News & Notes

St. Norbert Abbey news from the past year


Fraters Profess Simple Vows

AUGUST 28, 2025 – During the celebration of the Solemnity of St. Augustine, the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey joined with gathered family members and friends to witness the Profession of Simple Vows of Frater Thomas Madden, O. Praem. (left) and Frater Gabriel McNally, O. Praem. (right) with Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. Having completed their two-year novitiates, Frater Thomas and Frater Gabriel professed Simple Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for a period of three years.


Norbertines donate 100 beds to children

JUNE 27, 2025 – In thanksgiving to God for the blessings of 100 years of Abbey status (1925-2025), the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey donated $25,000 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace to construct 100 beds for children in Brown County.

The De Pere Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace has built and delivered over 2,500 beds to children since its founding in 2021. It is estimated that 5,000 to 8,000 local children are sleeping on couches, floors or sharing beds with siblings or parents.

The Norbertine Community’s donation will fund the completion of 100 beds, including handmade wooden frames, new mattresses, sheets, pillows and blankets or quilts. Volunteers will construct the beds at a special public build event scheduled for mid-September.

Pictured with Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem., during the check presentation are, from left to right, Steve Vermeulen, Dan Vermeulen and T.J. Sorensen of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

For more information about ways you can help support the organization, please visit www.shpbeds.org.


Norbertines donate $100,000 to Freedom House

MARCH 6, 2025 – The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey donated $100,000 to Green Bay-based Freedom House. Joining Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. for the check presentation was (pictured left to right) Steve Schauer, Director of Donor Development; Jenna Robbins, Director of Engagement; and Jen Schmohe, Executive Director.

Through faith and dignity, Freedom House has been dedicated to disrupting the cycle of homelessness and housing instability for families in need by helping them embrace self-worth and obtain stable housing.

“The Norbertines care deeply about the needs of our local community,” Abbot Radecki said. “We are happy to partner with Freedom House to support their goal of getting homeless families back on their feet.”

The Norbertines’ support of Freedom House is part of a special initiative celebrating the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Norbertine Order in France by St. Norbert of Xanten in 1121.

Starting in 2021 and continuing for a total of nine years, annual jubilee grants for $100,000 are being awarded by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey through its Augustine Stewardship Fund. The fund provides grants locally and internationally to non-profit organizations to assist those in need.

Previous jubilee grants were presented to:

* 2021: Jahara Mission Elementary School in India

* 2022: Habitat for Humanity

* 2023: Four local food pantries – Community Pantry of Pulaski, Christian Outreach Food Pantry, Hope Center Pantry, and Manna for Life Ministries

* 2024: N.E.W. Community Clinic

For more information about Freedom House, please visit freedomhousegb.org.


Obituary: Abbot Emeritus Jerome Tremel, O. Praem.


Obituary: Fr. Roderick R. Fenzl, O. Praem.


Norbertines publish ‘The Liturgy in Stained Glass’

JANUARY 14, 2025 – The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey has published a beautiful, spiritually enriching book spotlighting the Abbey’s amazing array of stained-glass windows.

“The Liturgy in Stained Glass” is a book of thanksgiving, with its publication this year coinciding with the 100th anniversary of “Abbey status” for the Canonry of St. Norbert Abbey (1925-2025).

This engaging book – crafted over multiple years under the direction of Fr. Stephen Rossey, O. Praem. – details the intricacies of our stained-glass windows as they bring Norbertines and friends of the Abbey closer to God.

“The Liturgy in Stained Glass” is 133 pages and measures 13 1/4″ tall by 9 1/4″ wide. We hope you enjoy immersing yourself in the sacred art of St. Norbert Abbey’s stained-glass windows.

For more information about the book and to flip through a few sample pages, please visit norbertines.org/windows-book. Editions may be purchased in person at the Abbey’s main entrance, or via our website if you would like to order and have them shipped.