More Life Changes
April 30, 2006

When I wrote my Christmas newsletter, I mentioned that 2005 was a year of change.  I felt at that time that there would not be any major changes in my life for a while.  However, I was wrong.  In January, Abbot Brian and I had a conversation.  In this conversation, the idea of me attending the seminary was discussed.

After a month or so of fact-finding, I submitted, once again a request to the Senior Council, to enter the seminary.  My request consisted of two points, first that I begin seminary studies and second that I be allowed to study at Saint John’s in Minnesota. 

The Senior Council met in March and gave me a ‘Yes’ to seminary studies, but a ‘No’ to Saint John’s.  Saint John’s offers seminary studies, but they really do not have a seminary.  The Senior Council felt I would do better in an actual seminary.  They suggested either Mount Angel located in Oregon or Saint Meinrad School of Theology located in Indiana. 

In April, I resubmitted my request, this time to Saint Meinrad’s.  This was approved.  I am currently in the process of enrolling at Saint Meinrad’s.  If accepted, I will be going to graduate school this fall for two years of Pre-Theology followed by four years in the seminary.  The final result after six years of studying at St. Meinrad, God willing, is that I will be ordained a priest. This is a large step for me, so please keep me in your prayers.

Lenten Reflection
March 1, 2006

Editors Note:   I presented the following reflection during Mass on Ash Wednesday:

My brothers and sisters in Christ:  Today we begin a journey, a journey that will lead us to our risen savior, Jesus Christ.  However, before we reach the end of our journey, we need to set our journey in motion.  Today’s readings, and some examples from scripture, may give us some help, some focus as to where we should begin.

In today’s first reading from the prophet Joel, we hear that “[God is merciful], slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” (See Joel 2:13) However, to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness, we need to approach him with a sincere longing to be forgiven. For example, in the day of Jonah, Jonah was sent by God to announce to the people of Nineveh that in forty days more the city would be destroyed. (See Jonah 3:4).  The people of Nineveh heard the message, put on sackcloth, and declared a fast.  They hoped that “God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that [they may be saved]."(See Jonah 3:9)  In the end, God heard them.  He sent his mercy and forgiveness and the city was spared. (See Jonah 3:10) 

Further, as we look at today’s responsorial psalm, a psalm of David, David knew that he had sinned.  He knew that sacrifice and holocaust were not enough as he states, “For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.” (See Psalm 51:18)  David knew that God was looking for a contrite heart for he came before God and said, “Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.” (See Psalm 51:3)  God wants us to come to him with contrite hearts, with a sincere longing to be forgiven.  Only then, will God’s mercy fall upon us as he forgives us our transgressions.

In today’s Gospel Jesus talks about fasting, prayer, and alms giving.  All three of these are good, if practiced in the proper way.  Jesus tells us to do them in the quietness of our rooms, for the “Father who sees in secret will repay you.” (See Matthew 6:6)  In seeking God’s mercy for our sins, we should do the same.  We should reflect upon our lives quietly in the recesses of our hearts and seek his mercy and forgiveness in the quietness of the confessional.  For God’s mercy and forgiveness will come down upon us who have contrite and sincere hearts.

However, our journey must continue, God wants us to do something with the mercy and forgiveness we have received from him.  Jesus states in the prayer he taught us, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (See Matthew 6:12) God wants us to do the same for others as he has done for us. 

In the parable of the wicked servant, Jesus gives us an example of what we are not to do.  In this parable, you have three characters, the Master, the Wicked Servant, and the Lesser Servant.  The Master forgave the debt of the Wicked Servant, after he begged for forgiveness.  However, the Wicked Servant would not do the same for the Lesser Servant who also begged for forgiveness.  When the Master heard of this, he threw the Wicked Servant into jail until his debt was paid.  If the Wicked Servant had forgiven the Lesser Servant his debt, as God asks us to do, then the wicked servant would not be sitting in jail being tortured until his debt was paid to his Master.  Jesus tells us that our heavenly Father will do the same to us unless each of us forgives from our hearts. (See Matthew 18:35)  For when we are wronged, we are to forgive “not seven times, but seven times seventy-seven times.” (See Matthew 18:22)  In other words, Jesus is telling us that we are to forgive without end.

Thus, my brothers and sisters as we begin our journey to our risen savior Jesus Christ we are being asked to repent and to forgive others.  On our journey, we must first approach God with contrite hearts, so that we may receive his mercy and forgiveness.  Still, God expects us to take his mercy and forgiveness and pass them on to others as we forgive them not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, I pray that God will guide us throughout our journey, that he will be with us in the quietness of our hearts, and that we may seek his forgiveness and the ability to forgive others through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Christmas Greetings
November 24, 2005

2005 was a year of change for me.  I began the year at the University of Mary completing my final semester.  One of my classes included my senior paper.  I was to research a small town in North Dakota .  I really wanted to research Richardton, but my professor wanted me to use a town other than where I lived, so I chose Belfield , North Dakota .  Although I had two other classes, I spent most of the semester on this project, which I completed a few weeks before the end of the semester.  On April 29 I finally graduated with a Bachelors degree after twelve years.

Once I graduated, I moved back to the abbey.  I have assumed many of Brother Michael’s jobs, because he is now teaching at the University of Mary .  My jobs include being co-sacristan, a tour guide, assistant guest master, helping with groups, phone operator, delivering daily mail among other tasks.

In June I helped Camp ReCreation once again, which is always a fulfilling experience for me.  Merry Hoff, the camp director, asked me to be on the Camp ReCreation board.  With the Abbot’s blessing, I accepted and am now a board member.  In November another fulfilling experience occurred when Br. Aelred and I were asked to assist at this year’s Big Sky TEC which is held in Sidney Montana. 

I am currently trying to adjust to all of these changes in my life.  It is so different than U-Mary.  I don’t deal well with change, but I will transform back into monastic life in due time.  My future plans include the Permanent Deaconate program.  This program will take five years, in the Diocese of Bismarck, but in the end, I hope to be ordained a Permanent Deacon.  In the meantime, I will continue to serve others the best I can hopefully through such programs as Camp ReCreation and Big Sky TEC.  I hope you will have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.

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My Homecoming Visit to the University of Mary
October 15, 2005

Recently I had two opportunities to return to the University of Mary , so that I could visit and reconnect with people I have missed so much.  The first opportunity occurred on Sunday, October 9, for Homecoming, and the second was a few days later on October 12.  Upon my first visit, I greeted several individuals and former Campus Ministry team members before I sat down for Mass.   My objective was to attend the Homecoming Eucharistic Celebration, the brunch that followed and then return home.  As I was waiting for Mass to begin, I realized how much I missed the teachers, students, staff, and Sisters.  I also miss studying, classes, and especially helping others through Campus Ministry events and retreats.

I figured that I would be able to visit and reconnect with those I miss so much after Mass.   However, Mass and brunch were attended mostly by alumni and parents of students currently enrolled at U-Mary.  Nevertheless, I attended brunch with Sister Gerard, who runs the volunteer program, and later on with Sr. Nancy, the director of Campus Ministry.  During brunch, Sisters Gerard and Nancy invited me to Vespers and supper.  I accepted the invitation with the idea that I would attend the students Eucharist Celebration later that evening.  This would give me another chance to meet and greet a few more people who I wished to see at U-Mary before heading home.

Supper with the Sister's and a further visit with Sister Gerard went well.  After several hours at Annunciation Monastery, I headed to Campus Ministry to visit with Sister Nancy and the current Campus Ministry team members.  My arrival surprised all but Sister Nancy, who knew I was coming.  We had a heartwarming get-together before and after Mass.

As students slowly drifted away back to their dorms, I realized my day at U-Mary was ending.  However, I knew I would be back the following Wednesday for a few hours. Sr. Nancy and I did not have a good chance to talk during my first visit, so on Wednesday, we had a nice lunch together where we finally had a chance to talk.  I also met a few more students on campus and visited some more before I headed home.  Over all, I had a wonderful few days at U-Mary.  I wish I could make more trips, for I feel drawn to the place.  It has become a second home to me.  Maybe over time, as my Deaconate studies begin, I may get a chance to minister to students at the University of Mary .  I know this will not be my last visit to U-Mary, for there will be more, and I am looking forward to each and every one of these visits.

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My Vacation to the Black Hills
August 1, 2005

Normally I head straight to Minneapolis for my vacation, but not this year.  When I was informed that my brother’s family had plans to camp in the Black Hills , I decided I too would head to the Black Hills. The reason for our trip to the Black Hills was entirely different.  My brother’s family is into rock climbing, thus, with a guide in hand, they came to climb, where I came to watch.  In addition, I enjoy being in the Black Hills . 

I left the Abbey early Sunday morning in order to be in the Deadwood / Lead area for Mass.   I attended Mass at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lead.  After Mass, the pastor had all visitors stand and introduce themselves.  Since I wore my habit, I had to stand as well.  When he came to me, I mentioned I was from the Abbey in Richardton.  After Mass I learned how small the world really was.  The couple in front of me and to my right both had connections to Richardton and the Abbey.

After I left the church, I made my way down to Hill City and the ‘Horse Thief’ Campground.  My brother’s family soon arrived and our campsite was set up and ready to go.  My brother and his son planned to climb in the Hills on Monday and Tuesday.  While they were climbing, the rest of us spent time hiking around, going to Mount Rushmore and so on.  Tuesday afternoon, after they completed their morning climb, we packed up and headed west into Wyoming and Devil’s Tower.

I went west with them to spend the night, but I had plans to head to Minneapolis the next day.  However, I decided to stay one more day in order to watch my brother and his son climb the tower, which they accomplished.  They began their ascent about 3:15 am with their descent about 11:00 am .  A few of us went into the park about 7:30 am to see if we could locate them.  We were surprised that they were already 2/3 of the way up the Tower.   Another surprising fact was that we could hold a normal conversation with them at that distance.  It has something to do with the rocks that allow normal conversation.

We all headed back to Minneapolis on the next day.  I spent the remaining ten days in Minneapolis with family, friends, and other acquaintances.  Over all I had an enjoyable vacation this year.

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My University of Mary Experience
May 1, 2005

In August of 2003, I began my academic career at the University of Mary in order to complete my Bachelor’s degree.   Over the past two years, I took eighteen classes in the following disciplines: history, political science, communication, theology, philosophy, and computer information systems.  Although these classes were challenging and worth taking, my involvement in Campus Ministry over the past two year allowed me to grow the most as I helped and served others.

During my first year at the university, I was involved with Campus Ministry  as much as I could by assisting Sr. Stella Olsen, the Campus Ministry  director.  At the end of my first year, I applied for and was placed on the 2004-05 Campus Ministry team as the new public relations minister.  In this role, I helped to establish the Campus Ministry website.  In addition, I made sure that our activities were posted in the university’s biweekly bulletin.

 that our activities were posted in the university’s biweekly bulletin.  I also accepted the sacristan role, which helped Sister Nancy Miller, the new Campus Ministry director, a great deal.  Although this was my official position, my role went further.  I tried to be available for teammates and other students.  Sometimes I simply listened to students who were experiencing a bad day.  In return, my teammates and other students helped me grow as a person by being there for me.

I worked with eight other students who were remarkable and truly “Servant Leaders”. The University of Mary is known as “ America ’s Leadership University ”.  With this in mind, the University tries to teach leadership by teaching Benedictine values.  These values are present in all activities including classes taught and, of course, Campus Ministry .

Some activities we did throughout the year included sleeping outside over night in late October to get a better understanding of what it is like to be homeless.  We went to the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center in Mandan once a month.  We conducted “off-campus” retreats to help those preparing for confirmation.  We also gave “on-campus” retreats.  We took the freshmen class to Medora, so that they could get to know each other better.  This retreat weekend also helped to prepare them in their growth as “Servant Leaders”.  These are just a few of the many activates we did throughout the year.

Watching these students grow from inexperienced college students to better “Servant Leaders” is something I will miss.  I feel blessed that I had a small part in their transformation.  Many of the freshmen who went to Medora are on next year’s Campus Ministry  team. My only hope is that I can get the chance to check-in once in awhile to see their continued growth as “Servant Leaders”.  Although I took numerous classes at the University of Mary , my Campus Ministry involvement is something I will treasure the most.