Left to right, Oblate Novices Daniel Pierce Sr. and Georgiana Sullivan, who were invested, and Oblate Carol Devine, who renewed her 50th anniversary oblation, receive the sign of peace from Oblate Jane Mossimino during the New York Oblate Retreat, August 30-September 1, 2013. The Eucharist, Confession and the Rule The Rule of St. Benedict beyond , and in both contexts mentions the Eucharist the stability achieved is not static. (as “Holy Communion”) in only two places. In Within an abbey, particularly, stability is the Chapter 38, the context product of a living communion in which is providing food for the the provide “consolation” for each reader of the week to other (Chapter 1). They are to serve as sustain his strength after mutually supportive companions on their the Eucharistic fast. And spiritual journeys through life. William Hemrick in Chapter 63, it is mentioned only in This picture discloses a cluster of cognate passing with respect to order in the meanings of a life lived in common: community. community, communion and communication. They are closely related in Also, the Rule does not specifically mention the notion of companionship. The word the sacrament of Penance. Nevertheless, in the “companion” comes from the Latin cum way that the Rule provides a blueprint for a panis, “with bread,” and the most important comprehensive way of life, it furnishes a rich bread in the community is Holy context for appreciating both sacraments. Communion received at Mass each morning. Participation in that Communion Consider first the Eucharist. The monastic both anchors and supports community life. way of life is, anchorites apart, a life in common – one of stable community. Stability As a personal impression, I would say it is and community are twins, both within and exactly during that participation in Mass at Continued on p. 2

NEWSLETTER FOR BENEDICTINE OBLATES OF SAINT MEINRAD Winter 2014, Volume 20:1 A POINT TO continued from p. 1 Further, in Chapter 7 we read, “The fifth PONDER FROM degree of humility is not to conceal from Saint Meinrad that the unity and one’s the evil thoughts that beset cohesiveness of the community seem TheRule one’s heart, nor the sins committed in most visible, particularly the Eucharistic secret, but to manifest them in humble part of the celebration when the monks confession.” And for that confession St. are gathered around the altar. There they “First of all, every time Benedict quotes Psalm 105:1, “Confess to seem much more One than when they the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy you begin a good work are half-hidden in the choir during the endures forever.” And 31:5, “I said, ‘I will Divine Office. It would be interesting to you must pray to Him confess against myself my iniquities to the know whether the monks themselves most earnestly to Lord’; and Thou hast forgiven the share this perception. bring it to perfection.” wickedness of my heart.” On a related matter, in ordinary parish Rule of St. Benedict, In addition, the Rule does not stop at life, receiving Communion tends to be Prologue, Verse 4 merely advising confession of one’s sins. an exclusively private affair, with no As an eminently practical document, it special reflection on being part of the provides a guide for examining one’s As oblates, we are asked to parish community. When monks receive conscience. One such passage is the first pray when doing even the Communion, I wonder whether the text from the Prologue cited above. Also, most menial tasks, such as experience also includes the self- Chapter 2 tells us, “Only for one reason consciousness of functioning as part of washing dishes, doing we are distinguished in His sight: namely, the community. laundry, preparing a meal if we are found to be eminent in good or vacuuming the rugs. The sacrament of Penance, although not works and in humility.” And what are Each may be considered a mentioned in the Rule, has far more those “good works”? Chapter 4, “The Instruments of Good Works,” provides a good work, especially in a explicit textual support than the Eucharist. St. Benedict is clear about the need for voluminous list. familial sense. Making the and benefits of confessing one’s sins. sign of the cross and saying If this interpretation of the Rule is correct, then we can be confident that it provides a a blessing before eating can Now, the Saint Meinrad oblate program happily includes many non-Catholic as productive context for understanding the be said to be a good work. well as Catholic oblates. Such sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist, There are myriad membership gives strong evidence of the and therewith spiritual enrichment for opportunities to pray before great need in our society for the Rule’s those who do so. sane balance of prayer and work. undertaking a good work. William Hamrick, oblate We should do this without However, my reason for mentioning St. Louis, MO hesitation, for in doing non-Catholic oblates here is that good works we grow ever everything in the Rule about confession closer to God. is consistent with the theology of at least all major Protestant denominations. That is because St. Benedict relies solely on Ben edictine Oblate is published four Scriptural descriptions of the individual times a year by Saint Meinrad believer’s relationship with God. Archabbey. Editor: Mary Jeanne Schumacher For example, in the Prologue, he Designer: Tammy Schuetter describes the person who finds favor Oblate Directors: Fr. Meinrad Brune, with God as “he who walks without sin, OSB and Fr. Joseph Cox, OSB who acts with justice ….” Then he concludes, “[He who] hath taken hold of Send changes of address and comments his evil thoughts in the very beginning to The Editor, Development Office, and dashed them against the Rock, which Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Dr., St. Meinrad, IN 47577, is Christ.” Likewise in the Prologue, he quotes St. Paul (Rom. 2:4), “Dost thou (812) 357-6817, fax (812) 357-6325 Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB, oblate director, receives the or email [email protected] not know that the goodness of God is oblation of Rev. Brian Loging. Rev. Msgr. Thomas www.saintmeinrad.org meant to lead thee to repentance?” Smith, center, was also invested as an oblate. ©2014, Saint Meinrad Archabbey 2 OBLATES We have to... In their own words get up and go back into the city

The reading from the Acts of the Acts – are, of course, not just a recounting Apostles (Acts 14:19-28) tells us that the of history. This is not just the account of local Jews stoned St. Paul and dragged what happened to them. It is meant to be him out of the city, leaving him for dead. our story, the pattern of our discipleship. Then, it tells us that he got up and went back into the city. Period. Today, this story about St. Paul reminds us that when we feel beaten down by The text doesn’t really seem to make too life’s events or even feel beaten down by much of this event. But, when you think our own people, when we feel shipwrecked about it, it would seem more reasonable by our own failures or sins or mistakes, if the story had said that St. Paul got up, when we feel threatened by temptation got out of there as soon as he could, or anxiety or an unknown future – like went back to tent-making and never St. Paul, in our own way, we just have to Oblate Rev. Mr. John Huether mentioned the name of Jesus again. get up and “go back into the city.” Jasper, IN The man, after all, had just been stoned and We need to go back “into our city” just “To me, being an oblate left for dead! The same Paul who (as he as it is. We just have to get up and get on tells us elsewhere – 2 Cor. 11:25-26) had with what we are supposed to be about. means making a public been three times beaten with rods, three commitment to daily times shipwrecked, once adrift at sea, Because like St. Paul, we, too, have met threatened by his own people, threatened the risen Lord along the way. We, too, prayer, the Divine by Gentiles and threatened by bandits. have received the call to give witness to Him in our living and acting and Office in particular. But each time, as it were, St. Paul just speaking in our own world of today. We try to draw closer gets up, and “goes back into the city.” He And, like him, we are nourished by the to God through his holy just gets back to what he is supposed to Word of God and the sacred Body and be about. Blood of the Lord at the Eucharist. Word, the Scripture, and also we try to find All of these adventures of St. Paul – and Fr. Mark O’Keefe, OSB, of all of the first disciples in the Book of Saint Meinrad Archabbey ways to apply the Rule of St. Benedict to our daily lives.”

Left to right, Lt. Col. Redmond Raux, General Patrick Mordente who made his oblation and Fr. Aidan Logan, OCSO. The priests received Patrick’s oblation at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on November 21, 2013. 3 Profile: Br. William Sprauer Q. Can you of it rubbed off on me. I went to Q. Did anything or anyone influence tell us about secular junior high and secondary high you to converting to Catholicism? Did your schools. I went to Wilder Junior High anything or anyone influence you in background? and Piqua High School. Piqua is a entering a monastic community? I was born in Shawnee name. I think that one thread of influence Piqua, Ohio, was martial arts. It is similar to being a which is a little In high school, I played ice hockey. monk. There is self-disciple, self- town just north After taekwondo, I really got into ice initiative, dedication, obedience and of Dayton. My hockey. I had started martial arts in respect. In martial arts, all of these Br. William Sprauer parents were the second or third grade. In martial things are taught or are byproducts of Karen and Timothy Sprauer. I lived in arts, I got a junior black belt because I this activity. I find many of these Piqua for most of my life and I went was too young for the adult black belt. things in the monastic life. I think of to a small elementary school called Both belts were identical in it as a cultural kind of influence. Nicklin Elementary not very far from certification requirements. There are words, definitions, concepts my home. that are similar in both cultures. I continued to play hockey in high Certainly, the Rule of St. Benedict school on a club basis. When I was I was sort of a teacher’s pet growing kindled my interest in the monastic 16, I applied for a job at a hardware up. All of my teachers said that I community. talked too much. In fact, this is also store not far from my home and I stopped playing ice hockey. I went to what they say in the : that I Q. Why did you choose Saint talk too much. I have fond memories Ohio University in Athens. I studied Meinrad Archabbey? What was so of elementary school and I really computer science and got a BS degree special about the Saint Meinrad enjoyed my elementary school years. I in that. I worked for five years in community? Did you consider any had some great teachers. software development. other monastic houses? Q. Were you influenced by role Before I came to Saint Meinrad, I had The one teacher that I liked very much models in the secular world? Were visited only three communities: Saint was my fourth grade teacher. I still see there also role models from the Meinrad, of course, and St. Andrew her quite often when I return home. religious sector? Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio, and a She is a member of my hometown Not really. I cannot think of any role Franciscan community. I am pretty parish. She still remembers me when I sure that after visiting the Franciscan go to Mass when I am there. models with the exception of my parents, my martial arts instructor, my community, I wanted the monastic I was baptized in the Lutheran church babysitter and my fourth grade life. The Franciscan community was when I was about 1 year old. I was teacher. Sad to say, the church and not a monastery. religion were not a large part of my not a Catholic growing up during my The Franciscans do all kinds of work, life during these early years. I did have formative years and I did not attend such as parish work, educational work, a girlfriend when I was a student at church during those years. I was psychological work, etc. They have a Ohio University. She was a Catholic mostly involved with martial arts, in formation house in Cincinnati, Ohio. and I often attended Mass with her. I particular karate and taekwondo, for a I stayed there. It wasn’t quite what I was seriously thinking ahead that if I number of years. was looking for. What I envisioned were to marry her, I would like to was a larger community somewhere in My instructor was a Christian and become a Catholic. there was a lot of Christian influence the countryside. Saint Meinrad to his teaching. It taught me to really She graduated and I was still in school monastery was the first of the three value hard work. If you are in school, and we grew further apart. I think it that I visited. you do school work; and if at work, was when I graduated and was Q. What about the physical entity of employed that I heard about the Rule you do (work) work. Saint Meinrad Archabbey? Were you of St. Benedict. I bought a copy and impressed by its size? I had a babysitter from the time I was read it and this was even before my an infant until I was somewhere in conversion. You might say that St. Yes, I was very impressed. I remember grade school. She was very devout and Benedict was an influence. I went when I first stepped out of the guest a spiritual influence. She was an through the RCIA program and house I thought, “This is the middle Evangelical Christian and I think a lot became a Catholic in 2008. of nowhere. This is amazing.” I 4 remember when my Dad visited me at interested in the priesthood is much Reading Community II: The Sermon the monastery, he could not stop too early for me to discern. I would on the Mount: The Perfect Measure of talking about the church. hope that my computer science the Christian Life by Frank J. Matera background would be a concentration (The Liturgical Press, 2013, 121 Q. Did the monastic community live for the work portion of my monastic pages). Dates: April 27-July 26, 2014. up to your expectations? Were you life. However, this is for the abbot to Registration deadline: April 12. Fee surprised by the diversity among the decide. $40. monks and their respective interests and activities? Thomas J. Rillo, oblate Reading Community III: The I was amazed at the talent that the Bloomington, IN Eucharist: What Do We Believe? by various monks exhibited. It was Fainche Ryan (The Columba Press, exciting to rub elbows with the monks 2012, 92 pages). Dates: August 17- who have achieved so much: Fr. October 18, 2014. Registration Cyprian Davis, who is a renowned Online deadline: August 5. Fee $40. author, and Fr. Columba Kelly, who has accomplished so much with Resources Reading Community IV: Chasing liturgical music and chant. There is Fr. available to oblates Mystery: A Catholic Biblical Theology Harry Hagan, whose poetry and by Carey Walsh (The Liturgical Press, hymn writing has been most Saint Meinrad’s oblates are invited to 2012, 164 pages). Dates: October 27- impressive. There are just too many take advantage of an online formation December 20, 2014. Registration monks with such diverse talent to program that includes reading deadline: October 15. Fee $40. mention them all here. communities and Bible studies. Online Bible Studies Q. What are some of your long-range The Saint Meinrad Online Lay The online Bible studies function goals with regard to your tenure as a Formation Program is offering six much like reading communities, monk? Do you have any aspirations to online, noncredit formation except that participants use a book the priesthood at this time? Is there a opportunities during 2014. The from the Collegeville Bible specific work activity that you would pressure is low, because these are not Commentary series to guide their like to devote your monastic career to? academic courses for credit. study and sharing together. The fee I am not sure what my long-range covers the cost of the Commentary. goals are. I know there are brothers The books chosen are interesting and here who make meaningful highly readable, and the quality of Bible Study I: First and Second contributions to the community reflection and sharing is very high. Corinthians. Dates: March 9-June 28, without being ordained priests. I think Since all offerings are online, there is 2014. Registration deadline: February of Br. Dominic, who does a variety of no need for travel. The fee includes 16. Fee $40. different activities. He delivers the the cost of the book. mail and washes and services the Bible Study II: The Book of Exodus. monastery cars in the motor pool and Online Reading Communities Dates: September 21-December 13, he also works in the infirmary. In a reading community, the 2014. Registration deadline: participants read a book together on a September 1. Fee $40. I also think of Br. Martin, who is theological topic and then discuss the For more information, contact Br. perhaps one of the finest liturgical contents online using the Saint Zachary Wilberding, OSB, artists to be found anywhere in the Meinrad Moodle platform. Books are coordinator of lay formation, at world. Also Br. John Mark, who has selected on the basis of reliable (812) 357-6803. ◆ psychology as his major interest and authorship, readability and relevance creative crafts such as pottery as a to Christian life. secondary interest. There is Br. VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATED Reading Community I: Pleading, Maurus, who has done a variety of Nic Alford, Novice Dane DeDecker, Cursing, Praising: Conversing with things such as the Abbey Press, retreat OSB, Ruth Engs, Fr. Cletus Miller, God through the Psalms by Irene director and a host for many OSB, Mike Reffett, Pat Reckolhoff, pilgrimages. Nowell (The Liturgical Press, 2013, Tom and Joan Rillo, Dennis Shelton 94 pages). Dates: February 2-April 19, and Vicki Taylor were among the They are not ordained priests and yet 2014. Registration deadline: January these brothers are exemplary in their recent volunteers in the Oblate 15. Fee $40. ◆ contributions to the monastic Office. community. Whether or not I am 5 Reflections on the Third World Congress of Benedictine Oblates

Oblates Jennie Latta and Janis Dopp from Europe and the Americas. The delegates made trips to St. Peter represented the Oblate Community of Oblation for the African oblates is a Square for the Sunday Angelus address Saint Meinrad Archabbey at the Third distinct calling involving a visible life of Pope Francis; to the Sacra Speco World Congress of Benedictine Oblates, of service. (sacred cave) at the Monastery of St. held in Rome October 3-10, 2013. In Benedict in Subiaco, where St. these articles, they offer their perspectives We learned that the African oblates Benedict lived as a hermit before of the experience. tend to make their oblations as founding his first monastery; to Sant’ married couples and to incorporate Anselmo, the primatial abbey of the Gaining new understanding of Benedictine spirituality in the lives of Order of St. Benedict; and to Monte Benedictine life’s significance their children. Because the African Cassino, where St. Benedict wrote his oblates wear distinctive habits, they I was privileged holy Rule and where he died. are known in their parishes and serve and fortunate to as role models for Christian families. It was at Monte Cassino that I came serve as a to a new understanding of the delegate of Saint Each delegate was assigned to a importance of the gift of the Meinrad working group, which was asked to Benedictine life to the world. St. Archabbey to the consider four topics: (1) The Rule; (2) Benedict made his foundation at Third World The Relationship of the Oblate to the Monte Cassino on the site of a temple Congress of Monastery; (3) Living Our Oblation to Apollo. He first smashed the statue Benedictine Jennie Latta and (4) Obsculta (Listening). of Apollo and destroyed the altar Oblates. There before establishing his cell. were 156 delegates representing 28 My group consisted of 21 English countries from five continents. The speakers from Australia, England, Despite the sacks of the Lombards in United States delegation consisted of Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines and 581, the Saracens in 884, Napoleon in 38 oblates led by Fr. Paschal Morlino, Slovakia. Our group developed the 1799, destruction by earthquake in OSB, of St. Vincent Archabbey, following summary of our findings: 1321, and suppression in 1866, the Latrobe, PA. The members of this group abbey represented a place of great magnificence and cultural significance. The theme of the Congress was unanimously believe that oblation On February 13, 1944, however, the “Obsculta – The Oblate Listening in is a vocation – a unique calling abbey was almost destroyed by the World.” Plenary addresses were within the Church and to the American-led air raids as the result of given by Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, world. We believe that living the intelligence suggesting that German OSB; Romina Urbanetti, coordinator life of oblation gives structure to troops were hiding there. for the Italian Benedictine Oblates; our formation in Christian service. Abbot Alcuin Nyirenda, OSB, of We agree that the practice of lectio One of the few parts of the monastery Hanga Abbey, Tanzania; Sr. Mary divina develops in us new skills for to survive was St. Benedict’s cell, which John Mananzan, OSB, former prioress listening to the Word of God and was located in the oldest, Roman part. of St. Scholastica’s , Manila, the needs of the world. We agree In the small shrine that is there now, a Philippines; and Fr. Michael Casey, that cultivation of silence is fresco depicts St. Benedict weeping OCSO, author and monk of essential to the process of listening, over the future destruction of his Tarawarra Abbey, Victoria, Australia. but also that silence itself can be monastery by the Lombards. part of our gift to the world. As Some of their texts are available at one of our members reminded us, It is painted in such a way that St. www.benedictine-oblates.org/2013/ “Silence speaks.” From those of our Benedict is also looking toward a testi-en.php group who are part of the painting of the future destruction of Monastery without Walls, we were his monastery in the 20th century. Of special note at this Congress was reminded that listening is being The painting depicts the monks the large delegation from Africa (19 attentive, and that being attentive processing out of the Pax gate after the people), bringing a new and is love – love that is so needed in Allied bombing. (Although many of challenging perspective to the oblates our world today. the Italian civilians who had taken 6 refuge in the abbey were killed, none gatherings: that we have a real and heart, we allow ourselves to totally of the monks was killed.) vocation as Benedictine Oblates in the surrender to God’s will and take that world that we must take seriously, and leap of faith that pulls us into active I was able to sit with the painting for that this vocation is a call to surrender ministry. a long time. What I saw was the to God’s will, to be totally present to emergence of life and culture from the the here and now, and to attend to the She quoted Pope Francis, who has said ruins of the monastery. The preservation reformation of our lives in such a way that, “The greatest task of the Church of Christian life and culture has been that we truly become servants of the today is to heal wounds.” If our the consistent gift of to people of God. oblation is to be taken as a serious the world for the past 1,500 years. vocation, we are tied to the needs of In this Congress, the message was the Church and the people of God. I thought particularly about the role refined by considering this vocation as We need to recognize the many and of the Benedictine oblate in this the fruit of the spiritual practice of diverse ways that people and the earth context. It is not hard to see the various lectio divina, which helps us to hear are in need and then respond to those “ruins” around us – poverty, God’s voice calling us to this selfless needs. Our prayerful listening gives us consumerism, violence, despair. enlightenment. Living our oblation the strength and the grace that we Benedictine oblates – those who “listen means moving from our initial self- need to respond. with the ear of the heart” to the world offering to the necessary self-emptying – are those who can return Benedictine that allows God to use us to “make It was precisely this grace that Fr. life and culture to their world. the Gospel of Jesus more concrete in Michael focused on in his every sphere of life.” presentation, “The Word Became Text The painting helped me to put into and Dwelt Among Us.” Just as God perspective all that we had heard and The two keynote speakers, Sr. Mary chose to limit Himself by becoming a experienced in the Congress. It helped John Mananzan, OSB, and Fr. human being and taking on our me to better understand the possibilities Michael Casey, OCSO, approached mortal nature, He further limited for Benedictine life “in the world.” the theme of “Listening” with the Himself by becoming the written intent of moving us beyond the run- Word of Scripture. Jennie Latta, oblate of-the-mill idea that listening is a Memphis, TN passive practice to a place where the In lectio divina, which he called “the active engagement of listening is the heart and soul of Benedictine Finding a deeper meaning to force behind the movement of a spirituality,” the oblate becomes the lectio divina person into an enlightened recipient of a salvific act: “The Word In a recent recognition and response to the voice becomes flesh within us.” He said Midday Prayer of God speaking deeply within him. that, considered in this way, “There is opening hymn in a quasi-sacramental aspect to lectio the Archabbey In her talk “Obsculta: The Oblate divina that goes beyond what we Church, we sang, Listening in the World,” Sr. Mary invest in it in terms of effort, “May mind and John looked at the four traditional ingenuity or industry.” tongue made steps of lectio divina (lectio, meditatio, But just as Eucharist is a sacrament strong in love, oratio and contemplatio) as the “ora” that demands our commitment to a your praise aspect of this spiritual practice. Then Janis Dopp life lived with and for Christ, Fr. throughout the she moved into the “labora” of lectio Michael said, “Lectio divina is a dread- world proclaim.” I had just returned divina, which she called actio. Actio is filled struggle with the absolute to the United States after attending when we take what we have read, demands that the Gospel brings.” Our the Third Oblate World Congress in reflected and prayed upon and allow complacency is “endangered,” and we Rome, and the words of the hymn God to move us out of our protective are called to “demolish the wall of self- were a touching reminder of the spirit solitude into a state of mindfulness security with which we protect and the mission of the Congress for that makes us totally present to the ourselves from the challenges of the the 156 men and women from around here and now. Kingdom.” Ultimately, “the function the world who were there representing We are able to focus on “the other.” of (lectio divina) must be the the various oblate communities of We can more clearly hear the cry of reformation of our lives.” their monasteries. people in need. We are awakened to As oblates gathered in “working This Congress, which is held every the cry of Mother Earth and respond groups” to discuss the primary themes four years, developed the theme that to the global ecological crisis. When has run throughout these worldwide we enter into the silence of the mind Continued on p. 11 7 Oblate News

and they have two children, Emily, a Oblate Director Fr. Meinrad Brune, freshman at University of Southern OSB, expressed great appreciation for Indiana, and Logan, a sophomore at the loyalty and financial commitment Heritage Hills High School. of the oblates for the good of the oblate community. While still in high school, Carol Mike Reffett worked with the Abbey Press Evansville, IN Christian Catalog. She left Abbey Press in 1995 to concentrate on Oblate Council members raising her two children. During this make plans to visit chapters time, she did free-lance writing, much The Oblate Council gathered at Saint of it with the local newspaper. In Meinrad on October 19 for its 27th 2000, she returned to the Archabbey, meeting. Janis Dopp chaired the where she worked in the Office of meeting. Present on the Hill were Group Accommodations. She left this Oblate Director Fr. Meinrad Brune, position in 2011 to care for her father, Dr. James and Mrs. Vicki Albright accepted the OSB, Gail Chambers, Janis Dopp, Al office of chapter co-coordinators for the Columbus, who was very ill. Kovacs, Mike Reffett, Dennis Skelton OH, Area Chapter. and Bill Wilson. Joining the group by On October 7, she accepted the phone was Chris Topa. Michelle New Chapter Co-Coordinators position in the Oblate Office. When Reffett acted as secretary. Jennie Latta she is not working in the Oblate The new chapter co-coordinators for and Pat Phillips were absent. Office, she is compiling her newspaper the Columbus, OH, Area Chapter are articles into a book format. Carol Dr. James Albright and Mrs. Vicki The meeting was opened with prayer brings a wealth of experience to her Albright. They accepted the office on by Fr. Meinrad followed by unison duties. She recently started Inkspot October 3, 2013. A debt of gratitude reading of the Statement of Purpose of Productions LLC, which focuses on is owed to Msgr. Robert Noon for his the Oblate Council. Bill Wilson from public relations and event planning. help in overseeing the chapter for Huntington, WV, was welcomed as a new member of the Council. several years. Tom Rillo, oblate Bloomington, IN Mike Reffett and Fr. Meinrad reported New secretary joins Oblate Office on accomplishments by the oblate Carol Troesch is Finance Committee reviews community and Council, which had a recent addition fiscal year results been initiated since the July 2009 to the Oblate The Oblate Finance Committee met Meeting of Chapter Coordinators and Office as a part- October 18 to review financial results Representatives (MCR). Some of those time executive for the fiscal year that ended June 30, noted were: newsletter reports regularly secretary. She 2013. Gift-giving continued to be from chapters, developing novice replaces Sarah strong and covered the normal mentoring in chapters with a new Fisher. Carol operating expenses and additional mentoring booklet in process, planning grew up in St. printing and mailing costs. Normal Carol Troesch for the 2014 Meeting of Chapter Meinrad and expenses include those for the office, Coordinators and Representatives, a attended elementary schools there. She seasonal pamphlet printing and travel. new format for the oblate newsletter, went to high school at Heritage Hills and scheduling Oblate Council member and then matriculated at the The additional printing expenses were visits to each chapter. Ongoing University of Evansville and earned a incurred for publication of two books. concern for development of youth and bachelor’s degree in communications. A second printing of the Liturgy of the young adult oblates was discussed. Hours edition was necessitated by Carol’s first job while still in high school having sold all 2,000 of the first Janis shared generally about her was with the Archabbey and her main printing. The book, An Updated experience attending the Third World responsibility was operating the History of the Benedictine Oblate Congress of Benedictine Oblates in switchboard and handling all telephone Community of Saint Meinrad Archabbey Rome in October. She and Jennie calls leaving or entering the monastery. 1995-2012, was prepared and mailed Latta were the representatives from Carol is married to Marvin Troesch to all oblates at no cost to them. Saint Meinrad. The theme of the 8 Congress was “listening.” Close to 150 delegates from across the world were in attendance.

Fr. Meinrad reported on a variety of topics. He reported the resignation of Oblate Council member John Pelletier and expressed appreciation for his service. Carol Troesch has been employed as the new administrative assistant in the Oblate Office. Appreciation was expressed to Sarah Fisher for her work as she moves to another department at Saint Meinrad.

Work continues in the audio-visual library to transfer material from cassette to MP3 format; updates were shared on Fr. Meinrad’s travel to various Oblates Margit Sanders of Vine Grove, KY, and Robert Hess of Louisville, KY, celebrated the 25th chapters. A revised “Expectations of anniversary of their oblations during the Epiphany Party 2013. Chapters” will be discussed at MCR 2014. The Council celebrated with Fr. the monks from the oblates on the Jayne Sims on September 20, 2013. Meinrad the positive financial stability Feast of St. Meinrad (January 21). A reception was held at the Saint of the oblate community and the Meinrad Archabbey Guest House and 1,200+ oblates in the community. Fr. Meinrad closed the meeting with a Retreat Center in October. prayer and blessing. The next meeting He also shared his appreciation for the of the Oblate Council will be April 5, Oblate Michael Edwards marries good work done to update the oblate 2014. Jennifer Kunkler brochure, the development of a new Congratulations are extended to oblate resource, “Saints and Seasons,” and William (Bill) H. Wilson, oblate Michael Edwards on his marriage to the active role played by the oblates in Huntington, WV the community. As a sign of Jennifer Kunkler on October 12, remembrance of deceased oblates, a Mark Bernard Schipper ordained 2013. A reception followed at the Perry County 4-H Fairgrounds. Mass will be said in memory of each Oblate Mark Bernard Schipper of the deceased oblate. A future article in the Indianapolis Chapter was ordained a James Anzelmo secures new position newsletter will explain about “End permanent deacon on September 14, The Catholic Foundation has hired Matters for Benedictine Oblates.” 2013. The ordination took place at the oblate James Anzelmo as vice Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Schedules and plans were confirmed president of development. Before Conception in Lafayette, IN. by Oblate Council members to visit joining the foundation, he was a staff th chapters in 2014. A council member Carol Devine celebrates 50 years attorney for the 10 Ohio District will be present along with one of the Court of Appeals. James has been an Congratulations are extended to Carol monks. At the visit, the Oblate oblate since 2007 and is a member of Devine as she celebrates 50 years as an Council member will share briefly the chapter in Columbus, OH. oblate. She was invested on November about the work of the Council and 21, 1963, in New York, NY, and is a general information about the Saint Two oblates celebrate 25 years member of the Farmingdale, NY, Meinrad oblate community. Oblates Margit Sanders of Vine Chapter. Grove, KY, and Robert Hess of In appreciation for the monks of Saint Louisville, KY, celebrated the 25th Oblate Tim Mattingly marries Meinrad, the Council asked Fr. anniversary of their oblations. Jayne Sims Meinrad to discuss with Archabbot Congratulations on your faithfulness Justin about providing for a special Congratulations are extended to oblate as oblates. ◆ cheese and dessert event as a gift to Tim Mattingly on his marriage to 9 Oblate News continued

OBLATIONS September 14, 2013 – Mrs. Theresa November 6, 2013 – Deacon Gary August 18, 2013 – Mrs. Tammy Miller of Brownsburg, IN. Lane of Charleston, WV. Phoebe Becht of Floyds Knobs, IN. September 22, 2013 – Ms. Ursula As of November 2, 2013, when an Hassel of Cincinnati, OH; Mrs. Lori oblate dies, the monastery will have a September 7, 2013 – Rev. Brian John ◆ of the Cross Loging of Manheim, PA. Walsh of Bethel, OH. Mass offered for that oblate. September 13, 2013 – Deacon September 23, 2013 – Dr. Maria UPCOMING EVENTS Gregory Daniel Clodi of Kankakee, IL. Ranola of Evansville, IN; Deacon Brian Wideman of Neenah, WI. March 10-20, 2014: Br. Maurus October 5, 2013 – Mrs. Catherine Zoeller, OSB, is hosting a pilgrimage Gertrude Moriarty and Mrs. Elaine October 2, 2013 – Mrs. Catherine to England and Scotland. The trip will Mary Margaret Magdelene Zimmer, Worley of Danville, OH. highlight old cathedrals, castles, old both of Columbus, IN. October 5, 2013 – Mr. Phillip D. monasteries, pageantry, drama, good food and fellowship. The group will October 29, 2013 – John Edward Ford, Lebanon IN; Mr. Brian T. also travel to Edinburgh and the Anselm Manzo of New Albany, IN. Garrett, Evansville, IN. ancient city of York. Three nights and November 6, 2013 – Michael Patrick October 7, 2013 – Mr. Andre Munoz two full days will be spent in London. Edwards of St. Meinrad. Jr., Corpus Christi, TX. November 3-14, 2014: Br. Maurus November 17, 2013 – Mr. Kevin October 18, 2013 – Mrs. Connie Zoeller, OSB, is hosting a pilgrimage Thomas Maloney of Louisville, KY. Thompson, Louisville, KY. to Poland and Eastern Europe. This trip will include visits to Warsaw, November 19, 2013 - Mr. Steven October 19, 2013 – Dr. Lanny Krakow, Jasna Gora Monastery in John Henry Newman Borchert of Hollis, Brooklyn, OH; Mr. David Czestochowa, Wadowice, birthplace of Portage, MI. Kelker Jr. and Mrs. Catherine Kelker, both of Fort Wayne, IN. Pope John Paul II; Budapest, Vienna November 21, 2013 – Mr. Patrick and Prague. For information on either October 27, 2013 – Mr. Brandon M. Martin Mordente of Scott Air Force pilgrimage, contact Br. Maurus at Hunt of Branchville, IN. Base, IL. (812) 357-6674 or November 24, 2013 – Mrs. Paula October 31, 2013 – Mrs. Kathryn [email protected]. Holmstrom of Crawfordsville, IN. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross Yerke March 19-21, 2014: The March of Cincinnati, OH. ◆ November 2, 2013 – Mrs. Candida Oblate Retreat will have Fr. Vincent Mackell of Findlay, OH. Tobin, OSB, as the retreat presenter INVESTITURES on “Christ in the Cloister: Shaped by November 4, 2013 – Mr. Francis Word and Sacrament.” August 16, 2013 – Mr. Joseph Shivone of Fort Worth, TX. McKeon and Mrs. Barbara McKeon, April 19, 2014: The Day of Recollection November 18, 2013 – Mr. Jay Loucks both of Cape Girardeau, MO. for the Louisville, KY, area oblates will of LaPorte, IN. September 1, 2013 – Mr. Daniel be held. Br. Zachary Wilberding, Pierce Sr. of North Massapequa, NY; November 21, 2013 – Mrs. Debbie OSB, will present “From Our Hands Ms. Georgiana Sullivan of Deer Park, Voges of Tell City, IN. to Our Hearts: Praying the Rosary.” NY. November 24, 2013 – Mrs. Mary May 17, 2014: The Day of September 3, 2013 – Mr. Jim Daily Louise Reed and Mr. Peyton Reed, Recollection for the Ohio oblates will ◆ of Atoka, TN. both of Williamsburg, OH. be held in the Cincinnati area. Fr. Noël Mueller, OSB, will be the presenter on September 7, 2013 – Rev. Msgr. DEATHS “Our Commitment to Christ: Living Thomas Smith of Lancaster, PA. March 23, 2013 – Mr. Christopher the Sacraments and the Rule.” September 10, 2013 – Mrs. Catherine Catlett of Mechanicsville, VA. June 9-12, 2014: Oblate Study Days Osborne of Wasilla, AK. November 5, 2013 – Mrs. Mary will take place at Saint Meinrad September 12, 2013 – Mr. Matt McCoy of Louisville, KY. Archabbey. Fr. Brendan Moss, OSB, Pflederer of Paoli, IN. will speak on “The Presence of God in the Life of the Oblate.” ◆ 10 an analogy of my Body,” or “This is a metaphor for my Body.” Rather, He Luminous Mysteries said, “This is my Body.” It is our precious, irreplaceable gift and, at the Some reflections about the rosary end of our lives, the only food for the longest journey in the world. Editor’s note: In The Proclamation of the Kingdom and this third article the Call to Repentance: When I think William Hamrick, oblate in a series, oblate about this mystery, I try to St. Louis, MO William Hamrick contemplate the tremendous fact of offers some God entering history as flesh and Continued from p. 7 reflections on the blood as the inauguration of the last of the Congress, a genuine sense of Luminous phase of our salvation. and respect for the depth of what we Mysteries of the were working with rose to the surface. rosary. These This also means that time, in a William Hamrick There was a deepening realization mysteries were Christian sense, is eschatological – a that, while hearing is a function of the codified by Pope John Paul II. They process aimed toward the end and ear, listening is a function of the heart. point to events in Jesus’ lifetime that completion of all things. The call to It is no wonder that St. Benedict shed particular light on His nature repentance reminds us of Jesus’ begins his Rule with the admonition, and mission. multiple warnings about not being caught unprepared. “Listen carefully, my son, to the The Baptism in the Jordan: This is the master’s instructions, and attend to first theophany. I think about that The Transfiguration: This is the second them with the ear of your heart.” light shining from heaven, the Holy theophany, and it takes place as Jesus Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, OSB, Spirit descending in the shape of a is on His final trip to Jerusalem. The closed the final session with words of dove and the Father’s voice three apostles learn to see things with wisdom and challenge. “You must show recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, new eyes, to literally consider Jesus in that you are interested, not in yourself, and I wonder why there were disputes a new light, and the final intelligibility but in the whole human family ... to afterward about what the voice said. of what they saw will become clear after the Resurrection. be an oblate is a vocation. We must Did God really speak so indistinctly listen with our ears and our hearts that only a few could hear Him? Were This is a great lesson for us as well, as every day; with our whole existence .... the confused and the unbelieving it encourages us to keep our eyes open We must think globally and enrich simply not paying attention? But how to seeing people differently from the each other. We must look for the could you not pay attention to light ways in which we are used to doing, future on an international level.” and a dove taking shape out of it? and also to be very hesitant about judging them. Janis Dopp, oblate That’s very puzzling. Bloomington, IN The Marriage Feast at Cana: I know of The Eucharist: I like to think about a seminary rector who once refused this mystery because it’s the most permission to a seminarian to attend important sacrament in my life. It is his (the seminarian’s) sister’s wedding. the Real Presence of Christ within us The student pointed to this event at – the organic unity with Him as the which Jesus performed His first miracle Vine and us as the branches. as evidence that God really valued I also reflect on the people I see marriage. The rector’s answer was, “It receiving Communion at Sunday wasn’t one of His better miracles.”(!) Mass, and I wonder if many of them When I reflect on this miracle, I also really understand what they are think about the charming interaction receiving. Their behavior often seems between Jesus and His Mother. Jesus is indifferent – very sloppy signs of the unwilling because it is not yet time to cross – and sometimes downright begin the public ministry, and she has careless, if not irreverent. Left to right, Oblate Msgr. Robert Noon and Fr. no hesitation about outing Him. She Meinrad Brune, OSB, concelebrate Mass during However, Jesus did not say, “This is a wins. the Columbus, OH, Chapter Meeting on October representation of my Body,” “This is 24, 2013.

11 Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE NEWSLETTER PAID Permit #3 St. Meinrad, IN 200 Hill Drive St. Meinrad, IN 47577

Reading Room Vogt, Brandon. The Church and New Media: Blogging Thomas Peters, Mark Shea and Matt Warner. Endorsements Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet. Our for The Church and New Media come from archbishops, Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, 2011. cardinals, clergy, authors and other individuals who work for Christian enlightment. We are experiencing the biggest communication shift since the The Church cannot change its response to the Gutenberg invention of the printing press. printing press, the radio or television. They are fixed in How can Christians harness history. But at the onset of this digital revolution, the these new communication tools Church’s response is wide open. This digital revolution spans to reach out to individuals and all demographics and all spheres of the Church. groups in their communities, as well as in the world? The Church was quick to adopt digital technology. The Vatican created a website in 1995, making available many The author is a writer and Church documents. There is no doubt that the efficient speaker who blogs about facilitation of parish administrative functions through digital theology, technology and social programming will never be considered a passing fad. The justice. Brandon Vogt is a digital age and the Church are married in terms of day-by- mechanical engineer and heads his parish’s social justice day operational procedures. commission and teaches in the adult formation program. Oblates live in the digital age and it would be remiss if they Imagine cardinals and bishops who blog, surf the did not take advantage of all it has to offer in terms of Internet, send text messages and write emails as a part of spiritual growth. This is a great book for oblates to acquire; their communication activities. At the 43rd World it is only one of a small number that have addressed Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI called us to specifically the Church and new media. evangelize the “digital continent.” Thomas J. Rillo, oblate Contributors to the book include Fr. Robert Barron, Bloomington, IN Jennifer Fulwiler, Lisa Hendey, Fr. Dwight Longenecker,