News & Notes
St. Norbert Abbey news from the past year
Vanden Branden elected as abbot of St. Norbert Abbey
JANUARY 15, 2026 – The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey elected the Very Rev. Bradley R. Vanden Branden, O. Praem., as the eighth abbot in its 133-year history. Abbot Vanden Branden was elected this afternoon for a term of nine years and begins his term immediately.
A total of 34 priests, brothers and men in formation are attached to St. Norbert Abbey, whose members can be found in houses in De Pere, Wis., and Chicago, Ill.
Abbot Vanden Branden succeeds Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem., who recently reached his retirement age after nearly eight years as abbot. Shortly after the election concluded, Abbot Vanden Branden received his mozzetta (abbatial cape) and pectoral cross, which has been worn by every abbot at St. Norbert Abbey since 1955. Abbot Vanden Branden also placed his hand on the Book of Gospels and read the Oath of Fidelity and the Profession of Faith.
Born in Green Bay, Wis., in 1987, Abbot Vanden Branden, 38, is the youngest Abbot elected in the history of St. Norbert Abbey. His family includes his parents, Tom and Joan Vanden Branden, and a sister, Kally Verheyen, and her husband, Cody, and their daughters.
Abbot Vanden Branden is a graduate of West De Pere High School and pursued undergraduate studies in Music Education at St. Norbert College. His theological training took place at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he received a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts in Theology (Liturgy).
Abbot Vanden Branden was ordained to the priesthood in 2016.
His assignments included:
* Chaplain at Notre Dame Academy (2016-2018).
* Prior at St. Norbert Abbey (2018-2026).
* Director of the Norbertine Center for Spirituality (2024-present).
In preparation for the abbatial blessing Mass in April at St. Norbert Abbey Church, a coat of arms will be developed by Abbot Vanden Branden. At the Mass, the Bishop will confer on him his miter, crozier and ring, symbols of authority and service.
The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey is part of a worldwide Norbertine Order founded in 1121 by Norbert of Xanten. In addition to daily Mass, morning prayer (Lauds) and evening prayer (Vespers) at St. Norbert Abbey Church, the local Norbertines have a presence at eight apostolate schools and parishes, including: St. Norbert College (De Pere), Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (De Pere), Holy Cross Catholic School (Green Bay), St. Willebrord Catholic Church (Green Bay), St. Norbert College Parish (De Pere), Holy Cross Catholic Church (Green Bay), and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (De Pere).
The National Shrine of St. Joseph, on the St. Norbert College campus in De Pere, has been a ministry of the Norbertine Community since 1898. And the Norbertine Center for Spirituality is located at St. Norbert Abbey.
In 1893, Fr. Bernard Pennings, O. Praem., and two fellow Norbertines left Berne Abbey in Holland for a cross-Atlantic journey to the Door Peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin. Led by Fr. Pennings, the Norbertine group took up pastoral work with immigrants from Belgium, Holland and France who had settled in Wisconsin’s peninsula.
Over time, the religious community and its impact grew, and on Feb. 10, 1925, St. Norbert Priory in De Pere received approval from Pope Pius XI to become St. Norbert Abbey. The Norbertine Community is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary of abbey status.
The list of previous abbots at St. Norbert Abbey include, in chronological order, Abbot Bernard Pennings, O. Praem. (1925-1955), Abbot Sylvester Killeen, O. Praem. (1955-1970), Abbot Jerome Tremel (1970-1982), Abbot Benjamin Mackin, O. Praem. (1982-1994), Abbot Thomas De Wane, O. Praem. (1994-2003), Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem. (2003-2018), and Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. (2018-2026).
The mission of the Norbertine Community is: “We live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the traditions of Saints Norbert and Augustine. We live a common life ‘one in mind and heart on the way to God’ through celebration of the Eucharist, liturgical prayer and service to the People of God.”.
Norbertines donate $100,000 to Aspiro
JANUARY 8, 2026 – The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey donated $100,000 to Green Bay-based Aspiro. Joining Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. for the check presentation were Nicole Hoffmann, Aspiro Vice President of Development, and Ryan Ruzziconi, Aspiro President.
Aspiro serves over 1,400 individuals and their families, from birth through their senior years, in the Green Bay area. Aspiro’s mission is to “create opportunities for people experiencing disabilities to live their best lives by reaching their goals, connecting to their community, and achieving their independence.”
The Norbertines’ support of Aspiro 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
* 2025: Freedom House
To learn more about the positive impact Aspiro makes throughout our community, please visit aspiroinc.org.
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.
MARCH 2, 2025 – Abbot Emeritus Jerome G. Tremel, O. Praem., age 95, a Norbertine priest and member of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, WI, passed into God’s eternal Kingdom on March 2, 2025.
Abbot Tremel was born on September 12, 1929 in Luxemburg, WI to the late John and Clothilda (Rueckl) Tremel, the oldest of the family’s three boys. In 1935, the Tremel family moved to the northeast side of Green Bay after purchasing a grocery store. They became parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish. Together with his brothers, he enjoyed fishing, camping, and canoeing trips – especially special to Jerome were the several trips made to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota.
It was when he entered Central Catholic High School in Green Bay that he met some Norbertine priests who were his teachers. He was very impressed about how they all got along with each other and that there was a camaraderie among them.
During his senior year in high school, Jerome accepted an invitation to visit the Norbertine novitiate in Madison, WI, and then another invitation to meet Abbot Bernard Pennings. He entered the novitiate of St. Norbert Abbey on August 28, 1947. While attending St. Norbert College in De Pere, he professed Simple Vows on August 28, 1949. The following year, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from St. Norbert College. On August 28, 1952, he professed Solemn Vows. While studying theology at St. Norbert Abbey, he also taught mathematics part-time at St. Norbert High School.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 12, 1954 and continued teaching mathematics and physics at Premontre High School (currently Notre Dame Academy) for five years. He went on to study at Purdue University where he earned both a Master of Science degree in 1959 and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education in 1963.
Following his time at Purdue, Fr. Tremel joined the faculty of St. Norbert College. His six-year tenure as Math Professor and Chair of the Mathematics Department was interrupted in 1969 when he was elected Coadjutor Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey at the age of 39.
He took office as the third Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey on January 6, 1970, a position he held for twelve years. During his tenure as Abbot, he helped realize the renewal of the Second Vatican Council, guided the community to become more collegial in its governing structures, and secured the future of the community and the college through various financial endeavors.
Abbot Tremel became active in the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) in the United States, serving as Chair of the Midwest Region of the Conference for two years and on the Executive Board of CMSM for five years. Although elected for a life-term as Abbot, in 1982 he received permission to resign from the Office of Abbot.
Following his abbatial tenure, Abbot Tremel studied Spiritual Theology at the Institute for Spirituality and Worship at the Jesuit School in Berkeley, CA. He was then assigned as Associate Director of Formation and House Superior at Holy Spirit House of Studies in Chicago, IL.
In 1989, Abbot Tremel moved back to St. Norbert Abbey and was involved in the Ministry and Life Center (currently the Norbertine Center for Spirituality), frequently offering retreats and workshops.
Abbot Tremel was an influential figure in the Norbertine Order internationally. He was a member of the Definitory (councilor to the Abbot General) of the Norbertine Order from 1976 to 1982.
Additionally, he was tasked to be the Moderator of the General Sessions of the General Chapter of the Norbertine Order in 1994 and again in 2000. At the same time, he was also Vicar for the English-speaking Norbertines from the United States, England, Ireland, India, Australia, and South America. In January of 1995, he was appointed by the Abbot General as Administrator of Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA with a mandate to lead the community through a time of transition. In this process, he was an agent of hope and reconciliation for the confreres of Daylesford Abbey.
Abbot Tremel was elected to the Board of Trustees of St. Norbert College and served for sixteen years. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1995 until 1999 when he was named a Trustee Emeritus.
Known to many, Abbot Tremel’s “happy place” was at the cabin at Morgan Lake in Florence County, WI, where he served for many years as the caretaker of the property. Besides the northwoods, he was a long time volunteer for a number of “Good News” teams working for two weeks at a time on the islands of St. Vincent, Dominica, and St. Lucia, to build simple houses for those in need.
Abbot Tremel is survived by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey; two sisters-in-law: Jean Tremel and Marian Tremel; and many nieces and nephews.
Abbot Tremel was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Donald and Francis Tremel.
Obituary: Fr. Roderick R. Fenzl, O. Praem.
MARCH 1, 2025 – Father Roderick Robert Fenzl, O. Praem., age 95, a Norbertine priest and member of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, WI, passed into God’s eternal Kingdom on March 1, 2025.
Fr. Fenzl was born on March 30, 1929 in Park Falls, WI to the late Alois and Delia (Boyer) Fenzl. His home parish was St. Anthony Parish in Park Falls.
After three years at St. Norbert College, he entered St. Norbert Abbey on August 28, 1950 and professed Solemn Vows on August 28, 1955. He was ordained to the Priesthood on September 1, 1955.
Fr. Fenzl spent his first three years as a Norbertine priest teaching at what was then St. Norbert High School in De Pere (1955-1958). He received his Master’s Degree in Science Education from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI in June of 1959. He then served as a faculty member at Abbot Pennings High School in De Pere where he taught Chemistry and Math for eight years.
In 1967 Fr. Fenzl volunteered to serve in the Abbey’s mission in Lima, Peru, and ended up staying for almost thirty-four years. During that time, he was one of several Norbertines who worked with St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) and her sisters – the Missionaries of Charity – as they ministered to the people in Lima and the surrounding areas. He served as a sacramental minister for the two Norbertine parishes there and taught at Reyna de las Americas – the high school, then under the direction of the Norbertines. He treasured his experiences in Peru and spoke about them very often. To the end, Fr. Fenzl still regularly received phone calls from students he taught in Lima, which brought him great joy.
Fr. Fenzl returned to the United States in 2000 and accepted an invitation from the Norbertines at Santa Maria de La Vid Priory in Albuquerque, NM to take up residence. While there, he was active in parish, prison, and hospital ministries.
After ten years in New Mexico, Fr. Fenzl retired to St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere where he continued to help at St. Willebrord Parish in Green Bay, WI and enjoyed meeting with a small group at Casa Alba.
He is survived by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey; one brother, James Fenzl; a sister-in-law, Pauline Fenzl; a brother-in-law, Richard Kramer; and his nieces and nephews.
Fr. Fenzl was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Dorothy (Edward) Schwartz; William Fenzl; Lawrence (Kathryn) Fenzl; Mary Ann Kramer; sister-in-law, Cecelia Fenzl; and a nephew, Andrew Schwartz.
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.
