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Br. Linus Klucsarits, O.S.B. Professes Simple Vows
--- Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:26:00 +0000
Fall Vocation Retreats
--- Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:37:00 +0000 This fall, St. Bernard Abbey hosted two vocation retreats for men who are interested in learning more about our way of life and may be discerning becoming a monk. The "Come and See" Retreat was for adult men, while the "Men in Black" Retreat was for young men in high school. Both had a good number of participants and were successful weekends. On these retreats, the retreatants stay on the third floor of the monastery--in rooms almost identical to the monks' rooms just a floor below. They also join the monks for prayers in the monastic choir and meals in the refectory. There are also a few discussions on different topics concerning monastic life, lead by various monks.
If you are interested in monastic life and possibly making either a private or organized vocation retreat at St. Bernard Abbey, please contact our Vocation Director, Fr. Jacob Amos, at 256-255-5801 or brjacobosb@yahoo.com.
Big Changes in Leadership Announced for Our School
--- Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:02:00 +0000 Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., and the St. Bernard Preparatory School Board of Directors announced key leadership changes during their quarterly meeting held on Friday, December 9, 2011. These changes are part of the ongoing plan for St. Bernard Abbey and School to implement the strategic plan for the overall growth and expansion of its educational and other various ministries.
Fr. Marcus Voss, O.S.B., who for the past 20 years has served as President of the Prep School as well as the Head of Development, will now be dedicated full time to the work of development. As the Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, Fr. Marcus will be responsible for the annual appeal programs, the planned giving program and the upcoming new capital campaign. In addition, Fr. Marcus will continue his work with the alumni affairs office and oversee the alumni reunion held each year in June. The Office of Marketing and Public Relations as well as the sponsorship of the annual Bloomin’ Festival will operate as part of the development office.
Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B., who has served as Headmaster for the past 17 years, has accepted the appointment as President of St. Bernard Prep School. In his new role, Fr. Joel will be responsible for the overall operation of the school. His administrative team will include the Headmasters of the Middle School and High School, the Director of Admissions, the Athletic Director, the Directors of Residential Life, and the Business Manager. He will also have oversight for Camp St. Bernard, the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program, the School’s Physical Plant and the President’s Administrative Staff.
Mr. John Tekulve, a noted Cullman educator, has accepted the position of Headmaster of the high school division of St. Bernard Preparatory School. Mr. Tekulve had previously served as the founding Headmaster of the St. Bernard Middle School and Assistant-Headmaster of St. Bernard High School. Prior to his work at St. Bernard, Mr. Tekulve had been a highly regarded principal, assistant principal, teacher and coach in both the Cullman City and County School Systems. As Headmaster, Mr. Tekulve will be in charge of the academic, extracurricular and associated programs of the overall operation of the high school.
In announcing these new appointments, Abbot Cletus expressed his gratitude to Fr. Marcus, Fr. Joel and Mr. Tekulve for their dedicated service to St. Bernard and offered his congratulations on their new appointments. “These appointments are an effort to continue the rich legacy of past generations who devoted their lives to a love for the truth and a desire to pass on that wisdom to another generation,” said Abbot Cletus. “I am confident that Fr. Marcus, Fr. Joel and Mr. Tekulve will make a difference in the lives of the young men and women who come to St. Bernard and their efforts in their new roles will be successful.”
Fr. Jacob Visits Josephinum
--- Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:09:00 +0000 Benefactors' Day Celebrated as Saint Bernard Abbey Marks 120 Years
--- Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:12:00 +0000 Benefactors and guests of St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School packed the Abbey Church Sept. 26 to celebrate the 120th anniversary of St. Bernard Abbey. Archbishop Wilton Gregory, of Atlanta delivered the homily titled “What’s in it for me.”
In his homily, Archbishop Gregory stated, “Benefactors' Day brings together many of the generous supporters of this Benedictine community who have made a substantial and valued investment in this community. “
“Benefactors of St. Bernard are obviously not looking for any return on their investment beyond the satisfaction of seeing the religious institution flourish as it has in the past 120 years,” he continued. “What began as a pastoral outreach to German-speaking Catholics in North Alabama has become not only a monastic institution but the repository of many friends, alumni, clerical and religious associates.”
“The benefactors of St. Bernard are confident that their gifts, their contributions, and their prayers for this monastic community will benefit the work of Christ, and allow them to continue to influence and shape the lives of those who live, visit, and study at St. Bernard and the countless thousands of those who have paused here to pray,” the Archbishop said.
Music for the occasion was provided by organist, Dr. Rebecca Whited, and the St. Bernard Chorus under the direction of Rodney Fike.
St. Bernard Prep School Knights of the Altar served at Mass with Michael Schartung serving as Grand Supreme Knight.
Abbot Cletus Meagher, OSB, thanked Bishop Foley and Bishop Baker for being present at the celebration and Archbishop Wilton Gregory for his making his first visit to St. Bernard and delivering the homily.
“On behalf of all the monks, we offer thanks to our St. Bernard community — all the administrators, educators and staff members here at St. Bernard; our benefactors, those of you who are our students and represent the promise of tomorrow. Thank you for entrusting your gifts, confidence and prayers to us who form this Benedictine institution,” Abbot Cletus said.
Abbot Cletus and Fr. Marcus Reflect on Their 40 Years of Priesthood
--- Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:18:00 +0000This year, Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B. and Fr. Marcus Voss, O.S.B. are celebrating their fortieth anniversary of priestly ordination. Recently the two shared their thoughts on this joyful occasion. Check out the videos.
St. Bernard Monks on EWTN
--- Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:22:00 +0000Last night, four monks of St. Bernard Abbey appeared on EWTN's "Life on the Rock." You can watch the entire show here.
Br. Benedict Dyar, O.S.B. Makes Profession of Solemn Vows
--- Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:23:00 +0000 August 22 is celebrated as a solemnity at St. Bernard Abbey because it is the titular feast of our abbey--the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. This year, the day was marked with even greater joy and festivity as Br. Benedict David Dyar, O.S.B. professed solemn vows as a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey. Joining the monastic community for this occasion were Br. Benedict's family and friends, along with various priests of the Diocese of Birmingham and religious. Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B. was the celebrant and preached the homily. Concelebrants included Abbot-Emeritus Victor Clark, O.S.B.; Fr. Anthony Mary Stelten, M.F.V.A., the superior of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word; and Monsignor Michael Sexton, who represented Bishop Baker of the Diocese of Birmingham.
The ceremony was filled with stark symbolism: Br. Benedict sang the ancient "Suscipe" before the altar with arms extended in the form of a cross; lay prostrate on the floor as the Litany of Saints was sung; was covered in the funeral pall; and finally received the cuculla (pleated cowl worn by solemnly professed monks). In all these actions, the finality of the vows which were being made was vividly clear. Also evident was Br. Benedict's happiness and he embraced the monastic life forever. This fall, Br. Benedict will begin seminary studies at St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN.
Four Monks Head to School
--- Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:08:00 +0000
Over the next few days, four monks from St. Bernard Abbey will be leaving for further studies. Br. Anselm Kuehler, OSB, and Br. Benedict Dyar, OSB, plan to matriculate at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN while Br. Bernard Denson, OSB, and Br. Josemaria Balderas, OSB, will enroll at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS.
Br. Anselm Kuehler has been a member of St. Bernard Abbey for the past three years. After graduating from high school in Dallas, TX, Br. Anselm spent four years in the seminary. “I left seminary school and started working on my Master’s degree,” he said. “After teaching for 20 years in Dallas, I came to Alabama and taught for two years at St. Ann’s in Decatur before accepting Fr. Joel’s invitation to teach at St. Bernard.” While teaching was nothing new to Br. Anselm, he was so impressed with the monastic life at St. Bernard that he decided to look into the monastic life to see if it might be a good fit for him. He entered the monastery shortly thereafter. Br. Anselm plans to earn his Masters of Divinity which is a four-year program covering the basic classes needed to be ordained a priest.
Br. Benedict Dyar also will enroll at St. John’s University in Minnesota just days after making final vows as a member of St. Bernard Abbey. Br. Benedict came to St. Bernard Abbey from Opelika, Alabama and has been very involved in community life. He has become known as the “bread man,” since he is one of the main bakers of breads in the Abbey Kitchen. He is also very involved with the Abbey vocation program. He works on the Abbey Farm and helps in the upkeep of the grounds around the campus. During the 2010-11 school year, he taught a history course in the high school and was the faculty moderator of the astronomy club at the Prep School.
Br. Josemaria Balderas, OSB came to St. Bernard two years ago from California. Growing up he describes himself as a regular person who excelled in music and athletics, especially soccer and wrestling, while in high school. At the age of 18 he felt the call to monastic life. After a few years of discernment while working and playing in bands, he decided it was a fit and entered St. Bernard Abbey. “I still have two more years to complete my first vows and I am extremely happy to be furthering my educational studies at Benedictine College,” Br. Josemaria said.
Br. Bernard Denson, OSB will also enroll this fall at Benedictine College in Kansas. A 2009 alumnus of St. Bernard Prep School, Br. Bernard entered the monastic formation program of St. Bernard Abbey just three weeks after graduation. “Coming to St. Bernard in 2006 as a sophomore in high school was the best decision I ever made. The monks had such an impact on me that I knew I wanted to be a part of the monastic life.” Br. Bernard plans to study philosophy and possibly complete a double major in English so he can return to St. Bernard and teach at St. Bernard Prep School.
Br. Bernard Reflects on St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School
--- Thu, 18 Aug 2011 01:23:00 +0000Joyce Nix, who is in charge of public relations at St. Bernard Preparatory School, recently interviewed Br. Bernard about his experience as a student at St. Bernard and now as a monk. Check out the video!