On the Hill For Alumni & Friends of Saint Meinrad Winter 2012 • Vol. 51:1 For Fr. Gavin Barnes, OSB, the play’s the thing. Writing a new play was how Fr. Gavin decided to commemorate last year’s 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. “I’ve been studying the Civil War since 1969,” explains Fr. Gavin, who taught drama and directed plays at Saint Meinrad College for 38 years. “I always try to get something new – a new approach – so I decided this time to do a careful study of Lincoln’s wartime correspondence.” He realized, after reading the letters and dispatches written during the war, that many of them were addressed to President Lincoln’s Union Army generals, Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. “I began to see that something happened to those three men during those four years, as a result of this exchange of dispatches and letters,” he says. “It was the most surprising kind of development of friendship. It started with admiration, with respect, and then moved into what were clearly very deep feelings on the part of three quite unlikely men.” Marveling on this unexpected development, Fr. Gavin decided to write a play script about the relationship between President Lincoln and his two generals, for his own enrichment. Using the words of the correspondence as dialogue and 10 of the Civil War’s major battles as the framework, he wrote “Between Friends.” The play will be one of four productions of the 2012 season at Lincoln Amphitheatre, a 1,500- seat covered outdoor theater in nearby Lincoln State Park. Fr. Gavin didn’t intend for the play to be produced, but his confrere, Fr. Jeremy King, chair of the board of directors for the amphitheatre, passed along the script for consideration. ‘Between Friends’: Fr. Gavin’s new play debuts in April Fr. Gavin Barnes, OSB, reads from Civil War letters between Union Army generals and President Lincoln. The letters from volumes housed in the Archabbey library collection, became the basis for Fr. Gavin’s latest play. Continued on page 5
Transcript
On the HillFor Alumni & Friends of Saint Meinrad Winter 2012 • Vol. 51:1
For Fr. Gavin Barnes, OSB, the play’s thething.
Writing a new play was how Fr. Gavindecided to commemorate last year’s 150thanniversary of the start of the Civil War.
“I’ve been studying the Civil War since 1969,”explains Fr. Gavin, who taught drama anddirected plays at Saint Meinrad College for 38years. “I always try to get something new – anew approach – so I decided this time to do acareful study of Lincoln’s wartimecorrespondence.”
He realized, after reading the letters anddispatches written during the war, that many of them were addressed to President Lincoln’sUnion Army generals, Ulysses S. Grant andWilliam T. Sherman.
“I began to see that something happened tothose three men during those four years, as aresult of this exchange of dispatches and
letters,” he says. “It was the most surprisingkind of development of friendship. It startedwith admiration, with respect, and then movedinto what were clearly very deep feelings onthe part of three quite unlikely men.”
Marveling on this unexpected development,Fr. Gavin decided to write a play script aboutthe relationship between President Lincoln andhis two generals, for his own enrichment.Using the words of the correspondence asdialogue and 10 of the Civil War’s majorbattles as the framework, he wrote “BetweenFriends.”
The play will be one of four productions of the2012 season at Lincoln Amphitheatre, a 1,500-seat covered outdoor theater in nearby LincolnState Park. Fr. Gavin didn’t intend for the playto be produced, but his confrere, Fr. JeremyKing, chair of the board of directors for theamphitheatre, passed along the script forconsideration.
‘Between Friends’: Fr. Gavin’s new play debuts in April
Fr. Gavin Barnes, OSB, reads from Civil War letters between Union Army generals and President Lincoln. Theletters from volumes housed in the Archabbey library collection, became the basis for Fr. Gavin’s latest play.
Continued on page 5
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Health Service............................................4
Archbiship Daniel Buechlein..........................................16
On the Hill is published four times ayear by Saint Meinrad Archabbey andSeminary and School of Theology. Thenewsletter is also available online at:www.saintmeinrad.edu/onthehill
Editor: Mary Jeanne SchumacherCopywriters: John Farless
Monks’ PersonalsFr. Meinrad Brune and Saint MeinradArchabbey hosted the meeting of the NorthAmerican Association of Benedictine OblateDirectors, July 1-6.
Fr. Thomas Gricoski attended a conference onthe philosophy of Edith Stein in Maynooth,Ireland, July 4-8.
Fr. Samuel Weber was appointed chaplain atthe College of St. Thomas More in Fort Worth,Texas, on August 1.
Fr. Patrick Cooney and Archabbot JustinDuVall attended the 44th General Chapter ofthe Swiss-American Congregation atWestminster Abbey, British Columbia, fromAugust 4-9.
Archabbot Justin DuVall attended theinvestiture ceremony for the new monsignorsat the cathedral in Indianapolis on August 14.All of the new monsignors are alumni of SaintMeinrad.
Fr. Anthony Vinson participated in theCongress for the Pontifical Pastoral Ministryfor Vocations in Rome in November. Heproclaimed the Gospel at the opening Mass ofthe Congress. He also gave a conference titled“What Now? Men of Faith: Seeking God andServing the Church,” on November 19th at theNational Catholic Youth Conference inIndianapolis, IN.
Fr. Brendan Moss gave the keynote address atthe Mid-South Catholic Leadership Conferenceat Lake Barkley, KY, November 6. OnNovember 19th at the National Catholic YouthConference in Indianapolis, IN, he gave aworkshop for seminarians on “Preaching withthe Young Church.”
Phil Etienne has beennamed the newdirector of publicationsat Abbey Press, adivision of SaintMeinrad Archabbey.
He replaces LinusMundy of Jasper, IN,who retired October28 after 28 years atAbbey Press. Mundy’scareer at Abbey Pressincluded positions aseditor of Marriage andFamily Livingmagazine, promotionmanager and specialprojects editor for thePublications Division,and director ofpublications.
He began the CareNotes line for Abbey Press,which has sold more than 150 million copies.His recent projects have included the purchaseof Deacon Digest magazine and Fr. DavidKnight’s “Immersed in Christ” program.
Etienne, of Santa Claus, IN, earned abachelor’s degree in English from theUniversity of Southern Indiana. He hasworked at Abbey Press since 1989 in a varietyof positions, including copywriter for thedirect marketing/ad promotions group, keyaccounts manager and foreign rights managerfor the Publications Division, and children’sbook editor.
In June 2009, he took over as managing editorfor all publications. Etienne added the dutiesof managing editor of Deacon Digestmagazine in October 2010.
Taking over as managing editor of DeaconDigest is Br. Silas Henderson, OSB. He alsowill assist Etienne in selecting new titles anddeveloping new products for Abbey PressPublications; working with authors; andoverseeing the development of a new series of
Managementchanges announced atAbbey Press
Phil Etienne
Linus Mundy
If you’d like to receive brief updates on what’shappening at Saint Meinrad, you can sign upfor a free e-newsletter. Every few weeks, youwill receive a newsletter in your email’s inbox.
To sign up, go to the link on the front page ofthe website: www.saintmeinrad.edu. Or, sendan email to [email protected]
Sign up for the e-newsletter
3
New vice rectorappointed fornext year
Fr. GodfreyMullen, OSB,will step down asvice rector ofSaint MeinradSeminary andSchool ofTheology at theclose of thisacademic year,according toPresident-RectorFr. DenisRobinson, OSB.
Father Godfreywill continueteaching in theschool; his newresponsibilitieswill be appointedby Archabbot
Justin DuVall, OSB, at a future date.
Fr. Godfrey has served as vice rectorsince 2008. He is an assistant professor ofsacramental and liturgical theology andthe director of worship for the Seminaryand School of Theology. He also servesas conference director for the “One Bread,One Cup” program.
He earned a PhD in liturgical studies fromThe Catholic University of America in2003. He has a Master of Arts and aMaster of Divinity from Saint Meinrad, aswell as a bachelor’s degree in historyfrom Saint Meinrad College.
Fr. Denis also announced that Fr. TobiasColgan, OSB, has been appointed as vice
Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB
Fr. Tobias Colgan, OSB
Fr. CyprianDavis, OSB,named professoremeritus
Fr. CyprianDavis, OSB, hasbeen namedprofessor emeritusof Saint MeinradSeminary andSchool ofTheology. He isthe first facultymember toreceive this
recognition in the Seminary and School ofTheology.
He was honored by students, staff andfaculty at a school banquet on September27. He currently teaches Church history atSaint Meinrad.
Fr. Cyprian is a national leader inhistorical studies of the African AmericanCatholic Church in the United States. Theauthor of numerous articles and books onthe history and spirituality of AfricanAmerican Catholics, he wrote The Historyof Black Catholics in the United States forwhich he received the John Gilmary SheaAward from the American CatholicHistorical Association.
Other books include The Church: A LivingHeritage; Stamped with the Image ofGod: African Americans as God’s Imagein Black, which he co-edited with JamiePhelps, OP; Henriette Delille: Servant of
Fr. Cyprian Davis, OSB
Slaves, Witness to the Poor; and a book ofhistorical essays about Saint Meinrad, ToPrefer Nothing to Christ.
Fr. Cyprian joined the Benedictinecommunity at Saint Meinrad Archabbeyin 1951 and was ordained to thepriesthood in 1956. He began teachinghistory in the school the following year,later taking time off to earn a licentiate in1963 and a doctorate in 1977, both inhistorical sciences from the CatholicUniversity of Louvain in Belgium.He has received honorary degrees fromthe University of Notre Dame in 2001, theCatholic Theological Union in 2002, St.Vincent’s College, Latrobe, PA, in 2003,and The Catholic University of Americain 2006.
In 2002, he was awarded the JohannesQuasten Medal for excellence inscholarship and leadership in religiousstudies from The Catholic University ofAmerica. In 2004, he received theDistinguished Alumnus Award from theSaint Meinrad Alumni Association. Healso received the Marianist Award fromthe University of Dayton in 2007 and theAcacia Award in 2010 from theArchdiocese of Louisville.
Fr. Cyprian is the archivist for theArchabbey, the Swiss-AmericanBenedictine Congregation and the NationalBlack Catholic Clergy Caucus, of whichhe was a founding member in 1968.
rector beginning with the 2012-13academic year.
Currently, Fr. Tobias is director of theTogether in One Place program and theWorld Church program. He also serves asa formation dean in the seminary.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree inFrench from Saint Meinrad College, heearned a master’s degree in French fromMiddlebury College and a master’s inreligious studies from Indiana University.He has a Master of Divinity from SaintMeinrad School of Theology.
children’s books, “Just For Me Books,”which will be released in May 2012.
He has worked at Abbey Press in variousroles since 2006, except for 18 months asdirector of lifelong formation at St.Margaret Mary Catholic Church inLouisville, KY. He is the author ofseveral books, articles, and reflections onMary and the saints.
Would youlike to make
a gift toSaint Meinrad
and receive income
for life?For information regarding Saint Meinrad’s annuity
program, contact:
Barb BalkaDirector of Planned GivingSaint Meinrad Archabbey
February 10-12Guest House Retreat: “Together for Life: A Romantic Covenant” by Fr. Jeremy King, OSB.
February 16Black History Lecture, speaker tobe announced.
February 24-26Guest House Retreat: “Reading theBook of Hosea: The Prophet ofCompassion ” by Fr. EugeneHensell, OSB.
March 2-4Guest House Retreat: “Praying thePsalms ” by Fr. Harry Hagan, OSB.
March 13Thomas Lecture, speaker to be announced.
March 16-18Guest House Retreat: “Searchingfor What’s Missing” by Br. AdamEdwards, OSB.
April 4-8Guest House Retreat: “Reflectionson the Triduum” by Very Rev.Denis Robinson, OSB.
April 20National Players’ presentation of“The Taming of the Shrew.”
April 21National Players’ presentation of“Of Mice and Men.”
May 12Graduation for Seminary andSchool of Theology.
June 3The Einsiedeln Society Dinner.
For more information, contact Mary Jeanne Schumacher at (812) 357-6501 or visit our website www.saintmeinrad.edu
Health Service: Keeping everyone wellis their year-long resolution
Keeping the monks, co-workers, studentsand faculty healthy at Saint Meinrad is afulltime job – but a job welcomed by themore than 20 full- and part-time employeesand monks who make up Saint Meinrad’sHealth Service and Infirmary staff.
“This is a hard job,” says Ann Rohleder,director of Health Services. “But we careabout each other like you would family.And there are always those team players,ready to rally the troops and rise to theoccasion. They enjoy a challenge.”
The Health Services staff provides arange of services from infirmary care forthe monks to in-office visits for students,monks and co-workers at the HealthService clinic. In addition, HealthService brings in a local doctor one day aweek, schedules regular visits fromhearing specialists, podiatrists,chiropractors and others, and coordinatesa blood drive at Saint Meinrad four timesa year.
“My staff is always so dependable andresponsible,” says Ann. “They takeownership of their schedule and theirresponsibilities – they do an awesomejob!”
Monastery InfirmaryOne of the most important services Annand her staff provide is personal care inthe Monastery Infirmary, where theyhandle everything from chronic disease
and general aging complications to post-surgical rehab and other medical issues.
“We work hard to keep the monks asindependent as possible,” says Ann. “Butsometimes they need that extra level ofcare.”
“I can attest firsthand, and from a verypersonal experience, to the quality of careprovided there,” says Fr. Simeon Daly,OSB, one of the monks who receiveregular care from the staff. “St. Benedictin his Rule stresses the importance of carefor the sick and allowance for the weakand the aged.”
The infirmary has a capacity of about 16beds. Currently, 12 of those beds are full.“That’s very high for us,” says Ann.“We’ve nearly doubled our staff. We usedto have only one nurse per shift, and nowwe’re scheduling at least two. We havenurses on the clock 24 hours a day, sevendays a week.” Plans call for a monasteryinfirmary supervisor to be hired tomanage the daily care of residents.
Mary Jo Waninger, certified fitness instructor, does dips with Fr. Simeon Daly, OSB, in theHealth Service fitness room.
“I can attest firsthand, andfrom a very personal
experience, to the quality of care provided here.”
Fr. Simeon Daly, OSB
In addition to the infirmary staff, severalmonks and co-workers spend timevolunteering. “The monk support we getwith everyday tasks is a huge timesaver,”says Ann. “They do small tasks likeassisting with meals, sitting with themonks, or even coming to get them forcoffee breaks, Mass or meetings. It endsup being a great ministry for thevolunteers,” she adds. “They getsomething back as well from a spiritualstandpoint.”
Wellness ProgramIn recent years, a wellness coordinatorand work-study position were added toprovide activities and education forstudents, monks and co-workers. “They’redoing an amazing job,” says Ann. “It’s agreat service we’re able to offer.”
Wellness activities range from healthscreenings and nutrition classes to weightloss programs and exercise classes. Theco-worker wellness program has beenparticularly popular and has helpedreduce health care expenses for co-workers and for Saint Meinrad. A studentwellness program includes one-on-onesessions in addition to classes andexercise programs.
This year, for the first time, HealthService will provide a week-long class forstudents during the January Interterm.The new program will include educationon cooking and nutrition; exercise; yoga,meditation and relaxation; and othertopics.
Monks’ Fitness ProgramAbout five years ago, the family of thelate Fr. Camillus Ellspermann, OSB,donated funding to create a fitness roomand outfit it with equipment for themonks to use. The room is located withinthe Health Service clinic. Shortly after itscompletion, the Monks’ Fitness Programwas started and quickly became a hit.“It’s been a good program and the monkslove it,” says Ann. “They even had theirown t-shirts made.”
“I hope they (the donors) understand theimpact their gift makes,” adds Ann. “It’shuge for our department, because healthcare is ever evolving. You always have tostay educated and evolve to stay on top ofall the changes. I think that’s soimportant.”
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Fr. Gavin experimented with the play’sform in several ways. For example, helays out the action in three acting areas onstage. As the action and dialogue takeplace in one area, the other areascontinue, but nonverbally.
Throughout the play, the three maincharacters – Lincoln, Sherman and Grant– are on the stage the entire time.
“It starts out pretty realistically, as youwould normally expect a narrative plot todo,” Fr. Gavin explains. “But veryshortly, it begins to become abstract. Itbecomes symbolic so that, suddenly,anything is possible on that stage, by wayof relationships, by way of communication.
“My hope is to free the audience fromthat burden of verisimilitude; that wedon’t have to see it the way it happened.”
In one scene, as Fr. Gavin describes it,“Lincoln is sitting at his desk inWashington, D.C., reading a paper andGrant is talking to Sherman at the fielddesk in his headquarters in the field.Grant is saying to Sherman, ‘If we can dothis and this and this, it will all be over inno time.’ And Lincoln puts his paperdown and says, ‘Did somebody say it’sall going to be over in no time?’”
Soon after the cast is selected, Fr. Gavinwill work with the actors on voicetraining and line reading, earning him thetitle of co-director. He’s excited aboutseeing “Between Friends” come to life.“That’s a nice thing to be able to do whenyou’re 84,” he says.
Performances at the LincolnAmphitheatre will be on the evenings ofApril 27 and 28, May 4 and 5, along witha Sunday matinee on April 29.
FR. GAVIN Cont. from page 1
WebsiteOn The Hill is also
available on the Web: www.saintmeinrad.edu/
onthehill
New Snail’s Pace catalog
The TradeMarketingdivision of AbbeyPress launched anew Snail’s Pacecatalog in earlyDecember. Thiswas the firstprinted catalogthat included all
322 products in the line. It also featured11 display units and 30 new products,including cards, gift wrap and gift bags.
This catalog was mailed to 3,000 currentcustomers and 4,000 prospectivecustomers in the United States, primarilyconcentrating on the West Coast. Tradeshow attendance has proven thatenvironmentally conscious stores areprominent in that part of the country.Prospects include national parks, grocerymarkets, nature/wildlife centers andstationery stores.
Visit www.snailspacepaper.com to see theentire collection, new product offeringsand special promotions. The product linefeatures paper goods printed on recycledpaper using soy-based inks.
“Health Services has been proactive inpromoting healthy habits and lifestylesnot only for the monks, but also for ourco-workers,” says Fr. Simeon. “For yearsnow, I’ve been participating in themonastic fitness program.”
Personal trainers work with monks twodays a week and are certified through theAmerican Council on Exercise. “Weusually have about six of the older monksshow up for strength training,” says Ann.“It always amazes me – the muscle massthey can build at that age.”
Ann praises the Saint Meinrad leadershipfor the trust and appreciation they havefor her and her staff. “They’re verygrateful for all that we do. They really buy into what the Rule of St. Benedictteaches. They put the sick and infirmabove themselves, and they see Christ inall.”
I was 4 years old when I told my motherthat I wanted to become a priest. Myfriends had told me that the “boogeyman”was going to come at night and get me.So I went running to my mother andasked her, “If I became a priest, the‘boogeyman’ would not get me and Iwould go to heaven with God, right?” Shetold me, “That’s right.” So I said, “Okay,I want to be a priest forever.”
It was somewhat humorous, but that’show God planted the seed in me. As Imatured, I began to know myself betterand learned that I had lots of energy andan eagerness to serve. I didn’t know whatto do with this; however, I knew that Godhad greater plans for my life.
Q. Who influenced you to begin studyfor the priesthood?
First of all, my mother alwaysencouraged and supported me in myvocational discernment. Since I canremember, my mother always took us tochurch on Sundays and days ofobligation.
However, the person who encouraged meto think about a vocation to the priesthoodmore seriously was Sr. MargaritaVasquez. I remember one day after a HolyHour, she told me, “Cris, come with me tomy office; I need to give you something.”When we got to her office, as she wasputting the key in the door, she stoppedand looked right into my eyes and said,“Cris, have you ever thought about goingto seminary?”
I told her that I had, but that I was notvery interested in that style of life. I wasvery nervous and had been avoiding thatquestion for a long time. She gave me thisadvice: “Pray to Jesus and Mary and theywill show you the way.” I did as she toldme and, throughout my personaldiscernment, I asked God for another sign.
All this was taking place during my senioryear in high school. Three weeks later, ona Sunday after Mass, my associate pastor,Fr. Joseph Erwin, asked me the samequestion. He also asked if I wanted to goto a seminary to see if I might like it. Afterwe came back from our visit to theseminary, I was convinced that God wascalling me to study for the priesthood.
Q. What were you doing before you cameto the seminary?
I had my own landscaping business forfour years in Oklahoma City before goingto Conception Seminary College inMissouri. I had about 35 lawns that Imaintained on a weekly basis.
Q. Favorite saint and why?
St. Dominic Savio, because he was anormal, high-spirited boy who at a youngage prayed for long hours in front of theBlessed Sacrament. He once said, “But Iwant everything to be for the glory ofGod.” His simplicity, cheerfulness,fidelity in little things, helping others andobeying his superiors encourage me tocontinue persevering in my formation tothe priesthood.
Q. Favorite Scripture verse and why?
Matthew 26:20: “Teaching them toobserve all things whatsoever Icommanded you: and lo, I am with youalways, even unto the end of the world.” It
reminds me that I will always beaccompanied by God’s presence, even inthe most challenging times of my life.
Q. Hobbies?
One of my favorite hobbies is birdwatching. I like to spend time outsidewalking and admiring nature. I also liketo have fruitful conversations withpeople, because it enables me to grow asa person and helps me develop an openmind about different ideas andpersonalities. I also enjoy playing sports,listening to music and reading books. Inmy free time, I also like to make rosaries.
Q. What aspect of seminary life has beenmost rewarding?
The most rewarding aspect of seminarylife has been allowing myself to beformed into the person that God wants meto be. I have been able to recognize myweaknesses and strengths and my giftsand talents, but most importantly, it hasalso allowed me to admire the talents ofothers.
Q. What aspect of seminary life has beenmost challenging?
Being in seminary formation is toughbecause it almost forces you to look intoyourself to know who you are and torealize that you are unworthy of such acalling, but that God has called us inorder to shape us into the person He hasmade us to be. It is from this point on thatone allows any growth to take place.
Q. Best advice you’ve heard inseminary?
Never make radical decisions while youare going through a vocational crisis.First, seek the advice of friends and yourformators. This has also taught me to bethankful for the gift of my vocation,because each person who is genuinelycalled to the seminary is handpicked byGod.
Q. Other comments?
I would like to encourage young men andwomen who are thinking, or havethought, about joining the seminary or theconvent to give it a chance. God doesn’ttake away anything. On the contrary, hewill open the doors to your vocation inlife.
Abbey Caskets continues to see signs of growth
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Twelve years after its founding, AbbeyCaskets continues to see signs of growthand has established itself as a profitablebusiness venture for the Archabbey, aswell as a valuable service to the localcommunity and beyond.
2011 has been a year of growth and newadditions for the casket company anddirector Jenny Keller hopes to see thattrend continue in 2012.
The most visible change is a new locationin the Saint Meinrad Archabbey GiftShop. Abbey Caskets was formerlytucked away in a back corner that wassometimes hard to find. The new locationfeatures three entrances including anarched entryway from inside the GiftShop into an expanded and more visibleshowroom, a main outside entrance forthe public, and a rear entrance forvendors and employees.
New signage planned for this spring willmake the business visible from thehighway, the front of the building and thenew side entrance.
“The way the new office is set up, it’sless disrupting to our day-to-day work,”says Keller. “Having the showroom andmain entryway separate allows us to haveprivate meetings with our customers. Wealso have a conference room where wecan hold those meetings away fromringing phones and busy offices.”
The new showroom accommodatesAbbey Caskets’ entire line of 11 casket
styles in addition to its cremation urns.Previously, only six caskets could bedisplayed at one time. A slideshowchronicling the building of a casket fromstart to finish is being created and will bedisplayed in the showroom whencompleted.
This past year Abbey Caskets alsolaunched a new website, a blog and aFacebook page. The online resourcesoffer information about the caskets, aswell as information about funeralplanning and access to the Abbey PressCareNotes series and other griefresources.
Keller has seen an increase in sales toindividuals, where the bulk of sales usedto be to funeral homes. She’s also seen anincrease in information requests throughthe website.
“We’re holding pace with last year’ssales, which was one of our best years todate,” says Keller. “We’ve seen increasesalmost every year since 2005. Our prepayorders are also up.” Through the prepayprogram, customers can pay for theircasket in advance and “lock in” the costof a casket at current prices.
While Indiana and Kentucky continue tobe the top markets, Abbey Caskets hasshipped to all 50 states and as far away asIreland.
An open house is being planned tocelebrate the new Abbey Casketslocation.
The new office area is spacious.
A new sidewalk and entryway provides visitors with direct access to Abbey Caskets. New signswill be added this spring.
The expansion will provide privacy for meet-ing with customers.
Work began in the fall to expand the AbbeyCaskets offices.
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Thanks to one monk’s hobby, themonastic community now enjoyshomemade bread at breakfast six days aweek. Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB,began experimenting with making breadlast May after talking with a friend whosaw the recipe on a cooking program.
He makes three loaves a day to be servedwith breakfast. The bread isn’t made onSunday because he considers it“ordinary” bread – something simpleand handmade that ties in well withmonastic values.
The simple recipe takes only minutes tothrow together. It then sits for 12 to 18hours before being folded and proofedfor two more hours. It is baked for about35 minutes in pottery crocks that Br.John Mark created. Variations includewhite; honey wheat; cinnamon raisincranberry; rosemary; and eight-seed.
He recently taught Archabbot JustinDuVall, OSB, how to make the bread, soit can be served at breakfast even whenBr. John Mark is away from the Hill. It’sbeen a huge hit at the breakfast table andBr. John Mark admits he may have tobake four loaves a day soon. “It doesn’tlast long,” he says. “If you don’t get tobreakfast early, you may miss out.”
Our daily bread: Hobby becomesbreakfast treat in the monastery
Ready for proofing – several variations on thesimple recipe will be folded and proofed for twohours before baking.
The ingredients are simple and Br. John Markusually prepares three loaves at the same time.
Br. John Mark displays a loaf of bread freshfrom the oven.
“If you don’t get to breakfast early, you
may miss out.”Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB
Fr. Severin Messick, OSB,dies September 28
Fr. Severin Messick,OSB, a monk ofSaint MeinradArchabbey, died onSeptember 28, 2011,in Greenfield, IN. Hewas 57. Fr. Severinwas born inIndianapolis, IN, onJuly 12, 1954, toHenry and Anna
(McGuire) Messick. He is survived by hismother.
He attended Chatard High School inIndianapolis. He graduated in 1977 fromSaint Meinrad College with a Bachelor ofArts degree in the classics. He was investedas a novice in 1977, and professed his simplevows on August 6, 1978. Fr. Severin wasordained to the priesthood on May 2, 1982.
After his ordination, Fr. Severin completed ayear of graduate studies in classics at TheCatholic University in Washington, D.C. Inthe late summer of 1983, he was assigned toteach at Trinity High School in Whitesville,KY, and was named associate pastor of St.Mary-of-the-Woods Parish in Whitesville.
In 1985, he became associate pastor of St.Ann Parish, Morganfield, KY. Thefollowing year, he was assigned to St. MaryParish, Huntingburg, IN, for six years. Hereturned to his former parish of St. Ann in1992 for his first assignment as a pastor.
In 1996, he became co-pastor of a three-parish cluster in southern Indiana, composedof St. Paul’s (Tell City), St. Michael’s(Cannelton) and St. Pius V (Troy). Thefollowing year, he was named administratorof St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (LittleFlower) in Indianapolis.
In 1998, he began his longest pastoralassignment, pastor of St. Michael’s inGreenfield, where he served until his death.He also served as judge of the MetropolitanTribunal for the Archdiocese of Indianapolisfor nearly seven years.
The funeral Mass was held October 4 in theArchabbey Church, followed by burial in theArchabbey Cemetery.
Fr. Severin Messick, OSB
9
Chapters were written by other monks, nuns,oblates and well-known lay authors familiarwith the Benedictine way of life – includingFr. Michael Casey, OCSO, Kathleen Norris,Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, Saint Meinrad oblateJanis Dopp and Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB,of Conception Abbey, among others.
The second book,Ordained To Serve:Prayers and Blessingsfor PermanentDeacons, includesprayers, blessings andother devotions thatorder the daily life ofthe deacon and assistin his ministry. Thebook was edited by
Saint Meinrad’s Fr. Denis Robinson, OSB.
The collection provides the permanent deaconan opportunity to deepen his diaconal lifethrough the value of continual prayer and toglorify God in all aspects of that life. Thebook features more than 400 prayers andblessings for most any occasion needing adeacon’s caring words.
The books are available at the Saint MeinradArchabbey Gift Shop or Scholar Shop, byvisiting www.pathoflifebooks.com or bycalling (800) 325-2511.
New books published for deacons,seekers of Benedictine spiritualityPath of Life Publications, a publishingimprint of Saint Meinrad Archabbey’sAbbey Press Publications, recentlyreleased two books that feature SaintMeinrad monks as contributors.
Sacred Rhythms:The MonasticWay Every Dayis a compilationof 15 of the 22titles publishedthus far in thesuccessfulAbbey Pressbooklet seriesNotes from a
Monastery: The Sacred Way EveryDay.
In addition, the book features twopreviously unpublished additions – anintroduction by Archabbot JustinDuVall, OSB, and a chapter by Fr.Harry Hagan, OSB, on discretion. OtherBenedictine monks of Saint Meinradauthoring chapters are Fr. MeinradBrune, Fr. Christian Raab, Br. MatthewMattingly and Br. Francis de SalesWagner, who also was the editor.
The book features artwork by Br.Martin Erspamer, OSB, and a title-pagephotograph by Br. Matthew.
Your gift, like your beliefs,can endureIt is possible to give a gift that keeps ongiving. For example, you might givesomeone a year’s supply of candy,coffee or flowers—any number ofthings. Every month, a box arrives inthe mail with another gift installment.It’s the gift that endures.
Some of Saint Meinrad’s friends do thesame kind of thing. They establish anendowment fund with one or moregifts. Every year, a certain amountfrom the endowment fund is given as a“grant” to Saint Meinrad for a specificpurpose or to help with generalexpenses. It is an enduring gift becausethe fund’s principal remains intact.Only a portion of the earnings is usedfor the grants.
As you can imagine, the “gift thatkeeps on giving” can be enormouslysatisfying to the donor because itcontinues beyond death. Establishednow through a current gift or laterthrough an estate gift, the endowmentfund provides an ongoing reminder thatthe donor believed in the work andmission of Saint Meinrad and caredenough to provide ongoing support.
An endowment funded with giftstotaling $10,000 or more can bear thename of the donor or someone thedonor wants to honor. Endowments canbe funded with cash, stock or otherassets. And they can be directed towarda specific purpose.
Once established, the donor receivesannual reports about investmentperformance and grant use. If desired,family members and friends of thedonor can be kept abreast ofendowment activity.
Is it difficult to set up an endowment?Not at all. Please contact BarbaraBalka, director of planned giving, forinformation on the process and asample endowment agreement. Call(800) 682-0988 or [email protected].
Fourteen seminarians were accepted as candidates for the priesthood by Most Rev. Timothy Doherty,bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, on November 6.
1010
Liturgical Music Department continues the tradition
It’s been said, “He who sings praystwice.” That certainly could be said of themonks of Saint Meinrad, who sing/chant/pray together five times a day. Chantinghas been one of the hallmarks of monksover the centuries. Monks even providedthe manuscripts and, eventually, thebooks that other monks and clergy usedwhen chanting.
Today Saint Meinrad still provides theresources needed for the singing of theliturgy, not only for its use, but also forothers in the United States and elsewherein the English-speaking world. The digitalage has broadened the limitations onceimposed by pen, ink and parchment. Thescriptorium, or the place in the monasterywhere books were once copied by hand,has been updated with software programs,computer platforms and copiers.
The work of the Liturgical MusicDepartment ranges from planning andscheduling to producing materials andusing voices and instrumental skills topraise God. Fr. Jeremy King, OSB, is theArchabbey choirmaster.
It is his responsibility to assure that whatthe community sings in church isperformed well and that the materialsneeded are available. “We have monksfrom their 80s to their 20s that are, on anygiven day, directly involved with music atworship,” he says.
Assisting is Br. John Mark Falkenhain,OSB, who fills in during Fr. Jeremy’sabsence and directs the musicalensembles from time to time. The maincomposer for the past 40 years has beenFr. Columba Kelly, OSB. He hasprovided the majority of the chants usedat the Divine Office and at Mass.
Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB (currentlyassigned to St. Thomas More College inFort Worth, TX), and Fr. Tobias Colgan,OSB, also contribute to the collection ofliturgical music. Fr. Harry Hagan, OSB,uses his knowledge of Scripture andpoetry to create hymn texts.
Br. Jacob Grisley, OSB, a formerchoirmaster – as were Fr. Columba andFr. Tobias – is a skilled programmer whohas developed sophisticated methods ofscheduling and archiving materials,according to Fr. Jeremy. He has alsodeveloped “fonts” for composing chantmelodies in digital format. Fr. Harry hasalso worked on these fonts and regularlyupdates them.
In the past year, Brent Stamey joined thedepartment to help produce the newmaterials needed because of changes inthe Roman Missal used at Mass. He has amaster’s degree in organ performancefrom Indiana University School of Music.
“During the academic year, monks fromother monasteries who are attending
school at Saint Meinrad also bring theirtalents to liturgical music,” says Fr.Jeremy. “This offers an opportunity toexperience the traditions of otherreligious communities.”
The task of performing the music falls tothe cantors, schola and instrumentalists.Cantors are singers who, alone or insmall groups, alternate verses of psalmswith the entire community – known asthe choir.
The schola – Latin for “school” – is asubstantial singing ensemble thatprovides selections for the rest of theassembly to listen to at appropriatemoments in the liturgy. The scholausually sings on Sundays or on majorfeasts and ceremonies.
The schola has produced recordings ofLatin and English chants that areavailable in the Archabbey Gift Shop andthe Scholar Shop and in MP3 format onour website. Some of the regular cantorsand schola members include Br. TerenceGriffin, Br. Martin Erspamer, Fr. AdrianBurke, Br. Silas Henderson, Br. Jacoband Br. John Mark.
Br. Silas and Fr. Jeremy also serve asorganists for the community. In addition,Fr. Tobias helps when he’s not busy inthe Seminary and School of Theology,where he works and resides. Besides Fr.Samuel, two of the community’s otherorganists are assigned away from theHill: Fr. Colman Grabert, OSB, and Br.John Glasenapp, OSB. Fr. Mel Patton,OSB, resides in the monastery infirmary.He served as organist for many years.
Ten years ago, Sr. Regina MarieMcIntyre, SP, from St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN, came to Saint Meinrad on asabbatical and was hired as a part-timestaff person. Besides playing the organfor liturgies, she has also taught monks toplay the organ, piano, violin and cello.
“St. Benedict says that in the monasterynothing should be preferred to the Workof God, that is, the Liturgy of the Hoursand the daily celebration of the Eucharist,”Fr. Jeremy says. “The care of singingGod’s work is in our hands, and we havean amazing team working together.”
Br. Martin Erspamer, OSB, Br. Jacob Grisley, OSB, and Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, sing during aliturgy in the Archabbey Church.
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St. Bede, Newman renovations move forwardRenovation in the Seminary and School ofTheology is moving forward in both St.Bede and Newman halls. By the end of theyear, the most visible progress could beseen on the upper levels of St. Bede Hall.However, work shifted to portions ofNewman Hall while students were awayfor the Christmas break.
Newman HallWork in Newman Dining Room includedinstallation of several new ceiling-mounted heat and air units, a fresh airexchange, and a lowered ceiling andaddition of a bulkhead to hide much of theinfrastructure. Other than the ceiling,Newman Dining Room will look muchthe same as it has for years. Even wall-mounted steam radiators will remain,though they will no longer be functional.
Elsewhere in Newman Hall, installation ofstud walls, electrical wiring, water lines,heating and air units, fire sprinklersystems and network cables is under wayon all four floors of the north-south wing.
Director of Physical Facilities Pat Clarksays The Scholar Shop, the school’sbookstore, is the first area that will becompleted so that it can be open for thefall semester. The third-floor counselingcenter will be completed next, followed byclassroom and meeting spaces and, finally,living spaces on the fourth floor.
Renovations include several exterior improvements such as parking, sidewalks and new entryways.Drywallers put the final touches on rooms in St.Bede Hall.
“Our goal is to be ready when the studentsreturn in the fall,” says Clark.
St. Bede HallIn St. Bede Hall, progress by mid-Decemberranged from fresh paint and new tile floors onsome upper-level rooms to continuedinstallation of infrastructure and drywall onlower levels.
Terrazzo floors saved from the originalbuilding were being ground, polished andsealed. New vanities, shelves and bathroomfixtures were also being installed, as well asvinyl and tile floor coverings and windowsills.
“By mid-May we hope to start moving infurniture and begin our final cleanup,” saysClark. “We’d like to have Bede Hallcompleted by mid-July so that GroupAccommodations and the Institute for Priestsand Presbyterates can begin moving in.”
Rooms are starting to take shape in NewmanHall.
AlumniEternal
Mr. James R. Alhand O’62 (’53-54), ofIndianapolis, IN, died September 8.
Fr. Robert L. Dendinger O’75 (’71-75), ofthe Diocese of Toledo, OH, diedSeptember 12.
Sr. Marita Greenwell, OSU SS (’69), anUrsuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph,Maple Mount, KY, died June 21.
Mr. John K. Harwood O’58 (’49-54), ofWakefield, RI, died September 25.
Mr. John J. Hettel O’67 (’55-59), ofVermilion, OH, died May 26, 2005.
Mr. Harold James O’57 (’48-51), ofWashington, IN, died October 5.
Fr. J. Michael Jenkins O’77 (’74-75), ofthe Diocese of Springfield, IL, diedSeptember 21.
Mr. John W. Junius SPH (’45), ofChicago, IL, died October 15, 1996.
Mr. Raymond Kemp O’55 (’43-45), ofVincennes, IN, died July 31.
Mr. Richard Krill O’64 (’56-58), ofToledo, OH, died January 15.
Fr. Donald R. Kunkel O’67 (’66-67), aGlenmary Missionary, Cincinnati, OH,died October 2.
Mr. Robert M. Marks Sr. O’54 (’42-43),of Indianapolis, IN, died August 29.
Sr. Margaret Mary Mattingly, CP S (’92,’93), of the Passionist Monastery inOwensboro, KY, died May 10.
Mr. John J. Mazelin O’44 (’27-39), ofIndianapolis, IN, died September 19, 1999.
Mr. Leon R. McKenzie O’58 (’48-49), ofGreenwood, IN, died September 8.
Mr. Donald Merkley O’70 (’59-60), ofAnna, IL, died October 4.
Mr. George J. Steger O’66 (’57-60), ofHolland, OH, died October 7.
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Mr. Robert Verkamp O’59 (’47-50), ofJasper, IN, died August 2.
Mr. Albert J. Wessel O’61 (’49-50), ofJasper, IN, died July 20.
Saint Meinrad’s annual Alumni Phonathongives students on the Hill–as well as someof the monks–an opportunity they wouldn’tnormally have: to talk with alumni andfriends from all over the country.
“The phonathon is one of the final phasesof the Alumni Annual Giving Program,”says Associate Director of Annual GivingJohn Huether O’78, who organizes theevent. “It’s an occasion where we canthank alumni and friends of SaintMeinrad directly for their past generosityand to ask for their continued support.”The phonathon also gives alumni achance to hear from a current student ormonk and get a firsthand update onwhat’s happening on the Hill.
This will be the 18th annual phonathonand the third consecutive year the entirestudent body will participate. For XavierRaj, a second-year theology student fromPalayamkottai, India, last year’s phonathonwas enjoyable. “It was a wonderfulexperience to be in contact with so manypeople. I was happy to help Saint Meinradin this way and show my gratitude.”
“Our callers often enjoy meaningfulconversations with alumni who are eagerto hear from their alma mater, sharestories and offer feedback,” says Huether.
Gifts to the phonathon make possibleclassroom instruction, spiritual formation,ministry opportunities, library resources,upkeep of buildings and grounds,wellness activities and many other day-to-day operations.
The phonathon takes place duringFebruary and March. Calls will be madeto alumni on six evenings. Two othernights will be for calling friends of SaintMeinrad.
Phonathonkeeps alumniconnected
Skeptical aboutFacebook? There aresome commonmisconceptions aboutFacebook, but if used
effectively, Facebook can be a beneficialresource for Saint Meinrad alumni.
In general, Facebook allows anyonearound the world to post updates as theyhappen. Here are a few ways to useFacebook as an alumnus of Saint Meinrad:
• Connect with friends and classmatesthrough wall posts, messages, familyand parish pictures, travel plans, sharing resources and countless other social expressions.
• Join or, in Facebook terms, “like” our alumni page at www.facebook.com/SaintMeinradAlumni to read and post job updates,new parish or diocesan assignments,accolades about yourself or your classmates, death notices, anniversaryannouncements or pictures, prayer requests, resource sharing and other ideas we haven’t even thought about.
• Check back regularly. Almost daily, we post about something going on around the Hill or an update on an alumnus. It’s a chance to reconnect with Saint Meinrad virtually if you’re not able to make it back for a retreat, reunion or visit. (Maybe you’ll read something on the Facebook page that sparks your interest to return!)
Consider giving Facebook a try. It’s afree way to stay in touch with yourclassmates and keep your Saint Meinradspirit burning brightly.
If you have questions about how to createan account or connect to our alumniFacebook page at facebook.com/SaintMeinradAlumni, please [email protected] or call ouroffice at (800) 682-0988, and ask for TimHerrmann. Happy posting!
Haven’t triedFacebook?3 ways to getstarted
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Rebirth on the HillBy Deacon Ken Johanning
Deacon KenJohanningPDP’05, ofJasper, IN, is amember of theAlumniAssociation Boardof Directors.
Serving on theAlumni Board has
made me aware that various alumnigroups have far different emotions whenthey return for visits to Saint Meinrad.Graduates of the lay degree programsmay or may not have had a residentialexperience on the Hill. They tend to havefar different memories of Saint Meinradthan the “traditional” alumni do.
The “traditional” alumni had years toform strong friendships and experiencedshared “adventures.” As a graduate of thePermanent Deacon Program, I spent justone week at Saint Meinrad for intensivehomiletics training. The rest of ourcourses were taught on location in thediocese by Saint Meinrad instructors.
Different experiences create differentmemories, and the memories have a lot todo with our emotions when we return.However, I believe there is one emotionthat is a constant for all returning alumni,and that is a feeling of being reborn.There is something about the place thatre-energizes, that calms, that puts otherthings into perspective and makes youfeel closer to God.
Jesus told Nicodemus that we need to bereborn, reborn in the Spirit so that we canenter the Kingdom of God. Somehow,Saint Meinrad brings about a rebirth forall alumni. I am sure even visitors sharethis experience.
Being “reborn” is a symbol for much ofwhat I see happening on the Hill. You see
it happening with the constructionprojects that are renewing Newman andSt. Bede halls. Originally built forparticular purposes, they are being rebornto serve the needs of a changinginstitution.
These buildings are physical examples ofrebirth, but the more important “rebirth”is seen in the mission of Saint Meinrad.In addition to priesthood formation andthe lay degree and permanent deaconprograms, Saint Meinrad has initiated asummer youth program, “One Bread, OneCup,” and the Institute for Priests andPresbyterates, and an ecclesial layministry certificate program. The Hill isindeed being “born again” to serve theneeds of our changing Church, and itcontinues to offer “rebirth” to all of uswho in any way call ourselves alumni.
Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How cananyone be born after having grown old?”Jesus’ response indicated that the answerhad a lot to do with the Spirit. Theexperience of the Spirit’s power renewingus when we visit Saint Meinrad is thecommon emotion that joins all of us,whatever type of alumni we are.
AlumniColumn
Deacon Ken Johanning
Save thedate.
April 12, 2012Lincoln Hills
Alumni & Friends Dinner
April 23, 2012Alumni Board Meeting
ARCHBISHOP Cont. from page 16
took a solemn profession as a Benedictinemonk nearly 50 years ago.
Archbishop Daniel served as president-rector of Saint Meinrad School ofTheology, and later Saint MeinradCollege, from 1971 to 1987. At that time,he was appointed bishop of the Dioceseof Memphis. He served there until hisappointment to the Indianapolisarchdiocese in 1992.
Some old favorites and a look at newrenovations will be among the choices foralumni attending the 2012 AlumniReunion on July 23-25. The summergathering will mark the 84th time thatSaint Meinrad classmates have returnedto the Hill to reconnect and renewfriendships.
The schedule of events will include a golfscramble; day of recollection; workshops;banquet honoring the 10th, 25th, 40th and50th anniversary classes; an alumni Masswith Bishop Charles Thompson T’87(’83-87) of the Diocese of Evansvillepresiding; and various opportunities forsocializing.
Alumni will also get their firstopportunity to tour the just-renovated St.Bede Hall, which should be completedthis summer. The $8 million project ismaking space available for the Institutefor Priests and Presbyterates, conferencerooms, a new chapel and guest rooms.
Reunion datesset for July 23-25
Also at thereunion, the SaintMeinrad AlumniAssociation willbestow theDistinguishedAlumnus Awardon Fr. DonaldWolf O’81 (’75-81) of theArchdiocese ofOklahoma Cityand BernardNiehaus O’63(’51-54) ofVincennes, IN.
The next issue ofthe newsletterwill include aspecial insertabout the Alumni
Reunion that outlines the full program ofevents, along with registrationinformation.
Details will also be available on thewebsite, http://alumni.saintmeinrad.edu,and the alumni Facebook page,www.facebook.com/SaintMeinradAlumni
Fr. Donald Wolf
Bernard Niehaus
AlumniNews
Mr. William J. Barrett O’78 (’70-74), ofSt. Louis, MO, had his translation of the13th-century text of St. Francis ofAssisi’s Canticle of the Creaturesreprinted in the book, Brother Sun, SisterMoon, published by Handprint Books,2011. He also co-edited Kodachrome Endof the Run, Photographs from the FinalBatches, Webster University Press, 2011.Some of his photographs have also beenpublished in All is Grace: A Biography ofDorothy Day, Orbis Books, 2011.
Mr. Ben W. Blanton O’82 (’74-76), ofIndianapolis, IN, has been cited as aBaker & Daniels Indianapolis Lawyer ofthe Year 2011.
Rev. David L. Brindle O’76 (’69-75, ’99),formerly of Goldsboro, NC, now is pastorof Friends Memorial Church, Muncie, IN.
Mr. R. Michael Braun L’09 (’05-08, ’08-11), of Indianapolis, IN, is the pastoralassociate for St. Simon the ApostleParish.
Mr. Bernard Cissell T’05 (’00-02) is nowin a pre-novitiate program with the Orderof St. Augustine, in Chicago, IL.
Fr. Daniel Dillard T’09 (’04-09), of theDiocese of Owensboro, KY, associatepastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church inHopkinsville, jumped from a plane nearChicago, IL, in tandem with an experiencedskydiver, as a part of a recent vacation.
Fr. Tung Minh Do C’99 (’95-97), of theArchdiocese of Louisville, KY, isteaching at Sacred Heart School ofTheology, Hales Corner, WI.
Mr. Brian C. Doyle C’95 (’92-95),Middletown, OH, and his wife Donna hadtheir sixth child, Juliana Mae, on May 28,2011.
Mr. Brian Dunne T’97 (’95-97) isteaching religion and language arts at St.Aloysius School in Bowling Green, OH.
Mr. Joseph E. Fey T’89 (’81-83, ’85-87,’94-96) is the director of faith formationfor the Church of the Epiphany in PortOrange, FL.
Fr. James E. Flynn O’55 (’51-55), retiredpriest of the Archdiocese of Louisville,KY, continues to be involved in humanrights advocacy programs such asWitness for Peace, in particular forrefugees of El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Msgr. G. Patrick Garrity O’76 (’67-71,’73-76), of the Diocese of Knoxville, TN,was invested with the papal honors,Chaplain to his Holiness, at a Vespersservice October 9, in Sacred HeartCathedral, with Bishop Richard Stikapresiding.
Dr. Matthew A. Gaumer L’08 (’06-07)was commissioned a second lieutenant inthe U.S. Army on February 10, 2011, andis a mobility officer with the 7th CivilSupport Command in Kaiserslautern,Germany. He was deployed for OperationImmediate Response 11 in Croatia duringJune 2011. On July 6, he received theLicentiate in Sacred Theology fromKatholieke Universiteit, Leuven,Belgium. He participated in the 95thVierdaagse Mega-March, July 19-22, inthe Netherlands with a distance of 100km, for which he earned the Royal DutchArmy Four Days Cross. He hopes tocomplete requirements for a PhD inecclesiastical history at KatholiekeUniversiteit Leuven by May 12, 2012.
Fr. Richard M. Ginther O’76 (’68-74), ofthe Archdiocese of Indianapolis, onAugust 1 began a nearly four-monthsabbatical made possible by a grant fromLilly Endowment Inc. and its 2011Clergy Renewal Program for IndianaCongregations. His program included a10-day pilgrimage to Greece and Turkeyfollowing in the footsteps of St. Paul.
Fr. Robert C. Groher O’66 (’60-66, ’75),of the Diocese of Green Bay, WI, thoughretired from active duty, continues hisapostolate of preaching on behalf of Foodfor the Poor, a Florida-based charity thatraises money for the poor in 16 countries.He is currently working on a doctorate incounseling psychology.
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Fr. G. Robert Gross T’07 (’03-04), of theArchdiocese of Dubuque, IA, is associatepastor of Nativity Parish in Dubuque andvice-rector of St. Pius X Seminary ofLoras College. He is also associatedirector of seminarians.
Mr. Donald J. Hale C’84 (’80-84), ofOrlando, FL, is the director of giftplanning for the University of CentralFlorida Foundation.
Msgr. Joseph E. Semancik O’53(’47-53) has been granted seniorpriest status by the Most Rev. DaleMelczek, bishop of the Diocese ofGary.
Msgr. Semancik has served atparishes in Hammond, East Chicagoand Gary. Since 1974, he has beenassigned to Sacred Heart Parish,East Chicago. He began work withCatholic Charities in 1960 and heldthe position of its diocesan directorfrom 1962 to 1998.
Named a monsignor in 1984, he haswritten articles on CatholicCharities and Slovaks in Indiana. Hehas taught and lectured at severalinstitutions and continues to serveon a number of church andcommunity boards.
Msgr. Semancik has served as adean, consultor, vicar and memberof the Priests’ Council within thediocese.
15
Dr. Rein Bos presented the John S. and VirginiaMarten Lecture in Homiletics on October 4.
Mr. Robert Henson L’05 (’02-04), ofEvansville, IN, is now the executivedirector of resource development for IvyTech in Evansville. He is responsible forfundraising in the Southwest Indianaregion.
Sr. Mary Beth Klingel, SP S (’05-06) andSr. Lisa Stallings, SP L’10 (’06-10), of theSisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN, were among the newgeneral officers of the community whotook their oaths of office on September10 during a Mass in the congregation’sChurch of the Immaculate Conception.
Mr. Stephen A. McCallister O’75 (’67-71), of Evansville, IN, is the director ofliturgy for St. Mary Church.
Deacon John W. McMullen T’91 (’85-90,’99, ’05-09) was recognized August 4 forhaving completed 20 years of teaching atMater Dei High School, Evansville, IN.
Fr. Michael J. Miller O’72 (’60-68), of theDiocese of Monterey, CA, is currentlyteaching at St. Patrick’s Seminary, MenloPark, CA.
Fr. Joseph M. Pawlowski O’73 (’65-69),of the Diocese of Gary, IN, is the vicargeneral of the diocese in addition to hisresponsibilities as dean of the Porter-Starke Deanery and pastor of St. PaulParish in Valparaiso.
Fr. Samuel Russell, OSB O’79 (’73-75), ofConception Abbey, Conception, MO, waselected president of the NationalAssociation of College Seminaries in June.
Mr. George F. Simons O’63 (’55-57), ofMandelieu-La Napoule, France, isfounder of George Simons International,a virtual consulting network specializingin intercultural communication and globalmanagement. He is one of the foundingmembers and an associate director ofDiversophy France.
Fr. J. Mark Spalding C’87 (’83-87), of theArchdiocese of Louisville, KY, is thevicar general of the Archdiocese. He isalso pastor of Holy Trinity Church there.
Dr. Darren T. Sroufe C’90 (’86-90, ’97-01), of Evansville, IN, along with 58others, worked the phones at an event inAugust to raise funds for the local
Muscular Dystrophy Association. Over$50,000 was pledged.
Mr. Joseph D. Stephens O’68 (’60-64), ofTucson, AZ, is the administrator of CrisisResponse Network of Southern Arizonain Tucson.
Dr. Melanie-Prejean Sullivan T’03 (’00-03), is director of campus ministry atBellarmine University, Louisville, KY.Her program “Whispers, Nudges and aCouple of Kicks,” which teachesdiscernment to students in courses and onretreats, was awarded an HonorableMention Exemplary Award by theCatholic Campus Ministry Association.
Mr. Charles S. Thatcher T’88 (’82-87,’07-08) is the director of music for theDiocese of Orlando, FL, and St. JamesCathedral.
Mr. John Verser T’16 (’10-11) is themanaging editor of The Port LavacaWave semi-weekly newspaper in PortLavaca, TX.
Fr. Mark J. Vyverman C’88 (’84-88), ofthe Diocese of Kalamazoo, MI, is thepastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church inBattle Creek.
Mr. David E. Wathen O’75 (’67-71) wasrecognized for 40 years of teaching indiocesan schools in the Diocese ofEvansville, 27 of those years at Mater DeiHigh School in Evansville, IN.
Four bishops attended a conference at Saint Meinrad on October 25 to discuss and recommend vitalconversations for bishops to have with seminarians and newly ordained priests. From left are Most Rev.James Tamayo, Diocese of Laredo; Most Rev. Christopher Coyne, Archdiocese of Indianapolis; MostRev. Timothy Doherty, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana; and Most Rev. Michael Hoeppner, Diocese ofCrookston.
Participants in the National Catholic Youth Conference visit Saint Meinrad’s “One Bread,One Cup” booth. See more photos at www.saintmeinrad.edu/ncyc
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Following announcement of his retirement, Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, OSB, (left) talks withFr. Bill Munshower (O’58), a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Photo by Mary AnnGarber, The Criterion.
Archbishop Daniel Buechlein granted early retirement
The Most Rev. Daniel Buechlein, OSBO’64 (’52-64), archbishop of theArchdiocese of Indianapolis, steppeddown as the leader of the 225,000Catholics in central and southern Indiana
on September 21. His request for earlyretirement was granted by Pope BenedictXVI.
Archbishop Daniel has led theArchdiocese of Indianapolis since his
appointment by the late Pope John PaulII on July 14, 1992.
Pope Benedict appointed thearchdiocese’s auxiliary bishop, BishopChristopher J. Coyne, as the apostolicadministrator. He will govern thearchdiocese until a new archbishop isnamed.
Archbishop Daniel, 73, requested theretirement due to health issues resultingfrom a stroke he suffered on March 19,2011. Normal retirement age for bishopsis 75.
The stroke was the latest in a series ofhealth issues for Archbishop Daniel inrecent years, including a battle withHodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008 thatrequired several months of chemotherapyand radiation treatments.
In his retirement, Archbishop Danielreturned to the Saint Meinrad monasteryand rejoined the community where he
