Heart to Heart Summer 2000

Newsletter of the Benedictines of Saint Vincent Archabbey

http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/archabbey/ Volume 11, Issue 4, Summer 2000300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650 724-532-6600, 724-539-9761

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In this Issue . . .Archabbot’s Message .............2Archabbey News .....................2, 6-7Two Ordained to Priesthood...3, 14Cardinal’s Visit.........................4-5New Subprior ...........................7Mission to Brazil ......................8-9Saint Vincent History ..............10Mister Rogers Honored...........11Installation Planned.................11Mission to Haiti ........................12Tribute Gifts .............................13Four Receive Degrees.............13Jubilarian Day..........................14Diaconate Ordination ..............14Cross Dedicated ......................14Solemn Vows ...........................15Simple Vows.............................16Parish Apostolate ....................16‘Breaking Bread’ at Mill ...........17Gristmill Book Publicity ..........17Fr. Earl Henry Honored ...........18New Vocation Director ............18Obituaries.................................19Fr. Vernon Appointed ..............20Work on Back Spires...............20

New Saint Vincent College President

NamedJames F. Will, an alumnus of Saint

Vincent College who has enjoyed a successful career in the steel industry, has been named the 15th president of Saint Vincent College. Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancel-lor, and Mr. J. Christopher Donahue, Chairman of the Board, made the announcement during a press confer-ence on June 9. Mr. Will recently retired as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Armco, Inc.

“After an extensive national search, it became clear to the committee that Jim Will is the best person to lead this College into the next millennium,”

Congratulating Mr. James F. Will, second from left, on his appointment as President of Saint Vincent College are, left, Father Martin R. Bartel, O.S.B., past president; Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor of Saint Vincent College, third from left; and Mr. J. Christopher Donahue, Chairman of the college board of directors.

Three Profess Solemn VowsMaking their solemn profession of monastic vows before Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki,

O.S.B., on July 11 were, from left, Brother David Ho, O.S.B., Br. Joseph M. Adams, O.S.B., and Br. Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B. See pages 15 and 16.

Mister Rogers Receives Medal

of Honor

(see Page 11)

Saint Vincent Archabbey Heart to Heart Summer 2000

Page 2 Volume 11, Number 4

Kirsch, as he comes back to Saint Vincent after 33 years at our mission in Brazil, where I had the opportunity to visit this summer. Also returning from Brazil, where he served for 36 years, is Fr. Leo Rothrauff, O.S.B., who will serve as parochial vicar at St. Gertrude Parish, Vandergrift.

One of the great gifts of Saint Vincent Archabbey is our senior monks. This June we celebrated the jubilees of monastic profession and priesthood for 13 of our monks. Their continued service to the monastic community and the church is a great blessing to all of us. Please remember our jubilarians and the entire Saint Vincent community in your prayers and know that you are remembered in

ours.

Sincerely,

Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.

Br. David Ho, O.S.B., and Dr. Joseph Henning of the college’s history department led a series of orientation sessions introducing four Saint Vincent College students to the languages, customs and current events of Taiwan and Japan in preparation for the students’ East Asia Study Tour May 15 to June 5. The students, Eric Carlquist, Kaylyn Gresh, Janard Pendleton and Eris Symms, toured temples, museums, business districts and high-tech showrooms, and spent time with local host families in both countries.

College Associate Academic Dean Alice J. Kaylor and Br. Nicholas Koss, O.S.B., who teaches at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, led the tour in Taiwan, while Dean Kaylor and Dr. Henning led the group in Japan.

* * * * *Fr. Thomas M. Hart, O.S.B., Chair of the Religious Studies

Department and Dr. John J. Smetanka, Physics Department at Saint Vincent College, attended a one-day conference given by the Center for Theological Inquiry entitled “The End of the World and the Ends of God.” It was subtitled “Science and Theology on Eschatology” and was held on the campus of Princeton University on March 25.

The conference focused on the reporting of a three-year consultation between natural scientists, social scientists, biblical scholars and theologians on the means of thinking and speaking with joy and hope about the future that is both scientifically realistic and theologically faithful. Speakers at the conference included John Polkinghorne, Michael Welker and Jurgen Moltmann.

* * * * *

Fr. Rene M. Kollar, O.S.B., chairperson of the Saint Vincent College History Department, was recently informed that Lexington Books, the sister imprint of Rowan Littlefield, will publish his latest book, Searching for Raymond: Anglicanism, Spiritualism, and Bereavement between the Two World Wars. This book explores the attitude of the Anglican Church toward the growth of Spiritualism within the church following the horrific loss of life during World War I. Some believed that Spiritualism could help people to cope with the death of a loved one better than the traditional teachings of Anglicanism. The Archbishop of Canterbury eventually established a committee in 1939 to study the relationship of Christianity to Spiritualism, and in some respects its findings were favorable to Spiritualism.

This is Fr. Rene’s fifth book. He has also written a television documentary for BBC Wales and more than 125 articles and reviews dealing with religious and social aspects of 19th and 20th century England.

* * * * *Fr. William F. Wurm, O.S.B., instructor of German,

attended the Spring 2000 meeting of the Western Pennsyl-vania Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German on March 17. The meeting was co-hosted by the Bayer Corporation in Robinson Township and was held on site at Bayer. The day began with a tour of one of the buildings where they work with polyurethane. Products from truck beds to bumpers to lining for refrigeration units

News From Around The Archabbey


Archabbot’s MessageDear friends,We have had an exceptionally busy

spring and summer at Saint Vincent. The visit of Francis Cardinal Arinze

was the start of a series of festive occa-sions.

We celebrated the ordination to the dia-conate of our confreres Br. Lee Yoakam and Br. Edward Mazich. That celebration was followed in May by the ordination to the priesthood of Br. Philip M. Kanfush and Br. Matthew T. Laffey.

In July we celebrated the solemn vows of three of our Benedictines, Br. Joseph Adams, Br. Thomas Curry and Br. David Ho, and the first profession of Br. Mat-thias Marbach and Br. Anthony Costello. We welcomed three new novices to our community, Br. Dominic Shipsky, Br. Gregory Montagna and Fr. Joseph Linck.

And seven of our junior monks renewed their vows.

We welcome the return of Br. Anthony


Volume 11, Number 4 Page 3

Two Benedictines OrdainedTo Priesthood on May 20

Two Saint Vincent Archabbey Bene-dictines were ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. Anthony G. Bosco, Bishop of Greensburg, on Saturday, May 20. Philip M. Kanfush, O.S.B., of Monaca, and Matthew T. Laffey, O.S.B., of Pitts-burgh, were ordained in the Archabbey Basilica.

Fr. Philip is the son of Philip and Eliza-beth (Farland) Kanfush, Jr., of Monaca. He is the youngest of six children. His sisters are: Denise Kempa and Aileen McCullogh, both of Monaca; Ladonna Dmitsak of Aliquippa; Monica Gorman of Medina, Ohio; and Michaleen Ensworth of Beaver Falls.

He is a 1980 graduate of Center Area High School, Monaca. At the University of Pittsburgh he earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1985, and a masters of business administration degree in 1991. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1996, a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1999, with highest honors, and a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2000, with high honor. He also received the American Bible Society Award for excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture in 1999.

On July 1, 1993, he entered the Bene-dictine community of Saint Vincent Archabbey and made simple profession of vows on July 10, 1994, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1997.

Before entering the monastery, Father

Philip was assistant director of financial aid and served as a part-time faculty member at the Community College of Allegheny County. Since arriving at Saint Vincent he has been an instructor in education (1994-present), assistant in the Benedictine Annual Appeal (1994-1996), assistant at the Archabbey Gristmill (1994-1996), and director of the Basilica Gift Shop (1997-present).

From 1998 to 1999 he was administra-tive secretary to the archabbot. He was ordained to the diaconate on April 19, 1999, and on August 15, 1999, began serving his diaconate internship at Saint Benedict Parish, Carrolltown.

Father Matthew is the son of Alice (Kredell) Laffey of Pittsburgh and the late Edward Laffey. He is one of twelve children. His brothers and sisters are Regina Caldwell, Regis, Edward, Roseann Parker, Alice Leone, Margaret Vaughan, Helen Kondrich and Brendan, all of Pittsburgh; Theresa Laffey of Medina, Ohio and Monica Radkowski of St. Marys. A brother, Matthew, is deceased.

He is a 1972 graduate of Central Catholic High School. He has attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College. He earned a master of divinity degree at Saint Vincent Seminary in 1999, with highest honors.

He made simple profession of monastic

Taking part in the ordination ceremony for Fathers Philip M. Kanfush, O.S.B., and Matthew T. Laffey, O.S.B., on May 20 were, from left, Saint Vincent Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.; Father Matthew; Most Rev. Anthony G. Bosco, Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg, ordaining prelate; Father Philip and retired Saint Vincent Archabbot Paul R. Maher, O.S.B.


from the Latin,“Cor ad Cor Loquitur,”

or “Heart Speaks to Heart,” is the motto of Archabbot

Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. It refers to the archabbot’s

prayer that giving and receiving authentic love may

always be the chief characteristic of the Saint

Vincent monastic community. This was also the motto of

Cardinal John Newman.

This newsletter is published by the Benedictines of Saint

Vincent Archabbey.

PublisherArchabbot Douglas R.

Nowicki, O.S.B.

Development DirectorWilliam P. Malloy

Writer/EditorKimberley A. Metzgar

Contributors to this issue:

Director of Public RelationsDonald A. Orlando

Public Relations AssociateTheresa Schwab

Alumni DirectorRev. Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B.

Ronald RaimondoRev. Noel H. Rothrauff, O.S.B.

Julia Marous Straut PhotographyJerome Zufelt

Saint Vincent Archabbey300 Fraser Purchase Road

Latrobe, PA 15650-2686724-539-9761, Ext. 2601

[email protected]://benedictine.

stvincent.edu/archabbey/



By Jerome ZufeltManaging EditorThe Catholic Accent

The Eucharist and Baptism are the most important of the sacraments and the key to church empowerment, a Vatican cardinal said in his homily during Mass April 29 at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, focused on baptism and the benefits of monastic life in his homily at the Benedictine seminary and college, the last stop on a two-week visit to the United States.

“The baptismal font is the place where new life begins for us sinners in our pilgrimage on Earth. It is where we receive the first share of new life that Jesus gained for us,” said Cardinal Arinze, who spent much of his U.S. visit

Cardinal Arinze EmphasizesImportance of the Eucharist and Baptism;

Blesses Spires, Baptismal Fontdiscussing the Eucharist.

“Baptism is the fundamental consecra-tion of the human to God,” he contin-ued. “We renew our baptismal vows at the Easter Vigil, at each baptism and today.”

Acknowledging the temptation for humans to forget God, especially in the midst of plenty, he urged people not to wait until they need God to call on him.

“God is not the fiction of humans in need, he is the creator of everyone.”

As he had throughout his U.S. trip, Cardinal Arinze encouraged people to read the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

“Reading just two pages a day, you can finish it in two years,” he said. “If you have to, sell your shoes and buy one (catechism).”

Cardinal Arinze observed that monas-teries are “centers of prayer and reflection and of spiritual recollection” and people



need the silence of monastic life because they cannot concentrate on higher things in the midst of the noise of everyday life.

“The monastery is where we come for spiritual fresh water,” he added.

Cardinal Arinze blessed the Basilica’s two new spires and new baptismal font after the homily.

The 55-foot spires, each topped by a 10-foot high cross, were erected as part of a three-year renovation of the Basilica that was completed last year. The 1.5-ton baptismal font was carved from a block of Indiana limestone.

Cardinal Arinze was the principal celebrant at the Mass; Bishop Anthony G. Bosco presided; and among the concelebrants were Benedictine Archab-bot Douglas R. Nowicki of Saint Vincent Monastery, and Benedictine Archabbot Paul R. Maher, retired Archabbot. While at Saint Vincent, Cardinal Arinze led a Eucharistic retreat.

Photo Information:

Francis Cardinal Arinze, Presi-dent of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, during the Mass dedicating the Saint Vincent Archabbey spires and the new baptismal font. In the group photograph on this page are, from left, Saint Vincent Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.; Mr. John C. Marous, Jr., Chairman of the Saint Vincent Seminary Board of Regents and a Knight of St. Gregory; Cardinal Arinze; Mr. Frank J. Schneider, Knight of St. Greg-ory; Most Rev. Anthony G. Bosco, Bishop of Greensburg; and retired Saint Vincent Archabbot Paul R. Maher, O.S.B. The event photos were contributed by Julia Marous Straut Photography, Ronald Rai-mondo, Rev. Noel Rothrauff, O.S.B., and Kim Metzgar.



were seen.After lunch, Lyle Knisley, the man-

ager of Training and Development of the Bayer Corporation in Pittsburgh, gave a presentation on “Cultural Under-standing.” Mr. Knisley is a member of the PSMLA Cultural Communica-tions Alliance. The purpose of the alliance is “to emphasize to students the importance of language studies and to encourage schools to integrate cultural studies into the language curriculum to better prepare young Americans to meet the demands of the global work environment.”

* * * * *Fr. Thomas Devereux, O.S.B., was

the guest speaker at the Pittsburgh Triangle Alumni Luncheon on April 11. Pittsburgh area alums meet for the luncheon at Tambellini’s 7th Street Restaurant monthly.

* * * * *Fr. Nathan J. Munsch, O.S.B., a

monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, who recently completed graduate studies at Boston College, introduced the 45th speaker in the Threshold on the Twenty/First Century lecture series on May 6 at Kennedy Hall. The speaker was Fr. Nathan’s brother, Bob Munsch, a best-selling children’s author. A native of Glenshaw, Allegheny County, Bob Munsch was one of nine children of Tom and Marge Munsch. Today he is a multiple book contract author with Scholastic Press and others. He and his wife Ann have three children and reside in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

* * * * *Fr. Chrysos-

tom V. Schlimm, O.S.B., Director of Libraries, spoke to the Harrisburg area Saint Vincent Alumni Chapter on March 15. His topic centered around the history of the campus

library, tracing it from the founding of Saint Vincent by Boniface Wimmer in 1846 to the present day. Alumni Director Fr. Gilbert J. Burke, O.S.B., also attended the meeting.

* * * * *

Fr. Thomas M. Hart, O.S.B., and Fr. Paul-Alexander Shutt, O.S.B., worked this spring with two Saint Vincent College students on a multi-media presentation featuring a recitation of the Gospel of John in French. Grant Baker, a fresh-man religious studies major, gave the presentation with Andriy Malish putting together computer images as an illustra-tive backdrop. Fr. Thomas served as academic advisor to Grant, while Fr. Paul-Alexander helped him with his French pronunciation.

* * * * *Br. Patrick Lacey, O.S.B., Saint Vin-

cent Fire Chief, and several other mem-bers of the fire department, participated

in the 107th Annual Western Pennsyl-vania Fireman’s Association Con-vention in Som-erset, Pa., on August 10. At the parade, the depart-ment won a first place trophy for “Best Appearing

Antique Fire Apparatus - Privately Owned.” Entered in the display were an old hand pumper from 1830, a hose cabinet dating to 1837 and a chemical cart from 1887. The pumper was displayed on a float in the parade and the other pieces of equipment were pulled by hand. The Saint Vincent firemen dressed the part as well, wearing black knickers with red socks, white shirts, red suspenders, black helmets and white gloves.

* * * * *William A. Beaver, O.S.B., was among

the voice students of Paula Rivera appear-ing in a recital on April 1 at the Science Center Amphitheater. Students performed individually and in opera scenes.

* * * * *Fr. William F. Wurm, O.S.B., instructor

of German, was invited to serve as a judge for the APPLES Foreign Language Festival March 25 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. APPLES is the Appalachian Language Educators Society. It is a collaborative effort between college/university language teachers and high school teachers to effectively promote the study of foreign languages at the high school and middle school level. The colleges and universities involved are Indiana University, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and St. Francis College. More than 400 students from middle schools and high schools partici-

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Archabbey News


Fr. Kurt Belsole, O.S.B., assistant rector of Saint Vincent Seminary, has been appointed acting Seminary

rector by Archab-bot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B,, Seminary Chan-cellor, during the sabbatical of Fr. Thomas P. Acklin, O.S.B.

Effective July 1, the following other new

appointments have been made in the seminary apostolate: Fr. Sebastian A. Samay, O.S.B., adjunct faculty. Added to the college faculty assisting the seminary are: Br. Nathan M. Cochran, O.S.B., Father Nathan J. Munsch, O.S.B., Fr. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., and Fr. Mark E. Wenzinger, O.S.B.

Br. Benedict Janecko, O.S.B., and

pated in the competition that included non-academic art work, t-shirts and models. In the academic competition categories were web pages, composi-tion, literary recitation, speaking profi-ciency and drama. Also there were presentations of various aspects of culture: dance, instrumental and song. Fr. William judged the recitation of German literary selections and then served as one of three judges for the three plays (French, German and Spanish) that were presented.

* * * * *Fr. Cyprian G. Constantine, O.S.B.,

presented an organ concert on June 18 in Rome, Italy, at the Basilica of Sant’ Anselmo, at the invitation of the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Order, Marcel Rooney. The con-cert was one in a series of concerts presented in cel-ebration of the Holy Year by the Collegio di Sant’ Anselmo, the international house of studies of the Benedictine Order in Rome. Fr. Cyprian is assistant profes-sor of music in the Fine Arts Depart-ment of Saint Vincent College, teaches courses at Saint Vincent Seminary, and is principal organist and choirmaster of Saint Vincent Archabbey.

* * * * *




Archabbey News

Fr. Warren D. Murrman, O.S.B., will be on sabbatical leave during the fall 2000 semester.

* * * * *New appointments in the monastery,

effective August 24, are: Br. Anthony Kirsch, O.S.B., Sub-

prior, Saint Vincent Archabbey; Fr. Pat-rick Cronauer, Junior Master (Father Patrick also serves as Director of Solemnly Professed Benedictine and Other Religious Seminarians); Br. Cajetan Homick, O.S.B., Socius of Novices; Br. William Benthall, O.S.B., Director, Archabbey Guests and Guest Facilities; Br. Anthony Costello, O.S.B., assistant guestmaster; Fr. Thomas More Sikora, O.S.B., assistant archivist; Br. Brian Boosel, O.S.B., Director of Sacristies, assistant master of ceremonies; Br. Matthias Marbach, O.S.B., assistant master of ceremonies/sacristan and assistant director of voca-tions; Fr. Justin Matro, O.S.B., direc-tor of vocations; Br. Joseph Adams, O.S.B., assistant director of vocations and Br. Mark Floreanini, O.S.B., assis-tant director of vocations.

* * * * *New appointments in the Saint Vin-

cent College apostolate are: Br. Joseph Adams, dorm moderator; Br. Thomas Curry, O.S.B., dorm moderator, assis-tant pool manager; Br. Patrick Doering, assistant soccer coach; Fr. Anthony

Br. Anthony Kirsch, O.S.B.

Grossi, O.S.B., manager of the Book Center, Benedictine resident, Rooney Hall; Fr. Vernon Holtz, acting academic dean; Br. Anthony Kirsch, facilities management assistant; Fr. Thomas More Sikora, O.S.B., director, Oppor-tunity Program.

New appointments to the faculty are Fr. Philip Kanfush, O.S.B., Fr. Nathan Munsch, O.S.B., and Fr. Mark Wenzinger, O.S.B.

* * * * *Three novices began their novitiate

with investiture ceremonies at Saint Vincent Basilica on July 10. The novi-tiate is a year of prayer and study designed to aid them in determining their vocation as Benedictine monks.

Brother Dominic J. Shipsky, of Poland, Ohio is a 1984 graduate of Poland High School.

Rev. Joseph C. Linck, of Pittsburgh, is a 1982 graduate of Lancaster Catho-lic High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1986 from Thomas More College, Merrimack, New Hampshire; a master of arts degree in theology in 1988 from the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas; a master of divinity degree in 1994 from Saint Vincent Seminary; and a doctorate in church history in 1995 from Catholic University, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Wuerl on September 17, 1994 at Sacred Heart Church, Shadyside.

Br. Gregory D. Montagna of Car-dale, Pennsylvania, is a 1987 graduate

New Subprior AppointedBeltsville, Maryland; and Mrs. Richard (Andrea) Ponzetto of Indiana, Pennsyl-vania.

He received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1966 and attended Saint Vincent Seminary and Seminário dos Estigma-tinos, Campinas, São Paulo. He made his simple profession of vows on July 2, 1964 at Saint Vincent Archabbey, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1967 at Mosteiro de São Bento.

He has served the Saint Vincent Monastic Community as socius of novices (1964-1966); and was assigned to St. Benedict Priory in Brazil in 1967. He has served as director of the retreat house (1974-1975), prior of St. Benedict Priory (1975-1978), head of maintenance (1978-2000), and subprior of St. Benedict

Brother Anthony S. Kirsch, O.S.B., has been appointed subprior of Saint Vincent Archabbey by Archabbot Doug-las R. Nowicki, O.S.B. The subprior is responsible for assisting the abbot and the prior in the daily operations of the monastery, and is one of the major superiors.

Brother Anthony returns to the Archab-bey after 33 years at its apostolate in Brazil, Mosteiro de São Bento, Vinhedo, São Paulo, where he most recently served as subprior.

A native of Nicktown, Pennsylvania, he is the son of Clarissa Holzer of Nicktown and the late Louis M. Kirsch. He is one of six children: Mrs. William (Gloria) Nealen of Nicktown; Paul L. Kirsch of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Richard (Deanna) Hoppel of Streamwood, Illinois; Cyril A. Kirsch of

of Brownsville Area High School. In 1991 he earned a bachelor of arts degree in politics and philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. He attended Saint Vincent Seminary from 1993 to 1995, and from 1999 to 2000. He earned a master of divinity degree with high honor from Saint Vincent Seminary in May 2000.

* * * * *Fr. Stephen Honeygosky, O.S.B.,

had an article published in the Summer 2000 edition of Benedictines magazine, published in Kansas City, Kansas.

His article, appearing in Volume 53-1, is titled “Monastic Witness and Credibility in a Post-Modern World.” In the article, Fr. Stephen notes that the monk is an icon of the Christian to the Christian. As such, in today’s world where people’s religious literacy varies, the monastic man or woman must present an incarnational credibility in the midst of the world if he/she is to have anything rich and real to say to the world.

* * * * *Br. David Carl-

son, O.S.B., associate profes-sor of computing and information science at Saint Vincent College, received the Boni-face Wimmer Fac-ulty Award this spring.



Mission to BrazilSaint Vincent Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., recently visited Mosteiro de São Bento, in Vinhedo, the Saint Vincent

mission in Brazil. The Benedictines at Mosteiro de São Bento are involved in a number of activities, including operating a retreat center and 1. assisting in the operation of São Bento School. 2. This photo shows the entrance of the monastery, which had some work done on the entrance area. Photo 3 shows a house which was renovated to serve as a retreat house for youth. 4. Father Thomas P. Acklin, O.S.B., and Archabbot Douglas,visit with Archbishop Gilberto Lopez of Campinas, Brazil, and his Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Luiz Antonio Guedes. 5. Archabbot Douglas, Luciana Lenne, one of the school administrators, (second from left), Father Prior Lucas Torrell de Almeida Costa, O.S.B., (center) Father Mauro Fernandes (right) greet Mrs. Maria Stela R. Ferreira Grieco, the new Director of Colégio São Bento in Vinhedo. 6. Abbot Isodoro Preto (third from left) and Fr. Alexandre Silva (far right) welcomed Archabbot Douglas and Br. Dãmaso, Br. Roberto and Br. Andre, monks of São Bento, to the Benedictine monastery in São Paulo. 7. The Saint Vincent Benedictine community in Brazil, identified next to the picture; 8. Father Claudio, pastor of Nossa Senhora de Lourdés, stands at the entrance to the newly renovated Fatima shrine. 9. Maestro Eduardo Hora greets Archabbot Douglas at a concert which was given in his honor at the monastery during his recent visit. 10. Mayor Milton Serafin welcomed Archabbot Douglas to Vinhedo’s City Hall, where the archabbot presented the mayor with a souvenir featuring Saint Vincent College, the summer home of the Pittsburgh Steelers; 11. Archabbot Douglas was the principal celebrant and homilist at a mass for junior monastics from throughout Brazil at São Geraldo Monastery in São Paulo.

1 2

3 4

5 6



8 9

10

11

The Saint Vincent Benedictines in Brazil and their guests, front, from left, Father Thomas P. Acklin, Saint Vincent Seminary rector; Br. Andre Antonio Melli; Father Prior Lucas Torrell de Almeida Costa; Archabbot Douglas; Father Mauro de Souza Fernandes, Br. Miguel Savieto and Dom Luiz, a visiting monk from Olinda; back, from left, Br. Vanderlei de Lima, Br. Marco José Ramos de Sousa, Br. Dãmaso Lemos da Silva, Br. Roberto de Andrade Lima, Fr. Cláudio Moraes and Br. Paulo Sérgio Panza.

7

Benedictinesin Brazil



The Catholic University of America Press has recently published Dr. Jerome Oetgen's latest work on American Bene-dictine history, Mission to America: A History of Saint Vincent Archabbey.

In this sequel, Dr. Oetgen, author of An American Abbot, the highly acclaimed biography of Saint Vincent founder Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., traces the his-tory of the monastery, parish, seminary, college, prep school and scholasticate in Latrobe from the founding of the Sportsman's Hall parish in 1790 to the election of Rembert Weakland as the seventh archabbot in 1963. The book fills a significant gap in American Benedictine history and offers an outstanding contri-bution to the history of the American Catholic Church.

“We at Saint Vincent have long antici-pated the publication of our history; not only of the years of our founder, Boniface Wimmer (1846-1887), so well told as biography by Dr. Oetgen in An American Abbot; but also of the years of his five immediate successors (1887-1963), never before narrated under one cover,” said Fr. Omer U. Kline, O.S.B., Archab-bey historian and archivist. He added: “Dr. Oetgen has eminently succeeded in achieving his avowed purpose in writing Mission to America: ‘to provide a detailed history of Saint Vincent and its apostolates within the context of both

monastic history and the history of the American Catholic Church’.”

Using American and European archival sources, as well as documents and let-ters in Saint Vincent records, Dr. Oetgen covers the 173 years of Saint Vincent’s history, its missions and schools.

Dom Paschal Baumstein, O.S.B., of Belmont Abbey, North Carolina, author of two books on American Benedictine history wrote in his review:

“When I picked up this text, I feared that it . . . would be provincial and myopic. I could not have been more wrong. Much of the importance of Saint Vincent is the place it has filled in the various movements of American religious life — monastic, liturgical, educational — positions that have sometimes involved leadership and sometimes entailed service as a prototype or example. In both regards, Saint Vincent has been endur-ingly important. Oetgen has captured this admirably, and in doing so has made a book about a single religious house (albeit the mother of an entire Order in this country) a volume about greater American religious (especially monastic) life, as well. His contribution is indeed significant because he has captured both the local and the broader dynamics of the story.

"By investigating the differences in articulation that each successive (arch)abbot brought to Saint Vincent, Oetgen is able to show both historical progression and theoretical develop-ment,” Baumstein noted. “It is unusual for

Mission to America’s 607 pages include 29 photographs, 485 pages of narrative and an extensive reference section. It retails for $39.95, and is available in the Saint Vincent Book Center, and the Basilica Gift Shop, as well as by mail through Archabbey Publications, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA, 15650-2690 for an additional $2.55 shipping and handling ($42.50 total). The Book Center in Kennedy Hall is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. weekdays, while the Basilica Gift Shop is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.

Ordering/ PurchasingInformation

an institutional history to accomplish that pairing so seamlessly and successfully. This is an enormously insightful work, one that students — as well as those with a more casual interest — of American religious history will find compelling, informative and instructive. The depth of Oetgen's understanding, both of how a monastery works and how it strives to work, keeps this story fascinating and current at all points in the narrative."

“Saint Vincent has a unique history and deserves, by its pride of place and influ-ence, a well-documented and scholarly study,” noted Father Joseph P. Chinnici, O.F.M., Professor of Church History at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California. “This book fills a long-neglected void in American Catholic historiography. The work is significant and important because of its depth of research, the use of archival sources, the information covering the entire history of the monastery, and the endeavors which Saint Vincent undertook throughout its history.”

With eight chapters and nine appen-dices covering every aspect of the monastery’s life, the book documents Saint Vincent history in chronological order, including 67 pages on the history of the Archabbey’s founding and opera-tion of the Fu Jen Catholic University of Peking, China, a controversial undertaking which nearly devastated the monastery financially. “That section alone is worth the price of the book,” Fr. Omer said.

“Jerome Oetgen brings to Mission to America his unique experience of monasticism from the inside, being an alumnus of Saint Vincent; and from the outside, as a knowledgeable interpreter of the impact of monasticism on America and the world,” Father Omer said.

Dr. Oetgen is currently primer secre-tario at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain. He has taught at universities in the United States, Canada, the Peoples Republic of China, Lithuania and Ecua-dor, and has published numerous articles on the history of the American Benedic-tines. He has served as a U.S. diplomat in Latin America and as director of the Latin American Fulbright Program at the United States Information Agency in Washington, D.C. The revised edition of Oetgen's previous book, An American Abbot: Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., was published by the Catholic University of America Press in 1997.

History of Saint Vincent Just Published



At the 154th annual commencement of Saint Vincent College on May 13, College President Father Martin R. Bartel, O.S.B., honored Fred and Joanne Byrd Rogers, presenting children’s television pioneer Mister Rogers with the Presidential Medal of Honor and his wife with an honorary doctorate for her musical accomplish-ments. Mr. Rogers received an honorary doctorate from Saint Vincent College in 1973. Mr. Fred Rogers then gave the commencement address, noting in his speech that :

“Several years ago, knowing how much I like Saint Exupery’s book, The Little Prince, Douglas gave me a framed piece of calligraphy with a sentence from that book. It reads: ‘L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.’ (What is essential is invisible to the eye.) I feel the closer we get to knowing and living the truth

of that sentence, the closer we get to wisdom.

“What is essential about you that is invisible to the eye? And who are those who have helped you become who you are today?”

Mr. Rogers asked those in attendance to think about the people who had helped nourish the gifts, while noting that “... the real drama of life .... what ultimately nourishes our souls is the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the foundation of our very being is good stuff.”

For a free copy of the commencement speech, please send a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to the Saint Vincent College Public Relations Office, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690. Please note with the envelope what you are requesting.

Saint Vincent College President Father Martin R. Bartel, O.S.B., left, and Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Chancellor, honored both Fred Rogers, for his accomplishments as a television educator and advocate for children and families, and his wife, Joanne Byrd Rogers, for her accomplishments in music, at the 154th college commencement on May 13. Fred Rogers received the Presidential Medal of Honor, while Joanne Rogers received an honorary doctorate.

President, CollegeHonor Fred Rogersand Wife Joanne

The annual Saint Vincent Found-ers’ Day celebration will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2000.

The installation for new Saint Vincent College President James F. Will will be a part of the Founders’ Day celebration. Events include the art exhibit reception in Saint Vincent Gallery; vespers, honors convocation and installation in the Archabbey Basilica; and the Wimmerfest Dinner in Kennedy Hall.

Presidential InstallationNovember 28th

Archabbot Douglas said. “Through his service on the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors as a member and former chairman, and as head of two major capital fund raising campaigns, Mr. Will has repeatedly proven his extraordinary administrative and leadership skills and has demonstrated his firm commitment to this institution and its mission. We are deeply honored that he has accepted our offer to serve in this vital role.”

Mr. Donahue noted that the Search Committee had considered candidates from all over the United States. “It became increasingly obvious to us that the person most able to meet the criteria that had been identified by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Presidency is Mr. Will, an experienced leader with vision and character. His proven leadership and administrative skills, his years of service as a board member at institutions of higher education, his entrepreneurial spirit, his love for Saint Vincent and his ability to influence others to lend their support are unparalleled. Furthermore, his enthusiastic and positive personality, his outstanding educational background and experience, his demon-strated commitment to community service and to the values and teachings of the Catholic tradition, bring together in one unique individual all of the traits needed to take Saint Vincent College soaring into the new century.”

Mr. Will studied mathematics at Saint Vincent College and completed a bach-elor of science degree in electrical engineering through its 3/2 cooperative engineering program with Penn State University. He also earned a masters degree in business administration at Duquesne University in 1972.

New President(Continued from Page 1)



In December 1995, Saint Vincent Benedictine Father Fred Byrne, Director of the Penn State Catholic Center, visited the Little Brothers and Sisters of the Incarnation in the impoverished village of Pandiassou, Haiti. There, he saw firsthand many grassroots programs inspired by the Little Brothers and Sisters, empowering the villagers to work together for their common good. In 1997 in an attempt to aid in the progress of these developing programs, Father Fred organized a group of twelve Penn State students to venture to Haiti to offer support. While in Haiti, the students worked, played, and prayed hand and hand with the Haitian people. In addition to working on the projects of the village, the students also shared in the culture, faith, and love of the Pandiassou community. By the end of their journey, Project Haiti was able to advance some of the projects, but perhaps the most remarkable accomplishment of the time-limited first trip was the unifying of two "apparently" different groups of people under one common goal. This year over three dozen students participated over spring break. In addition to raising money for community projects, the students provided the people with items such as clothes, shoes, hygiene products, and vitamins. The community of Pandiassou is currently working on some very important projects. During prior trips, Project Haiti participated in advancing some of them, including building irrigation canals and reservoirs, improving nutrition, and advancing education. These photos show some of the activities during the most recent trip, including photos of the Little Sisters, the students and the Haitians at work and at play. Father Fred is at the left in the back row of the group photo.



Tributes, Memorial Gifts+REV. REMIGIUS BERNARDVEROSTKO, O.S.B.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald S. Pawlak+REV. CHARLES A. WEBER, O.S.B.

Mrs. Robert Caseman, Sr.Ms. Mary C. CavenarMr. James A. DippoldMary and Joannie FialkowskiSam and Mary FolbyDon and Carol FritzMr. and Mrs. James A. FritzMr. and Mrs. Donald J. HaasMrs. Dorothy HerbstrittMs. Mary Rita HerbstrittMr. and Mrs. Norman A. HessPat and Mary Ann HillebrandMr. and Mrs. Thomas M. KissellMr. Vincent T. MendicinoMullen Refrigeration Service, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. William O. NaccaratoVirginia and Dick RitterMs. Corinne R. RusbosinMr. and Mrs. Russell SuleskiMrs. Frances M. VudragovichMs. Ellen D. WeberMiss Helen WeberMs. Jeanne WeberMs. Nadine WeberMs. Theresa WeberMr. and Mrs. Tony Weber and FamilyHarry and Peggy WhitemanMs. Helen Zimmerman

+REV. CANICE T. WELSH, O.S.B.Mrs. Jeanne DeFeoMr. and Mrs. James Di Nardo, Jr.Rev. Thomas M. RodgersMr. and Mrs. Edward B. Young

ALL DECEASED PRIESTS WHO SERVED AT HOLY FAMILYCHURCH, WEST NEWTON

Mr. Frank A. Skrjanc

To give a tribute or memorial gift please make a donation to Saint Vincent Archab-bey in honor of or in memory of a friend, colleague or family member. Donations should be mailed to Mr. William P. Malloy in the Archabbey Development Office, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690, 724-539-6740, [email protected]. Donors from Feb-ruary 1, 2000 to June 30, 2000 include:

IN HONOR OF:THE SOLEMN PROFESSION OFMONASTIC VOWS FOR BROTHERTHOMAS P. CURRY, O.S.B.

Ms. Audrey BurnsLes and Carol Morris

MRS. ALICE R. LAFFEY Mr. Thomas J. Carroll

IN MEMORY OF:+REV. JULIAN F. BURT, O.S.B.

Holy Cross Church, Northern Cambria, PAMr. Vincent T. MendicinoMs. Mary Ann SettleMr. and Mrs. William F. Wragg

+LOUIS H. CERASO, ESQ.Ms. Adalgisa CerasoMs. Anita C. Kirkpatrick

+MRS. FRANCES DAVIDSEMrs. Agnes UrikMr. Brian D. Urik

+NICHOLAS AND MARY DE MICHELE

Ms. Angie A. Loperfito+MR. GILBERT DIETHRICH

Ms. Carmela M. Tempero+REV. BERTIN L. EMLING, O.S.B.

Mr. Vincent T. MendicinoMrs. Agnes UrikMr. Brian D. Urik

+MR. FILIPPO FICORILLIPaul and Natalie DunlapJim and Jane FarkasBacha Family of GreensburgBacha Family of Pleasant UnityMullen Refrigeration Service, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. OnuskoPenn State University, College of

Health and Human Development, Dean's Office

Penn State University, College of Health and Human Development, Research Office

+MRS. EDITH GALLOMrs. Sue D'Onofrio and Family

+MRS. ROSEMARY HOWLEYRev. Thomas J. Kram, D.D.

+MR. JOHN J. KISH Timken Latrobe Steel

+PATRICIA A. LESTERDr. and Mrs. Perry C. Smith

+BROTHER BERNARD J. F.LEWITZKE, O.S.B.

Ms. Mary Facchine-SpowartMr. Vincent T. MendicinoSr. Barbara Ann Moravec, O.C.D.

+MR. RICHARD J. LOPERFITO Ms. Angie A. Loperfito

+BLANCHE PASINSKIMarlene Caldro and FamilyTheresa and Gene KomondorMr. and Mrs. John KudlaMs. Marlene RaszewskiJack and Barb SchautFrank and Marge SkierkowskiIvan and Betty TrimpeyMs. Vera Wagner

+MRS. DOLLY PEVARNIKDr. and Mrs. John D. Roth

+MR. GEORGE RETTGERMr. and Mrs. Howard J. Magee

+MR. SAMUEL P. ROBERTOSam and Rose AlbiniMr. and Mrs. Albert D. DeMicheleMs. Julie Don GiovanniaMs. Virginia Le DonneMs. Violet GalloMs. Angie LoperfitoMr. and Mrs. Andrew MusalaMs. Mary Rizzo

+MRS. DOROTHY TAJAKMr. and Mrs. James F. Farkas

+MR. JOHN F. VARGO, SR.Mrs. Frances L. Vargo

Thirty-seven degrees were awarded at Saint Vincent Seminary’s 154th annual commencement ceremony held Friday, May 12, at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica. Seminary Chancellor Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., presided at the Solemn Vespers. Archabbot Douglas conferred the degrees on the candidates who were presented by Saint Vincent Seminary Rector, the Very Rev. Thomas P. Acklin, O.S.B., and given academic hoods by Seminary Academic Dean, Sister Cecilia Murphy, R.S.M.

Receiving the Master of Divinity degree were Br. William D. Benthall, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey, with honor; Br. Philip Michael Kanfush III, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey, with high honor; Gregory Montagna, with high honor and Br. Lee R. Yoakam, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey, with honor.

Four Benedictines Receive DegreesFrom Saint Vincent Seminary



Jubilarian Day was celebrated on Thurs-day, June 15, with a Mass in the Archab-bey Basilica. Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., was the principal celebrant and homilist. He recognized those marking their 25th, 50th and 60th jubilees, including Rev. Brendan L. Smetana, O.S.B., sixty years, ordination; Rev. Wilfred M. Dumm, O.S.B., Rev. Germain L. Lieb, O.S.B., Rev. Godfrey F. Burkhardt, O.S.B., Rev. Ermin R. Smith, O.S.B., and Rev. Robert J. Roche, O.S.B., sixty years, profession; Rev. John Erickson, O.S.B., fifty years, ordination; Rev. Justin L. Nolan, O.S.B. and Rev. Leo P. Rothrauff, O.S.B., fifty years, profession; Rev. Stephen Honeygosky, O.S.B., twenty-five years, ordination; Rev. Leon Hont, O.S.B., Rev. Jude W. Brady, O.S.B., and Rev. William F. Wurm, O.S.B., twenty-five years, profession.

Two Benedictines Ordained to Diaconate Two Benedictines attending Saint

Vincent Seminary were ordained to the Diaconate by the Most Rev. J. Kevin Boland, Bishop of Savannah, Georgia, on April 10 in the Archabbey Basilica.

Br. Lee R. Yoakam, O.S.B., is the son of Ted and Doloros Yoakam of Arma, Kansas. He has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Old Dominion University, a bachelor of arts degree from Old Dominion and a master of science degree from Central Michigan University. He received the master of divinity degree from the Saint Vincent Seminary in May.

Br. Lee will serve his diaconate intern-

Br. Edward M. Mazich, O.S.B. Br. Lee R. Yoakam, O.S.B.

ship at Saint Peter Parish, North Side, Pittsburgh.

Br. Edward M. Mazich, O.S.B., of Saint Vincent Archabbey, is the son of Alice (Connolley) Mazich of Danville and the late John Mazich. He is a 1990 gradu-ate of Danville Area High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Penn State University in 1994, and a master of arts degree in theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1998, with highest honor.

Br. Edward will begin pursuing gradu-ate studies in Rome, Italy.

Jubilarians Celebrate on June 15

vows on July 10, 1995. He made solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1998. He was ordained a deacon April 19, 1999, and has served his diaconate internship at Saint Peter Parish, North Side, Pittsburgh. Before entering the monastery he worked for Allegheny Valley School for the men-tally and physically impaired as a health provider. At Saint Vincent he has served as miller at the gristmill (1995-1996), assistant to the vocation director (1995-1998) and as socius of novices (1996 to August 1999). He served as vocation director from 1998 to 2000.

Ordination(Continued from Page 3)

Cross DedicatedSavannah Bishop J. Kevin Boland

blessed a restored memorial cross at Benedictine Military School, Savannah, on March 28, the feast of Saint Benedict. The cross once crowned one of the steeples of Sacred Heart Church, Savannah, founded in 1879 by Saint Vincent Benedictines. Cur-rently, ten Benedictines serve at Benedictine Priory and the school. Until 1991, the cross was atop one of the church steeples, when it was removed for structural repair of the steeples. One of two such crosses, it was given to the Benedictine community and the school as a reminder of the links between the school and the parish. The school had been adjacent to the parish until a new campus was built in the 1960s. The second of the two crosses was used in a memorial at the church to commemorate the Bene-dictine priests who served the church.



Three Profess Solemn VowsThe Rt. Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki,

O.S.B., Archabbot of Saint Vincent Arch-abbey, Latrobe, accepted the solemn vows of three Benedictines on Tuesday July 11, during ceremonies at Saint Vincent Basilica.

After spending one year as a novice and three years as a junior monk, which serve as a period of reflection and monastic formation, the Benedictine brothers may petition for solemn vows, which are a commitment to monastic vows for life. Making their professions were Br. Joseph Adams, O.S.B., Br. Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B., and Br. David Ho, O.S.B.

BROTHER JOSEPH M. ADAMS, O.S.B.

Brother Joseph M. Adams, O.S.B., is a son of Paul V. and Rita A. Adams of Lusby, Maryland. He has two brothers, Paul L. Adams of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and David T. Adams of Gaith-ersburg, Maryland; and two sisters, Julie M. Gonzales of Dale City, Virginia, and Jennifer M. Adams of Lusby, Maryland.

He attended St. Catherine Laboure Parochial School in Wheaton, Maryland and is a 1982 graduate of Wheaton High School. He made simple profession of vows July 10, 1997, at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

He has served as miller at the Saint Vincent Gristmill, socius of novices, and is captain of the Saint Vincent Fire Department.

BROTHER THOMAS P. CURRY, O.S.B.

Brother Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B., is

the son of Thomas P. Curry, Sr., and Mary Lou Curry of Great Neck, New York. His sisters are Mary Elizabeth Curry Williams of Floral Park, New York, and Kathleen Curry Mangels of Valhalla, New York.

Brother Thomas attended St. Aloysius Grade School and is a 1985 graduate of St. Mary’s High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in quantita-tive analysis from St. John’s University in 1989, and studied business at the University of West Florida.

He made his simple profession of vows July 10, 1997, at Saint Vincent Archab-bey Basilica before Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. He has served as assistant director of vocations and as an

Br. Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B. Br. David Ho, O.S.B.Br.Joseph M. Adams, O.S.B.

Father Paul Taylor, Brother Edward Mazich, Brother William Benthall, and seven Saint Vincent College students travelled to Newark Abbey and Saint Benedict's Prep at the end of the Christmas break to spend a week with students there. The SVC students participating were: Kyla Morrison, Beth Troy, Rita Schnabel, Mia Silvaggio, Tim Giltinan, David Alderson and Daniel Kiger. Newark Abbey sponsors Saint Benedict's Prep in the inner-city of Newark. Father Edwin Leahy, O.S.B., headmaster of Saint Ben's extended the invitation to Father Paul, and expressed his gratitude for the visit of the monks and students. The Saint Vincent Bearcats spent their days mentoring, teaching and "just hanging-out" with the Saint Ben's Graybees. Highlights of the trip included a tour of Newark, a trip to Manhattan, celebrating Mass at the Abbey Church and at Blessed Sacrament Church in Newark. The Saint Ben's Graybees have been ranked as the "Number One" Soccer team in the nation for the past two years, so our two soccer players, Tim and Dan, had quite a workout with the team.

Three Benedictines, SVC StudentsSpend Week at Inner-City School

assistant in the summer retreat program.BROTHER DAVID HO, O.S.B.

Brother David Ho, O.S.B., has served as assistant master of ceremonies and sacristan and is assigned to a summer work project at Wimmer Priory, Taipei, Taiwan.

Br. David is currently completing his undergraduate studies at Saint Vincent College. Prior to his arrival in the United States for his monastic formation, he did some coursework at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei. He made simple profession of monastic vows on July 10, 1997.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jin-li Ho of Taiwan.



Two Make First Vows

Br. Matthias S. Marbach, O.S.B., left, and Br. Anthony T. Costello, O.S.B., make simple profession of vows on July 10.

The Rt. Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, accepted the first vows of two novices during ceremonies held at Saint Vincent Basilica on Monday, July 10. Making their simple profession of vows were Br. Matthias Marbach, O.S.B., and Br. Anthony Costello, O.S.B. They recently completed the novitiate at the Archabbey. The novitiate is a year of prayer and study designed to aid in determining their vocation as Benedictine monks.

BROTHER MATTHIAS S. MARBACH, O.S.B.

Brother Matthias S. Marbach, O.S.B., was born July 12, 1976, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the son of Martin James and Susan Emily (Flavin) Marbach of Stafford, Virginia. He is one of four children, including Brian J. Marbach of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Peter J. Marbach of Stafford; and Sarah J. Marbach of Stafford. He is a 1994

New PastoralAppointments

AnnouncedArchabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.,

has announced the following new appointments, effective August 24:

Appointed to ministry within the Dio-cese of Altoona-Johnstown by Bishop Joseph V. Adamec is:

Father Jeremy J. Bolha, O.S.B., parochial vicar, Saint Benedict Parish, Carrolltown.

Appointed to ministry within the Dio-cese of Erie by Bishop Donald W. Traut-man is:

Father Matthew T. Laffey, O.S.B., parochial vicar, Queen of the World Parish, St. Marys.

Appointed to ministry within the Dio-cese of Greensburg by Bishop Anthony G. Bosco are:

Father Athanasius C. Cherry, O.S.B., pastor, Saint Vincent Basilica Parish; Father Philip M. Kanfush, O.S.B., parochial vicar, Saint Vincent Basilica Parish.

Father Aaron N. Buzzelli, O.S.B., pastor, Forty Martyrs Parish, Trauger.

Father Leo P. Rothrauff, O.S.B., parochial vicar, Saint Gertrude Parish, Vandergrift.

Appointed to ministry within the Dio-cese of Pittsburgh by Bishop Donald W. Wuerl are:

Father Job J. Foote, O.S.B., parochial vicar, Saint Peter Parish, North Side, Pittsburgh.

Brother Lee R. Yoakam, O.S.B., deacon, Saint Peter Parish, North Side, Pittsburgh.

Appointed to ministry within the Dio-cese of Richmond, Virginia, by Bishop Walter Sullivan are:

Father Mario A. Fulgenzi, O.S.B., pastor, Saint Gregory Parish, Virginia Beach; Father Paschal N. Kneip, O.S.B., pastor emeritus, Saint Gregory Parish; Father John-Mary Tompkins, O.S.B., parochial vicar, Saint Gregory Parish; Brother Mark J. Evans, O.S.B., staff, Saint Gregory Parish.

In residence at the archabbey is Father Joel R. Lieb, O.S.B.

graduate of North Stafford High School and received a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts from Saint Vincent College in 1998. He has also attended Northern Virginia Community College and Germana Community College.

BROTHER ANTHONY T. COSTELLO, O.S.B.

Brother Anthony T. Costello was born July 11, 1969 in Painesville, Ohio, a son of Robert Anthony and Theresa Costello. He is one of ten children, including Robert A. Costello, Jr., Kevin J. Costello, Joseph P. Costello, James M. Costello, Donald E. Costello and John M. Costello of Geneva, Ohio; Patrick F. Costello of Chicago, Illinois, and the late Kathleen M. Costello and Timothy J. Costello. He attended Assumption Parochial School and Geneva High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in 1993 in food service management from Kent State University and is studying for a master of divinity degree at Saint Vincent Seminary.

Two Saint Vincent Benedictines made simple profession of vows on July 10, while seven renewed their vows the same day, before Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. From the Archabbot’s left, they are, Br. Matthias Marbach and Br. Anthony Costello, simple vows; Br. Abel Rodarte, Br. Mark Floreanini, Br. Brian Boosel, Br. Vinh Nguyen, Br. Cajetan Homick, Br. Boniface Hicks and Br. Patrick Doering, renewing their vows.



On Friday, June 23, a production crew from the television show “Breaking Bread with Father Dominic” visited the Saint Vincent Gristmill for an upcoming show. Producer Melissa Jaco, a videographer and a sound and light technician spent most of the day with Br. Joseph M. Adams, O.S.B., the current miller, and with Father Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., who chairs the Gristmill Committee of the Archabbey. Father Paul and Brother Joseph demonstrated the original equipment, built by the brothers in the 19th century. They also gave an overview of how the whole grinding operation occurs. Father Dominic’s show is seen locally on Channel 14, a public television station. An air date has not been set, but will be posted on the Archabbey’s website at http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/archabbey/ under the “site news” section as soon as it is known. The Saint Vincent Gristmill was opened in 1854 and is one of the oldest gristmills still operating.

Gristmill Book Receiving Widespread PublicityThe Saint Vincent Archabbey Gristmill

and Brewery, 1854-2000, by Father Omer U. Kline, O.S.B., has been receiving widespread regional publicity since its publication earlier this year. The Spring 2000 edition of Around Latrobe, a magazine in the Greater Latrobe area, contained nearly four pages of information and excerpts from the book. A review of

the book appeared in the Spring 2000 edition of Old Mill News, the magazine of the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills. Newspaper clippings on the book’s release have been received from the Clearfield Progress, the Tribune Review, and the Latrobe Bulletin. The Highlander, a special section of the Blairsville Dispatch, included a color schematic of how the mill

works in its coverage of the publication. A review was also featured in Jednota, a weekly newspaper for the Slovak Ameri-can community.

Copies of the book are still available from Archabbey Publications, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690 for $9.95 plus an additional $1.75 shipping and handling.

Saint Vincent Gristmill To Be Featured On ‘Breaking Bread’



A Life of ServiceBlessed by a steady flow of vocations

during the severe priest shortage in America, Saint Vincent Monastery now houses over 200 men who devote their lives to serving the needs of people through a wide variety of pastoral, educational, and missionary work, both at Saint Vincent and throughout the world. While the older monks remain active well past retirement age, they face the same financial hardships that other retirees do — rising health care costs and increasing living expenses. The monks have neither social security nor third-party health care benefits. A strong Monastery Healthcare Fund will afford the older priests and brothers the care they so richly deserve for their many years of service to the people of God.

Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650-2690

Yes, I would like to help these men of God face the needs of their retirement years. Enclosed is my gift of:

$50 $100 $500

$1000 Other

My company may match my gift. Enclosed is the form.

Name

Address

City State

Zip Phone

Make checks payable to Saint Vincent Archabbey. Gifts are tax deductible.

Father Justin M. Matro, O.S.B., has been appointed vocation director of Saint Vincent Archabbey by Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.

Fr. Justin, born in Montgomery, Ala-bama is a son of Nicholas P. Matro of Crabtree and the late Marguerite (Monnich) Matro.

He attended High-land Avenue Grade School, Midland Park, New Jersey, and is a 1976 gradu-ate of Midland Park High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Seton Hall University in 1981, a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1988, and the S.T.D. from the Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome.

He made simple profession of vows on July 10, 1984, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1987. He served his diaconate internship at Sacred Heart Parish, Jeannette (1988-1989). He was ordained a priest on May 27, 1989, by Bishop Anthony G. Bosco of Greensburg.

At Saint Vincent, he served as assistant at the Archabbey Gristmill (1984-1985); Archabbey guestmaster (1984-1985); socius of novices (1985-1986); assis-tant, Development Club (1986-1989); assistant, College Development Office (1986-1987); assistant, Seminary Devel-opment Office (1987-1991); member of the staff of Saint Vincent Retreat Programs (1986-1988); associate direc-tor of the Retreat Program (1988-1990); instructor at Saint Vincent Seminary (1990-1999); director of spiritual life for the Seminary (1993-present). In 1999, he was named to the regular faculty of Saint Vincent Seminary. He is assistant guestmaster of Leander Hall.

Father Earl J. Henry, O.S.B., prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey, was one of four alumni from the former Saint Vincent Preparatory School who were named Alumni of Distinction at the Reunion Weekend 2000, held Aug. 4 to 6.

Fr. Earl is Prior of Saint Vincent Archab-bey, a position to which he was appointed three years ago. A native of Whitney, Fr. Earl attended St. Cecilia Grade School and graduated from Saint Vincent Preparatory School in 1955. He received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1960 and a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1964.

He entered the novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1957, made simple profes-sion of vows in 1958 and solemn profes-sion of vows in 1961. He was ordained a priest by the late William G. Connare,

Bishop of Greensburg, in 1964. Following ordination, Fr. Earl was

associate pastor at St. Gertrude Parish, Van-dergrift, and then returned to Saint Vincent, where he held the positions of director of food service, director of intramural sports, residence hall moderator, dean of students, director of admission, and director of admis-

sion and financial aid.In the fall of 1984 he studied at the

International Benedictine College of Sant'Anselmo in Rome, and then served for seven months in 1985 as administra-tor of St. Nicholas Parish, Nicktown. From

Father Earl Henry Honored As Prep Alumnus of Distinction

New Vocation Director Appointed

1985 to 1987, he was rector of Penn State Catholic Center, State College. He then returned to Saint Vincent College to undertake the position of dean of admission and financial aid, a post he held until he was named prior in 1997. He also serves as president of Wimmer Corporation.



Father Charles A.Weber, O.S.B.

Father Charles A. Weber, O.S.B., died Friday, April 14, 2000, after a long illness.

Father Charles was born October 25, 1919, in St. Marys, a son of the late Clement and Clara (Walker) Weber, and was one of 10 children.

He attended Saint Vincent Preparatory School and received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College in 1942 and a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1944. He also studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Father Charles entered Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1939, making simple pro-fession of vows July 2, 1940, and solemn profession of vows July 11, 1943. He was ordained a priest November 4, 1945.

From 1940 to 1945, Father Charles worked at Saint Vincent Preparatory School and Saint Vincent College as a prefect, assistant librarian and librarian, and also sang in the Archabbey Schola Cantorum. From 1945 to 1994 he was assigned to the Archabbey's parish apostolates in the dioceses of Greens-burg, Pittsburgh and Erie.

During that time he served as pastor of Saint Mary Church in Erie, St. Gertrude Church in Vandergrift and St. Cecilia Church in Whitney. He was a past member of the Finance Committee of the Diocese of Erie and a member of the Priests' Senate of the Diocese of Greensburg.

He retired to the archabbey in 1994 for health reasons.

Father Charles is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Herbstritt, Mrs. Virginia Ritter and Miss Helen Weber, all of St. Marys.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and a sister.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund at Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA, 15650-2690.

Obituaries

Father Charles A. Weber, O.S.B.

Father Alfred L. Grotzinger, O.S.B.

Church in Ligonier, from 1955 to 1967; of Saint Gregory the Great Church in Virginia Beach, Va., from 1967 to 1971; and of St. Mary Church in Erie, from 1981 to 1989. In 1990 he retired to the Archabbey for reasons of health, and there he served as coordinator of monastery maintenance until his death.

Father Alfred served on the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors from 1956 to 1964 and was secretary from 1962 to 1964. He was also a member of the College’s Lay Advisory Board and the Development Club for many years.

Father Alfred received the “Man of the Year” award from the Jeannette Jaycees in 1954. He was also a former district governor of Toastmasters International, District #13; a past president of the Ligo-nier Lions Club; and a former chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Councils #278 and #4632.

Father Alfred is survived by one sister, Mrs. Alice Nescot of Jeannette, and by nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund at Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA, 15650-2690.

Father Alfred L. Grotzinger, O.S.B.

Father Alfred L. Grotzinger, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died on Sunday, July 30, after a long illness. He was 87 years old.

Father Alfred was born on July 5, 1913, in St. Marys, the son of the late Edward and Caroline (Gregory) Grotzinger, and was one of nine children. He attended Saint Mary’s Parochial School in St. Marys and Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He also attended Saint Vincent College and Seminary.

He entered the Saint Vincent monastic community in 1934 and made simple profession of vows on July 2, 1935, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1938. He was ordained a priest on June 15, 1941.

Father Alfred worked in several edu-cational and pastoral apostolates. He was on the faculty of the James Barry-Robinson School and Home for Boys in Norfolk, Va., from 1941 to 1942, and was assigned to several parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Dioceses of Greensburg, Richmond and Erie. He served as pastor of Holy Trinity



SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY300 Fraser Purchase RoadLatrobe, PA 15650-2690724-539-9761http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/

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The First Benedictine Monastery in the United States, Founded in 1846

The back spires of the Archabbey Basilica were recently renovated and now match the front spires and the roof of the Basilica. The front spires were completed last fall and dedicated by Francis Cardinal Arinze on April 29. The work on the back spires was completed in June. The contractors for the project were Keystone Waterproofing and Overly Manufacturing. Both also did the work on the new front spires.

Work On Back Spires Completed

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PAIDPERMIT NO. 110

Father VernonHoltz, O.S.B.,

Named ActingAcademic Dean

Father Vernon Holtz, O.S.B., has been named Acting Aca-demic Dean at Saint Vincent Col-lege. He currently serves as associ-ate professor and chairman of the college Psychol-ogy Department.

He received a bachelor of sci-ence degree in education from Lock Haven State Univer-sity in 1953 and attended Saint Vincent College. He received a master of arts degree in psychology in 1967 from the Catholic University of America, and a doctorate in clinical psychology in 1984 from Duquesne University. Father Vernon also holds a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary.

He made solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1959, and was ordained a priest June 2, 1962.

He received the Alumni of Distinction Award in 1994 and the Dean’s Faculty Award. Fr. Vernon became a licensed psychologist in 1976.

Documents

Heart to Heart Summer 2000