Multi-tasking in Washington

From The Center
Fall, 2006
A Newsletter For Friends and Benefactors of Saint Benedict Center Across The Country
Multi-tasking in Washington
Driving down 3,224 feet of dirt road, it suddenly opens to a clearing that reveals several new foundations and with a beautiful view
of Lake Ashuelot filtering through the trees. The road, professionally
planned and constructed, with four culverts, starts at the top of the 58
acres of Montfort Retreat. Its construction took four taxing months and
is a beautiful testimony to
the hard and relentless labor
of the Brothers and volunteers who gave precious
vacation time to help during
the hot summer months.
Once the road was
completed, clearing the
woods for the building sites
began. In one day Brother
Anthony Marie, Brother Peter Mary and 30 men from
the Center chain sawed the
marked trees, hauled logs
and made the sites ready.
Rosary Way was finished by the end of
Meanwhile Sister ChrisAugust; permitting the large equipment
topher Margaret worked
access to the building areas.
Building of the main
lodge of Montfort Retreat
Center has begun. These
huge timbers have now
been raised, beginning
the plan for the beautiful
lodge seen at left.
on obtaining four major permits needed before we applied for the actual building
permit. On August 31 the building permit was finally approved.
Construction began immediately, and as you can see by the accompanying
photos no time was wasted. First a foundation was poured for the lodge and the
footings for the dining hall. These are two of the four main buildings of Montfort
Retreat which will also include the chapel.
By Saturday, September 23, the Brothers, again with the help of volunteers, had
everything prepared for the larger group of men and
boys that came to install floor joists and plywood for
the sub-floor of the lodge. It was
an exciting event and with so
much help, a lot of work was
The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of SAINT BENEDICT CENTER • P.O. Box 1000 • Still River, MA 01467
Main House (978) 456-8296 • School (978)456-8877 • www.saintbenedict.com
From The Center
2
accomplished in one day.
On September 25, the first flatbed of
logs for the lodge arrived. It took three
hours for Brother Anthony Marie to
unload all the pallets of logs with the excavator, and even at that, the delivery was
only one third of the total logs required.
Our general contractor for the lodge
is Mike Lodge, who hand-hewed the oak
beams for our convent chapel. He is a
master at post and beam construction.
Mike began immediately erecting the
main post and notching the timber trusses,
which were lifted into place by crane on
October 13. Next the logs will be measured, notched and placed up all the way
to the second floor timbers. Mike plans
Above: After months of hard work by the
brothers and volunteers, the Rosary Way now
stretches from King Street down to the shoreline area of Lake Ashuelot, the future site of
Montfort Retreat Center.
Left: Sister Christopher Margaret hangs
up the building permit on September 8, the
Birthday of the Blessed Mother.
Above: A group of volunteers spent a beautiful
Saturday cutting trees and clearing brush etc., in
preparation for the foundations.
Right: The lodge foundation was poured on
September 20. The foundation for the dining hall
which will consist of a large hall and kitchen and
an open pavilion, was poured shortly after.
From The Center
to have the plywood on the roof before the bad
weather arrives. He will then wrap it up tight for
the winter and return to finish in the Spring.
Meanwhile another contractor, who hopes
to finish before Winter, is constructing the septic
system. A local carpenter and his crew will be
working at the same time on the dining hall.
This structure, which will house the kitchen and
eating area, has a cement floor. There will be a
roofed in extension off the side for additional
activity space.
Without the help of volunteers, the Brothers
Above: Preparations are made on the lodge foundation before the subfloor can be laid and the building begun.
Above: Mike McFarland and some
young helpers carry a beam for the
lodge sub-floor.
Right: With the help of Jim Crory
and Michael Duffy, Brother Thomas
Augustine lifts a beam into place.
who operate the machinery,
supervise and do all the extras,
including surveying, would not
have been able to accomplish a
fraction of the plans. One of the
contractors, skeptical at first,
remarked; “My hat goes off
to the Brothers, they said they
would finish the road by first
of September and they finished
Above right: Brother Anthony Marie waves from the
building site.
Left: The enormous hand-hewn rafters for the lodge were
raised on October 13. As the walls rise and the windows
and doors framed, the reality of a long-time dream is
becoming a reality.
From The Center
4
before that! I didn’t think it would happen.”
And most of all we thank our benefactors for helping us with either the loan of
heavy equipment or donations enabling
us to purchase the material we need to do
all the construction. We appreciate every
donation, no matter how small, knowing it
is a sacrifice for the greater glory of God.
We ask His blessings on all those who have
helped us in anyway. Please know that you
are all in our prayers.
Future progress this year will depend
Above: Approximately 250 feet from the shoreline of beautiful Lake Ashuelot, the lodge
of Montfort Retreat Center rises as the NH foliage falls.
Above left: Brother Peter Mary drives ten inch
lag screws into the logs.
Left: Mike Lodge, master of post and beam
construction, directs the crane as the beams are
lifted into place.
on how long the snow will hold off up in the
beautiful woods of New Hampshire! Once the
snows have thawed and the mud hardened, the
buzzing of saws will resume again at Montfort
Retreat. Our prediction for the future is; Some of
the buildings will be usable in the Summer 2007,
but the Camp will be up and running, God willing, in the Summer of 2008. So hang on to your
hat and keep us in your prayers.
Updates can be seen as they occur… and
many more pictures at www.saintbenedict.com
Left: The foundation has already been poured for the
dining hall which will one day be the rustic building seen
below.
From The Center
The D.R. Revisited
This July, four Sisters returned to Santo Domingo for missionary work, under an even
hotter, baking sun. This was a return trip for three of the Sisters, but the first for Sister Martina Marie, who acted as translator.
The purpose of the trip was two-fold: to investigate the possibilities of a mission for our
community and to help with the catechism program already in motion,
but understaffed in La Romana.
One of the highlights of the trip
was meeting with Bishop Rodriguez and discussing the possibility
of our working in the area. He was
most welcoming to us. Seriously
considering the possibilities, the
Sisters spent time acquainting
themselves with the area, social
conditions and spiritual needs of
the people.
Two of the local Sisters, Dolores
and Ciprian arranged several meetings in one of the churches for the catechists to be instructed by our Sisters. These enthusiastic men and women,
young
and old, have
been traveling on a weekly basis to many
bateys to spread
the Faith. They
were happy to
learn more about
the Church so
they would be able to instruct others and continue to be a steady
influence at the sugar cane villages.
Other days the Sisters went to the villages themselves. When
they arrived there, they re-enforced the program, using large colored posters depicting the Hail Mary. It was encouraging to see
the many wide-eyed and thirsty souls eagerly learning the basics
of the Rosary.
At one of the sessions, Sister Dolores, who had been instructing the children on the virtue of gratitude, asked if any of them
would like to say anything to the Sisters who came from far away to help them. One little girl, about six years old, very intent on
speaking, elbowed her way to the front. With serious, sparkling dark eyes, she expressed such deep gratitude that it brought tears to
everyone. Her haunting face and voice seemed to plead in the name of all her people for more help to spread the truths of the Faith.
We will be returning again, God willing, in the new year. If you are interested in coming or would like to help financially with the
cost of the trip or by sending rosaries and catechising materials, please contact Sister Mary Elizabeth, M.I.C.M.
25 Years at Saint Benedict Center
June 26, Sisters Miriam Teresa and Mary Athanasius celebrated twenty-five years
as professed members of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Sister Miriam Teresa was born in Japan and raised in Hawaii. She converted to
the Catholic Church from Buddhism over 32 years ago. Sister presently serves as the
principal to Immaculate Heart of Mary School, here in Still River and has taught in
the school for over 30 years.
Sister Mary Athanasius was born in California and she is also a convert. Sister is
a secretary in the Housetops office and laundress at the convent.
Two days before the actual anniversary date, a special ceremony was held in
honor of the event, followed by a reception for family and guests. The altar was beautifully decorated with flowers from Oahu, adding an island touch. Everyone joined in
prayer thanking God for the years gone by and asking His grace for the future.
From The Center
6
May They
Rest in Peace
Montfort Boys Camp mourned the recent
death of one of its senior campers, Dominic
Davulis. Dominic was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor December, 2005, and died
on August 9, 2006. He was 17 and had been a
regular attendee at the camp for years.
After being diagnosed, it soon became obvious
to the family that there would be no miracle and
that God was calling “Dommie” home. His mother recalled
that when Dominic got sicker, he started asking people if they
would come with him when he died. When his older brother
William, who was visiting him, agreed to go with him, his
mother chided him, asking why he would tell Dominic that
he would go with him? William, 26, answered that if Dominic
wants to think someone is going with him, he would tell him
what he wanted to hear.
On August 8, the family was called together to spend the
last hours with Dominic as his condition worsened. Father
Dominic Gentile, his uncle, arrived to administer the Last Rites
and to say the Prayers for the Dying. William, having received
a call to come immediately left for his family’s home where
his other nine siblings were already gathered. William was
killed in a fatal accident just up the street from the house. Nine
hours later Dominic met him in Eternity. Little did William
realize that when he agreed to go with Dominic, he would be
taken at his word. In fact he was actually waiting for Dominic
when he entered Eternity. Please pray for the souls of these
two brothers and the grieving family they leave behind.
“Gramps” Johnson
On July 5, sad news reached
Morning Star Camp; one of the
Center’s faithful friends had passed
away. Bill Johnson, the grandfather
of 14, three of them campers, was
born on August 14, 1917. He was the
oldest son of a Hungarian father and
an Irish mother.
A loyal Catholic, he fell in love
with his future wife in the First Grade.
When they were 20 they married and
lived to celebrate their 59th anniversary, before Mary Darling, his wife
passed away in 1996.
During these years and through many trials and sacrifices, Gramps became an electrical engineer and highlighted
his career by building Channel 38 from the ground up. He
was also responsible for putting Boston Catholic Television
on the air.
A familiar face at Mass, Gramps had a special love for
the Sisters. And they had it for him in return. They would
often meet him at his retirement job at Wal-Mart. If they
needed toasters or appliances he would buy them. He was
always looking after their needs, even giving money to buy
new boots. He literally would do anything for them and he
was much loved.
His cheerful and kind face will be missed at the chapel,
but his memory lives on in our hearts. May eternal light shine
upon him and may he rest in peace.
Tridentine Mass Rallies
On September 17, Sr. Katherine Maria, Sr. Miriam Teresa
and Sr. Magdalene Marie joined with other Traditional Latin Mass
Catholics for a day of prayer at the National Shrine of Our Lady
of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. Beautifully organized, the
day began with a Rosary Procession around the shrine’s church.
The highlight of the day of course was the High Mass, which was
majestically sung by an incredible choir from New York. The
whole day was sublime and very much a testimonial to the dignity
of the traditions of the Church. The Sisters met all the pilgrims in
the shrine building, where they set up a table of religious items and
books.
Five Sisters left early Saturday morning, September 30, for a
delightful four hour ride to the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in
Auriesville, New York. Before arriving, however, Sister Marie-Bernard, Sr. Marie-Therese, Sr. Brigid Mary, Jane McGuire and Irina
Michel were dropped off in Fonda at the National Shrine of Bl.
Kateri Tekawitha to participate in the last seven miles of the annual
Pilgrimage for Restoration. The theme this year was “Restoring
True Devotion to Mary.” Meanwhile Sr. Christopher Margaret
and Sr. Miriam Teresa set up a lovely table of religious goods and
books for the 500 pilgrims that attended. It was a great day and we
hope many blessings were received by attending.
If you are having a conference or function and would like to
have a table of religious items and books available, please contact
us. We would be happy to come. We specialize in Marian devotions and classic religious art/statues and medals, etc. Please call or
e-mail Sr. Katherine Maria, 978-456-3522.
Visit our Online Gift Shop!
Updating in progress!
Framed Artwork, Books, Statues, Rosaries,
Medals, Religious Jewelry etc
www.saintbenedict.com