Friday, October 8, 2010

2 months to go...

...until my first profession of monastic vows! God willing and it is approved by the monks of St. Benedict's Abbey (they vote on Oct 19), I will become a Junior monk on December 8, 2010. Afterward I will get to make a 5-day Home Visit (more on that later).

Monthly Update:

1. Julie Alexander gave birth to her and Greg's 7th child on September 23... giving him the name Justin Damien! He will have some big shoes to fill (as I do) as those are 2 great saints!!

2. Along those lines, another a wonderful couple here in Atchison had their 4th child - Joe & Megan Wurtz. Sophia Marie Therese Wurtz was born on the Feast of St. Therese (Oct. 1). Joe is the dean of students at our college and I have known them for about 8-9 years.

3. On a somewhat sadder note, I entered the Novitiate with 2 young men, Br. Christopher & Br. Ulrich, and the latter (now back to Vincent Henningsgaard) has discerned that he is not called to be here at St. Benedict's Abbey at this time. He moved back to Minnesota on September 30th. He is a wonderful person who is already missed. May God continue to bless him as he seeks His will in his life!! And, as I told him, if God's will and mine ever coincide on this issue he will be back!!

4. One of our brothers here has started a Peanut Brittle business... and the novices (and others) are helping to make the brittle. Check it out on our website: www.kansasmonks.org - Click on "The Making of Benedict's Brittle" video to see me in action!

5. A few of us monks also participated in the annual Life Chain (which occurs on the first Sunday of October every year)... picture and blurb also on the website (for now).

6. Auburn football continues to roll... up to #8 in the nation. Troy had a significant victory last Tuesday night (Oct 5th on ESPN) over their main competition for their conference championship and subsequent bowl game invitation!! BC is now 3-2 after starting 3-0 and losing to a couple of good teams the past 2 weeks. And yes, the Evil Empire has won a few games too...

7. Little things going on all over the place... the novices have been helping one of our older priests (82 years old) move back to the monastery from a local parish where he will end his term as pastor on Oct 15th... Our recent Family Weekend at BC went well (Oct 1-3)... the Abbey hosted the Kansas City (Kansas) priests for our (135th?) annual Clergy Day (we prayed vespers together and had a delicious dinner) last Tuesday (Oct 5th)... Oktoberfest is tonight at BC (our roots are German and it is a good excuse for a campus-wide party!).

8. And saving the best for last... my brother Barry is now dating a wonderful Catholic girl!! The relationship looks like it has some good potential!! More on this as things develop... but a few prayers would be appreciated!!

That is all for now... and as you are praying for that last item, throw in one for me too (and be assured of mine for you)!!

God bless,
FrJDD

No comments:

Post a Comment