Oblate Newsletter

SUMMER 2015
Words from the Abbot
Jesus Says “No” When He’s Got Something Better
We celebrated the Feast of the Apostles James, son of Zebedee, on July 25. In the Gospel for that feast,
the mother of James and John approaches Jesus and asks him to grant a request. She asks that her sons
would sit on Jesus’ right and left hand in his Kingdom. Jesus replied that these positions were not his to
give, but would belong to those chosen by the Father.
On August 6, we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John went with Jesus
up the mountain and there Jesus appeared in glory with Moses and Elijah, and the voice of the Father
claimed Jesus as His Beloved Son. Now Peter asks for something. He wants to stay there in the presence of Jesus and the prophets. This request was not granted either.
The thought struck me that after Jesus refused the mother on one occasion, he soon gave something as
good, or maybe better, on another occasion. There might be a lesson to be learned about prayer. God
answers our prayers, sometimes saying “No,” sometimes saying “Not now,” and sometimes saying “I
think this other thing would be better for you.” Our faith is often too weak, so that we cannot relate the
two events. We pray for one thing, and something else that is good comes to us. We see these as two
separate things when actually they are one spiritual event.
Another thought: consider the sequence. James’ mother asked for one thing; Jesus said “No”, but gave
something better. We ask, and don’t receive, but we do receive the greatest possible gift. We do not
see Jesus’ transfigured body, but we do receive his Body and Blood, a sharing in Jesus’own divine life.
If we allow it, the Eucharist can change our life here on earth, besides being our promise of eternal life
in heaven.
Abbot Leonard Wangler, O.S.B. FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
August 19, 2015
Dear Oblates,
It seems that the worst of the summer heat has passed. For about three
weeks, beginning in mid-July, the daily temperature flirted with 100º nearly
every day. It went beyond “flirting” on two occasions. On one of those days,
the heat index at nearby Clarksville was 117º. Our own weather station does
not compute the heat index reading, and that may be a blessing. Now this morning we are getting a
steady rain, and lows tonight are supposed to be in the mid 50s. Sounds wonderful.
Today’s Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16) of the workers in the vineyard was very timely, since we had
picked grapes the previous two days. I realize that Jesus wants all of us to have the attitude of those
hired last, and then paid for a full day: “Wow! This is my lucky day! I know I don’t deserve this,
but I’ll sure take it. Thank you, thank you, thank you, kind Sir.” The good master of the vineyard
of our life is generous to all, and gives all who will receive it a reward that is “out of this world.”
I neglected to give information about the September retreat in the May newsletter. Retreat dates are
September 18-20, and Carol informs me that there will likely be a full house. So if you are coming,
it would be good to contact her right away. I have again arranged for five monks to tell the Oblates a bit of their story about life as Benedictines. These will be Abbot Leonard, Brother Ephrem,
Brother Jude, Brother Adrian, and Brother James.
On May 26, Oblate Dr. Joseph Chan was ordained a transitional Deacon at St. Boniface Church in
Fort Smith. Recall that he suffered a near-fatal car wreck, with multiple surgeries to repair all the
damage. His recovery is miraculous. Bishop Taylor gave special thanks to Oblate Lynn Reed, who
“stayed there” with his fellow Oblate through the surgeries and rehab.
On June 11, three diocesan priests were received as Oblates—Fr. Jack Sidler, Fr. Jason Sharbaugh,
and Fr. Rick Hobbs. These men had all been novices for more than a year, but could never manage
to get away from their studies or parishes to make their oblation at the usual time, during retreats.
At the same time, Fr. Jason’s mother Elizabeth was invested as an Oblate Novice.
On July 29, Dr. Gary Oliver of Siloam Springs came to be invested as a novice. He is on the staff of
John Brown University, and he too could not come to the September retreat to begin his novitiate.
Our ranks are growing! Oblate Joseph Brady of San Antonio came to visit for several days in July,
on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as an Oblate. We should probably pay more attention to
such anniversaries. Suggestions??
Several Oblates, including Paula Maronini, Maryelle Vonlanthen, Rachel Parrish-Martin, John and
Anne Birmingham, Jim Morgan and Jeanette Redford were enthusiastic participants at the Charismatic Conference in North Little Rock July 24-26. Paula gave one of the “witness talks” on Sunday morning, in which she told of a cancer that just disappeared before her scheduled surgery. She
certainly seems fully healthy now. Praise God!
We’ve had several BIG events here at Subiaco this summer: Brother Patrick’s priestly ordination on
June 20, the Oblate Directors Conference July 10-15, the Solemn Professions of Brothers Reginald
Udouj and Cassian Elkins on August 8, and the dedication of Fuhrmann Hall on August 29th. These
stories will be covered in The Abbey Message. A report on the Directors Conference is found on
page 4 of this newsletter.
Sister Pierre Vorster of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith recently gave me a picture dated
March 21, 1943, of the “First Class of Benedictine Oblates at Subiaco.” Apparently the entire adult
membership of St. Benedict’s parish was enrolled as Oblates on the occasion, since there are 87 (!!)
men and women in the picture, along with the pastor (and I suppose Oblate Director) Fr. Anthony
Schroeder. Almost every person is identified on the back of the picture. This is truly an historical
treasure. And it got the Subiaco Oblate program off to an impressive start.
And with that, let me get this off to my faithful newsletter organizer, Daphne Berend. She does this
as her “Oblate ministry.” I’m grateful to her and to all the Subiaco Oblates, who reach out to many
of the “peripheries” of this world in loving service.
Looking forward to seeing many of you soon,
Fr. Mark, Oblate Director
Partners in Benedictine Education
The Subiaco Oblate program, as we reported in the May newsletter, has partnered with St. Scholastica
Monstery to provide high school scholarships to needy
children in Guatemala. These mostly orphane children
attend the Colegio San Benito, an apostolate of the Benedictine Abbey of Jesus Christ Crucified in Esquipulas,
Guatemala. We were planning on sponsoring three girls
and two boys, but the local directors of the program have
arranged for the monks at Esquipulas to sponsor the boys,
and the St. Scholastica outreach will be exclusively for Claudia
Maria Cecilia
girls, getting back to the original plan.
Also, one of the girls pictured in the May newsletter, Carla Velaska, is no longer at the orphanage.
She has been placed with relatives far from Esquipulas. The other, Cecilia del Carmen remains as one of “our” girls.
Deysi
Pictured are four of the new recipients of our Oblate scholarships. They are Claudia, Deysi, Maria Cecilia, and Maria
Mayreni. Anyone wishing to help prolong our assistance to
these orphaned and poor girls, just send a check to Subiaco
Abbey with the notation “Guatemalan scholarships.” A bit
about these 5 young ladies: Cecilia del Carmen lives with
her Mom and little brother Alejandro. Mom stands on her
Maria Mayreni
feet 7 days a week, 10 hours a day, selling fruit in the public market. There has
not been a dad in the picture for many years. They live in a very humble abode.
Cecilia dreams of being a doctor.
Claudia, Deysi, Maria Cecilia and Maria Mayreni all live at the Franciscan orphanage. They were chosen for scholarships by Sor (Sister ) Dina on the basis
of their intelligence, motivation, and cooperative spirit. All are delightful young
Cecilia del Carmen people.
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NAABOD Conference held at Subiaco, July 10-15
By Fr. Mark Stengel, O.S.B.
Subiaco Abbey hosted the biennial conference of the North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors in July. Thirty-seven communities were represented from all parts of the United States
and from Nassau, Bahamas. All Benedictine communities with an Oblate program, and who are members of the association, may send a director, and/or two oblates who are assisting the director and moving into leadership positions. The seventy participants filled Coury House and about 25 rooms in Heard
Hall.
The “labora” of the conference included four keynote addresses, given by former Abbot Jerome Kodell
(Subiaco Abbey), Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr (St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, AR), Rev. Jane Tomaine (Mountainside, NJ), and Sr. Karen Joseph (Immaculate Conception Monastery, Ferdinand, IN).
A panel of Subiaco Oblates presented their own spiritual journey and the part that Benedictine spirituality has played in this journey. Panelists were Ken Hiegel (Little Rock, AR), Tessa Eggers (Springfield, MO), Dr. Carmen Steigman (Paris, AR), and Dc. Mike Cumnock (Cave City, AR).
Group picture of attendees of the NAABOD Conference
Oblates and directors of various regions met to share ideas,
and a business meeting amended the by-laws and elected officers. Sr. Bonita Gacnik remains as President for a two-year
term, Sr. Priscilla Cohen remains as Secretary/Treasurer, and
Fr. Mark Stengel was elected as new Vice-President.
Participants prayed Morning and Evening Prayer together,
celebrated the Eucharist daily, and prayed Vespers with the
Subiaco community and with the St. Scholastica community.
Sr. Bonita prepared a nice service of remembrance for all the
Deacon Mike Cumnock preparing
Oblates and Directors who have died since the last confer“goodie bags” for the conference
ence. And, of course, there was time for “holy leisure.” The
group visited Mt. Magazine State Park, St. Scholastica Monastery, Post Familie Winery, and St. Mary
Church in Altus. The swimming pool was a popular venue for afternoon swims and night-time socializing.
All this was made possible by the generous assistance of Coury House staff (Br. Francis, Carol, Donna,
and both Michelles), monastic helpers (Brs. Jude, Adrian, Roch, Matthias, Mel, and Abbot Leonard),
and a wonderful crew of Subiaco Oblate volunteers (Dc. Mike Cumnock and Sara, Bruce Razer and
Ann, Artie Berry, Lynn Reed, Carmen Steigman, and Lu Harter). Charlie Kremers and his kitchen staff
did a marvelous job, and Donna Forst recruited seven young people to wait tables for the concluding
banquet.
Entertainment was provided on the final evening by our own Deacon Roy Goetz, Cheryl Goetz, and
Gary Kinney. They presented a “just perfect” variety of country, folk, and spiritual tunes.
Hosting the conference was a “really big deal,” and the evaluation comments showed that we “done
good.” Thanks to all who gave so generously to make things work at the conference, and to show true
southern and Benedictine hospitality.
FUHRMANN HALL IS DEDICATED
The formal dedication of Fuhrmann Hall took place on the
29th of August, 2015, with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at 2 P.M. Although the final touches to the lower floor
were not completed, the dormitory was up and running with
students able to move in by Aug. 17, the beginning of the
school year.
The 42 students housed in Fuhrmann include the senior
boarders, juniors boarders who are on the Honor Roll and
Faculty List, and sophomores on the Honor Roll.
First
Subiaco Oblate
class and Director
Fr. Anthony Schroeder
March 21, 1943
RUAH *
by Daphne Berend
* Ruah - Hebrew for wind or
the breath of God
Scudding down the sky, dark clouds proclaim
the silent coming of the wind. Then rain,
that life-sustaining gift, borne on the same
swift current, fills the parched earth. The pain
of drought washes away. Grasses bend
before the bearer of that gift of grace.
Trees respond with grateful voice to the friend
unseen, bringing blessing to this place.
Yesterday my world was bright and clear,
my chosen orbit worn from use, secured.
I did not love too much, or laugh or cry
too much, nor let life’s trials come too near.
You surprised me with your rain. Inured
to pain, I did not know that I was dry.
FROM THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT
“We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that in every place the
eyes of the Lord are watching the good and the wicked (Prov 15:3). But beyond
the least doubt we should believe this to be especially true when we celebrate
the divine office. Let us consider, then, how we ought to behave in the presence
of God and his angels, and let us stand to sing the psalms in such a way that our
minds are in harmony with our voices.” (Chapter 19:1-2, 6-7 The Discipline of Psalmody)
In chapters 8-18, Benedict gives us instructions on the structure of prayer. He details how many
psalms, verses, readings, and canticles are to be said and which ones should be used for specific times
and seasons. In chapter 19, he departs from the instructions on form and text and gives us a clear teaching on prayer itself. Benedict reminds us that God is present to us at all times, and that when we pray
with a pure heart and mind, prayer is the discipline that makes us present to God.
Deacon Roy Goetz
Academy Chaplain
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Oblates (left to right)
Father Rick Hobbs,
Father Jason Sharbaugh,
and Father Jack Sidler were
received June 11.
UPCOMING RETREATS:
The Glory of Zion Charismatic retreat, October 9, 5 PM, to October 11, 1 PM, led by
Fr. Odo Recker, OSB: “Gaining the Victory in Christ.” For more information call Coury
House, 479-934-4411.
Fr. Jerome Kodell leads a retreat October 30 - November 1 “The Spiritual Journey in
the Wilderness.” For information call Coury House, 479-934-4411.