Christ the King Priory Celebrates 75 Years of Prayer & Work

The weekend of July 10 -11, 2010 was the culmination of two years of planning and spiritual preparation for the monks of Schuyler.  The monastic community celebrated 75 years of prayer and work in Northeastern Nebraska with several hundred friends, Oblates, clergy, religious, and fellow Benedictine men and women.  The events at Saint Benedict Center were celebrations of God’s faithfulness and blessings over three quarters of a century and of hope for the future of the monastic community.

On Saturday, July 10th, clergy and consecrated men and women of the Archdiocese of Omaha gathered in Schuyler to celebrate with the monks.  The Eucharistic Liturgy of Thanksgiving was presided by Abbot Michael Reepen, spiritual father of Muensterschwarzach Abbey and its priory of Christ the King in Schuyler.  In his homily, Abbot Michael not only highlighted the tireless work of the early monks of Schuyler, but also the continuation and expansion of these efforts by the current monastic community.  Archbishop Emeritus Elden Curtiss shared a few words at the end of the Liturgy, thanking the monastic community for their involvement in the life of the Church of Omaha.  Following the Mass of Thanksgiving, all enjoyed a delicious lunch and time for fellowship.  A program followed lunch, featuring music by our friends Virginia and Morgan Semerad, and a keynote address by Abbot Leo Ryska of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Benet Lake, Wisconsin.  Abbot Leo spoke of the prophetic call of all Christians and the importance of the Benedictine witness in the life of the Church and in the world.  The program ended with the premiere of two new short films highlighting the life and work of Christ the King Priory and Saint Benedict Center.  All gathered at the end of the afternoon in Chapel for the celebration of Vespers.

The monks of Schuyler were blessed to celebrate the Feast of Saint Benedict, July 11th, with Benedictine men and women from around the world.  Six abbots, several priors and prioresses were present with monastics from as far away as South Korea and as near as Norfolk, Nebraska.  Also present were the Oblates of Christ the King Priory, our co-workers, volunteers, and friends.    Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Eucharistic Liturgy.  After an appetizing lunch, all were treated to a musical performance by the Summit String Quartet of Lincoln.  The keynote address was given by Archabbot Jeremias Schroeder, the Abbot President of the Missionary Benedictine Congregation of St. Ottilien.  Archabbot Jeremias traced the history of Benedictine missionary efforts, highlighted the work of the Benedictine Mission House, and shared a glimpse of new mission projects taken on by Missionary Benedictines in various parts of the world.  After additional time for fellowship, the day ended with the celebration of Vespers, with the assistance of the Schola Cantorum of St. Cecelia Cathedral, who also sang at the morning Mass.

The Missionary Benedictine monks of Christ the King Priory give thanks to God for the many blessings received in the past 75 years and look forward to many more years in God’s service.  We appreciate the support of countless friends and benefactors who have sustained our ministries with spiritual and material sacrifices over the years.

Photos of the celebration, by Omaha photograph Mark Kresel, can be viewed at our Facebook fanpage or at our Picasa web album.  Archabbot Jeremias Schroeder’s keynote address can be viewed as a PDF here: archabbot’s jubilee keynote.  Abbot Leo Ryska’s keynote address can be viewed as a PDF here: abbot leo jubilee keynote.

Monks on Facebook

Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the gift of digital technologies in his message for the 43rd World Communications Day in 2009.  The Holy Father praised the capacity for new digital media to “foster connectedness, communication and understanding between individuals and communities.”  Furthermore, His Holiness notes that “these networks can facilitate forms of co-operation between people from different geographical and cultural contexts that enable them to deepen their common humanity and their sense of shared responsibility for the good of all.”

The monks of Christ the King Priory, looking for new ways to communicate our mission to preach the Gospel and build God’s kingdom, invite you to “become a fan” by visiting their Facebook page!  The page will be an additional way for you to stay in touch with our monastic community and to remain connected to our life of prayer and work.

Recent Guests

“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Mt 25:335).’” Rule of St. Benedict 53: 1

Providing hospitality has been an important ministry for Benedictine monastics since the time of Saint Benedict.  Benedict teaches us that in receiving a guest we welcome Christ himself.  We are blessed to receive guests from as near as Schuyler and as far as Tanzania. 

We recently welcomed Sister Asante, the prioress of Saint Agnes Convent in Chipole, Tanzania.  Sister Asante is the spiritual mother of over 350 sisters.  She was visiting several of her sisters who were studying in various schools throughout the United States.  Two of her sisters studying at Benedictine College in Atchison joined Sister Asante for a tour of our monastery and retreat center.

The Congregation of the African Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes, based in Chipole, was founded in 1938 by Abbot and Titular Bishop Gallus Steiger, OSB.  Abbot Bishop Gallus was a Missionary Benedictine monk of the Archabbey of St. Ottilien and the first abbot of Peramiho Abbey in Tanzania.  The Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes was founded as the first Benedictine congregation of native African women and currently numbers over 700 sisters.  The sisters administer several schools and medical facilities in addition to living the Benedictine rhythm of prayer in their communities.

Sister Asante

Tanzanian sisters tour the monastery

Sr. Susana, Sr. Suzanne (Atchison), Sr. Asante, Sr. Presentasia

Saint Benedict Center also hosted a regional gathering of Oblate Directors from several Midwest monastic communities.  The meeting was a time of prayer, support, and sharing for those involved with the formation of lay men and women committed to living the Benedictine way of life “in the world.”

Fr. Volker (Schuyler), Sr. Celine (Norfolk), Sr. Phyllis (Yankton/Lincoln), Sr. Eileen (Yankton), Sr. Barbara (Columbia, MO), Sr. Bonita (Yankton), Sr. Margretta (Yankton/Sioux Falls)

Co-Workers in the Lord’s Vineyard: El Puente

Elliot, Maria, & Rudy

This is the first in a series of profiles on our co-workers here at Christ the King Priory & Saint Benedict Center.  These women and men are more than just staff or employees – they are co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord, assisting the monastic community in fulfilling our mission of reaching out to God’s people and extending our Benedictine hospitality to the world.

One of the more distinctive ministries of our community is El Puente (Spanish for “the bridge”), an office which provides immigration services at a minimal cost to families and individuals in need.  Our confrere Fr. Paul began this ministry, with the support of the monastic community, after having done similar work during his time as a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha.  El Puente is a member of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), an organization which provides support and resources to its member agencies.  CLINIC works in collaboration with the United States Conference of Bishops to advocate with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to improve immigration policies and practices.

A dedicated team of co-workers keep the work of El Puente going while Fr. Paul completes a Masters in Sociology at the University of Texas – Austin:

• Rudy Salazar – Rudy, a proud father of two beautiful daughters, met Fr. Paul as a student at Central Community College during a presentation on immigration.  He began volunteering at El Puente in August 2007 and has worked with us full-time since July 2008.  Having recently received an Associates Degree in Business Administration, he is in the process of completing a Bachelors in Business Management from Bellevue University and would eventually like to attend law school.  Rudy is a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative, allowing him to accompany clients to such things as citizenship interviews.  He is passionate about immigration work and enjoys the challenge of keeping up with ever-changing immigration laws and the opportunity to educate and strengthen families through this ministry. 
• Maria Davila – Maria is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and has been living in Columbus, Nebraska for the past 15 years.  She is the mother of a daughter and two sons.  Maria was first acquainted with El Puente at an immigration clinic in Columbus where she met Fr. Paul.  She had been involved with immigration services since 2003, volunteering at twice-yearly immigration clinics sponsored by Connect Columbus, a local volunteer and human services organization.  Maria began working at El Puente four months ago.  She finds joy in helping a lot of families, especially those would normally not be able to afford an attorney.
• Elliot Jacobson – Elliot is a native of Omaha, Nebraska and is currently completing his undergraduate studies in Spanish Translation & Cultural Studies from Midland Lutheran College.  Following his graduation this coming may, he plans on attending the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago to begin a Masters in Divinity program in preparation for ordination as a Lutheran pastor.  Elliot’s interest is Spanish language and culture began when he took his first Spanish class in the second grade.  Many of his friends are of Hispanic origin, and hearing their life stories and the issues they face sparked an interest in immigration work.  A member of his church in Omaha and an Oblate of our monastery, Sheri Rose, suggested that he contact our monastery to inquire about volunteer opportunties.  Elliot will be volunteering at El Puente throughout the fall semester and will depart for a study abroad program in Mexico during the spring semester.

The monks of Christ the King Priory appreciate the ministry of our co-workers at El Puente and their dedication to building a more just society and improving the lives of countless families in need!