K 2Y0. Colony did not express any awareness of outside suspicions of Editor: Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB them. While the monks and colonists did not write about loy - alty, they expressed loyalty to the country through the deci - Logo by Kurt Van Kuren, OSB sions they made and their cooperation with the larger Canadian community. St. P eter ’S PreSS , M ueNSter , SK 12