Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey
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Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey GAUDETE! REFLECTIONS FROM ABBOT LAWRENCE Everyone knows that Many have encountered this type of change change is an unchanging when hearing the news that St. Gregory’s University aspect of the human would cease operations at the end of the 2017. experience. We as Students experienced an interruption in their individuals constantly educational plans; members of the faculty, staff and experience change: our administration faced unknown implications for bodies grow, develop, their families and the realities of unemployment and flourish and decline; our career displacement; donors wondered about their intellects expand by perceiving our surroundings and investment in this worthy cause; alumni worried about giving meaning to the experience of our senses; our an institution that had had a profound impact on their souls develop in response to all the above and to the lives; monks prayed for all involved. All these groups promptings of divine grace. All around us changes in have something in common: all now are challenged to society, governments and cultures mark the passing discern the presence and will of God in the middle of of human history. Even the natural world in which we profoundly changing circumstances in life. live changes – through the cycles of day and night, the rhythms of the seasons, and the fundamental level of Truth be told, this is something that everyone global climate. is challenged to do from time to time. Rather than being frozen by anxiety and fear in the face of change, We usually experience anxiety in the face of persons of faith are challenged to discern how God is change. This is especially true when we encounter present in the middle of uncertainty and change. Even changes that are beyond our influence or control. In when changes are not of our choice or are borne of the face of uncertainty and change, our first instincts tragic events, we are challenged to discern how God is often assume that the change we face will have calling to us amid the chaos that seems to surround us. negative consequences. We can be filled with dread or fear. This is somewhat natural because change In such times we can reflect on Mark 4:35-41. involves letting go of that which we know. Even when On that day, as evening drew on, [Jesus] said to the situation we know is difficult, or even destructive, them, “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, it can be hard to embrace something new and they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And unknown. other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and Change is especially difficult when it involves waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already letting go of someone who has helped us to grow, filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. or leaving behind something that has provided They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not us purpose and meaning in life. It is in such care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the circumstances that we long for answers and resolutions wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind that are not immediately clear or easy to find. ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” MonksOK is published four times per year by the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey MonksOK for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. 2- MonksOK They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” Like the disciples, we can feel as though THANK YOU! we are drowning in the turbulent waters of change. We can feel as though we are The Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey express our Gratitude to all overwhelmed and sinking fast, and that those who have made our work of Catholic education possible God is somehow oblivious to our peril. over the course of 140 years. But just as Jesus was calmly resting in that Beginning with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, we thank all boat along with the frantic and frightened American Indian Peoples for their support, their collaboration disciples, so also the Lord is with us when and for entrusting their young people to our care. we are frantic and frightened by change. Like the disciples, we are called to discover We thank the incredible colleagues and volunteers who have that the power of Christ is far greater than labored alongside us, giving of their time, talents, expertise, the waves that appear so threatening. Jesus resources and prayers to our mission. is even greater than the fear that can be so We thank the countless donors who have invested their gifts of paralyzing. every kind to the support of our mission. The cycle of Lent and Easter provide We thank the Knights of Columbus of Oklahoma, who an extended season of grace in which we have been faithful partners to St. Gregory’s from its very can discern this saving power of God in beginnings, especially in their efforts to provide scholarship our lives. The discipline and failures we support for students. experience in Lent help us to recognize what we need to change in our lives. The We thank the alumni who have continued to be part of our glory and joy of Easter then proclaim to us lives – whether or not they were able to complete their degree that such change is possible in Christ our program. Lord. Whether the storm waves strike us And finally, we thank the students and families who chose to from outside circumstances or arise from a attend our schools and thus let us be part of their lives. tempest within us, we can call upon Jesus to calm the waters and fill us with hope. It is Be assured that we will continue to pray for all of you each out of the peace that only he can bring that day. We ask that you continue to pray for us, and to be part we can discern and arrive at the welcoming of our ongoing life at St. Gregory’s Abbey. May God bless you shore on the “other side of the lake” that is with the greatest gifts of faith, hope and love! the goal of our journey with him. Peace, Abbot Lawrence and the Monks If you have questions or comments about this publication, please address them to: Publisher: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB MonksOK is published four times per year by the 1900 W. MacArthur Street Photographers: Br. George Hubl, OSB and Theresa Bragg Shawnee, OK 74804 Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey Phone: (405) 878-5656 Graphic Designer: Nicole McCoy for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. E-mail: [email protected] Contributor: Joshua Young or visit us on the web at: www.monksok.com facebook.com/monksok Visit us at www.monksok.org- 3 End of an Era for St. Gregory’s In January 1876, just three months after they arrived and academic programs. For various reasons, these in Indian Territory, Fr. Isidore Robot, OSB, and Br. strategies did not come to fruition. In fall of 2016, Dominic Lambert, OSB, worked with a “Miss Atchison” officials pursued a final opportunity through a USDA to open a day school in Atoka, Indian Territory. Even rural development bond program. This was done before they had located a permanent home for the in collaboration with the Community Development monastery they would found, the Benedictines thus Corporation of the Potawatomi Nation, the Citizen inaugurated Catholic education in what eventually Potawatomi Nation and the City of Shawnee. For nearly would become Oklahoma. Eventually the monks a year, university, tribal, monastic and civic leaders established schools for Native American children at worked to secure this refinancing option. On October Sacred Heart, Pawhuska / Grey Horse, and Anadarko, 31, 2017, word came from the USDA that St. Gregory’s schools for African American children near Lehigh, at would not qualify for the program. Because of critically Langston and in Chickasaw nation, and finally at St. low cash reserves, the SGU Board made the decision to Gregory’s in Shawnee – which over the course of 100 “suspend operations” at the end of the fall semester. years was home to a high school, college and university with several graduate degree programs. In the final weeks of the semester, great efforts were made to provide students with a variety of opportunities For 142 years, the monks of Sacred Heart Abbey / to complete their educational goals in a timely fashion. St. Gregory’s Abbey have been dedicated and untiring Dozens of other universities came to campus to look at champions of Catholic education. They have served smooth academic transfers and financial aid offerings. as founders, teachers, administrators, deans, residence Naturally, the many dedicated employees of the advisors, staff members, grounds keepers, coaches, university also were faced with the loss of their jobs and housekeepers, cooks, fund-raisers, donors, nurses, interruptions in their careers. builders, librarians, chaplains, mentors and advocates. Throughout all of this, the monks have been Pray-ers: With the suspension of operations and the effective maintaining the daily celebration of the Eucharist and closing of St. Gregory’s University, the monastic the Divine Office. community also experienced deeply the end of an important era in the history not only of the Abbey, On November 8, 2017, the Board of Directors of but also of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma.