Heart & Soul: Norbertines and St. Norbert College Share Charisms, Values

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of Abbey Magazine (pages 4-5)

By Gina Sanders Larsen and Judy Turba

(L-R) Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem. (front), Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., President Brian Bruess, Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem., Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. (standing), Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem.
(L-R) Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem. (front), Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., President Brian Bruess, Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem., Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. (standing), Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem.

They exist on opposite sides of the Fox River in De Pere, Wisconsin, but the unwavering bond between the Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey and St. Norbert College is strong and unambiguous. A new college president, a re-energized campus parish, and an innovative first-year student experience illustrate the institutions’ steadfast connection, “to be of one mind and one heart on the way to God” (The Rule of St. Augustine).

With a warm and gracious greeting, Fr. James Baraniak, O. Praem., and Judy Turba met with Brian Bruess, recently named president of St. Norbert College (SNC), after his first month in office. During their time together, this most impressive 1990 SNC graduate shared thoughts about his journey, his vision for the college, and its connection to the Norbertine community, as well as what it means to come home.

Being an alum, I believe the stakes are higher for me as I serve in this role as president because St. Norbert College is not only a place I love but also a place that formed me.

—Brian Bruess

Brian Bruess, Ph.D., 50, eighth president of St. Norbert College, is only the second alumnus ever to serve in this role; Fr. Dennis Burke, O. Praem., was the first, and the similarities are striking. “Fr. Burke also followed an exceptional leader, Abbot (Bernard) Pennings, the founder of St. Norbert College,” said Bruess. “I, too, am following an outstanding and tremendously successful leader, Tom (Thomas) Kunkel. Needless to say, their extraordinary leadership is both intimidating and inspiring.” In fact, the year Bruess was born, Fr. Burke was retiring. Bruess remembers vividly from his years at the college a painting of Fr. Burke walking across the campus with then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. “The image has stayed with me all of these years.”

Bruess’ excitement is palpable and contagious. He realizes he is inheriting the helm of one of the top-ranked Catholic liberal arts colleges in the country. “Being an alum, I believe the stakes are higher for me because St. Norbert College is not only a place I love but also a place that formed me. Here I began to contemplate a career in higher education through the encouragement of faculty and administrators. I have had opportunities to serve elsewhere, but I honestly feel called here. It’s my vocation.”

Bruess shared his deep commitment to the college’s mission: “St. Norbert College, a Catholic liberal arts college embracing the Norbertine ideal of communio, provides an educational environment that fosters intellectual, spiritual, and personal development.” The mission statement emphatically stresses the tripartite—Catholic, Norbertine, liberal arts—all of which are inseparable and equally important. “This is the only Norbertine college in the world, and society has never needed St. Norbert College graduates more than now. The charism here is rich and powerful, distinctive and transformational.” Through regular meetings with the abbot and members of the abbot’s council, he will envision with the Norbertine community how best to sustain this mission. “I feel significantly responsible to represent Norbertine values and ensure that these values are woven within all aspects of our education.”

Given Bruess’ experience in higher education, his highly regarded expertise, commitment to Norbertine values, and passion for his alma mater—the sky is the limit. He is ready to serve.

Meet Brian Bruess, SNC College President and Alumnus

President Brian Bruess
President Brian Bruess

President Brian Bruess received bachelor of arts degrees in sociology and psychology from St. Norbert College with master’s and doctoral degrees from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. He most recently served at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, as executive vice president and chief operating officer. During his 21-year tenure there, he also was involved with enrollment management, finance, student affairs, and information technology. Bruess and his wife, Carol, also a 1990 graduate of St. Norbert College and most recently professor of communication and journalism at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, have two children: Gracie, a high school senior, and Tony, a Stanford University senior.

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Heart & Soul: Gateway Seminar for First-Year Students Teaches Norbertine History and Values

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 7)

By Gina Sanders Larsen and Judy Turba

Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem. (left), and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., visit with students who learn about the history and mission of St. Norbert of Xanten and St. Norbert College through the Gateway Seminar.
Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem. (left), and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., visit with students who learn about the history and mission of St. Norbert of Xanten and St. Norbert College through the Gateway Seminar.

The inaugural Gateway Seminar for all incoming first-year St. Norbert College (SNC) students is in full swing. The seminar is a recently established graduation requirement; the new students gather once or twice a week during the fall semester in 22 small groups, each led by a three-person teaching team, typically comprised of two staff members and an upperclass student. The diverse teaching teams are charged with introducing the young adults to the history and mission of St. Norbert of Xanten and St. Norbert College. They also help new SNC students acclimate to college life and become familiar with one another and with faculty, staff, and Norbertines on campus who can assist them with their questions or concerns.

“St. Norbert College has had a first-year experience program for a long time, but it’s only this year when it became mandatory, which allows us to increase the number of sessions, deepen the content, and specifically educate our students on our history and mission,” said Fr. Jay Fostner, O. Praem., Ph.D., vice president for mission and student affairs at SNC. “Research demonstrates that first-year experience courses increase retention, help students bond with the institution, and create positive and deeper relationships between students, faculty, and staff.”

Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem., and Norbertine Associate Ellen Mommaerts, director of the Norbertine Volunteer Community, are each members of Gateway teaching teams. As young men in formation for the priesthood, Frater Turba and Frater Tran are often on campus. Fr. Brennan, SNC vocation coordinator, is also active in the College of Chaplains at SNC (see “Heart & Soul: College of Chaplains Returns to Campus, St. Norbert College Parish”).

“It’s become my new normal to have people approach me and ask questions about the priesthood,” Frater Turba said, especially considering that he is always wearing his white Norbertine habit. “If that’s the one thing that comes of our participation in Gateway— students engaging us in conversation—I think it’s wonderful. We are proof that St. Norbert is not just a man who lived 900 years ago, but through his ‘sons’ is still a living, breathing presence on our campus today.”

Frater Tran first came to the United States from Vietnam as a high school foreign exchange student. His American grandfather is an SNC graduate, and that connection led Frater Tran to attend and graduate from SNC with a business degree before joining the order. “It really does take a village to live and grow,” he said. “I rely on many others to help guide me, and now I help new students make connections that will help them discover new
people and ideas.”

The 2017-2018 SNC first-year class is comprised of 542 students from 13 states and eight countries. “We have abbeys around the world, and Norbertines are an international order. Here we strive to create a campus community that is diverse and welcoming,” said Fr. Fostner. “The Gateway Seminar helps us nurture a community where learning happens within the context of our rich Catholic, Norbertine, and liberal arts traditions.”

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Heart & Soul: College of Chaplains Returns to Campus, St. Norbert College Parish

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 6)

By Gina Sanders Larsen and Judy Turba

(L-R) Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., Fr. Andrew Ciferni, O. Praem., and Fr. Jay Fostner, O. Praem., are part of the College of Chaplains at St. Norbert College.
(L-R) Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., Fr. Andrew Ciferni, O. Praem., and Fr. Jay Fostner, O. Praem., are part of the College of Chaplains at St. Norbert College.

The College of Chaplains at St. Norbert College (SNC) was reestablished in late 2016 after several years of relying on one or two ordained Norbertines to lead the campus parish, St. Norbert College Parish. According to Fr. Jay Fostner, O. Praem., Ph.D., vice president for mission and student affairs at SNC, the College of Chaplains affords many more ordained Norbertines the opportunity to participate in the liturgical life of campus while they simultaneously fulfill their regular full-time duties as teachers, students, professors, priest celebrants, administrators, chaplains, and parish priests. “Years ago, students saw a lot more white robes on campus than in recent times. In a sense, the reintroduction of the College of Chaplains is a revival of that tradition.”

To reinstitute the College of Chaplains, permanent Deacon Kevin DeCleene was named full-time pastoral leader of St. Norbert College Parish last fall. He reports to Fr. Fostner, priest moderator. The two men coordinate the participation of several ordained Norbertines in the lives of yearround and student parish members. Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., and Fr. Andrew Ciferni, O. Praem., will be most active in the College of Chaplains, and are assisted by other Norbertine priests. Together with the five-member staff of the SNC Emmaus Center for Spiritual Life and Vocation, “we’ve already begun to experience renewed energy from Kevin’s enthusiastic leadership. Between the many Norbertines on campus and our talented 70-member staff in the entire division of mission and student affairs, there is such diversity of voices and personalities,” Fr. Fostner said.

St. Norbert College Parish exists to serve the spiritual and liturgical needs of the college’s 2700 students, faculty, and staff, the majority of whom are Catholic. In addition, the parish boasts approximately 415 households in year-round membership. “Our goal is to ensure the college feeds the parish and the parish feeds the college,” Fr. Fostner said. “The plan is working.”

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Green Bay Packers Honor Norbertine for 6,000+ Hours of Service

Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem., reflects in the cemetery of St. Norbert Abbey.

Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem.

Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem.
Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem.

The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey is proud to announce that Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem., is the recipient of the 2017 Green Bay Packers Give Back Award (senior category). This award honors volunteers who exemplify:

  • leadership,
  • dedication,
  • creativity, and
  • a commitment to improving the communities in which they live through volunteerism.

Fr. De Groot, co-founder of Casa ALBA Melanie Hispanic Community Resource Center for Green Bay (Casa ALBA Melanie), has volunteered 1,200 hours annually for the past five years, working tirelessly to raise funds for this organization.

Hopefully, our work at Casa ALBA Melanie helps move our community to work more closely together for the good and benefit of all.

–Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem.

Casa ALBA Melanie nurtures the well-being and wholesome development of all members of the Hispanic community in the Green Bay area. It serves as a hub for information and referral, bringing together persons seeking assistance with service providers in the community.

Regarding this award, Fr. De Groot shared:

Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem. (right) receives the Green Bay Packers Give Back Award (senior category) from Mark Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Green Bay Packers
Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem. (right) receives the Green Bay Packers Give Back Award (senior category) from Mark Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Green Bay Packers

“While I appreciate this honor very much as well as the recognition for Casa ALBA Melanie, this work is not something extraordinary as I believe we are all called to minister to the poor and needy in whatever situation we find ourselves.

This is at the heart of the Gospel message and I have been afforded this opportunity which also brings me much satisfaction as well as growth in my understanding of diversity and other cultures. We are all equal and deserve the respect and love of everyone.

I have been very much influenced by the numerous people who are associated with Casa ALBA Melanie and who give of their time and talents for the success of this ministry. Hopefully, our work at Casa ALBA Melanie helps move our community to work more closely together for the good and benefit of all.”

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Norbertine Dissertation Draws National Attention

Fr. John Tourangeau, O. Praem.
Fr. John Tourangeau, O. Praem.

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 20)

Fr. John Tourangeau, O. Praem., recently earned a Ph.D. in Organization Development from Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois.

In addition to completing his dissertation on clergy sexual abuse, an academic paper based on his dissertation was approved for presentation at the Midwest Academy of Management (Organization Development track) with a “Best Paper” nomination and an invitation to speak at a Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) gathering, both in October 2017.

For more information or to request a copy of his dissertation, contact john.tourangeau@snc.edu.

New Norbertine Associate President “Thankful for the Opportunity to Serve”

Nancy Jakups
Nancy Jakups

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 17)

In August 2017, Nancy Jakups was elected president of the Norbert Associates of St. Norbert Abbey, assuming the role from previous president Michael Hermans.

As residents of De Pere, Nancy and her husband Steve are no strangers to the Norbertine community. In addition to being Norbertine Associates since 2012, they are long-time parishioners at St. Norbert College Parish, liturgical ministers at the abbey, and actively involved at St. Norbert College, where Steve serves as senior director of campus safety.

Nancy is thankful for the opportunity to serve. She is looking forward to raising awareness about who the Norbertine Associates are and what they do, and increasing the community outreach and service they provide on behalf of the abbey and the Norbertines—all while providing servant leadership to a faithful and fun-filled group of associates.

On a personal note, Nancy spends her days working in operations management at Foth, an engineering and consulting firm in De Pere. In her free time she enjoys sports, spontaneous road trips, and spending time with family and friends.

For More Information

Get to know the Norbertine Associates of St. Norbert Abbey! If you feel called to became a Norbertine Associate of St. Norbert Abbey, e-mail usinquire, or apply online.


Young Adult Catholic Book Study

As seen in the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of Abbey Magazine (page 13)

By Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem.

Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem., leads a book discussion.
Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem., leads a book discussion.

In his talk at the 2010 Religious Education Congress in Los Angeles, Fr. Robert Barron (now Bishop Barron) shared a story about a visit he made to his brother’s house. One day, after his niece came home from school—one of the elite Catholic high schools in Chicago—Fr. Barron couldn’t help but notice her pile of textbooks on the kitchen table: Shakespeare’s Hamlet for her English class, Virgil’s Aeneid for her Latin class, and a tome of complex equations for her advanced physics class. He rummaged through the books in amazement, proud of his niece’s sophistication and intelligence. After moving a few books aside, however, his heart quickly sank. Underneath some of the greatest works of Western civilization was a paperback book full of large, simple print and colorful cartoon pictures—she was using a comic book for her religion class.

Bishop Barron’s story about his niece’s textbooks is familiar to many young adults, including me. Many of us grew up with these religious “comic books” in our Christian formation courses, leaving us unaware of the richness, depth, and beauty of the Christian tradition. Until recently, I had never heard of great Christian novelists or storytellers like Flannery O’Connor or Leo Tolstoy. I had not read the Christology of St. Athanasius of Alexandria or the mystical theology of St. Bonaventure. I did not know that theology had been brought to critically acclaimed films, like Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. In other words, I was unaware that Catholicism had a vibrant, intelligent, and colorful culture that not only passed on the faith in nuanced and sophisticated ways, but also was compelling and enjoyable!

Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem.
Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem.

After our exciting discovery of the vibrancy of Catholic culture, and recognizing the importance of sharing it with other young adults, Adam Horn (director of religious education at St. Bernard Parish, Green Bay) and I decided to start a book club for young adults ages 21-39 at St. Norbert Abbey. During the summer of 2016, we kicked off the group with a Facebook page simply called: “Young Adult Catholic Book Study: Green Bay, WI.” In September of 2016, we read our first work, Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkien, with about eight members. After our first event, the book club started to grow. As of August 2017, our Facebook group has 70 members with as many as 18 participants at each discussion.

The fruits of our little book study are many: we have built community; we have read, watched, and discussed several great books and films; we’ve learned much and become “more cultured” along the way. Most importantly, however, we’ve become better at articulating and appreciating our faith. This was the impetus behind Fr. Barron’s story of his niece’s textbooks: to encourage young people to read the great books of the Christian tradition so that they might better understand, preach, teach, defend, celebrate, and thus communicate our faith. We believe that this book club is helping young adults in Green Bay accomplish these goals.

Join Us

If you are a young adult interested in learning to better communicate your faith, simply search “Young Adult Catholic Book Study: Green Bay, WI” on Facebook and join our group. We would love to read, discuss, and journey with you!

Selections from Ongoing Reading List:

Leaf by Niggle by J.R.R. Tolkein
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
The Death of Ivan Illych by Leo Tolstoy
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick
The Soul’s Journey into God by St. Bonaventure
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Book of Job in the Holy Bible
On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius of Alexandria
The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher
Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment: Preparatory Document for the 2018 Synod on Young People by the Synod of Bishops
Everything that Rises Must Converge by Flannery O’Connor

 

 

Rev. Roman Robert Vanasse, O. Praem.

December 8, 1930 – October 7, 2017

Fr. Roman Vanasse, O. Praem.
Fr. Roman Vanasse, O. Praem.

Fr. Vanasse, age 86, a member of the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey and a Norbertine priest, passed into God’s Eternal Kingdom on October 7, 2017, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

Fr. Vanasse was born on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1930, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Armand and Dora (Michaud) Vanasse. His home parish was Notre Dame De Lourdes Parish, Fall River.

He received a B.A. degree in philosophy from St. Norbert College (SNC) in 1957.

Upon entering St. Norbert Abbey, he was vested as a novice on August 28, 1954. He professed Simple Vows on August 28, 1956, Solemn Vows on August 28, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 1, 1960.

After graduating from SNC, Fr. Vanasse earned his S.T.D. in Systematic Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy; studied Biblical Languages in Chicago and Jerusalem; and completed two years of study at the Biblical Institute in Rome. Subsequently, he served as Novice Master at St. Norbert Abbey and then became a tenured professor of theology and director of the M.A. program at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. From 1984 to 1988, he was National Secretary for Education with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in New York City. In 1988, he accepted a Vatican appointment as International Chaplain for Aid to the Church in Need at its headquarters in Germany. In 1996, he was appointed Administrator of the Canonry of Tepl-Obermedlingen-Mananthavady (Germany and India). In 1998, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of SNC. In 2002, he was appointed Administrator of the Norbertine Community at St. Joseph’s Priory in Queen’s Park, Western Australia, until 2005. He retired in 2006 and resided at St. Norbert Abbey.

Fr. Vanasse is survived by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey; one sister, Claire Mersey; and a brother, Richard “Jim” Mayette.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armand and Dora Vanasse, and a sister, Rita Jepsen.

Arrangements

Lauds of the Dead will be celebrated at the Church of St. Norbert Abbey at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 16, 2017.

Visitation will follow Lauds, and will continue throughout the day in the abbey Chapter Room until 3:45 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial, expressing our faith and hope in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, will be held in the abbey church at 4 p.m.; the Rt. Rev. Gary J. Neville, O. Praem., abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, will serve as principal celebrant; the Rt. Rev. Eugene Hayes, O. Praem., abbot of St. Michael’s Abbey in Santa Anna, California, will offer the homily at the concelebrated funeral liturgy.

Burial will follow immediately in the St. Norbert Abbey Cemetery.

Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is in charge of the arrangements.

Canons on the Run: Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.

Canons on the RunFr. Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., are co-hosts of Canons on the Run, a biweekly Norbertine podcast from St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Frater Jordan and Frater Johnathan are commonly mistaken for one another. Hosting a podcast together seemed like the perfect opportunity for the world to get to know them both as individuals—or perhaps just add to the list of their similarities.

Both avid runners, Frater Jordan and Frater Johnathan tend to discuss a variety subjects on their runs together, especially topics that revolve around their years in priestly formation as fraters (seminarians).

Frater Jordan is a deep-thinker and constant ruminator. He has a patient, listening ear, and deep love for the beauty of the Catholic faith.

"Canons on the Run" podcast hosts Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem. (left), and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.
Canons on the Run podcast hosts Fr. Jordan Neeck, O. Praem. (left), and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.

Frater Johnathan is a self-acclaimed “out-loud thinker.” He has an eagerness to delve into the deep questions of life and doesn’t shy away from any conversation with anyone.

With Frater Jordan’s philosophical questioning and Frater Johnathan’s penchant for thinking out-loud, you’ve got the making of a fascinating podcast.

We invite you to listen to Canons on the Run as they share their call to conversion as Norbertines. Through insight, wisdom, and a bit of abbey humor, experience the Norbertine environment in which they live and the faith they love to share.

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  • Eyes fixed on Jesus
    By Jenny Snarski
    February 9, 2018
    Superior Catholic Herald
    Diocese of Superior

Welcome Home Brian Bruess, Ph.D.

(L-R) Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem. (front), Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., President Brian Bruess, Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem., Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. (standing), Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem.

(L-R) Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem. (front), Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., President Brian Bruess, Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem., Fr. James Herring, O. Praem. (standing), Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem.

President. Alumnus. Friend.

President Brian Bruess
President Brian Bruess

The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey congratulates Brian Bruess, Ph.D., on the occasion of his inauguration as the eighth president of St. Norbert College.

In the News

Heart & Soul: Norbertines and St. Norbert College Share Charisms, Values
By Gina Sanders Larsen and Judy Turba
Fall/Winter 2017 (pages 4-5)
Abbey Magazine

MHS alum named college president
Bruess heads St. Norbert, considered a top Catholic liberal arts colleges in US
October 26, 2017
The Monroe Times

Highlights From Inauguration, Heritage Week and Homecoming 2017
October 16, 2017
St. Norbert College (YouTube)

St. Norbert College holds inauguration for new president, Brian J. Bruess
October 11, 2017
The Green Bay Press-Gazette

Inauguration Day for new St. Norbert College president
October 11, 2017
FOX 11

Inauguration of new St. Norbert College president takes place Oct. 11
October 5, 2017
The Compass

The Inauguration of Brian Bruess Eighth President of St. Norbert College
September 21, 2017
St. Norbert College

Presidential Inauguration
St. Norbert College

Inauguration ceremonies set for new St. Norbert president
FOX 11

Livestream

St. Norbert College is streaming the inauguration ceremony live at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

Watch live (YouTube) »


October 11, 2017 — Mass of Celebration

Theme: Fiat Lux (“Let there be light”)