Oblate Newsletter

SPRING
2015
Words from the Abbot
Reflection on Change
On May 16th, Subiaco Academy graduated 39 seniors. This is change. Other students will have to
take on the leadership roles these seniors performed.
On May 7th, Bishop Anthony Taylor blessed Fr. Leonard Wangler as the 7th abbot of Subiaco Abbey. This is change. New ideas and procedures will grow from previous ideas.
In the first part of the first century, Jesus Christ told his disciples that he was going to his Father.
This was change. Jesus was, in a sense, turning over his church to his followers.
There are other changes going on at Subiaco Abbey/Academy. There are daily reminders of change
with the construction of Fuhrmann Hall. Other changes are evident in the renovation of Coury
House. And the new entrance will grace the front of Main building. When the former entrance
was removed, the cornerstone dated 1912 was found. The building in 1912 represented change for
the people of that time. I am sure a person could think of other examples of change; for changing
seems to be a part of our human condition.
At the Baccalaureate Mass, before the graduation ceremony, I reflected on the Gospel from St.
John. Jesus stated at the Last Supper that he was going to the Father, a change for his disciples.
Jesus would no longer be present in his bodily form and probably there was uncertainty on the part
of some as to how Jesus would be present. This would be cleared up with the coming of the Holy
Spirit.
With all these changes, the Gospel gives us two certainties: 1. God is our Father and He loves us, and
2. We can always pray to God. Although much in our life changes, these two thoughts remain the
same.
FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR
May 18
Dear Oblates,
Last Saturday we dodged the rain just long enough to conduct the graduation ceremonies in the inner
courtyard. Thirty-nine young men celebrated a culmination and commenced anew. So long as life endures,
we are never quite finished, once and for all. There are occasional moments for celebration, and times of
repose; but mostly we find ourselves “on the way,” on pilgrimage. This idea came through very strongly in
the May Oblate retreat.
Retreat director Brother Cassian urged us to keep on doing now those small and large things that will profit
us for eternity, echoing St Benedict (Prologue , v. 44).
Coury House was filled for the retreat. Once again, God’s providence was so clearly seen, as several who
were registered were unable to come, making room for several others who showed up unannounced. Wonderworker Carol found lodging for all. The retreatants agreed that my early “grabbing” of Br. Cassian for
the retreat was of divine inspiration. Brother is taking a break from his seminary studies at St. Meinrad in
Indiana, as he prepares to make his final profession of vows in August. So he was “at home,” and readily
agreed to minister to the Oblates. A synopsis of his four conferences is found on page 4.
We now have four new Oblates and five more began their year of novitiate. Their pictures are also found
within.
At the business meeting on Saturday afternoon, I explained the progress of an exciting outreach by Subiaco Oblates. We are partnering with the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, to provide
scholarships for poor children in the area of Esquipulas, in southeastern Guatemala. Benedictine monks
of the Abbey of Jesus Christ Crucified conduct the Colegio San Benito there, and Franciscan Sisters staff
an orphanage – Hogar Esquipulas – in the same town. The scholarship program selects children from the
orphanage and other poor children, and funds their education at Colegio San Benito. A generous gift to
the Oblate program has made it possible for us to sponsor five children for their four years of high school.
We have selected two girls, Cecilia and Karla; and two boys, David and Rocio. The fifth recipient is still to
be determined.
Our commitment at present – five kids for four years – will exhaust the funds provided. However, some
other Oblates may wish to extend the life of this outreach by donating to the scholarship fund. You may
do so by sending a check made out to Subiaco Abbey, with the notation “Partners in Benedictine Education.” Such donations are tax deductible.
Sister Rosalie and Oblate Kathy Jarvis, who administer the program, also strongly invite us, as “Partners,”
to participate in the yearly mission trip to Guatemala. This is called “Campo Escolástica,” or “Scholastic
Camp.” The missioners interact with the children at the orphanage, and tutor the scholarship recipients,
especially in the English language. This year’s “Campo” runs from June 3 through June 21. Anyone inter-
ested in going should contact Sr. Rosalie immediately at [email protected]. Sister says that the trip
will cost around $1200, depending on fluctuations in airline prices.
We are now in the third year of my attempt to determine the status of many “lost” Oblates, those who
began a novitiate but never made oblation, those who got on the mailing list, but who have since dropped
from sight. You recall my proposal that there must be some contact, at least every three years, in order to
remain on the roster. The contact might be the making of one of the Oblate retreats, or the mailing in of
a Renewal of Oblation form, or donating an optional “dues” of $20, or by visiting Subiaco Abbey at some
time other than one of the retreats. Many have made one or all of these contacts during the past three
years; a fair number have not. Therefore, at the end of this year, 2015, I will have to conclude that those
who have not indicated any continuing interest in association with Subiaco Abbey as an Oblate may be
dropped from the program. This issue of the newsletter includes a “Renewal of Oblation” slip for your
convenience. Please send this in if you have not been in contact with the Oblate office in the past three
years. Or you could e-mail me at [email protected], to assure me that you wish to continue your
association with Subiaco as an Oblate, or prospective Oblate.
The updated Prayer Partner list appears on pages 7 and 8.
The sun is shining today—a welcome change from all our cool and wet weather. “They” say we are close
to setting a record for May rainfall. So, while the sun shines, it’s time to “make hay.” Not literally, but
maybe some mowing in the cemetery or weeding in the garden is in order.
May the Holy Spirit “rush upon” all of you, leading you to all truth, to peace and joy.
Sincerely yours,
Fr. Mark Stengel, O.S.B.
BISHOP TAYLOR BLESSES
NEW ABBOT
Bishop Anthony Taylor presided at the blessing of Abbot Leonard Wangler, OSB, at 10:45 Mass on Thursday, May 7.
During the rite of blessing, he presented Abbot Leonard with a
ring, a mitre, and a crosier.
Abbot Leonard made his profession to Subiaco in 1963, and
was ordained to the priesthood in 1970. He is the 7th Abbot of
Subiaco Abbey, which is 137 years old.
BROTHER CASSIAN DIRECTS SPRING OBLATE RETREAT
In exploring the “overlooked” Nuts and Bolts of the Benedictine charism, we
look at what the Benedictine life calls us to. The first word in St Benedict’s
Rule is “Listen”, to listen to one another and to God. This prayerful listening
leads us to a life of monastic mindfulness, holy leisure, grounded stability, and
contemplation.
Holy leisure makes humans more human. Play is even built into the calendar
with holy days, holidays and festivals. It asks what’s going on, in this situation,
in others and in me. Holy leisure is a condition of contemplation.
We seek outside ourselves to quiet the clamor inside, but silence is a frightening thing. Silence demands answers. Monastic spirituality teaches us to live quietly, live easily with ourselves - to live our
lives in the presence of God.
Benedictine Spirituality draws us to immerse ourselves in Christ, living the Pachal mystery, producing
the fruit of humility and peace. When we are at peace with ourselves, we can let others in, reaching
out in hospitality so needed in today’s world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Top picture on the right, four new Oblates made their oblation in the presence
of Abbot Leonard May 2. From left to
right, Ken Saveth, Carmen Steigman, Anne
Birmingham and John Birmingham.
At left, five novices were introduced. Left to right:
Jennifer Smith, Jeff Hubanks, (Fr. Mark), Marie McGee, Jane Watson, and Lu Harter.
Forty-eight folks attended the retreat. Several are missing from the picture
including Mr. Bob Zepecki, Fr. Mike
Hinkin, Fred McClure, Zach Dickie,
and Ann Razer.
SUBIACO COLUMBARIUM IS DEDICATED TO
OUR LADY OF EINSIEDELN
In Einsiedeln, Switzerland, in a small chapel built
by St. Meinrad in honor of Mary, he placed a
statue of Mary, a gift from Abbess Hildegarde of
Zurich. Over the course of centuries since, five
times fires have destroyed churches and monasteries built at that location, but the chapel remained. Miracles have been attributed to Mary,
under the title of Our Lady of Einsiedeln.
The founding monks of Subiaco have roots in
the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln. The monks
brought with them to Subiaco and to Arkansas a pronounced devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title
of Our Lady of Einsiedeln.
They built a chapel in her honor in 1888 near the original monastery. Weather destroyed the little chapel in ten
years, and when the monks moved, it lay in ruins.
Now after more than a hundred years a new chapel in her
honor, which houses a columbarium, has been built.
Saturday, May 9, the new statue of Our Lady of Einsiedeln was blessed at St. Benedict’s Church, which was to
be followed by a procession to the Columbarium to be
installed there and the new chapel blessed. Because it began to rain just as the procession was to begin, the
blessing took place in the Church. The
dedication of the Columbarium took
place in St. Benedict Church.
The Columbarium grounds, aside
from being a place for the cremains
of those inurned there, is also a
peaceful and beautiful place to sit and
meditate.
FROM THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT
“Whenever we want to ask some favor of a powerful man, we do it humbly and
respectfully, for fear of presumption. How much more important, then, to lay our
petitions before the Lord God of all things with the utmost humility and sincere devotion. We must know that God regards our purity of heart and tears of compunction, not our many words. Prayer should therefore be short and pure, unless perhaps
it is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace.”(Chapter 20:1-4 Reverence in
Prayer)
...In Benedict’s time, it would have been common for monks to spend four or more hours a day in communal prayer. We may wonder what Benedict is talking about when he says, “Prayer should be short and
pure.” Early Christians, particularly the Desert Fathers and monastics, made a distinction between saying
prayers and the prayer itself. In many traditions, there was a period of silence following the recitation of a
prayer. This silence made room for spontaneous prayer from the heart—the short, pure prayer that Benedict recommends. If we experience dryness in our prayer life, it may be that we are only reciting prayers
and not pausing to come before Our Lord with humility, purity and sincere devotion. Let us strive to come
to God in prayer with all our heart, mind and soul.
Deacon Roy Goetz
≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥
Renewal of Oblation
(Note: You may make this renewal privately, at your home altar or prayer space. It may be more meaningful to do this in church, with your pastor officiating, with family and friends present.)
Fill in the form, and return to: Director of Oblates / Subiaco Abbey /405 N. Subiaco Ave. /
Subiaco, AR 72865
Peace! In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(month)
(year)
On this _________ day of ____________, __________, I, _________________________, renew my
oblation.
I offer myself anew to Almighty God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Our Lady of Einsiedeln, and our Holy Father Benedict, as an Oblate of Subiaco Abbey.
I promise again, to dedicate myself to the service of God and others, according to the Rule of St. Benedict, in so far as my state of life permits.
“Sustain me, O Lord, as you have promised, that I may live; and do not disappoint me in my hope.”
_____________________________
(signature)
I enclose a small donation for Oblate expenses.
Suggested yearly donation is $20.
My donation is_______________.
Carla Velaska (left) and
Cecelia del Carmen are
two of the children we are
helping with scholarships.
Oblate / Monk Prayer Partners
May 2015
Ann Arbogast, Sharon Ard, James Arndt,
Doris Ashour, Pat Baker, Tracy
Balzer, Matt Bishop
Fr. Jerome:
Jay & Susan Jones, Dr. John Jucas, Rima
Jucas, Nancy Kadrovach, Penny
Kalinowski, Richard Metzelaars
Br. Anselm:
Carol Siemon, Michael Cumnock,
Peter Post Ellen Cutting,
Elena Denson, Madeleine Larue
Kelly Beam, Cynthia Bedell, Carol
Fredricks, Larry Benzmiller III,
Dcn. Larry & Gloria Benzmiller
Fr. David M.:
Monika Dettmer, Robert Devine,
Mary Weiden, Kenneth EagleSpirit,
Eric Eckberg, Tessa Eggers
Fr. Bruno:
Donald & Daphne Berend, Artie Berry,
Anne & John Birmingham, Dorothy
Besal, Ray Bezner, Anna Bledsoe
Br. Joseph K.:
Fr. Nicholas:
Michael Bowman, Beverly Bradley,
Joseph Brady, Bryan Junyor,
Evelyn Breaux, Nelma Hyde
Fr. Richard:
Fr. Hugh:
Jacqueline Brown, Donna Buckholz,
Martin Burke, Patricia Burton,
Dr. Thomas Cannon
Fr. William:
Fr. Eugene:
Charlotte Casey, Agnes Catsoris, Patricia
Causey, David Catlett Mary Ann Cavitt,
Dr. Joseph Chan, Rev. Charles Chapman
Fr. Mark:
Fr. Timothy:
Stuart Collins, Elaine Conner, Stephen
Copley Glenn Constantino, Esther
Cooke, Patrick Coughlan
Patrick Henderson, Ken & Mary Bea
Hiegel, Jeanette Redford, George
Hoeltzeman, Frederick McClure,
Rudy Vrska
Br. Adrian:
Mary Holder, Donna Holmes, Carrol
Howard, Michael Weise, Catherine
Howard, Madelyn Hubbard, Martin Huss
Abbot Leonard:
Br. Edward:
Br. Ephrem:
Donna Adams, Sue Alexander, Elsie
Allen, Matilda Anderle, Rod Anderle,
Paul Ashour
Carolyn Elliot, Anna Everling, Marcia
Ford, Bill Engels, Phillip Frederich,
Rev. Vernon & Deanna Gotcher
Chris & Katie Green, Clay & Helen
Greenwood, Richard & Clarice Grace,
Florence Grizzaffi, Rev. Paula Claire
Hall
Betty Halliburton, Cyd Harris, Allie
Harrison, Fr. Rick Hobbs, James &
Kathryn McGowan, Stephen Harvey
Br. Jude:
Gary Jackson, Imogene Jacobs, Mary
Jo Jennen, Marguerite Johnson,
Rhonda Jones
Br. Dominic:
Robert Redford, Lynn Reed, Patrick
Reed Amelia Rhodes, Jerre Roberts,
John Farmer
Fr. Gregory:
Jo Kastner, Jean Kilgarlen, Ross & Bea
McDaniel Charelyse Krajeski,
Becky Kremers
Gerald Kunz, Mabel Larseingue, George
Lensing, Rev. Dr. William Lawbaugh,
Dr. J.V. & Shirley LeBlanc,
Fr. Patrick:
Clara Jane Rubarth, Rev. Ryan Rush,
Dorothy Ryan, Daniel Pyne, Dr.
Michele Sabino, Gerald Sacra,
Patty Averwater
Br. Matthias:
Michael & Lavon Sanford, Grover
Sanger, Sr., Betty & Ken Saveth,
Dr. Kim & Rose Peterson
Br. Eric:
Fr. Aaron:
Dr. Richard & Molly Lloyd, Robert
Lowrey, Theresa Luneau, Julia Mahoney
Br. Mel:
Paula Marinoni, Patricia Martin, Wendy
Martin, Rev. Lynn McClure, Jerry
McCoy, Gaither & Diane Hartley
Br. James:
Audrey McDonald, Lola McGourty, Mark
McGregor, Mitzie McKinney, Tom &
Anita McMahon, Sandra Peavy
Br. Andrew:
Cullen McNair, Anita Melcher, Herbert
Miller, Dcn. Thomas & Rea Miller,
Anita Mitchell
Fr. Elijah:
Mark Schroeder, Bishop Sam Seamans,
Betty Seweje, Rev. Jack Sidler, James
& Mary Beth Simpson, Wanda Graham
Br. Cassian:
Dr. Mary Ann Stafford, Mary Standridge,
Lee Stanfill, Debbie Stehle, Eugene
Stengel, Robert Stewart,
Maryelle Vonlanthen
Br. Reginald:
Ed Stocks, Lyn Storey, Nancy Streit,
Mark Strelcyzk, Rev. Ross Stuckey,
Marian Swank, Carla Terry
Br. Joseph H:
Helen Molis, Barbara Montcrief, Sr.
Gabriel Montgomery, Bob Bennett,
Joseph Rank, Patricia Moore
Br. Pio:
Gerry Tomlinson, Rev. Richard Tucker,
Jane Tuma, Steve & Brenda Tustison,
John Vining, Martha Fuller
Br. Maurus:
James Morgan, Lynn Muckelrath,
Leigh Ann Mullins, Dcn. Robert &
Marie Morris, Diane Murfee
Br. Roch:
Rev. Michael Vinson, Pat Walker, Kim
Walter, Vivian Gould, Claudette Warren,
Marilyn Warren, Joyce Wells
Br. Francis:
Theresa Naegle, Fr. Sebastian Naslund,
Rev. Ron Newberry, Linda Nichols,
Sal Sclafani, Carol Olmstead,
Chuck Wolff
Br. Damien:
Brett Westley, Raymond Wewers,
Carmen Steigman Jane Witherell, Helen
Wolf, Betty Foster. Jerome Grabowski
Fr. Brendan:
Robert & Margaret Noble, Judith
Ostergaard, Dorothea O’Leary, Doris
Palmer, Rachel Parrish-Martin
Br. Anthony:
Br. José:
Br. Michael:
Diane Parsons, Sr. Jane Phillips, Philip
Schneider, Rose Schneider, Eugene
Phillips
Helen Phipps, Catherine Pinter, Bernadette
Post, Joseph Post, Dcn. Matt & Betty
Post, Mary Preziosi,
Earl Prince, JoAnn Pryor, Dr. John G.
Rader, Joe Mains, Dick Railton,
Jeanette Raino, Fr. Philip Read
Br. Basil:
Lydia Worden, Pat Woodson, Laura Wray,
Bobby & Janice Zeigler, Robert Zepecki,
Nov. Joseph: Michael Singelton, Bernadette Smith, Jean
Smith, Bruce Razer, Judith Smith,
Kenneth Smith, Rev. Randall Smith
Nov. Clifford: Patty Thomas, Ronald Thompson, Mary
Jane Thornton, Gerri Unger, Trish Farmer
Cand. Luke:
Lu Harter, Jennifer Smith, Marie McGee,
Jeff Hubanks, Jane Watson,
Tim Coppinger