MONKS OKMAGAZINE VOLUME 10, NUMBER 3 Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey Gaudete!REFLECTIONS FROM ABBOT LAWRENCE Sometimes people are or attend regional meetings without having to leave surprised when they learn the monastery. Various social media make it possible just how much monks for monks to share their faith experience with others make use of modern or to help young people discern where God is calling technologies. Access to the them. Recently, we at St. Gregory’s Abbey began to use Internet, “smart” phones, “Flocknote” to share news and reflections with Oblates tablets, fitness trackers and and friends of the Abbey. other 21st century marvels is possible for many in consecrated life – including But for all the good that new technologies bring, they monks and nuns. also can bring a dark side. All the distractions of the world can easily invade the life of a monk with the Monks and nuns often have been early adopters simple click of a mouse. Even seemingly innocent and inventors of new technologies. Medieval monks websites and a desire to keep-up with social media can developed time-keeping devices, agricultural become destructive to what should be a life of quiet techniques, architectural designs and educational reflection, prayer and work. The walls of the monastery tools. For instance, the monks of Subiaco Abbey in and a locked cloister gate are not enough to prevent Italy, founded by St. Benedict himself, installed the such invasions of the sanctuary of monastic enclosure. first printing press in Italy in the year 1464 – just 30 years after Gutenberg introduced the printing press in To prevent unhealthy distractions, communities Germany. The monks even developed a new system of typically limit the presence of electronic media in their typesetting which allowed them to be the first in the monasteries. Monks normally do not have access to the world to print characters in Greek. They likely were Internet in their individual rooms, but rather make use thrilled to produce books without having to copy them of shared computers in a communal space. Wireless by hand! networks are rarely enabled throughout a monastic environment. Limits often are placed on access to social Even though monasteries have always made use of new media, especially for newcomers to the monastic life. technologies, the introduction of electronic tools and social media to monastic life brings unprecedented In all this, St. Benedict’s instruction on the goods of challenges. Truth be told, the subject of electronic the monastery and individual needs still provides media is a frequent topic of conversation at meetings sound wisdom. St. Benedict teaches: “It is written: of abbots, vocation ministers and formation directors. Distribution was made to each one as he had need… Whoever needs less should thank God and not be Electronic devices and media bring great benefits. distressed, but whoever needs more should feel humble Mobile phones can provide a safety net for monks sent on because of his weakness, not self-important because of a journey, allowing them to call for help if they have car the kindness shown him. In this way all the members trouble or encounter a flight cancellation or become ill. will be at peace.” (Rule 34) Email makes it possible for monks to share information with each other, stay in touch with family members and But monks are not the only folks who face the challenges save money on postage. Access to the Internet makes of a balanced and healthy use of technology. The it possible for monks to conduct scholarly research conveniences and distractions of the information age MonksOK is published four times per year by the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey MonksOK for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. On the cover- After nearly 40 years as chaplain at Tinker AFB, Fr. Patrick McCool, O.S.B. retires his post. See story on page 4. 2- MonksOK have infiltrated almost every setting and moment of daily life. Because of this, folks of every age and state of life need to recognize the difference between the benefits and dangers of our electronic devices. REFLECTIONS FROM ABBOT LAWRENCE For instance, it was not so long ago that phone calls were forbidden during family meal time. Now it is all too common to see groups of friends, couples and even entire families sitting-down for a shared meal while disconnecting from each other to constantly check their personal mobile devices. Bowed heads in a church pew during the readings or sermon used to THANK YOU! indicate reflective listening or innocent dozing. Now bowed heads likely indicate active text messaging, Giving through IRA’s “tweeting,” or web surfing. (Yes, the homilist can tell from the pulpit!) Are you age 70 ½ or older and are required to take minimum distribution payments from your Individual Retirement More disturbingly for me are public service messages Account? Did you know that a charitable distribution from the that I have seen lately. Meant to prevent the tragedy account can satisfy the distribution without the tax liability? of children being forgotten in the back seat of a hot Contact your plan administrator and ask for a charitable car, the messages suggest that we leave something in distribution to your favorite charity be made today! the back seat that we will not forget – like our mobile phone. What does it say about a culture that tragically might forget a child in the back seat, but is not likely Life Insurance Beneficiaries to leave behind a phone? Have you updated your life insurance beneficiaries lately? Prayerfully consider adding St. Gregory’s Abbey as a The marvels of modern communication can be useful beneficiary! It is an easy way to leave a financial gift to continue and bring great benefits. But they also can become to work of the Abbey. a distraction, addiction or source of destructive behavior. What’s one to do? This wisdom of St. Benedict can guide anyone who is Gifts of Investments trying to find balance in the electronic age. We all can Investments such as Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds that ask ourselves: “Do I really need this new gadget, or have appreciated in value can be donated for the full-market should I use my limited resources in another way? Do value. Check with a licensed securities broker about how to I really need to devote this much time to my social make this type of gift. media accounts, or should I spend more of my time in visiting others, in prayer, in reading, or in taking a The donation of real estate, mineral rights and crops are walk?” another way to support the Abbey. Contact Abbot Lawrence The answer to these questions need not be an “either or for more information. – all or nothing” response. Rather, with discernment and prayer, we can find the right balance between making a good use of the marvelous tools of our age while still devoting ourselves to those things that are ageless – love of God and love for one another. We Let's stay in touch through Flocknote! might just discover that we need less technology and It's easy to sign up! Go to www.monksok.org and we will be at peace. click on "contact us" to subscribe. If you have questions or comments about this is published four times per year by the publication, please address them to: MonksOK Publisher: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey Editor: Theresa Bragg 1900 W. MacArthur Street for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. Shawnee, OK 74804 Photographers: Br. George Hubl, OSB and Theresa Bragg Phone: (405) 878-5296 E-mail: [email protected] www.monksok.com MonksOK- 3 In 1979, Father Patrick McCool, OSB, accepted an assignment to “help out for a few weekends” at the Tinker Air Force Base Chapel. Thirty-nine years later, Father Patrick completed the assign- ment on June 3, 2018, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. He was honored during Mass at the chapel and a special reception hosted by the combined Catholic and Protestant com- munity. Over 200 well-wishers were in atten- dance. What began in 1979 as offering Mass at the chap- el soon grew into a full ministry to the sprawl- ing Tinker community. “The military chaplains needed to be with the troops more and that took them away from the offices of the chapel,” Fr. Patrick explained. “Along with celebrating Mass, I was able to be available in the chapel center for those who stopped in for pastoral counseling or confession.” Tinker AFB, located in Midwest City, OK, is about 25 miles west of St. Gregory’s Abbey. It is home to the 72nd Air Base Wing and the Okla- homa City Air Logistics Complex. Over 27,000 military and civilian personnel are assigned to the base, and approximately 45,000 dependents and retirees make use of services provided at Tinker. The chapel provides a wide range of ser- vices to persons of all faith backgrounds. provide a Catholic priest to assist at the chapel and Fr. Patrick served as During his nearly four decades of continuous the monk assigned to fulfill this commitment. Oftentimes Fr. Patrick was service, Fr. Patrick typically was present at the chapel five days each week, arriving around the only Catholic priest available to the Tinker Chapel because the Arch- 10:00 in the morning staying until after 2:00 in diocese for Military Services had to assign its enlisted priests to other the afternoon. On the weekends he was present locations. As Fr.