NORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BENEDICTINE OBLATE DIRECTORS
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
FORM
HISTORY
Spring 2008 Newsletter
Dear Membership
We want to extend a special welcome to Oblate Directors of communities who recently joined NAABOD as new members. They are Sr. Mary Fisher of Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert in Abiquiu NM; Rev. Christian Leisy of Christ in the Desert Monastery in Abiquiu, NM; Sr. Mary Angela Kloss of St. Scholastica Priory in Petersham, MA; Mother Hildegard George of Our Lady of the Rock Priory in Shaw Island, WA; Sr. Margaret Mary Dunavin of Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac, WI; Br. Aidan Gore of Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey in Pecos, NM; and Abbot Francis Benedict of St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, CA.
A special welcome is due, too, to those of you who are new as a Director of Oblates or Associate Director. We hope you feel free to contact us if there is some way that we can assist or support you as you take on this new ministry.
Some of you have yet to renew your membership for 2008. Please click MEMBERSHIP on the main page of the web site if you want to check your status. If you have yet to renew, you can click MEMBERSHIP FORM and follow directions to renew.
Death Notice
We extend sympathy to the monastic and oblate community of St. Gertrude’s Monastery in Ridgely, MD at the death of Oblate Director Sr. Mary Paul McLaughlin. Sr. Mary Paul passed away on Wednesday, March 5 from injuries suffered when she was struck by a pick-up truck while crossing a street to go to care for AIDS patients in Wilmington, DE on March 4. She was 64 years old, a former Prioress of her community and long time Director of Oblates. At our 2007 conference in Lacey, WA Sr. Mary Paul co-presented the session for new Oblate Directors along with Br. John Peto. She had agreed to serve on the planning team for the 2009 conference in Latrobe and we were looking forward to seeing her at a meeting at Latrobe come May. Please hold her and her monastic and oblate community in prayer as they suffer this great loss.
Correction
In the presentation at our meeting in Lacey and in the document on the web site about NAABOD HISTORY, we had noted that Fr. Bede Classick of St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, NJ was elected Coordinator at the August 18-22 meeting in 1988 and was elected for a second two-year term at the August 9-13 meeting in 1990. Actually, Fr. Bede was a member of St. Paul’s Abbey in Newton, NJ at that time, not St. Mary’s. Thank you to the one who called that to our attention. We offer our apologies to Fr. Bede who is now a member of St. Martin’s Abbey in Lacey, WA. If any of you printed out that document from the web site you will want to make that correction. You can find it by going to the notes for the dates of those two meetings.
+++++
FROM EXPERIENCED DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
In the past Fall and Winter issues we shared some feedback received from those who attended the session for Experienced Directors and Associate Directors at the biennial meeting this past summer. As promised, here are more responses from that group.
Describe two or three strengths or accomplishments of your Oblate community.
Oblate council; new oblate pamphlet; our four days leadership workshop/retreat required for all group leaders; final oblation at Mass.
LaVern Hayworth, Associate Director for Mt. Angel Abbey in St. Benedict, OR
Enthusiasm among the oblates about Benedictine Spirituality and that they find
it applicable in their daily lives; A growing relationship between the oblates
and the monastic community—more participation in the events of the monastery,
increased use and offer of their gifts to the community such as reorganizing our
library, providing transportation to our non drivers to doctor appointments and
to visit shut ins.
Barbara Bock, OSB, Director of Our Lady of Peace Monastery in Columbia, MO
I am still a ‘novice in this oblate work of only 2 years. The oblates
appreciate praying with the monastic community when they can. They appreciate
the intermingling of community members on oblate Sunday—speaking with them,
having them join in sharing and discussion. They try to be of service in
different ways.
Marmion Karels, OSB, Director of Mt. Saint Benedict Monastery in Crookston, MN
Increase in number of people coming into the oblate program; separate formation
for novices before regular meeting; building an oblate lending library.
Natalie
Sitek, Associate Director of St. Leo Abbey in St. Leo, FL
Group Lectio at every meeting; 6-8 oblates do a weekly ½ hour radio program
on the Rule and living the Benedictine way to the local population; balanced
community of men and women and some priests (who do not attend Sunday afternoon
meetings but otherwise participate); from the beginning, we have invited various
monks to come and share their story.
Fr. James Murray, OSB, Director of St. Bede Abbey in Peru, IL
Oblate
council is a great help in giving advice and doing such great work for the
Director. They bring insight and wisdom and a good understanding of Benedictine
Spirituality. The volunteers among the oblates have done so much in the oblate
office and at the oblate Chapters. The love, loyalty and commitment the oblates
have for and to the monks and among themselves.
Fr.
Meinrad Brune, OSB, Director for St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, IN
Individual and group spiritual growth; oblates take more responsibility in
teaching on oblate Sundays.
Antoinette Traeger, OSB, Director for Queen of Angels Monastery in Mt. Angel, OR
The Phoenix group has met every second Saturday for 8 years. From this group, a
second has started in Chandler, AZ. Prayer line; book club; at least two silent
retreat a year.
Mary Gibson, Associate Director for Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
in Tucson, AZ
Supportive of our monks; concern for our vocational growth; willing to assist
whenever we call upon them for assistance.
Br. Benet Tvedten, OSB, Director for Blue Cloud Abbey in Marvin, SD
- - - - - - - - - -
What one or two resources have you found helpful for use with your oblates? {number in ( ) indicates how many times item was mentioned}
-
--Our formation packs
-
--Our council
-
--Preferring Christ by Norvene Vest (2)
-
--How to be a Monastic & not leave your day job by Br. Benet Tvedten (2)
-
--tapes from past conferences
-
--other Sisters giving presentations
-
--articles from other community newsletter on Benedictine Spirituality and oblate formation
-
--The Monastic Way by Sr. Joan Chittister
-
--Oblate Manual from St. John’s, Collegeville
-
--Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Sr. Joan Chittister
-
--Book of the month
-
--Lectio Divina
-
--have a book fund
-
--hve a portable library for oblates to borrow books
-
--availability or our monks to be involved in giving conferences, leading retreats (2)
-
--support and concern of the Abbot
-
--young monks who are interested and willing to help with the oblates as junior assistants
-
--books dealing with Benedictine spirituality by growing number of writers from other faith traditions
-
--writing from public sphere about work and personal growth
-
--books on Benedict
-
--vast library of Benedictine literature
-
--various video presentations
- - - - - - - - -
What resources have you found helpful to you personally in this role?
{number in ( ) indicates how many times item was mentioned}
-
--NAABOD meeting (4)
-
--our council
-
--the many wonderful books available now (2)
-
--talking to other oblate directors and oblates
-
--my prioress
-
--oblate newsletters from different communities (2)
-
--NAABOD Newsletter
-
--books by Laura Swan
-
--books by Br. Benet
-
--regional meetings
-
--oblates (2)
-
--the internet
-
--book, “Infinity of Hours”
-
--books, especially those by oblates
These last two lists of resources were suggested by the Directors and Associate Directors mentioned in the foregoing responses to question #1. Thank you to all who have contributed to these lists that we have included in this and the last two newsletters.
News Received from Oblate Directors
Oblates of St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, Canada SK participated in an historic Intercongregational meeting on September 29, 2007. The theme of the gathering was “Yesterday, today and Tomorrow.” The conference was facilitated by Sr. Viola Bens, OSE, who began by giving an historical overview of the lay associate movement within the Church. Oblates and lay associates took part in a theological reflection process about the lay associate experience and shared their insights. In the Diocese of Saskatoon there are 291 lay associates, oblates and secular Franciscans associated with 11 different religious orders. This was the first time such a meeting took place at the diocesan level.
The oblates of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia held their first oblate retreat on November 10, 2007. More than 50 oblates and candidates from three of their deaneries (Bristow, Bedford and Richmond, VA) were in attendance. Sr. Cecilia Dwyer, prioress, presented a series of talks on “hospitality of the Heart: Building a Community of Love.” A high point of the retreat was the oblate profession of a Richmond candidate. The following week, Sr. Charlotte Lee, Oblate Co-Director, flew out to Nevada to give the retreat to the Minden deanery.
A retreat was held for oblates of St. Meinrad Archabbey December 7-9, 2007. Fr. Vincent Tobin, OSB gave the conferences on “Stability: Running in Place.” 80 oblates were present for the retreat. The oblate community of St. Meinrad Archabbey is making a DVD on “What it Means to be an Oblate of St. Meinrad”. Forty-two oblates will have a very short testimony explaining what it means to them to be an oblate and what the program is all about. It also depicts scenes of retreats, chapter meetings and other oblate events. It is about twelve minutes in length. The DVD will be sent to people who are thinking about becoming an oblate of St. Meinrad Archabbey. It will also be on the audio visual Kiosk in the lobby of the Archabbey Guest House and Retreat Center.
Oblates, Candidates and Inquirers of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN will gather the weekend of April 11-13, 2008 for a retreat on “Praying with Scripture and the Rule of Benedict”. Oblate Director Sr. Antoinette Purcell will lead the retreat. Recently, oblates participated in a special drive led by Sr. Heidi Marie Krack to help raise funds for a service dog to assist Oblate Mary Morois who has been deaf since age 11. Mary now has Roxy who serves as ears for her.
A retreat for Oblates on “A Role for the Sacred in Public Policy” will be presented by Norvene Vest April 25-27, 2008 at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison, WI. For more information go to http://www.benedictinewomen.org/annual_benedictine_retreat_08.html
St. Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul, MN is bringing Norvene Vest in for three different events. Norvene will present “Benedictine Principles and Public Policy” on Wednesday, April 30 from 7:00-9:00 PM; “Becoming Community: Benedictine Principles for Contemporary Christians Seeking Community on Friday, May 2 at 7:00 PM through Sunday, May 4 at 10:00 AM; and “Praying in the Light, Praying in the Darkness: A Spirituality of the Affirmative Way” on Monday, May 5 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For more information go to www.stpaulsmonastery.org.
Bethlehem Retreat Center in Nanaimo, B.C. is the site for Saturday retreat that go from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM on May 31 and June 21. The topic on May 31 is “Truthful Living: Benedict challenges us to collapse our house of fear and build a house of freedom based on gospel truths.” The topic on June 21 is “Practicing Simplicity: As we practice simplicity of mind and heart we learn to hear more clearly the voice of the Spirit’s guidance.” Facilitators for the retreat days are Pat Brady, Patricia Morton and Oblate Director Barbara Rinehart, OSB. To register call 250-754-3254.
St. Benedict’s Abbey in Bartonville, IL is hosting “Oblates Gathering 2008” as an annual retreat for its oblates July 10-13, 2008. Because their oblates are geographically scattered, the retreat is an opportunity for them to come together for an experience of oblate community and to join the monastic community for prayer, activities and conferences. A highlight of the weekend is the ceremony of Oblation and Renewal of Oblate Promises. For more information contact Fr. Harold Camacho, Dir_Obl@sbabbey.com or call 309-633-0057.
The oblates and Sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, ID are looking forward to hosting a gathering of Northwest NAABOD members August 5-7, 2008. Fr. Hugh Feiss from Monastery of the Ascension in Jerome, ID will facilitate a discussion of his proactive article discussing the role of oblates in insuring the future of Benedictine communities: “Re-configuring Benedictine Monastic Life” from “The Desert Chronicle” of June 2007. The group will also be sharing practical tips and strategies for building up effective oblate programs. They are hoping for a good turnout for this exciting meeting of the Northwest region. For more information contact Teresa Jackson, OSB, oblates@stgertrudes.org.
On-going Formation Web Sites
A new page will be added to our NAABOD Web site in the next month or so. It will be a page of links to web sites that provide resources for on-going formation for oblates or directors. If you are aware of a web site that contains information that could be used for on-going formation for oblates or directors, please send the web address of this site to bgacnik@mtmc.edu. Thank you.
Oblate Study Week at St. Meinrad
St. Meinrad Archabbey will host a study week for oblates during June 16-19. Br. John Mark Falkenhain will be the presenter, along with Br. Martin Erspamer. For more information call 812-357-6501 or go to http://www.saintmeinrad.edu/v2/monastery/monastery_obl_events.aspx
Oblate Study Week at Mt. St. Scholastica
“The Meaning of Oblation: Living the Benedictine Spirit as an Oblate” is the title of the oblate study week sponsored by Sophia Center of Mt. St. Scholastica Monastery in Atchison, Kansas, during July 17-20. Abbot John Kassen, OSB, will present, “The Meaning of Oblation: Theology, History, Ritual”; Sr. Mary Irene Nowell, OSB, will present “Praying the Psalms in Daily Life.” There will also be a panel of oblates. This program was designed especially for the ongoing formation of oblates. For more information contact Sr. Marcia Ziska, OSB, at mziska@mountosb.org or call 913-360-6161.
American Benedictine Academy
The biennial conference theme of ABA is “Monastic Spirituality: Expanding Merton’s Vision.” The conference will be held at Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, South Dakota, during August 7-10. You can go to http://www.osb.org/aba/news for more information and to register, or contact Sr. Theresa Schumacher at 320-363-7186.
Oblate Formation by Idaho Monks
Monastery of the Ascension offers three ways that oblates can continue their formation: courses for credit or non-credit through Benedictine Distance Learning; three oblate retreats each year; and occasional study weeks on Benedictine topics. For more information go to www.idahomonks.org and click on either Benedictine Distance Learning or Oblates.
Benedictine Pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece
In 2009, for the two weeks of May 4-18, Norvene and Doug Vest, along with Chris McCauley and Frank Ramirez, will co-host a pilgrimage that begins in Istanbul and concludes in Athens, including also a drive to Corinth. For more information contact Norvene, norvene@composury.com.
Resources
Binz, Stephen J. “Conversing with God in Scripture: A Contemporary Approach to Lectio Divina”. The Word Among Us, 2008.
Foster, Richard. “Life with God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation.” HarperOne, 2008.
Galbraith, Craig S., Ph.D. and Oliver Galbraith III, Ph.D. “The Benedictine Rule of Leadership.” Adams Media Corp., MA, 2004.
++++++++++
Please send information to:
Antoinette Purcell, OSB
1402 Southern Avenue
Beech Grove, IN 46107
antoinette@benedictine.com
FAX: 317-780-2368.
HOME ADMIN TEAM QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER BIENNIAL MTG MEMBERSHIP HISTORY ONLINE CHAPTERS
© 2006 North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors