that I will have fought for what was right and fair,
that I will have risked for that which mattered,
that I will have given drink to the thirsty,
that I will have welcomed the stranger,
that I will have clothed the naked,
that I will have cared for the ill,
that I will have visited the imprisoned,
that I will have left the earth a better place for what I’ve done and who I’ve been.
—Adapted from Matthew 25 and C. Hoppe
On Saturday, May 27, 2017, Rev. Frater Michael J. Brennan, O. Praem., will be ordained to the priesthood. The Mass of Ordination will be celebrated by Most Rev. David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay, at 2:30 p.m. in the church of St. Norbert Abbey.
On Sunday, May 28, 2017, the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord, Rev. Brennan will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. in the church of St. Norbert Abbey.
Statue of St. Norbert of Xanten (1080-1134) | St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin | Sculptor: Paul T. GranlundDeacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Deacon Brennan, 39, is the son of Michael and Dorothy Brennan of Michigan City, Indiana, and a son of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Michigan City. His parents now belong to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger, Indiana.
A 1995 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School, Michigan City, Deacon Brennan graduated from St. Norbert College (SNC), De Pere, in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology and a minor in religious studies.
In 2001 he received a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He was also named Teacher of the Year at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, White Castle, Louisiana (1999-2000), and at Ascension Catholic Middle School, Donaldsonville, Louisiana (2001-2002), and received the Young Alumni Award from SNC (2005).
Deacon Brennan completed his Masters of Divinity in May 2017 and anticipates completing an M.A. in Scripture in the fall of 2017. Both degrees are granted by Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
After his priestly ordination, Fr. Brennan will be assigned to SNC, where he will serve in sacramental, teaching and vocation ministries.
An Evening of Prayer, Service, and Brotherhood With Deacon Brennan, Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., and Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem., at Old St. Patrick’s Parish, Chicago
By Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem.
A Lesson in Humility Reflections on Norbertine Volunteer Community By Michael Brennan
Ongoing Program: Sunrise Scripture
Facilitated by (soon-to-be) Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., Fr. David Komatz, O. Praem., Tony Pichler, and Kathie Tilot
Washing of the Feet at St. Norbert Abbey, Holy Thursday 2017: Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem. (left) and Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem.
My brother Jerome and I were traveling one day. Mind you, we don’t often digress onto theological discourse, but this time he said to me, “We say this at Mass, but what does ‘descended into hell’ really mean?”
Last month as part of the Norbertine Center for Spirituality’s annual Triduum Retreat at St. Norbert Abbey, Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem., delivered a Holy Saturday conference entitled, “Descended into Hell.” He brilliantly explained how different theologians and literary figures have addressed this concept through the centuries, but his explanation of Jesus visiting people who are so devoid of life and human interaction to free them from the from the imprisonment of isolation from love of God and others really struck a chord with me. In his presentation, Fr. Dougherty included a slide of a prisoner in solitary confinement. I immediately thought that a contemporary example of Jesus descending into hell would be visiting and freeing prisoners from solitary confinement.
Solitary confinement is real in Wisconsin prisons. Faith-based leaders from WISDOM (a Wisconsin network of faith-based organizations) and others from the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin have led concerned Wisconsinites in reforming Wisconsin prison practices that include the use of solitary confinement.
The article, “Wisconsin Inmates Report Despair, Little Counseling In Solitary Confinement That Can Stretch On For Years” (Wisconsin Public Radio, April 14, 2017), noted that there were 1,073 Wisconsin inmates in solitary confinement on Februrary 28, 2017. Confinement averages 22 hours a day for 15 continuous days. But Governor Scott Walker’s 2017-2019 Wisconsin state budget requests additional funds for mental health care and outside-of-cell programming and recreation for those in solitary confinement.
Jesus did not descend into hell to have parties with the rich, powerful, and popular. Pope Francis has made a habit of washing the feet of Roman prisoners. And wherever the pope goes, the media follow; the lives of those visited receive at least a fleeting moment of international attention.
Whether we advocate for prisoners in solitary confinement, visit saddened people in hospitals or nursing homes, or pray for an end to the confinement of political prisoners, we are “descending into hell” to bring the joy of the Good News of Christ to men and women separated or isolated from human love and interaction.
DISCLAIMER: This blog represents Br. Herro’s own opinions and experiences. It does not represent an official position or opinion of St. Norbert Abbey or of any other Norbertine.
Where We Minister
As stated in the mission of St. Norbert Abbey, “We give ourselves in service to one another and to people in need, with special emphasis on service and advocacy for the poor. We commit ourselves to our traditional ministries, while being open to new apostolates.”
Members of the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey minister at the Brown County Jail and at the Green Bay Correctional Institution (GBCI), among other apostolates.
If you are considering a vocation to Norbertine religious life and/or priesthood, call 920.337.4333 or e-mail vocations@norbertines.org to speak with a member of St. Norbert Abbey’s vocations team.
Offered by Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem., at St. Norbert Abbey
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
—Acts: 10:40-41
Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Today on this glorious Easter morning, these words spoken by St. Peter centuries ago continue to echo across the years. These joyful words bounce off the walls and ceilings of this abbey church! They remind us on this Easter Sunday that Christ, our Lord is risen today! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! These words resound in our hearts and souls.
The Risen Christ draws us to this Abbey Church on Easter morning! We too, will eat and drink with Christ at this table, on this Easter morning, with this Church gathered here. We have encountered the Risen Christ in Word, in sacrament, in one another. We know the Risen Christ; we believe in the Risen Christ.
However, on that first Easter Sunday, Mary, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple stood before the empty tomb bewildered. “For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead” (John 20:9).
If we’re honest with ourselves, do we understand this? Can we even begin to comprehend the Resurrection?
For three days, Jesus remained in the tomb. Dead. Not sleeping, not resting, but dead. We saw Him die. And the first day of the week, we arrive at the tomb and His body is gone.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord at St. Norbert Abbey
During the next several moments, let’s imagine ourselves standing before the empty tomb on that first Easter Sunday. As we stand together with Mary, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple, let’s peer into the empty tomb and gaze upon the burial cloths of our Lord—our Friend, our Teacher. As we stand before the empty tomb, what do we experience? Do our hearts begin to race as the life of Jesus flashes before our eyes? Do we remember the first time this Jesus of Nazareth called our name, invited us to “come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19)?
In this silence before the empty tomb, we suddenly recall the moments that most astounded us: we witnessed Him granting sight to the blind; we stood in awe as He raised the dead; we were overcome with wonder as He fed thousands with just a few loaves and a couple of fish. Then His words come tumbling back: “What so ever you do for the least of my sisters and brothers you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40). “Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
Then swiftly, like a tidal wave, we are immersed in the memories of these last few days. In these final hours leading us to this moment before the empty tomb, our Rabbi, our Teacher, our Friend became our Servant as He humbly knelt before us and washed our feet. Later that evening, we processed with Him to the garden. As we struggled to keep our eyes open, we overheard Him pray so intently, so sincerely to the Father. If we knew He was to be arrested, would we—could we—have stayed awake? Yet, we slept …
Suddenly, we were awakened by a cacophony of guards and onlookers who burst into the garden to seize our Lord, our Friend, our Leader. They came to drag Jesus away from us. Out of fear, many of us ran and hid. After the garden, we witnessed from afar that horrible trial—full of false accusations. Standing today, before this empty tomb, we now wish we could have said more, done more to defend this Man with whom we have journeyed so many days. Yet, we feared for our reputations. We feared for our very lives, so we stood back and watched. Our knees tremble as we recall the horror of those final hours. We hear the echoes of the crowds; we still sense the anger, the yelling. We feel the sadness, the crying. We remember His bruised and bloodied face. Nonetheless, through His pain, through our tears, we can still see His eyes. His eyes gaze upon us with love. For a moment, we remember Him looking at us; our eyes meet His and we feel His pain. His pain brought about by our sinfulness; His pain intended to console us in our darkest hours.
Are we too afraid to continue on to Golgotha, or were we among the brave women who followed Him to the end? Did we stand beneath the cross and hear His final words? Those of us who were there were overwhelmed by the words of our Rabbi, our Teacher, our Friend. As He hung upon the cross, amidst His unbearable suffering, He cried out for forgiveness for those who did this to Him. Even as He breathed His last, He thought of others before Himself. Upon His death, the earth shook violently, and then … then there was a great silence over the earth. A silence, a stillness like none other. This silence remained throughout His forty hours in the tomb.
But now, we stand here before this empty tomb. We stand before this empty tomb … we stand bewildered, lacking understanding. Slowly, we realize that we recognize this feeling: our own lives are filled with moments, with events that leave us bewildered. We have peered into plenty of empty tombs; there is much in our world that we do not yet understand. We stand before the empty tombs of damaged and broken relationships in our families and communities. We stand before the empty tombs of war and violence, bewildered by bombings, gas attacks—not understanding the violence that occurs in our homes and neighborhoods. We stand before the empty tombs of family members, confreres and friends, who endure illness and the challenges of old age.
We stand before all these empty tombs, bewildered, and we ask: “What has happened here? Where has Jesus gone? What will happen next?”
And then ever so slowly, we begin to remember His whole life has prepared us for this. We saw Him heal others; we saw Him raise the dead. Is this the moment for which all His words and deeds have prepared us?
As we stand before these empty tombs on this Easter Sunday, we know that the answer is, “Yes!” Our lives, in which we have encountered the words and deeds of the Risen Christ, have prepared us for Easter Sunday. Prepared us for these moments of the Easter Season; we go forth during the next 50 days of Easter to bring the joy, the promise, and the hope of the Risen Christ with us wherever we go. We bring the joy of the Risen Christ into the brokenness of our families and communities—filled with the hope and the promise that the Risen Christ can begin to transform our homes, our communities into places of resurrection. We bring the hope of the Risen Christ as we stand up and speak out for all those who are victims of violence, of war, of mass incarceration … that they, too, may experience the Risen Christ! We bring the joy of the Risen Christ to those who endure illness as we begin to recognize the privilege of walking with them in their suffering. We bring the joy of the Risen Christ into the public arena to speak for justice and to offer hope and promise to the homeless, the immigrant, the refugee.
As we eat and drink with the Risen Christ today, we are invited to burst forth from these doors, just as the Risen Christ burst forth from the tomb. As we begin this Easter Season, we are invited to burst forth with a message of deep and abiding joy into a world full of empty tombs. We are encouraged to go forth and encounter the Risen Christ. We are empowered to bring the hope, the promise, and the joy of the Risen Christ into all the moments of our lives!
In this world two things are essential: life and friendship. Both should be highly prized and we must not undervalue them. Life and friendship are nature’s gifts. God created us that we might exist and live: this is life. But if we are not to remain solitary, there must be friendship.
—St. Augustine
I recently had the privilege of interviewing three Norbertine seminarians: Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem., Frater Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem., and Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem.
We discussed their life together within the Norbertine community, specifically their time at Holy Spirit House of Studies, the Norbertine home in Chicago, located near Catholic Theological Union, where they are pursuing graduate studies.
By living, working, and praying together throughout the past few years, these young men who once had been strangers have become not only brothers in Norbert, but also treasured and most likely lifelong friends. Here they share their journey of life and friendship.
What are the joys and challenges of living in a home together, where you are responsible for cooking, cleaning, and other household chores, as well as praying and studying together? How has this environment enhanced your friendship with one another?
Deacon Mike: In America, we live in a culture that fosters individualism, where there’s not a lot of actual face-to-face interaction. Here, we rub elbows—we live together. And while we often study alone, Patrick, for instance, might suddenly pop in and say something like, “Talk to me.”
Frater Patrick: Or Mike will sneeze really loudly and I’ll yell back to him, “God bless you.”
4841: Holy Spirit House of Studies, Chicago
Deacon Mike: These little interactions really pull us out of ourselves. I think that’s one of the reasons many of us have chosen community life. We long for relationships. Our tradition understands the Trinity as the God of relationship. Sometimes we want to isolate ourselves from one another, but in the end it’s good to bump elbows, it’s good to have someone intentionally come into our space and say, “I want to hang out.” It gets us out of our own heads a bit.
Frater Jordan: When I was taking classes at Notre Dame last summer, I got a call from Mike or Patrick every week, or I called them. Being away made me really appreciate them and the Norbertine way of life. And making each of us better people is what religious life is all about: growing in “one mind and one heart on the way to God.”
Q:
Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem. (left), and Frater Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem., on their way to Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
Realizing all relationships include a bit of conflict or misunderstanding, or simply a case of others getting on our nerves, how do you three handle conflict when it arises?
Deacon Mike: One of the ways we deal with conflict is we have fun with it. We really do enjoy each other’s company and all of us are good at teasing one another. I have a tendency to be a bit loud and assertive. When that happens, I’ll be referred to as “coach.” Meaning I don’t have to go on and on as I sometimes do. But we definitely have some serious conversations, too, depending upon the person, the topic, and the day.
Frater Jordan: Depending on the day—that’s important—being able to really read one another before we bring out the teasing. Also, humility plays a part in this. I know I have my own quirks and there are days I’m not easy to live with. But humor can ease that tension. Fraternal correction is in our Rule, but it’s so hard to directly correct someone. Humor softens those edges.
Q:
Left to right: Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem., Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., Frater Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem.
Judith Viorst, author of Necessary Losses, asserts that it is much easier to stand by our friends in their sadness and their adversity, but that the true test of friendship is being able to stand by our friends in their joys and their successes. Is there truth for you in this statement, and if so, how?
Frater Jordan: I recently read that 94 percent of priests identify as “happy”—a rate higher than doctors, teachers, and lawyers. But most of the support and affirmation for these priests comes from family, friends, and people they shepherd; sadly, it does not always come from other clergy. We’re here to support each other when we’re down, but how often do we take time to celebrate each other’s successes? This is a challenge not only within priesthood, but also throughout humanity.
Q:
Fr. James Herring, O. Praem., Master of Professed and local superior at Holy Spirit House of Studies
You pray together three times a day, everyday—Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Mass. How does this impact your friendship?
Frater Jordan: You heard us sing, Judy!
Deacon Mike: Yeah, it’s not always a “joyful song unto the Lord.”
Frater Patrick: I think prayer is time spent together in a special way, even though it can be a bit frustrating if someone is off pitch, or when I can’t get the right tones.
Deacon Mike: Living together, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. But it’s in communal prayer that I think we are most forgiving because everyone is making his best effort. In shared prayer, we are more charitable with one another—perhaps more so than in other aspects of life. When I’m away I’ll pray my breviary alone. But it’s worlds apart from communal prayer, which I desperately miss. Here in the house, praying together makes us more than roommates; we are a community of brothers.
Frater Jordan: I learned when people pray or sing or chant together, they start to breathe together, and their hearts become in sync. Even though there are differences among us, this aspect of our prayer life brings us together as Norbertines. Our lives are rooted in prayer.
Q:
Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem. (left), and Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem.
As you mentioned, none of you knew each other before you entered the community, yet today you call each other friends and brothers. What have these relationships brought to your life? How are you a better, more faithful Norbertine because of each other?
Deacon Mike: Patrick has this attention to detail, especially when it comes to anything liturgical or any project for that matter. While he might not be the first one to start the project, he’ll make sure it’s done right. He inspires me to be in tune to the sacredness of the liturgy. Jordan has a dedication to running and healthy living. Because of him, I’ve started running again and we both signed up for the Chicago Marathon.
Frater Patrick: Mike has a strong private prayer life, spending time in the chapel before communal prayer and at other times throughout the day. He motivates me to spend time on my own spiritual life. Jordan is a model of healthy living, consistently running and eating well. When it comes to academics he’s always on the ball. He never procrastinates. I trust both of them and am able to talk with them about deeper issues.
Frater Jordan: When Mike is passionate and on fire, he goes for it. He is extroverted. I tend to be introverted and have to try to be more outgoing. I admire his care and concern for other people. Whenever an opportunity arises to build relationships, Mike is always willing to take me with him.
Deacon Mike: I have really good college buddies, but I don’t have the day-to-day conversations with those guys that I have with two of my best friends right now: Patrick and Jordan. I anticipate having them walk with me throughout life. It’s a blessing to reflect upon the idea of friendship this early in our religious life, and to anticipate the ways that will challenge and benefit us as we live out our Norbertine vocation.
Q:
Frater Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem. (right)
Ideally, how do you imagine your friendship 10, 20, 30 years from now? What are your hopes and dreams, regarding not only your friendship with each other, but also relationships within your entire community?
Frater Jordan: A few questions were recently posed to us in class: How are we as Norbertines different from diocesan pastors? What is distinctive about our form of religious life, and how do we remain committed to it? For us, it’s not all about work. It’s also about community and being committed to one another. It’s about being intentional and constantly reminding ourselves about our commitment to one another. I’ll be there for my brothers, and I may have to sacrifice something at my work to be present to them.
Deacon Mike:I’ll be ordained a priest on May 27, and as I move closer to priesthood, I realize I’m not worthy to be a priest. None of us are. I’m not saying this in a self-deprecating way. As Jordan says, this life—this vocation—is such a grace. It reminds me how much I’ll need to rely upon my family, my friends, the People of God, my Norbertine brothers, and especially on God, for love and support.
Perhaps I am a sucker for nostalgia. I can’t help but delight, on any given Sunday in the Archdiocese of Chicago, when I encounter someone who has been influenced by a Norbertine of St. Norbert Abbey.
Sure, many people have encountered Norbertines either when they lived in Green Bay or went to St. Norbert College in De Pere, but there are a good number of people who share stories of Norbertines who served in parishes right here, within the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Many of the names shared are Norbertines I’ve never met, but I still marvel at the impact that these priests, brothers, and seminarians have had and continue to have on the people to whom we currently minister. I can’t help but feel a great joy in being part of such a legacy and fraternity.
Today, while Norbertines may not have a Chicago parish to call their own, our community continues to serve the faithful, maintaining a presence at our house of studies and at other apostolic outreach ministries. One place someone currently may encounter a Norbertine is at Old St. Patrick’s Parish, where Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem., and I serve on a part-time basis.
… I’m reminded of the gift of my brothers and thankful in the sharing of our lives.
—Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem.
Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem. (right), and Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
One of the ministries in which I’m engaged includes ministering to the young adults of this parish. Recently, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, I assisted in planning (with the help of many) an event known as a “Night of Prayer and Action,” connecting both contemplation and prayer with action and service.
Contemplation and action are an intrinsic part of the Norbertine way of life in which one (contemplation) fuels or compliments the other (action), and vice versa. While the event was well-attended and engaging, what proved to be most profound for me was the support and help I received from my brothers in community.
One could say that the prayer element of the night—Eucharistic Adoration, Vespers, and Benediction—had heavy Norbertine influence; not only in its planning, but also in its celebration, as I received assistance from Deacon Michael, Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., and Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem. Without the support, assistance, and willingness of my brothers to help, this night would not have been the same.
Old St. Patrick’s Parish in Chicago
This experience, while it was about ministering to the people of Old St. Pat’s, was also about ministering to each other as brothers. Each of us had an important role for the night and each did his part well. The ministry was not about one individual … the ministry was about us, together, united in our common life and mission as Sons of St. Norbert.
After sharing this experience with my brothers in formation, I can’t help but imagine how similar this sharing of ministry was for those Norbertines who came before us. Once again, years later, the faithful of the Archdiocese of Chicago had an encounter with a band of Norbertines from St. Norbert Abbey, who gave witness to fraternity and demonstrated a sharing of life rooted from our earliest beginnings as a Christian community.
Frequently I take the support of my brothers for granted; however, this night I’m reminded of the gift of my brothers and thankful in the sharing of our lives.
On Saturday, August 27, 2016, at the First Vespers of the Solemnity of St. Augustine, Johnathan F. Turba and Anh Q. Tran will be vested in the white habit of the Norbertine Order. Rt. Rev. Gary J. Neville, O. Praem., Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, will preside over the vestition ceremony.
On Sunday, August 28, 2016, the Solemnity of St. Augustine, Frater Michael J. Brennan, O. Praem., will profess Solemn Vows, forming a mutual lifelong commitment to the canonical life between himself and the entire professed community. Abbot Neville will preside over the solemn rite.
Given these special rites, this liturgy will be longer in duration than most Masses celebrated at the abbey, and we will welcome many of Frater Brennan’s friends and family from out of town.
We are grateful for your prayerful presence at St. Norbert Abbey; we welcome you to that Sunday’s celebration, as well. However, we wanted to inform you of the unique and blessed rituals that the Sunday, August 28, liturgy will include!
August 29, 2016 — Mass of Diaconate Ordination of Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Frater Michael Joseph Brennan, O. Praem.
Profession of Solemn Vows and Ordination to the Diaconate
… I have found my way home here at St. Norbert Abbey.
—Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Frater Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Frater Brennan, 39, is the son of Michael and Dorothy Brennan of Michigan City, Indiana, and a son of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Michigan City. His parents now belong to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger, Indiana.
Frater Brennan was vested in the white Norbertine habit in August 2011 and professed Simple Vows in August 2013.
A 1995 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School, Michigan City, Frater Brennan graduated from St. Norbert College (SNC) in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology and a minor in religious studies.
In 2001 he received a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He was also named Teacher of the Year at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, White Castle, Louisiana (1999-2000), and at Ascension Catholic Middle School, Donaldsonville, Louisiana (2001-2002), and received the Young Alumni Award from SNC (2005).
Frater Brennan anticipates completing his Masters of Divinity in May 2017 and an M.A. in Scripture in the fall of 2017. Both degrees will be granted by Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Frater Brennan will be ordained a Norbertine priest on May 27, 2017.
“As I shared with our guests on the occasion of these celebrations, I have found my way home here at St. Norbert Abbey. I am most grateful to God, to my fellow Norbertines, family, friends, and all those I have met along this journey. I owe much to those who have prepared me for these joyful moments of solemn profession and ordination. I look forward to my ongoing growth and formation as I serve the People of God as a Norbertine deacon at Old St. Pat’s in Chicago and here in our local community. Thank you to those who have supported me, challenged me, and prayed for me. I ask for your continued guidance as we all strive ‘to be of one mind and one heart on the way to God.’ ” —Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Frater Johnathan Fredrick Turba, O. Praem.
Vestition
I feel incredibly blessed to be joining the Norbertines.
—Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.
Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.
Frater Turba, 28, is the son of Michael and Patricia Turba of Platteville, Wisconsin, and a son of Immaculate Conception Parish in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Upon completion of his high school studies in Platteville, Frater Turba graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in choral music education, emphasis in voice and piano.
Since graduating from college Frater Turba served as an elementary, middle, and high school teacher of general music and as a choral director for the Iola-Scandinavia School District in North Central Wisconsin. In 2016 Frater Turba received the Outstanding Young Conductor Award from the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association for his dedicated work in the schools.
The first-year Norbertine novitiate (in which Frater Turba will participate) will take place at St. Norbert Abbey.
“Upon my vestition, walking into the abbey church clad in a white habit of my own was a joyous and humbling experience. When everyone applauded to welcome Anh and me into the community, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. I feel incredibly blessed to be joining the Norbertines. As I begin my novitiate at the abbey, I look forward to learning more about the Norbertine heritage and about the surrounding community while also growing in my faith.”—Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.
Frater Anh Quoc Tran, O. Praem.
Vestition
God’s merciful heart and compassionate love have guided my wandering heart to the new adventure …
—Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem.
Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem.
Frater Tran, 26, son of Linh Van Tran and Son Thi Nguyen, is a son of Hien Linh Parish in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
After graduating from St. Mary Springs High School, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Frater Tran studied at St. Norbert College. He graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in global business.
Since graduating from college Frater Tran earned two master’s degrees in servant leadership and business administration from Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he served as house coordinator at A Place of Grace Catholic Worker House.
The first-year Norbertine novitiate (in which Frater Tran will participate) will take place at St. Norbert Abbey.
“To me, the vestition was absolutely a blessing from God, especially having my parents from Vietnam here witnessing this initiation of my new beginning. God’s merciful heart and compassionate love have guided my wandering heart to the new adventure which is full of hope and yet beyond my imagination. Because of that, I thank you, Lord!”—Frater Anh Tran, O. Praem.
Serving in the Norbertine Volunteer Community opened my eyes to the profound need that exists in Green Bay; this awareness leads me to prayer and opens doors for me to be of service in the community.
—(Fr.) Michael Brennan (O. Praem.)
(Fr.) Michael Brennan (O. Praem.)
My name is Mike Brennan. I am a 1999 graduate of St. Norbert College and this August I will begin my novitiate with the Norbertines. As I reflect on my last several months with the Norbertine Volunteer Community, the word that best summarizes my experience is “humility.” I have been humbled by the vast needs of the community; I have been humbled by the situations I have witnessed; I have been humbled by my inability to “fix” the situation; I have been humbled by an awareness that God is present in all situations, even those that seem to indicate that He is furthest away.
A few examples of what I have witnessed include a five-year-old boy trying to comfort his grieving mother at the Golden House. This child, who should not have a care in the world, was forced into a situation of caretaker. I have listened to a man who was recently released from prison describe the court battle he is having to maintain custody of his children. Another man described his struggles with his recently-diagnosed Aspergers Syndrome. I have played cards with homeless men and women at St. John’s while 40 other men and women fall asleep on the floor just as they do every night. I have assisted at Paul’s Pantry where one to two hundred people come for food each day. Each of these experiences reminds me what a simple, yet complex people we truly are. We are all hungry; we are physically hungry and we are spiritually hungry for the love of God and the love of neighbor. We are hungry to be recognized as important individuals and as worthwhile members of society.
Although I cannot “fix” most of the challenges that face our worldwide community, I can be present and offer a smile, offer a reassuring word, or simply just be present and let others know that I care and that they are not alone. Sometimes this feels appropriate and is quite fulfilling, however there are times that it feels severely inadequate. At these moments, I try to step back and ask God to extend His love and support to those who seem to hunger so desperately for His enduring love.
