Volume 38, Nr. 2b, June 2008 Richardton, ND 58652
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
The business meeting of the upcoming American Benedictine Academy convention will include the election of members for the ABA’s board of directors. All ABA members were invited to make nominations and the following persons have accepted: Gerry Allen, Lorane Coffin, Cheryl Crozier Garcia, Ephrem Hollermann, Michael Komechak, Mary Kay Panowicz, Aaron Raverty, Martin Shannon, Ruth Stanley, and Julie Upton. Only one person, Sister Laura Swan, accepted the nomination for vice president.
Each was asked to submit a short introduction including biographical information, their involvement with the ABA and their hopes for its future. Members who will be voting at the convention are encouraged to read these profiles and prayerfully consider the candidates in anticipation of the August election.
Gerry Allen of Bellevue, NE, has taught social psychology, communication, ethnic studies, counseling and related courses at Doane College for the past twenty years, and also teaches at Concordia University in Seward, NE. In addition to his study in sociology, social psychology and gerontology, he has a certificate in theology, and founded a website, www.lovethepoor.org, which shares information and raises awareness about organizations, movements, and activities working to help the poor and oppressed peoples of the world.
An oblate of Mother of God Monastery in Watertown, SD, he has been a member of the ABA for twelve years. He states, “Part of my vision for the future of ABA involves establishment of an ongoing monastic studies program. This program could be of value to monastic communities as an addition to the program each community offers to persons entering their community or their oblate formation programs. Additionally, the proposed monastic studies program could be beneficial for monks and oblates who have been in community or associated with communities for many years. The program could be open to persons interested in monasticism and in establishing a relationship with our monastic communities.”
Lorane Coffin, OSB, is a sister of St. Martin Monastery in Rapid City, SD, where she recently completed her second term as prioress. Other experiences which she believes would be of value as an ABA board member are her service on a diocesan religious education commission, a diocesan synod and numerous committees within her community.
“My skills lie in synthesizing and organizing ideas and materials. I have enjoyed participating in at least a half dozen federation chapters and several ABA conventions. I would bring to the board my enthusiasm for Benedictine life and my experience of sharing it through retreats for Benedictine oblates.”
Cheryl Crozier Garcia is an oblate of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, where she has been a scholar in residence eight times in the last nine years. At home in Honolulu, she is an associate professor of human resource management at Hawaii Pacific University. Scholarly research has focused on secular application of the Rule of St. Benedict, specifically to human resource management, research which has been presented nationally and internationally at academic conferences and corporations.
“What I would bring to the board is a deep love of the Rule, an unflagging interest in monastic history and tradition, and a certainty that the Benedictine way has much to offer the world. As an oblate, I think I could offer a fresh perspective on the work of the Academy and perhaps some novel ways to cultivate, support and transmit Benedictine heritage within contemporary culture. I believe I have the energy and motivation needed to be a contributing member of the Board.”
Ephrem Hollermann, OSB, of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, is personally and professionally deeply rooted in all things Benedictine, and has a particular interest in research and writing in the area of American Benedictine women’s history.
She has been a member of the American Benedictine Academy from 1986 to the present, and has been an associate editor for The American Benedictine Review from 1994 to the present. Before and during her time as prioress, she interacted with dozens of Benedictine communities in North America as presenter, retreat director, federation delegate, and visitator, and also traveled to and interacted with members of Benedictine monasteries in several other countries.
“I am currently exploring the question of Benedictine monasticism’s contribution to the Church and the world--historically, in the present, and in the future age of global Christianity. I believe we need to engage in this exploration as a source of inspiration and hope as we steward our charism in a fractured Church and world.”
Michael Komechak, OSB, a monk of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL, offers many years of teaching experience at Benet Academy and Benedictine University. After postgraduate degrees in English and art, he founded the studio art program at Benedictine University and developed its art collection which today numbers 3500 original pieces.
He has attended seven of the last eight ABA conventions and first attended in 1964. Besides photographing the proceedings of these conventions, he took an active part in the art section and participated in its art exhibitions. He was one of the coordinators of the last ABA convention and presented at the 2004 convention an illustrated lecture on contemporary monastic churches based on my involvement in the planning and construction of St. Procopius Abbey.
“I have several proposals for increasing membership in the ABA and attendance at its conventions, including collaboration with the Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities.”
Mary Kay Panowicz, OSB, has been a member of Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, for 42 years. She has a BA in art; a MSS in media, design and creative writing, and a doctorate in applied ministry with a focus in liturgical design, as well as training as a liturgical space consultant.
She has worked in public relations, art education, and graphic design, and is currently ministering as a liturgical space consultant and artist, as the public relations coordinator for the monastery, and on several health care boards of directors at the local and system levels.
A member of the ABA since 1990, she was one of the co-organizers of the Visual Arts Section and has participated as an organizer and exhibitor in ABA art shows. She is completing a term on the ABA board and is eligible for re-election.
“My vision for the ABA is that it will continue to be a forum for Benedictine men and women to share our dreams, hopes, struggles and heritage on an intellectual, spiritual and artistic level. In the future I would like to see the ABA also explore in more depth our prophetic role in society and the church.”
Aaron Raverty, OSB, is a monk of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN. Education includes a BA, MA, and PhD in anthropology, and an M.A. in theology. He also has certification in graphoanalysis. He has served as a project editor at Liturgical Press and book review editor for the Bulletin of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue. Other MID activities include service in MID’s exchange program (Tibet, Nepal, and Northern India) and as a member and secretary on the MID board. He is also a monastic member of the board of regents for Saint John’s University.
A member of the ABA since 1999, he attends conventions and belongs to the Benedictine Researcher’s Section. He is completing a term on the board and is eligible for reelection.
“My vision for the future is that I see the ABA as the nexus for all forms of Benedictine scholarship. It should encourage, coordinate, and sponsor scholarly activity involving the many dimensions of Benedictine life and spirituality in glad and loving service to the entire membership and to the larger church and the world.”
Martin Shannon is an Episcopal priest and member of the Community of Jesus, an ecumenical Benedictine community on Cape Cod, MA, where he lives with his wife and grown children, and works especially in the areas of liturgy and formation. His interest and studies in monasticism began as a Presbyterian minister and continued through work at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary and the Catholic University of America. His doctoral dissertation was on Father Damasus Winzen, founder of Mount Saviour Monastery in New York.
“Above all, I’m sure, the appreciation for and ongoing quandaries about monastic life that I have are the result of twenty years of living in a community that has evolved more and more with Benedictine values in mind. Perhaps what I can bring to the board, therefore, is the viewpoint of someone who experiences his monastic vocation within a community that is ecumenical, that includes celibate men and women as well as married couples with children, and that is exploring new ways of embracing and expressing its Benedictine identity.”
Ruth Stanley, OSB, is a member of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph,
MN. A doctor of pharmacy, her perspective of contemporary culture comes from
over 40 years of lived experience in a variety of settings prior to entering
the monastery. A desire to share the viability of the tradition in today’s
world, coupled with a deep love for the Benedictine heritage have challenged
her to become more articulate about the wisdom and value of our monastic life.
“
In a broken world in need of Christ’s love, the healing power of lectio
divina, prayer, Liturgy of the Hours, and Gregorian chant offer a common voice
speaking to the hearts of many. My research interests, writing, and holistic
practice are allowing me to discover ways in which to cultivate, support and
transmit the ineffable aspects of monastic life in our contemporary world.
The talent and energy I offer to the ABA board is one of collaborative vision
and creative voice, working together with others to promote awareness and revitalization
of monastic culture in the twenty-first century.”
Julia Upton, RSM, is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, and has been an oblate of Mount Saviour Monastery (Elmira, NY) since 1979. A doctor of theology, she is a professor in the department of theology and religious studies at St. John’s University (NY), where she currently serves as University Provost. Her most recent book is A Time for Embracing: Reclaiming Reconciliation, and she is now writing on a biography of Father H. A. Reinhold, an important leader in the Liturgical Movement in the United States. Julie is also a member of the board of trustees of The Washington Theological Union and of the international corporate board of Covenant House.
She has been an ABA member for close to 20 years and when possible attends the monastic researchers group.
“As a non-monastic (or quasi-monastic, some would say) my vision would be to broaden the ABA’s reach to include more researchers as members and not simply occasional presenters.”
VICE-PRESIDENT
Laura Swan, OSB, has been a member of St. Placid Priory in Lacey, WA, since 1990, before which time she was an oblate of Mount Angel Abbey, OR. A former prioress, she now works in spiritual formation programs through the community’s spirituality center. She mentors spiritual directors, teaches a program on prayer, gives retreats, does spiritual direction, and writes.
“I love the monastic way of life and am excited about the many ways that those who do not live in a monastery have come to incorporate Benedict’s teachings and spirit into all of life. I am concerned that the monastic way continue into the future, especially in this time of global challenges and changes--some not for the better. I would bring my love of Benedictine life, including the oblates, my background in spirituality, my knowledge of many of our monasteries in North America, and a willingness to listen and ask necessary questions.”
* * * * * *
The visual artists are an important part of any monastic community and they have, in recent years, not only attended ABA conventions and held a special interest discussion, but have also mounted displays of their work for the pleasure of all attending the meetings.
The Visual Arts Section of the ABA invites Benedictine artists to submit one to three pieces of their art work for the ABA Art Show, August 7-10, 2008, during the convention in Yankton. A display of Thomas Merton’s original photographs will also be included in the show so space may be a bit limited.
Criteria for submission:
Original art work in any medium
Pieces must be ready for hanging or display on a pedestal
Clearly label each piece with your name
Include the name of your community and location
Ship in a returnable container with pre-paid return shipping included
DO NOT SHIP ANYTHING WITH GLASS
Send art to arrive August 1-5 to
ABA ART SHOW
Mount Marty College Roncalli Center
1105 W. 8th St.
Yankton, SD 57078
If you are bringing your work with you, please bring it to the art gallery on the main level of Roncalli Center as soon as you arrive. The show will be hung on Thursday and needs to be finished by 5 p.m.
If you are not attending the convention, or your piece is too large or fragile to ship, email a jpeg file of it to me and we may be able to put together a PowerPoint to be shown at some point during the convention, or print off photos of your work. The contact person for the art show is
S. Mary Kay Panowicz OSB
Sacred Heart Monastery
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: 605-668-6021
Email: mkpanowicz@mtmc.edu
(Note: I will be out of the country from May 21- July 1 so please do not contact me until after July 1.)
(In addition to its usual reviews of monastic literature, the AMN is featuring books by some of the speakers at the August convention in order to familiarize more readers with the wealth of these resources.)
Thomas Merton, A Book of Hours. Edited by Kathleen Deignan, CND, with a foreword by James Finley, with illustrations by John Giuliani (Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, Ave Maria Press, 2007) pp. 223, hardcover, $18.95, ISBN 10 1-933495-05-7.
St. Peter teaches that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like one day” (2 Pt 3:8). Every day we live is our whole life in microcosm. Morning, noon, evening and night help us to live this mystery through a divine/human timetable of prayer.
Such is the truth that has shaped this book of hours drawn from the writings of Thomas Merton (monk, poet, spiritual writer and social activist). By carefully selecting these texts and arranging them on the traditional and familiar framework of daily prayer times (here called dawn, day, dusk and dark), Sister Kathleen has beautifully highlighted the interplay between the unfolding of daily life and the rhythm of daily prayer; thus we can better seek the God of all times and seasons who is working in both.
Like Monet’s series of paintings of haystacks at different times of the day, the texts presented in this noble-looking volume help us to explore the spiritual landscapes of our lives throughout the day and night. The introduction, which provides a welcome overview of Merton’s spirituality of prayer, explains how this book came to be and how to use it. Merton’s texts are arranged according to a one-week cycle (Sunday through Saturday) and grouped under headings traditionally found in the Church’s daily prayer: opening verse, hymn, antiphon, psalm, psalm prayer, reading, responsory, canticle (the Marian Canticle on pp. 60-61 is especially beautiful), and closing prayer, but not all of these are included for each hour. Places for silence, intercessions (no texts are included), and the Lord’s Prayer are also indicated. Merton texts are also included under such headings as exhortation, meditation, examen, kyrie, and benediction. In all these texts we hear Merton speaking in a variety of voices--bold at times, tender at others. John Giuliani’s drawings let the sun and moon’s multi-faceted personalities enrich this book and our prayer.
Thomas Merton’s A Book of Hours remind us that the prayer of the canonical hours is one with life. Because our lives are dynamic, not static, our prayer must be many things to us at the many daily and yearly stages of our lives. The selections from Merton’s writings that are collected here attest to this. Theophane the Recluse said that to pray is “to stand before God with the mind in the heart, and to go on standing, night and day, until the end of time.” This is how Merton kept watch with Christ, and his reflections presented in this volume help us to do likewise. This refreshing new version of the Work of God can work God’s life into us in different ways, at different times and in different situations of our lives, so that Merton’s final words in this book can be realized: “I am glad to have had some small part in God’s work for you.”
Michael Kwatera,
O.S.B.
Director of Oblates and Director of Liturgy
Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN
* * * * * *
Beverly Lanzetta, Emerging Heart: Global Spirituality and the Sacred (Fortress Press, 2006) paperback, $18.00, ISBN 0800638931.
Emerging Heart is an invitation to take a journey with Beverly Lanzetta as she explores the mystical movement of faith from within the core of individuals, out into the world, through diverse religious faith traditions, and through those who are called to practice their spirituality outside the confines of named groups. The purpose of this journey is to bring us to an understanding of how to create a global spirituality by returning us to basics: love and respect for all of creation.
Throughout each step we are shown that the sanctity of what unites us greatly outweighs the differences that separate us. We are encouraged to examine the inner workings of our spirits as they are ultimately the source of outer works of love. We are reminded to be in awe of and respect the place within each of us that simultaneously contains the divinity of our diversity as well as our oneness, the holy place of our common ground.
Lanzetta is not asking us to give up our individual faith beliefs. Rather, she is respectfully challenging us to set aside our religious egos and open our hearts to accepting that the Divine, by whatever name you choose to call It, loves us all as one family. She is asking us to recognize that God is urgently calling all of humanity to a higher understanding of the multi-religious world through expanded interfaith and inter-religious dialog.
Emerging Heart is an important guide and a spiritual compass for those who are willing to answer this call. For those who have the courage to open and expand their hearts, it offers insight and beckons us to cross over the boundaries of exclusivity into a sacred, loving and compassionate practice of global spirituality.
Joanna
T. Chernauskas
Interfaith Spiritual Director
Phoenix, AZ
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