Fall/Winter 2017 Issue of “Abbey Magazine” Now Available

From an ancient necrology of the Norbertine saints to digital podcasts, the Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey embrace modes of communication that engage people and glorify God.
From an ancient necrology of the Norbertine saints to digital podcasts, the Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey embrace modes of communication that engage people and glorify God.

Abbey Magazine is a biannual publication of the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey that illumines life at the abbey and welcomes readers into our life, mind, and spirit.

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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”)

Rev. Gery Gerald Francis Meehan, O. Praem.

July 6, 1934 – August 23, 2017

Fr. Gery Meehan, O. Praem.
Fr. Gery Meehan, O. Praem.

Fr. Meehan, age 83, a member of the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey and a Norbertine priest, teacher, principal, and pastor, passed into God’s Eternal Kingdom on August 23, 2017.

Fr. Meehan was born on July 6, 1934, in Philadelphia to John and Elizabeth (Campbell) Meehan.

In 1952, Fr. Meehan graduated from the Norbertine Southeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia. 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, 1952. He professed Simple Vows on August 28, 1954, Solemn Vows on August 28, 1957, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 18, 1960.

Fr. Meehan began his teaching and administrative ministry at Abbot Pennings High School, spending 19 years in the classroom and 11 years as principal. During this time, he also completed his M.A. degree in French at Middlebury College, Vermont. He also served several terms as house superior at St. Norbert Abbey and at St. Joseph Priory. For almost 30 years, Fr. Meehan assisted with weekend parish ministry at St. Mary Parish in De Pere. He devoted much time and care by his participation in the Cursillo Movement for 20 years, and he coordinated the St. Norbert Abbey youth retreat program for three years. He was a French and German instructor at SNC for two years, and was named pastor of St. Norbert College Parish at Old St. Joseph Church and director of campus ministry from August 1993 to February 2001. After his ministry at SNC, Fr. Meehan ministered to the Hispanic parishioners at St. Willebrord Parish in Green Bay and at a number of local nursing homes.

Fr. Meehan has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the 1985 Ft. Howard Paper Foundation Humanitarian Award, the 1990 St. Norbert College Silver Knight Award, and the 1994 Roses for the Living Rotary Award.

Fr. Meehan is survived by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey; two brothers, James Meehan and Jack (Mary) Meehan; and beloved niece, Christine Parsley. Fr. Meehan is also survived by the hundreds of students to whom he ministered so selflessly at SNC and his cherished Abbot Pennings High School.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Sr. Clare Amata Meehan, IHM, and Christine (Meehan) Perham.

The Norbertine Community is grateful for the extraordinary care Fr. Meehan received from the abbey medical and nursing staff, and for the many friends who visited him throughout his recent illness.

Arrangements

Visitation will be held in the Church of St. Norbert Abbey on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, beginning with Vespers of the Dead – Reception of the Body at 5 p.m. and continuing until 8 p.m.

Visitation will continue at the abbey on Thursday, August 31, 2017, from 9 a.m. until 3:30 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 on Thursday, August 31, 2017, at 4 p.m.; the Rt. Rev. Gary J. Neville, O. Praem., abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, will serve as principal celebrant and homilist 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.

Read More about Fr. Meehan


“Vivat in Eternum”: Reflections on Two Funerals

By Bob Woessner

Past Pennings High School Parent, “Green Bay Press-Gazette” Writer

It has been our good fortune to have avoided going to many funerals. But a week ago Thursday there were two – an hour apart in churches a mile apart.

The first, at 4 p.m. at St. Norbert Abbey, was for Father Gery Meehan. He was the principal at Abbot Pennings where our three sons went to high school. The second, at Resurrection Parish, was for Patricia O’Neill. She and Kit were in a book group together.

Pat struck me as a vibrant and intense person who did lots of good work for many people during a life of 73 years. That included 16 years in village government, the last two as president. She fell victim to a cancer so aggressive that it was only a few weeks from diagnosis to death.

The journalist in me wants to say Rev. Gery Meehan, who was 83, as the AP Stylebook dictates. But everyone called him Father. That is the way he will be remembered by the hundreds of students he encountered at Pennings in his 30 years as teacher and principal.

Pennings was one of two Norbertine high schools in the Green bay area. The two and St. Joseph’s Academy, the all-girl school our daughter attended, were folded into one in 1990. Finances and fewer priests and nuns made the merger inevitable. But the decision embittered many people. Someone who knew him well told me it broke Father Meehan’s heart.

The APHS building was a hand-me-down from a De Pere school district. Enrollment was rarely more than a few hundred but the place always seemed crowded and noisy. Growing boys in jackets and ties clomped and thundered up and down stairs. Most of the jackets and ties were from Goodwill or someone’s closet of worn-outs. The dress-code garb was worn only during the school day, rarely laundered and often left to compost in lockers.

Looking back, three things made Pennings work. One, as son Tim noted, the place was small enough that most any student with a pulse could find an activity. Second, finances were so precarious that parents had to be involved in fundraising and that forged a sense of community.

The final reason was Father Meehan. The abbot who delivered the funeral homily said Gery “lived as a gentleman.” I did not see the text but assume there was a space between “gentle” and “man.” Father Meehan was a gentleman – well-mannered and civil – but also a gentle man who was both a mentor and a model for boys who likely are better men because of him.

The logistics of the two-funeral day led us to a mid-afternoon visitation for Pat, to Father Meehan’s funeral and then to a country-club reception for Pat.

After Father Meehan’s liturgy we followed the Norbertines – many white-haired and age-bowed – to the cemetery a few hundred yards from the Abbey. The white-robes gathered around the open grave. As late-summer sun lengthened shadows, they sang “Vivat in Eternum,” not a dirge but an exaltation for someone who “lives forever.”

At the reception, Pat’s husband held off his grief to talk of her life and his loss with eloquence and humor. You wondered how he could do that and if you could if the sad task became yours.

I wore a wore a coat and tie for the day – something I do rarely. That was proper attire for the country club. But the real reason was that Father Meehan would have approved.

August 2017 Norbertine Celebrations at St. Norbert Abbey

St. Augustine
St. Augustine

On Sunday, August 27, 2017, at the First Vespers of the Solemnity of St. Augustine, Rev. Peter B. Ambting 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 Monday, August 28, 2017, the Solemnity of St. Augustine, Frater Patrick M. LaPacz, 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.

On Tuesday, August 29, 2017, Frater LaPacz also will be ordained to the diaconate by Most Rev. Robert F. Morneau, DD, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Green Bay.

Read more about vestition and the Norbertine religious habit »


August 27, 2017 — First Vespers of the Solemnity of St. Augustine

Vestition of Fr. Peter Ambting, O. Praem.

An Outward Sign of an Inward Spirit


August 28, 2017 — Solemnity of St. Augustine

Bishop and Doctor of the Church | Author of Our Rule of Life
Celebrating the Solemn Profession of Frater Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem.

A Lifelong Commitment to Canonical Life

from St. Norbert Abbey on Vimeo


August 29, 2017 — Mass of Diaconate Ordination of Deacon Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem.


Frater Patrick Michael LaPacz, O. Praem.

Profession of Solemn Vows and Ordination to the Diaconate

… I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me this year as a Norbertine deacon.

—Deacon Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem.
Frater Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem.
Frater Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem.

Frater LaPacz, 30, is the son of Terrence and Mary (Berg) LaPacz of Green Bay, Wis., and is a son of St. Agnes Parish in Green Bay.

Frater LaPacz was vested in the white Norbertine habit in August 2012 and professed Simple Vows in August 2014.

A 2005 graduate of Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, Green Bay, Frater LaPacz graduated from St. Norbert College in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He also studied at Conception Seminary College in Missouri from 2009-2011, and is completing a Master of Divinity degree at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

“My solemn profession and diaconate ordination were special days for me. My journey to this point has been long, but it was worth the wait. I’m so glad I was able to celebrate these days with friends and family, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me this year as a Norbertine deacon.” —Deacon Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem.

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Rev. Peter Bernardus Ambting, O. Praem.

Vestition

… I look forward to take time for contemplation and reflection during the novitiate.

—Fr. Peter Ambting, O. Praem.
Fr. Peter Ambting, O. Praem.
Fr. Peter Ambting, O. Praem.

Fr. Ambting, 44, is the son of Peter H. and Wilhemina (Vos) Ambting of Doetinchem, Netherlands, and is a son of St. Martin Parish in Beek, Netherlands.

Fr. Ambting graduated from the Secondary Agricultural School of Doetinchem in July 1991 and from Higher General Continued Education schooling in August 2002. After being admitted into the seminary for the Archdiocese of Utrecht, Netherlands, in 2001, he earned a master’s degree in theology (Pastoral Theology) in August 2007. Fr. Ambting was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Utrecht on May 17, 2008, and most recently served as the pastor of the Roman Catholic Parish of Maria en Laurentius (a merged parish comprising 19 previous parishes) since 2010.

The first-year Norbertine novitiate (in which Fr. Ambting will participate) will take place at St. Norbert Abbey.

“After saying farewell to my parish in the Netherlands on July 2, emptying my house, and organizing the move to the U.S. in the weeks afterwards, finally the moment of vestition was here. It was the result of two and a half years of discernment since I first visited St. Norbert Abbey. That was a pretty long time. Because of the distance I was only able to make it to De Pere during my yearly summer vacation. I also wanted to finish the merger of the two parishes where I was the pastor.

I have been a priest for more than nine years, and always felt the desire for community life. The vestition with the white habit was for me an external sign of an internal movement. It felt good to take this first step, but I also realize the call to community life will be there every day as a gift and a task. After 10 years of working in a parish I look forward to take time for contemplation and reflection during the novitiate.” —Fr. Peter Ambting, O. Praem.

4th English-Speaking Norbertine Associate Gathering

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.

View event details »

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  • Deo Gratias
    Gratitude to the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey
    By Nancy Santamaria
    Formation Director, Norbetine Associates, Daylesford Abbey

Reflections on the 4th National Gathering of Norbertine Associates

By Michael Hermans

Norbertine Associate, St. Norbert Abbey

Norbertine AssociatesDuring 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.

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  • Deo Gratias
    Gratitude to the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey
    By Nancy Santamaria
    Formation Director, Norbetine Associates, Daylesford Abbey

Enlightenment, Opportunity, and Fellowship

By Carol Stanaszak

Norbertine Associate, St. Norbert Abbey

Norbertine AssociatesUpon 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.

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  • Deo Gratias
    Gratitude to the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey
    By Nancy Santamaria
    Formation Director, Norbetine Associates, Daylesford Abbey