Norbertine Associate Paula Rieder (left) receives the Wisconsin Heroes Award | Photo courtesy Meg Deem, The Volunteer Center of Brown County
On Friday, December 15, 2017, at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality at St. Norbert Abbey, Norbertine Associate Paula Rieder received the Wisconsin Heroes Award, presented by Wisconsin’s First Lady Tonette Walker.
Rieder was recognized as “an individual who is creating real and sustainable change for those experiencing homelessness.”
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.
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During the weekend of July 13-17, 2017, Norbertine Associates from Norbertine abbeys across the country gathered together for their fourth English-speaking conference at St. Norbert College and St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere. Highlights of the event included presentations, discussions, and liturgies, as well as building friendships with fellow associates.
During the weekend of July 13-17, 2017, Norbertine Associates (lay people who espouse Norbertine values and charisms) gathered together at St. Norbert College and St. Norbert Abbey for their fourth national conference. They represented Norbertine abbeys from:
Many of these associates have been together in the past, so it was like picking up exactly where we left off! We shared abbey and personal events that have taken place since our last coming-together. The “new” attendees very quickly joined in! What a great group of people who have very similar visions about our journeys—to become the best Christ-focused people we can be! St. Norbert, himself, is an excellent example for us.
The majority of us lived in one of the St. Norbert College dorms (Michels Hall). That gave us many opportunities to visit, share ideas, and continue to build friendships that will last long beyond the event. Isn’t that the same reason why the Green Bay Packers use the dorms at the college for their training camp?
Early in our planning we discussed with Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem., some possible themes for the gathering. One of his suggestions was to focus on Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ recent letter to all the people of the world. As it turned out, that was an excellent starting point. What a beautiful document that goes well beyond just “another environmental paper.” Pope Francis tells us clearly and beautifully how to care for the world and its entire people!
We had three major presentations regarding Laudato Si. Our presenters included:
Dr. David Poister: “God, Love, and Evolution Moving Forward”
Fr. Andrew Ciferni, O. Praem.: “Laudato Si – Sacramental Aspects”
Fr. Stephen Gaertner, O. Praem., Ph.D.: “Living As If …: Engaging the Ethics and Spirituality of Climate Change Past the Tipping Point”
They each gave us powerful messages that we can use to help us understand and gain new meaning from Laudato Si.
Our time was also spent in liturgies (Mass, common prayer, etc.) at Old St. Joseph Church on the St. Norbert College campus, where we were inundated with the spirit of the Norbertine fathers and Abbot Bernard Pennings, O. Praem., the first abbot of St. Norbert Abbey. We held our sessions in one of the newest buildings, the Gehl-Mulva Science Center. There we sensed the dynamic growth of this Norbertine college! We also gathered at St. Norbert Abbey for more discussions and liturgies. We truly lived in awe of St. Norbert himself and the principles he shared with his “followers.”
Each of our associate groups comes from a different part of our country. Therefore each abbey and region has unique needs and ways to address the principles of Laudato Si.
Those unique needs will be our tasks to address as we return home.
We—individually and as abbey groups—left the gathering with renewed energy and a willingness to address our commitments in forwarding Pope Francis’ dream for a better and more sustainable world … both now and into the future.
Upon planning for this event many months ago, the subject chosen for the conference was of little interest to me. I never did see the big picture. The people that were really into this seemed to have a totally different mindset than I.
As the weekend started, I remained skeptical. But I thought to myself, “I guess I can listen.”
However, with contemplation, prayer, and discussion with my fellow associates, I began to develop a new appreciation of caring for the earth. It has become a moral decision and involves my relationship with God and my neighbor. A whole new light shined on the subject: no matter how small my role, I can do something to help the cause.
The ultimate goal for me is to build relationships with God and my neighbor. More importantly, we see that this may not totally renew the damage done, but our communio-conscious effort can give us all great encouragement for this wonderful creation with which we have been blessed.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the grace of enlightenment, and for bringing me to this weekend of opportunity and fellowship.
Norbertine Associates in the church of St. Norbert Abbey
There is a pervading sense of gratitude filling my heart and spirit for all the careful planning and unending generosity offered by the Norbertines, planning committee, associates of St. Norbert Abbey, and attendees. You welcomed us into your spiritual landscape, your college, your abbey home, and your hearts.
Communio was abundantly evident in our prayer together, in educational sessions, in sharing from minds and hearts, in celebrating, and in widening our “circle of empathy” in our personal, communal, planetary joys, and suffering.
Let us continue to hold all in prayer, and our mother earth, as we journey through life. I will.
Prepare the Way of the Lord:
Imagine profound PEACE.
Live in HARMONY and HOPE.
Be filled with FIRE and the HOLY SPIRIT.
The Scripture readings of the second Sunday of Advent again prove that the Bible prefers to “talk in images.” Today we hear the stories of animals, trees, deserts, mountains, sandals, locusts, wild honey, water, and fire. Each story with its images holds the secret of a deep spiritual reality.
For example, imagine a shoot that sprouts from a stump. With surprise, we see new life—an awakening from what seemed dead. Like the shoot, God’s action comes forth when least expected and when the world is troubled with violent death. But God brings life, love, and light to a dark world.
Could this shoot, this promise of new life, be the story of Christmas?
Also imagine animals that, by instinct, are hostile and aggressive, but now exist in harmony and peace: the lion and the lamb or the leopard and the kid. This reading reminds one of the peaceable kingdom of the Garden of Eden. But our world suffers disorder and war and needs to hear of the proclamation of Psalm 72: “Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.”
Could the coming of this impossible peace be the promise of Christmas?
Then imagine the Glory of Sion, the Holy Mountain, a center for a new world where people of all nations come together. A new exodus where people from north, south, east, and west move as ONE, singing with one accord and with one voice.
Could this harmony among all nations be the invitation of Christmas?
Imagine living in the desert, eating locusts and wild honey. With such discipline and solitude comes the encounter with the true self and with a merciful God. From this desert air, a voice cries out, “Prepare the Way of the Lord.” Indeed the prophet emerges filled with the presence of God and the courage to preach conversion of heart.
Could this desert-solitude help to prepare our hearts for Christmas?
Finally, imagine reaching down and loosening the sandals of a great and gracious person, one who is prophet and Messiah. John the Baptist declares his unworthiness and steps aside to announce “the one who is coming after me.” This one will baptize with FIRE and the HOLY SPIRIT.
Could humility be the path to acceptance of FIRE and the HOLY SPIRIT this Christmas?
Therefore, the readings of this second Sunday of Advent engage our imagination. The images of stumps, animals, mountains, deserts, locusts, wild honey, water, and sandals all hold a deep meaning for our preparation of Christmas. If we listen with open hearts, we may hear the invitation to the awakening of new life, to unbelievable peace, to harmony among nations, and to solitude and humility that show the way to FIRE and the HOLY SPIRIT. May God bless us with these spiritual gifts.
Closing Prayer
We come, dear God, to prepare our minds, hearts, and lives for the celebration of Christmas. Let us imagine profound PEACE. Let us live in HARMONY and HOPE. And, in your mercy, fill us with FIRE and the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.
On November 12, 2016, Dianne made her commitment as a Norbertine Associate of St. Norbert Abbey.
Dianne Wagner
Throughout her lifetime Dianne Wagner has always felt the Norbertine influence. In 1936 her parents worked at WTAQ, one of the Norbertine radio stations located in downtown Green Bay’s Bellin building, assisting her uncle, Fr. James Wagner, O. Praem., who was manager at the time. Dianne was born into St. Willebrord Parish and studied at St. Norbert College, where she later served as alumni director.
“From my youth I always had a yearning for something I didn’t even have a word for: spirituality. As I grew older I became active as much as I was allowed in the various parishes I attended. It still wasn’t enough.”
Eventually, due to personal crises, Dianne admitted that she felt abandoned by God. “I was in a very dark place and questioned all that I had believed in and accomplished.”
After leaving the Catholic Church and being away from De Pere on and off for 30 years, Dianne decided to move back permanently.
“I came home confused spiritually—a bit wounded and at times wondering if God even existed. I needed a refuge. St. Norbert Abbey became a safe place to ask questions without judgment or condemnation. By sharing these feelings with priests I had grown close to, I realized that all of this was a normal part of growing spiritually and that I wasn’t the first to have these questions. I think it was the ‘restlessness’ that St. Augustine shared with his followers.”
Dianne explained that the liturgies at the abbey have connected her with the Church of her childhood, and yet also provide a place for her as an adult to continue to grow spiritually.
“Music has always been an important part of my spiritual life. I was able to cantor at the abbey years ago. For me, it’s the most fulfilling way to pray. Here I feel blessed to be able to join the Norbertines in their daily prayers. The Magnificat brings back my childhood devotion to Mary. She becomes real to me again. And at Sunday Eucharist the Abbey Singers of St. Norbert College perform not only Latin hymns of the past, but also newly composed hymns of today: ‘ever ancient, ever new.’ ”
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night at St. Norbert Abbey
Dianne’s favorite liturgy at the abbey is the Easter Vigil.
“Sitting quietly in the darkness, meditating on the crucifixion, when suddenly the darkness is lit up by a fiery torch, accompanied by the pealing of the abbey bells and the joyful singing of the choir is an incredible spiritual experience.”
For Dianne, the abbey is a place of healing and inclusiveness where all are welcome to share in the blessed life of the Church.
“The abbey—the church, the liturgy, the Norbertine Center for Spirituality, and most of all the priests who have given me loving compassion and support—all became a haven for my heart and spiritual growth, which continues today.”
Numerous statues line the world-famous Charles Bridge in Prague, including St. Norbert (center), St. Wenceslas (“Good King Wenceslas”), and St. Sigismund (Martyr and Duke of Burgundy). Standing below are St. Norbert Abbey’s Norbertine Associate representatives (left to right): Mike Hermans, Marlene Mapes, Sue Pankratz, and Mike Pankratz.
In July 2015, four Norbertine Associates from St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, Wisconsin, joined nearly 50 other Norbertine Associates at the third Norbertine Associate international meeting held at Teplá Abbey in the Czech Republic. The focus of the conference was to learn about Norbertine history and present-day efforts to follow St. Norbert’s work to share Christ’s message with the world.
In a setting filled with rich Norbertine history, they covered topics that included Conversion (Fr. Ambrose Samal, O. Praem., Strahov Abbey, Prague), the Year of Consecrated Life (Abbot General Thomas Handgrätinger, O. Praem.), and Evangelization – Pope Francis’ letter, “The Joy of the Gospel” (Fr. Joseph Serano, O. Praem., Daylesford Abbey, Pennsylvania).
There was plenty of time to contemplate the messages of these presentations. Many insights were gained, as well as the opportunity to pray with and learn from fellow associates from across North America and Europe. While their goals may be the same, the needs of different areas of the world demand different approaches. St. Norbert Abbey’s Norbertine Associates returned home with new ideas and new enthusiasm for assisting their own Norbertine community.
