Article in Kansas Monks 2012 summer

Families often come together to cherish memories of dedication and love, and celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their parents, or grandparents. Likewise, this happened when we monks in Brazil celebrated our Golden Jubilee. Fifty-one years ago St. Benedict´s Abbey sent some of their monks to found another monastery in Brazil.  A year later, fifty years ago on April 26, 1962, these monks were received in the city of Mineiros, Goiás.

Abbot Barnabas Senecal joined us for the solemn event of our Jubilee. He presented a chalice to use at our masses symbolizing our united effort to live and strengthen the bond of the love in the Risen Lord. Bestowing his message of gratitude and encouragement he participated in three Masses of Thanksgiving: Saturday, April 28, at St. Benedict´s Church, Mineiros, Bishop Herbert Hermes, OSB presided. Sunday, April 29, at Holy Spirit Church, Mineiros, Subprior Rodrigo Perissinotto, OSB presided. Holy Spirit Church is where the missionary monks began and exercised their ministry until the creation of St. Benedict’s Parish in 2010, a second parish in Mineiros. On Monday, April 30, at St. Benedict´s Monastery and formation house in Goiânia, Prior Duane Roy, OSB, presided and preached.

           Following the Golden Jubilee celebration of the founding of St. Joseph´s Priory in Goiânia a married couple, who are Benedictine Oblates, came to the monastery to celebrate afternoon mass with us. They also participated in the historic celebration the night before. When I asked what they considered significant about the celebration the husband Nélio said a period of fifty years speaks of permanence and stability. Using a comparison from his professional life as a salesman he explained that some products stay on the market longer than others but oftentimes they also lose popularity.  Monastic life is a product in the offering for a long time and continues strong. Claudia, his wife, said she perceived a peaceful joy as several monks spoke of their past confreres, relating stories and radiating pride of their past. She witnessed their contentment in being part of this group of monks.

            Retired Archbishop of Goiânia, Antônio Ribeiro de Oliveira, was present for the celebratory event in Goiânia. Also in attendance was retired Bishop of the Prelacy of Cristalândia, Herbert John Hermes, OSB, who will complete the fifty-year milestone as member of St. Joseph´s Priory later this same year. 

Bishop Herbert’s arrival in Brazil coincided with the opening of Vatican Council II.  He attested to the manner in which the American monks related to the Brazilians over the years, listening and learning through dialogue. He said his fellow monks assimilated the spirit and teachings of this Council, specifically, the formation and participation of the laity. He stressed the warm hospitality of the families in Mineiros, who took us into their homes and hearts and made it easy for the monks to adapt and ‘incarnate’ into a different culture. He also emphasized the centrality of the Benedictine charism ‘Ora et Labora’ - Pray and Work - in our missionary witnessing. 

Father Joaquim Carlos, who joined the Priory in 1974, shared with the gathering of friends, oblates, clergy and religious that it was Archbishop Antônio who graciously first received the monks into the Archdiocese of Goiânia. He encouraged them to build their monastic house of formation - without need of assuming a parish - and maintain open doors to both laity and clergy who were seeking spiritual direction and sacramental reconciliation.

            Father Vinicius, our youngest priest monk, summed up: “With this celebration we took a hard look into our past and rejoice with gratitude. Now we must look forward - not just to plan and administer our activities - but to be men of vision of the Benedictine charism and evangelization.  

            With grateful hearts and renewed hope we embrace the future.  We thank every one of you for your support.

By Duane Roy, OSB, Prior

Looking back over our 50 years of misson

The first three monks from Kansas arrived in Brazil early in 1960: Matthias Schmidt, Stephan Burns and Otho Sullivan.  It was only on January 2, 1962 that two Atchison monks, Fathers Matthias Schmidt and Steven Burns, visited Mineiros for the first time with the newly elected diocesan bishop, Benedito Coscia, OFM.  Upon this visit, their Benedictine hearts were decided that this is where they wanted to found a monastery, a decision finalized in April of that same year.

Fifty years later, only two monk-pioneers are on the scene in Brazil: Bishop Herbert Hermes and Fr. Duane Roy. The legacy of the monk-missioners, however, continues.  Our founders were virtuous men of goodness, generosity and loving care for people, without air of grandeur.  Father Matthias Schmidt, for example, was a man of decision; and noted for his simplicity, durability and serviceability.  Being people-centered he manifested love and respect for all persons. Witty and affable, he enjoyed singing Brazilian folks songs with gusto.  He was a zealous confessor, devout celebrant of the Eucharist and faithful in praying Liturgy of the Hours.  Father Matthias made it a point to participate in a variety of events, making his contribution. Vocal in defense of the truth he was a competent teacher and preacher. A constant collaborator with his Bishop, he was called to be Vicar of Religious in the Diocese in 1965; and in 1972, Bishop.

The strong witness of this monk-missioner set the pace for other monks working with him, and those who came later:  Ralph Koehler, Herbert Hermes in 1962; Eric Deitchman, Luke Wenzel in 1965; Robert Heiman and Duane Roy in 1971; and Kieran McInerney, Jude Burbach, Henry Deters and Franklin Highberger in 1975. St. Benedict´s Abbey was supportive and generous in providing monks to staff the budding foundation of St. Joseph Priory.

The monks in Brazil cherished the Kansas tradition of uniting monastic chrism and pastoral zeal, supporting one another in community life and projecting together parish involvement.  Joint ministry with the Atchison Benedictine Sisters, also established in Mineiros, was an enormous asset in witnessing, and enriching catechetical, spiritual and human promotion programs. Parishioners came to expect and received the best of pastoral service. In the mid-to-late 1960’s laity became equally generous and willing to participate in parish life, as inspired by Vatican Council II.  Through dedication, long hours, and hard work a solid foundation was laid for what we have today. 

There was a price, however.  Death came early for these men.  Like pioneer men, they die young. Matthias died at 61 years old; Henry Deters, 67; Eric Deitchman, 67; Robert Heiman, 73, and Otho Sullivan, our patriarch, at 76.  Luke Wenzel, at 30 years old, was permanently paralyzed by a traffic accident. Others went to other leadership posts: Ralph Koehler served as Abbot of St. Benedict´s Abbey in 1980-1989; and Herbert Hermes was ordained Bishop of the Prelacy of Cristalândia, Brazil, in 1990.

A new generation of young men from Mineiros became monk-missioners also. Sons and brothers of hardworking parents and siblings became today´s leaders, carrying forward the Benedictine heritage according to the style of the American Cassinese Congregation and Saint Benedict´s Abbey.  They are few, but dedicated and competent, giving witness in today´s society though fraternal teamwork, generous service and joyful giving of themselves, true to the spirit of our founders.   

In our past, many candidates manifested interest in church vocation, joined us, made profession, but soon grew weary, or discovered their true vocation. The limited, but solid education we Benedictines gave them hopefully has made them prayerful men, generous husbands, fathers and lay leaders in their parishes.

When a new generation of youth came along in the 1980s they presented different values, attitudes and work ethics.  They are called the Millennium generation. Perhaps due to the increase in acquisition power and consumerist society, technology with its fascinations and convenience left new generations with the conviction that parents, grandparents, social and church institutions should provide them with all their needs.  Without patience, effort and capacity to deal with frustration, the “easy life” is attractive.  Leisure, pleasure, and perhaps in some cases drugs affect effort and hard work, making religious life and church ministry less attractive. 

Not discouraged with this analysis, we maintain contact with many young adults who show interest in the monastic life.  The communal dimension of our monastic life, a strong formation program and prestige of our past and present witness blended with pastoral ministry - seem to speak to today´s youth. We trust some will participate with the monks that carry forward our rich monastic heritage well into the new Millennium. May the next fifty years prove true this assertion, bringing us a most welcome springtime!

Gratitude for 50 years of support

Many times memories spark sentiments of gratitude. In the throes of composing a history of the first fifty years of the foundation of St. Joseph Priory here in Brazil, these sentiments of gratitude are strong. Reading letters, reports, publications, and hearing what others express, reveal that this monastic foundation involved a multitude of persons over the fifty years. It´s time – even before the completion of a written narrative – to use this space to manifest gratitude to all those persons.  We frequently pray in our petitions during the Liturgy of Hours and at Mass for our benefactors, living and deceased. We ask God to bless family, friends and confreres.

Even before the first monk left St. Benedict´s Abbey in Atchison for Brazil to begin the foundation early in 1961, students and professors of St. Benedict´s College and Mount St. Scholastic College and Academy, alumni and families were donating funds for the project.  Interest was high. Papal Volunteers was a new project in the Catholic Church.  Some students and alumni of these colleges were already thinking and make plans for missionary activity in Central America. Newly elected President John Kennedy was soon to introduce the Peace Corp program, encouraging youth to service on foreign soil.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City was very supportive.  Msgr. George W. King accompanied Abbot Cuthbert McDonald to Brazil for the initial contact with church and civic leaders during fall of 1960.  Father John Stitz and others of the Archdiocese began the Diocesan Mission Cooperative program by which many parishes were annual contributors to missions, included to our monastic foundation. Many families and friends sent donations to a special fund administrated by the business manager of St. Benedict´s Abbey.  The no. 6 (1963) issue of Kansas Monks in Brazil published almost 300 names of patrons who built St. Joseph Priory in Mineiros, Brazil.

We have deep gratitude and admiration to Abbot Cuthbert McDonald, the founding abbot of St. Joseph Priory.  His vision and courage made it possible. Subsequent Abbots- Thomas Hartman, Brendan Downey, Ralph Koehler, and Owen Purcell were also equally generous and courageous in their interest and supportive decision to send and maintain Kansas Benedictines at the Priory over these fifty years. Abbot Barnabas Senecal, during these past twenty years has been constant with his presence and on-going communication, giving us support and guidance. We are grateful to them and to all the monks of the Abbey.

Our story is also the story of generous people, mission-minded persons who love the Benedictines and the Gospel.  We remember you, with gratitude.  Blessings of peace.

Família, Fruto do Amor de Deus

Deus criou o ser humano, homem e mulher Ele criou, E viu que era muito bom!

            Homem e mulher - têm o mesmo criador, mesmo carne e sangue, são pessoas, dotadas com inteligência, vontade, livro árbitro, capazes de criar, pensar, rir e chorar! São racionais.  Pensam no passado, pensam no futuro. Têm saudades e têm sonhos, desejos e sentimentos.  Gostam de dar e receber carinho.  Nascem tão frágeis, e demoram a crescer.  Mas logo, tornam-se bobos, e se casam! Será?

Casamento – “fazer casal”, ou “fazer casa”, acasalamento, iguais outros animais, mamíferos. Mas qual é a diferença com pessoas humanas?

Matrimônio – o que Deus uniu. Não é feito no cartório, mas no céu! Unidos por Deus, para serem enviados em missão. “Ide, multiplicai-vos”. Um só corpo, um só coração, por toda vida, amando e respeitando um ao outro.

Homem é sempre fértil; mulher, por base de cada mês ela é fértil. Iguais outros mamíferos.  O sexo para procriação; e também como manifestação da sua entrega total um ao outro, na intimidade de vida, como expressão de amor e confiança total.

Os dois têm sentimentos, emoções – alegria a tristeza, gosto e desgosto. Sonhos e medos. Os dois precisam de cuidados, um do outro.

Família – muitas e diversas formas:

·         O viúvo e seus filhos e netos. Ou sem, sozinho.

·         A viúva com filhos e netos, noras e genros. Ou sem, sozinha.

·         Homem ou mulher separado, criando seus filhos, sozinho/a.

·         Pai ou mãe solteiro, com filhos, e pais, irmãos, ou abandonados.

·         Mãe solteira com filho de pai desconhecido.

·         Ele ou ela, separado/a, e unido/a em uma segunda união, com casamento ou sem.

·         Casal de segunda união – ele com filhos dele, ela com filhos dela, e os dois com os filhos deles.

·         Jovens adultos, solteiros, solteiras.

·         Filhos sem pais.

·         Casal sem filhos.

·         Casal com filhos adotivos.

·         Casal com seus filhos! Ideal da Bíblia, da Igreja?

_____

Total 12 tipos de família (sem falar em união gay). Pastoral Familiar é zelo por todas as famílias!

Papa João Paulo II fala do Plano de Deus para a família. A família não é só uma instituição social. É obra divina. Ele e ela são chamados por Deus para constituir uma família, na base de amor, respeito, segurança, e comunhão de vidas. O saudoso Papa fala que família é santuário da vida, é berço da vida.

Matrimonio é uma vocação, chamados para uma missão especifica.

Não se casa para ser servido. Mas, para servir a outra.

A pessoa entra no matrimonio dando 100% de si, para o bem do parceiro e para os filhos. Matrimonio não é só legitimar sexo.       

Os pais se amam, têm dialogo, fazem juntos os planos. Os filhos são fruto do amor dos pais. Os pais não são donos dos seus filhos.

Os filhos não são somente para o orgulho, a posse dos pais – olhe o que posso fazer!

Os filhos não são para satisfazer o orgulho dos pais. Filhos não são objetos, como carro novo, que se possui.

Filhos nascem com sua personalidade própria, destinos, e qualidades para serem desenvolvidos.

A família é escola onde aprende amar, pensar no outro, doar de si, dialogo, respeito. É um grupo democrático. Os mais velhos em conjunto com os mais novos; homens e mulheres, diferentes, mas iguais; sem segredos, mas transparentes e respeitosos.

A família é escola onde aprendem dizer “obrigado”, “por favor”, “me desculpe”, etc.  Onde não é falsa com os outros. Onde o fraco recebe apoio, sem manipulação.

A família é escola de educação pela fé. Onde aprende o valor de oração, confiança em Deus, pratica de pedir perdão pelas ofensas, e oferecer perdão às pessoas que nos ofenderam.

                                                                             Namoro não é fase de experimentar o poder de seduzir, brincar com sexo, satisfazer a curiosidade do corpo do sexo oposto. É tempo de discernir a compatibilidade de comunhão de vida, de firmar a vocação, a convicção de que é capaz e quer conviver com o outro por toda vida, e construir juntos uma família.