Volume 30, Nr. 2, June 2000 Richardton, ND 58652
Part of the regular business at the convention of the American Benedictine Academy is the election of members to the board of directors. This year four persons will be elected, a vice-president and three board members. The current board consists of the president, Eugene Hensell, who will remain on the board as past-president; vice-president Valerian Odermann, who will succeed him as president at this year's convention; and at-large members Placid Solari, Kathleen Hickenbotham (eligible for reelection) and Emmanuel Pieper. The current members leave the board at this time, along with past-president Mary Forman. To help the members better prepare for the election, candidates have been invited to give a brief introduction of themselves and of their vision for the organization. ABA members who will be voting at the convention are encouraged to give prayerful consideration to this information before the election.
The vice-president is elected to a two-year term, after which she will succeed to the presidency in 2002. Two persons have accepted the nomination.
St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
I hold graduate degrees in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame and in music from the University of Minnesota. I have taught at every level, elementary through college. I have been liturgy coordinator in our own monastery and at St. Paul's Monastery, liturgy director and campus minister at the College of Saint Benedict, and liturgy director in parishes. I served my community as an initial formation director and taught in the initial formation program.
I have studied and worked extensively with the Liturgy of Hours. I have developed and revised Liturgy of Hours books for my home monasteries as well as for others. I am working on a lectionary for the Liturgy of Hours that includes scripture readings in a two-year cycle and non-scripture readings in sequences that include writings from early Christianity, the Middle Ages, the modern, and the contemporary scene. I am a consultant on liturgical topics and liturgical spirituality. I have given presentations, workshops and retreats in areas of liturgical spirituality and monastic formation. I am a regular presenter for the ecumenical spiritual formation Five-Day and Two-Year Academies sponsored by the Upper Room.
I am an active member of the Benedictine Musicians of the Americas and the Monastic Liturgy Forum. I have contributed articles regularly to the Monastic Liturgy Forum Newsletter. I have presented papers at several of the conferences of these groups and also at the Monastic Institute and the American Benedictine Formation Conference. In 1997, I authored A Benedictine Calendar: With Liturgical and Historical Celebrations of American Benedictine Women and Their Foundations, commissioned by the presidents of the federations of Benedictine women.
I am a member of ABA. I contributed an article on the Liturgy of Hours for the pre-conference papers some years ago. I hope that ABA can offer to American Benedictines the kind of understanding and support needed to meet the transitions we are moving through in our monasteries. I hope that we can give each other energy and conviction that living the monastic life for the sake of the world means that we will be both a sign of contradiction and a sign of faithful love.
(Sister Theresa is also a candidate for the board.)
St. Paul Monastery, St. Paul, MN
I have a BA in Latin (College of St. Catherine), MA in Latin (University of Minnesota), MA in humanities (Stanford University), PhD in history of religions-Christianity (Stanford), certificate in paleography (Vatican School of Paleography). I received a Fulbright Award and a Whiting Award for two years of study and research in Italy (Vatican Library, Rome, and Bibliotheca Riccardiana, Florence) and an Arizona State faculty grant for two years of study and research in Oxford, England.
I have served as vice-president and president of the Minnesota Humanities Council, president of St. Paul/Minneapolis Archdiocesan Sisters' Council, director of graduate studies in religion at Arizona State and prioress of St.Paul's Monastery for two terms. I was LCWR's appointee to the National Ecumenical Consultation of Men and Women Religious.
For the past six years, I have been the Benedict Distinguished Professor in Religion at Carleton College, and visiting professor in the religion department at St. Olaf College, both in Northfield, MN. I have taught at Arizona State (tenured) and Stanford, as well as summers at St. John's, Collegeville, MN, St. Catherine's College, Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. Paul Seminary, University of San Diego, Mount St. Mary's College in L.A., and St. Joseph's College, Hartford, CT.
I give retreats and conferences on topics related to the Benedictine Rule, spirituality, early Christianity, women and religion, and have published two books and 16 articles in books and journals. I am presently researching a book on the role of enculturation in the history of Benedictine women's communities. I have participated in six ABA conventions, presenting lectures at two of them.
I envision the ABA as a vital organization necessary for continuing the dialogue on the core values of our Benedictine heritage and the contemporary expressions of those values as lived out in our monastic way of life. This assumes that the members, being attentive to the signs of the times, will continue to share their research, insights and interests on those values most relevant at specific moments in history. In this way we more intentionally call each other to greater accountability in so living out the Benedictine values that our lives can effectively impact the more crucial, larger world issues, such as the need for a balance between prayer and work, human rights, socioeconomic justice, and the preservation/restoration of ecological balance in the environment.
I envision an increase in the membership of ABA through such means as a form of questionnaire sent to communities requesting their input on topics that to them seem particularly relevant or of great interest. I also envision at some future time inviting members of other monastic communities, both Christian and from other religions, to join us at an ABA meeting, to share input and dialogue on aspects of monastic life common to the communities represented. This would not only enrich our understandings of the monastic experience trans-culturally, but allow us to appreciate more deeply the varied ways and methods by which different religious communities experience their search for God.
From the thirteen candidates, three directors will be elected at large each to serve a two-year term.
Perpetual Adoration Monastery, St. Louis, MO
I am currently prioress of the monastery of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in St. Louis, MO. I have served in community as postulant, novice and junior director, as well as subprioress. I have attended both Golden Gate University in San Francisco and St. Louis University in St. Louis in the areas of spirituality and formation. Service as graphic artist for the congregational publications has also been on the list of positions held.
Mount Angel Abbey, St. Benedict, OR
After an average high school career I applied myself and graduated with highest university honors, in economics, from the University of Puget Sound in 1981. Building on that experience, I now have three master's degrees: Theology (Mount Angel Seminary, 1992), History (University of Virginia, 1998), Divinity (Mount Angel Seminary, 2000). I teach modern church history at Mount Angel Seminary in courses which are collaborative, ecumenical, and pastoral. I became an Archdiocesan Historical Commission member for Portland in 1999. Currently I'm writing the history of Mount Angel Abbey (1882-1982). Catholic University of America Press has expressed interest, "in principle," to publish it by 2007, our 125th anniversary.
I joined ABA in 1998, the year I earned an MA in history. Attending that 50th anniversary meeting convinced me of the value of ABA for developing our Benedictine tradition. In the 1990s, particularly since 1997, I have visited over 30 Benedictine-style monasteries in North America. This gives me a broad understanding of Benedictine life in our day. I believe that ABA is well suited to enhancing Benedictine academic work. I would promote this by emphasizing the role of ABA in "networking," providing a forum for Benedictines to deepen their academic pursuits together.
St. Benedict Monastery, Bristow, VA
My degrees include a BM in music education from Marywood Uiversity in Scranton, PA, and an MA in liturgical studies from Catholic University of America in DC. For eleven years I taught in elementary schools; I was then formation and vocation director for about eleven years, and I have just finished serving my community as prioress for the past twelve years. This year I have been on sabbatical at St. John's University in Collegeville auditing courses in monastic studies and liturgy. For almost thirty years I have been liturgist and musician for my community.
So far my participation in ABA has been limited to membership. Because of the conflict with annual LCWR assemblies, I have only been able to attend one meeting. However, I do see myself being able to make the time commitment to the ABA now and look forward to becoming more actively involved.
My hopes for the future of the ABA center around my strong commitment to monastic life and my conviction that an organization like the ABA can help to keep all of us grounded in this life as we live it into the new century. Wonderful resources abound among the membership and it will be the ongoing task of the ABA to facilitate the sharing of these gifts as we all rely on one another in our monastic journeys, both individually and communally.
Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, SD
I am a Yankton Benedictine, presently serving my community as resident artist. With a BA in elementary education, I taught elementary school children for ten years, then earned a BFA and an MFA which prepared me for teaching at Mount Marty College's art department. I was department head for two years as well as gallery director for several years. For five years I was involved in religious education and prayer house ministry in the local parish. Since 1991 I have been a resident artist, doing art work for our community and commissioned work as well.
In 1990 I had the good fortune to attend my first ABA convention in Yankton and was excited about it. I helped to prepare a proposal to form our ABA fine arts section and have been involved ever since, especially in helping prepare for and set up art exhibits for the conventions.
For the future I envision ABA developing ideas and strategies for evangelizing. We have this year explored the good news of monastic life. How do we as monastics reach out to others to share the good news of Jesus Christ in this new millennium? There are so many that do not know the Lord, and many who know little or nothing about Him, even among Catholics, including some who come to enter the monastery. Let us draw from the old and the new to find ways.
Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, SD
Currently director of the Benedictine oblates of Lincoln Nebraska, my life's ministry has been caring for those with severe physical injuries and chronic illnesses, as well as being an advocate in the lives of those with major disabling conditions. I was president and CEO of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital (seventh largest in the country) in Lincoln for 24 years and more recently was the president of the Madonna Foundation. Six years ago, I started the Benedictine oblates of Lincoln and today we have a membership of over 100 (including all faiths, ages, etc.). I have been a registered nurse, received an undergraduate degree from Mount Marty College in social work, received a masters in rehabilitation administration from the University of San Francisco and a corporate ministry certificate from St. Louis University.
Today, we stand on the brink of a new and exciting era in Benedictine spiritual life. The whole world is seeking and needing the Benedictine charisms. Being a member of the American Benedictine Academy since 1992, I see that the Academy is in a unique position to be a strong voice in this promising evolution through the recognition and demonstration of our great Benedictine gifts, not only within our Benedictine monastic membership, but "moving outside" as a way for others "to reach the loftier summits" (RB73.9).
San Benito Monastery, Dayton, WY
I am a Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration. I have a BA from Valparaiso University, MA from Washington University, MO, and am in process of enrolling at Graduate Theological Foundation, IN, for a D. Min. with a concentration in ecumenism. I also have a nursing education and am an RN. I am community contact to Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, have attended three ABA conventions and have been a member on and off. My vision for ABA includes continually re-evaluating how we witness to the Gospel values of the Rule in this 21st century. Soliciting ideas from the membership for this ongoing necessity would seem desirable.
Belmont Abbey, Belmont, NC
I attended prep school at Benedictine Military School, Saint Benedict College in Atchison, KS, and Belmont Abbey Seminary. Ordained in 1951, I resided at Sant' Anselmo in Rome while studying canon law (STL) and at Saint Benet's Hall at Oxford University for study of English language and literature. I also did the doctoral program at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have been president of Belmont Abbey College (1960-1964), and am currently a professor in the English Department there.
I was named to the ABA at its inception and have been an active participant until now. I have served as a member of the ABA board and was named a Fellow of the Academy in 1998.
My vision for the future of ABA includes increased membership, especially among younger monastics. I would also encourage the Academy's current writing programs, and work toward encouraging wider recognition of monastic talent (e.g., art, music). I also encourage writing a history of the Academy.
Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
I graduated in 1973 from Wheaton College (IL) with a BA in philosophy. In 1977 I received from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL) two degrees: MA in church history and MDiv. At Princeton Theological Seminary I earned a ThM in doctrinal theology in 1978 and a PhD in systematic theology in 1986. I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1984. I became an oblate of Blue Cloud Abbey (SD) in 1989. I have taught at three institutions: Western Kentucky University (1982-86); Jamestown (ND) College (1986-89); and Wheaton College (1989-present) where I am currently serving as professor of theology. I have been on pastoral staffs in Presbyterian churches. At this time I am "Parish Associate" (an as needed/as available situation) at First Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn, IL.
I first attended a meeting of the ABA in 1989 when I was one of the respondents to a paper by Patrick Henry. I joined about that time and have attended two of the biannual meetings since. I became part of the research committee several years ago and keep informed on what others are doing. My own humble contribution has included an article on gluttony in the American Benedictine Review (part of a book-long project funded by PEW).
One of the joys of ABA meetings is the unique combination of spirituality and academic work. The ABA should continue to model this remarkable convergence, since it is much needed in some spiritual environments when head and heart are divorced and in most academic circles where pretension and contention often predominate. Furthermore, the ABA should continue to mine the Benedictine tradition in all of its facets to continue to make available its invaluable contributions to a culture that needs what the tradition has to offer. I stated this in my response to Henry's paper in 1989 and my conviction has only deepened since that time. The logistics for accomplishing this should use whatever media is at our disposal, from scholarly papers and journals to Web sites to artistic productions.
St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
My BA in English in 1968 from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA, set me firmly in the path of literature and history. Exhausted by a brief stint of teaching in the prep school, I opted for a career in the library. After solemn vows in 1973, I graduated from the School of Library Science at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, with an MA in 1974. I leapt at the chance to pursue further library training at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK, in 1979-80 when I was a member of St. Benet's Hall.
For many years I worked in diverse roles as a University librarian at Collegeville. My first experience microfilming medieval manuscripts took place at Durham Cathedral and University in England, 1984-85. During the period of rapid social and political change in Europe, 1987-91, I filmed manuscript collections in Tuebingen, Freiburg, Mainz, Frankfurt am Main and Giessen. Returning to Minnesota in 1992, I became enchanted by the Internet in its early forms of FTP and Gopher. I created my first Web site late in 1994, and since 1995 I have been webmaster for several OSB or monastic Web sites.
Reactivating my ABA membership, I participated in an Internet presentation with Sister Diana Seago at the 1998 convention. Diana and I co-chaired the Benedictine Internet Commission. This led to me becoming first coordinator of the Benedictine Internet Technology section of ABA.
In my vision for the ABA I foresee a more widely diverse membership of technically savvy monastics and oblates for whom the wide realm of "scholarship" allows and fosters individual expression of an integrated commitment to seeking and listening to God together.
St. Scholastica Monastery, Chicago, IL
I have a BA degree from Mundelein College in Chicago and an MA in history and an MEd in administration from Loyola University in Chicago. I have completed all the course work and exams toward a PhD in history, also at Loyola University in Chicago. I have taught elementary, secondary, college, university, and elderhostel classes. I have been an elementary school principal, a high school dean and prioress of my Benedictine community.
I joined the ABA in the mid-1980s and attended my first ABA conference in 1986 at Nauvoo, IL. I missed the next one in 1988 in Oklahoma, but since then I have attended every conference. I read a paper on medieval women at the Yankton conference and at the session sponsored by the ABA at the medieval conference in Kalamazoo.
I am fortunate to have joined the ABA just at the time that the conferences were becoming more accessible. Not only does the ABA nurture and support scholars and artists, it provides the most wonderful information and food for thought, reflection, and prayer on topics of interest to all Benedictines. The leaders of the ABA, during the fifteen years that I have been a member, have done a great job of increasing membership and putting together conferences that have appeal to Benedictines of all kinds. I would like to see these trends continue. By offering conferences of high quality and general Benedictine interest, the ABA provides a profound service to individual Benedictines and deepens the life of our Benedictine communities. In addition to continuing the tradition of excellent conferences, the biggest challenge is getting the word out to everyone that the ABA is open to all and would enrich all who are interested in Benedictine topics.
San Jose, CA
I have a DMin in applied ministries, Graduate Theological Foundation; certificate in monastic studies, St. John's University; MA in pastoral ministry, Seattle University; and BA in linguistics, University of Washington. This was followed by study at the International Linguistic Center of Wycliffe Bible Translators. As a lay person involved in ministry, I became a student of Benedictine monasticism over ten years ago to systematically examine the church's wisdom on forming community and to make it accessible to lay people. As director of university ministry at Benedictine University (Lisle, IL) I created a mentoring program for young pastoral ministers hoping to serve in Benedictine institutions and assisted in forming the Benedictine Campus Ministers Association.
I structured my doctoral work to include a humanities computing project which ultimately became a computer-based tool for studying the Rule of St. Benedict, The Rule of St. Benedict Library: Primary and Secondary Sources CD ROM (Liturgical Press, 1999). Currently, I direct the computer-assisted education program for a low-income housing developer where I design onsite computer laboratories, curricula to teach digital literacy skills and provide technical assistance to non-profit organizations.
I am a member of the ABA Monastic Researchers and Internet sections. I have contributed to the AMN and the osb.org Web site, taught at the first ABA Webweaver's Retreat, and participated in ABA conventions. As a recipient of an ABA grant I spoke at the Augustine Baker 2000 Conference in Abergavenny, Wales, on the application of computer tools to monastic studies. I will speak at the ABA Convention 2000.
A particular interest of mine is in how the ABA can mediate Benedictine scholarship and tradition outside the monastic realm. I would work with the board to institutionalize the voices of young monastics and lay persons in the ABA. I would be an advocate for those interested in appropriating the potential of high technology in the service of the Benedictine tradition. It would be my personal goal, as an ABA grant recipient, to work to leave that program strengthened and financially endowed.
Mount St. Scholastica Monastery, Atchison, KS
I received a BA in English from Mount St. Scholastica and a certificate in pastoral theology from St. Norbert College. Most recently, I served as associate vice-president for advancement and then vice-president for advancement at Benedictine College. I have had poetry published in several journals including Review for Religious and Sisters Today. I have had articles published on technology and its impact on Benedictine life in Benedictines and Proceedings of the ABA. I served as co-chair of the Benedictine Internet Commission and presently I am the director of computing services and Web administrator at Mount St. Scholastica.
I have been a member of the ABA since 1998 and was a co-presenter at the August 1998 convention at St. Vincent's on the subject of Benedictine hospitality and its impact on the Internet. I would be very interested in seeing the ABA expand to provide services/opportunities for newly developing Benedictine communities, especially "on-line" scholarly and academic opportunities. I realize this is the "American" Benedictine Academy, but in view of the global perspective provided by new technology and communication, I believe it is time to reach beyond the North American borders. I also believe there is a need for the ABA to reach out to newer and younger (under age 50) members of communities who are the future of monastic life and scholarship. The young scholars program is a great start; can we build on this?
Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, ND
My education includes a BS in finance from St. Louis University, MS in administration from the University of Notre Dame, and MA in liturgical studies with additional graduate courses in monastic spirituality, a semester in Jerusalem, and a time as a resident scholar at the Ecumenical Institute at St. John's University. I taught five summers at St. John's School of Theology and served twice as a presenter in their Monastic Institute. I continue to serve as faculty for numerous Spiritual Formation Academies sponsored by the United Methodist Church.
As an ABA member since 1981, I have attended the biennial convention with few exceptions. Under ABA sponsorship from 1989 to 1996, I organized yearly two group sessions and presented eight papers on various Benedictine medieval women mystics at the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies at Kalamazoo. Two ABA presidential awards assisted me in researching Hildegard of Bingen and co-editing Medieval Women Writers: Wisdom's Wellsprings.
I am interested in ways that Benedictine monasticism can significantly impact our culture and serve to actualize the contemplative/prophetic charisms relevant to our era. My hope is that the ABA continues as a vital forum in nurturing these Benedictine values, encourages the pursuit of monastic scholarship among members helpful in revitalizng our communities, and impels monastics to be this "burning bush, set aflame" with a contemplative vision/prophetic witness necessary to shape the future of our communities.
(Theresa Schumacher, OSB, whose personal information appears in the section on vice-presidential nominees, has also been nominated for a board position.)
OSB | ABA | Am Monastic Newsletter