the corbie chronicleTHe 9TH GRADE THEN - 1942 9TH GRADE (FORM III) NOW - 2016 ST. ANSELM’S ABBEY S$)00-tWASHINGTON, D.C.tFALL 2016tVOL. 25 NO. 1 The Corbie Chronicle ST. ANSELM’S ABBEY SCHOOL 'BMMt7PMVNF /VNCFS 4501 South Dakota Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20017 202-269-2350 www.saintanselms.org The Corbie Chronicle is published two times a year by the Communications Office of St. Anselm’s Abbey School. We welcome correspondence and submissions from the St. Anselm’s Abbey School community. Please direct letters, class notes and other communication to Mary Kelly at the School or via email at mkelly@ saintanselms.org. Photography in this publication has been provided by the St. Anselm’s Abbey School faculty and staff, the student publications staff including Nishant Carr (VI), Tom Connelly, and parents Laura Libanati, Holly Howe, and Paul Domson. We apologize in advance for any errors and/or omissions. Design and Layout: Mary Kelly Production and Printing: Executive Press Inc. The first day of school is always an exciting day. A Message from the President 3 Fr. Peter Weigand, OSB Reflections from the Headmaster 5 Mr. Bill Crittenberger Fall Scholarship Gala: Then and Now 6 Campus News 8 Panther Sports 14 Class Notes/Alumni News 18 History of St. Anselm’s Abbey School 20 In Memoriam 22 A Message from the President “Your commitment to the formation and education of youth is deeply appreciated and highly qualified. The students of your schools, through study and your life testimony, can also become experts of the humanism that emanates from the Benedictine Rule. Your contemplative life is also a privileged channel for nourishing youth.” Pope Francis Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty and Staff, Past and Present Parents, Members of the Board of Trustees, Benefactors, and Friends of St. Anselm’s Abbey School: By now you have received my Annual Fund letter, which On October 29th, the school held its 34th Annual Fall Scholarship began with the above quote from Pope Francis. His words Gala—the start of our 75th Anniversary celebration. This year, were addressed to the participants in the INTERNATIONAL we honored Robert J. Branson, ’66, and Courtenay Pecoraro, BENEDICTINE CONGRESS OF ABBOTS in Rome on mother of three September 8th during their papal audience, at which Abbot graduates (Benjamin James was present. Pope Francis went on to say, “Do not be ’06, Matthias ’13, and discouraged if the members of monastic communities decrease Timothy ’16). Mr. in number or grow old; on the contrary, preserve the zeal of Branson and Mrs. your testimony. Your service to the Church is very precious. Pecoraro are shining Even in our time, there is a need for men and women who place examples of the many nothing before the love of Christ (The Rule of Saint Benedict, benefactors who have 4:21; 72:11), who nourish themselves daily with the Word of provided funding, time, God, who worthily celebrate the holy liturgy, and who joyfully talent, and energy to and diligently work in harmony with creation.” St. Anselm’s. The Gala grossed over $275,000 I am pleased to report that Br. Samuel for current financial aid, Springuel, OSB, a 1998 graduate of which is so vital. St. Anselm’s, professed his Solemn Vows as a Benedictine monk of St. I want to thank the Gala co-chairs, Mrs. Kay Kalhorn and Mrs. Anselm’s Abbey on Sunday, October Kimberly Walhout, and all the mothers, fathers, and school staff 16th. Yes, after 92 years, we as an who worked so hard on the logistics, flowers, tables, and the abbey continue to begin again. silent auction. Let me take this opportunity to once again thank everyone—attendees, donors, bidders, and paddle raiser—who On September 15th, 1942, the contributed to this SOCIAL event of the year and for sharing “Then” Priory School began with in our Benedictine mission of recreating our world through 15 young men. On August 25th, 75 education. years later, the “Now” St. Anselm’s Abbey School opened its doors to 255 eager scholars. As a On November 6th, the school monastic school within a 1,500-year-old Benedictine tradition, hosted its Annual Fall Open we know it is always time to begin again. House. Over 145 prospective students and their families toured A chronicle is a means to review where we have been, where we the campus with current students are now, and point to where we are going. On June 4th, 2016, as guides. Our admissions officers, the school graduated its 71st class and college placements were Peter Young, ’01, and Blake outstanding. Besides inspiring bright minds with an exceptional Hollinger, with the aid of the education, it is our mission each day to bring the joy of Christ’s faculty and staff, truly made visible Word and Love to each and every individual in our extended the St. Anselm’s Experience. community. It has always been my conviction that the major The visitors’ excitement and interest in the school’s academic problems confronting humanity can only be solved through program was evident to all. With such enthusiasm, I am sure prayer and education. many new applications will blossom forth. The busyness of September began with Back-to-School Nights, From November 10th until the 13th, Fr. Michael Hall, OSB, House Day celebrations, the Parents Association Picnic, '56, faculty, and several Sixth Form leaders guided the Fifth Alumni Career Day on September 19th, and culminated with Form through their Kairos Retreat. Again, a most uplifting and Homecoming Weekend on the 23rd. The first Board of Trustees religous gift to all. This event remains a highlight for our Fifth meeting took place on October 1st, Winter Dress Code began on Form class each year; it is appropriately referred to as a spiritual the 3rd, followed by the Parent-Teacher Conferences on the 20th oasis flooding our students with grace. and 21st. I only had 34 conferences on those two days compared to 92 conferences for some teachers. corbie chronicle 3 On the weekend of November 18th, the Priory Players delighted 31st, that way you gain an earlier tax advantage. Please find an theatergoers with a most professional performance of Into The envelope in this Corbie Chronicle for your convenience. Let me Woods by Stephen Sondheim. These fall musicals continue to thank, once again, those who have already given, and let me have more "oomph: Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair" as thank in advance those who can help the abbey and school now. our gifted director, Mr. Philip Dickerson, develops the talents of our Priory Players to even loftier heights. In closing, let me wish you and yours a most Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year 2017 as we live our faith day in and day At 5:00 p.m. on November 26th, the school community held out. The joy of the Incarnation remains a focal point of Christian its traditional Alumni Memorial Mass in the Devine Theater, belief throughout the year. This is expressed most beautifully followed by light fare in the Commons at 6:00. Then at 7:00, in the Magnificat Antiphon for the Octave Day of Christmas, the customary Alumni-Varsity basketball game took place. This which the monks sing at Vespers: "O wonderful exchange. The year the Varsity Panthers won, 89 - 42. Creator of mankind, being born of a Virgin, has Himself become a man. And we have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ, I hope that you have all read my Annual Fund appeal literature. who humbled Himself to share in our humanity." The monks are asking for your help by making a contribution to the 2016-2017 Annual Fund. You can apply your gift to any Pax in Sapientia, or all of the following pressing needs: 1) Support for the Overall School Budget; 2) Support of the Abbey and our Aging Monks; and 3) Current-year Financial Aid. Remember, even though the Annual Fund runs until June 30th, 2017, it would be most Fr. Peter Weigand, OSB, helpful to the school if we could receive your gifts by December President Benedictine Ethos Steering Committee As a result of the 2011 Strategic Plan, the Benedictine This school year, the committee proposed a Benedictine Ethos Steering Committee was formed. In an era of fewer Curriculum for all students. Form A will be given an monastic vocations, the committee seeks to introduction to the ethos in their Liberal Arts integrate reminders of Benedictine values into class. The question to be answered is, “What the everyday life of the school. The annual makes a Benedictine education so special?” Benedictine Heritage Week began in 2013 Form I will study Benedictine themes from the as a way to initiate students to the concepts, Old Testament and Form II will concentrate history, and meaning of Benedictine Ethos. A on prayer and the Liturgy of the Hours. Form day of Ora et Labora (Prayer and Work) was III and IV will learn about the Desert Fathers also implemented. Students were instructed and the history of famous monasteries. Form in Benedictine history specific to St. Anselm’s V will study Benedictine Themes in Literature Abbey and performed a day of service to and Form VI can take Fr. Michael’s class on either the school or to the outside community. History of Western Monasticism. Teachers gave reflections and students learned more about the In all religion classes, students will study readings from The school's House system and the names of the monks associated Rule, the Lives of Benedictine Saints, and others from with each of the four Houses.