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Abbey ViewsVOLUME 17, NUMBER 2

In the 60’s and 70’s Abbot david duncan trained Father Patrick to make

100% beeswax candles for the Abbey’s liturgical celebrations. About 30 years

later Father Patrick decided to further develop his skill of candle making and in

2002 established the Abbey candle Shop to produce candles for the Abbey

as well as to sell them to friends of Saint Bede. He now produces Standard

tapers, colonial candles and Hexagonal tapers in a variety of lengths and

colors. More recently he has developed a line of seasonal decorative candles

including pumpkins, a turkey, a rabbit, a Victorian Santa, a three Angel Votive

candle, a Honeycomb Pillar candle and Advent candles. You can see a

number of samples in the picture that accompanies this article. If you are

interested in purchasing some 100% beeswax candles, or would like to see the

candle Shop, you may contact Father Patrick at (815)223-3140 or email him

at frpatrick@st-bede.com.

Father Patrick’s Candle Shop

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Iconographer Joseph Malham will offer a five day icon retreat and workshop in which participants will learn the ancient and sacred art of iconography and write their own icon. the cost for the five day workshop is $500 per person, which covers room, meals and materials including wooden panel, paint and gold leaf. this is a beginner’s level workshop, and no previous art or icon writing experience is necessary. this is a silent icon retreat and participants will have the opportunity to pray with the monks of Saint Bede Abbey through the course of the day. Space is limited to 10 participants. So please reserve space soon. deadline for the participant’s payment is Monday, July 2, 2012. Please make checks payable to Saint Bede Abbey and mail them to:

Saint Bede Abbey24 W Us Highway 6

Peru, IL 61354AttN. Icon retreat

Icon Writing Retreat

Saint Bede AbbeyPeru, IL

July 24-29, 2012

the MuSic MAn

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Be Dedicated to Thanksgiving (Col. 3: 15)

We at Saint Bede are a community of Benedictine monks, which means that the religious rule according to which we live, which guides and shapes our lives together, is that written by Saint Benedict in the sixth century. When one tries to distinguish and define Benedictine monastic life, one finds that, celibacy notwithstanding; it is really a pure distillation of the basic christian life to which we are all committed by our baptism. And so it is not surprising that christian lay people have often found the rule of Benedict a source of spiritual wisdom and of guidance for their own lives. Some therefore associate themselves with – attach themselves to, so to speak – a particular monastery of men or women in a mutually beneficial relationship and dedicate themselves to living out their baptismal commitment, as far as they are able in their own vocations, according to the rule. they formalize their dedication by a rite of oblation, of self-offering, to God in which they state their intention publicly. Hence they are known as “oblates”.

to get a good sense of the value of the centuries-old rule of Benedict for lay people of our day, one need only turn to the works of such well known spiritual writers as Kathleen Norris and Ester de Waal, who have written extensively of the role of the rule in their own lives and, in so doing, helped considerably in making the rule accessible to other lay folk. the oblates of Saint Bede Abbey meet monthly from September to May, on designated Sundays, for choral prayer, group or individual meditation, a presentation on some spiritual topic, discussion, and just plain socializing (always with wonderful refreshments). the group publishes a bi-monthly in-house organ, Our Family News, each issue of which contains both practical information and an essay on some aspect of spiritual life. For more information about the Saint Bede Abbey’s oblate program, contact the director of Oblates, Brother Nathaniel at (815) 223-3140, ext. 233.

What is an oblate?

What do you get when you combine eight male con-testants, a highly motivated chairperson and a dynamic Master of ceremonies?!? An unequivocal formula for success!!! Patti and George Leynaud put together a fantastic evening of enter-tainment and fun for all! the stars of the show were Mark dudek (’77), Bob Ficek (’55), Justin Lamboley (’00), Jeff Mauck, Br. Luke McLachlan (’88), Bernie Moore, dave Milus, and Mike rosploch (’87). More than 100 students volun-teered their time on a Sat-urday night to be iancluded in this event. Everyone in-volved shares one common goal, to raise money for the students of Saint Bede

Academy. And that we did, the 2012 Mr. SBA contest raised $46,054.00!!! the title of Mr. SBA was passed on from Joe Kolodziej (’75) to Mark dudek (’77), the reigning 2012 Mr. SBA! Our heartfelt thanks to all who helped to make this event a raving success!

2012 Mr. SBa Contest

MR

SBA

At the Academy Baccalaureate Mass for the class of 2012, I invited graduates to reflect on all the reasons they should be thankful. Among those I included all of you who have helped to make their education at Saint Bede possible. What really struck me, however, was the long line of monks who have been part of Saint Bede. I thought of the men who come in 1889 to supervise and help in the building of the Abbey/Academy building. From that time on so many others have followed in their footsteps and have helped to build up the community and spirit of Saint Bede. One of those holy men was Father Marion, the 5th Abbot of Saint Bede, who died in March. He was a brilliant teacher who conveyed to the monks and his students solid information, but more importantly the love of learning. Many people remember his sermons for their simplicity and depth. At the same time he was a practical man who directed the construction of the Abbey church, and the remodeling of monastery rooms for the elderly and infirm. In recent years, he provided a listening, prayerful ear for the guests who came to visit Saint Bede. this will be a busy summer at Saint Bede Abbey. Sister Mary Forman OSB will be the retreat master for the monastic community from May 27 to May 31. She will help us to grow in the wisdom of the desert Fathers and Mothers who developed the monastic spirituality on which the Rule of Saint Benedict is based. Some of the monks will be attending workshops this summer: Father Gregory to the Scripture Workshop at Mundelein, Brother david to the junior formation institute in Schyler, Nebraska, and Brother robert to classes at the catholic theological Union in chicago.

Using our boarding facilities, we will be hosting several retreats this summer. Father dominic will direct a retreat for herb gardeners in June. Abbot Philip will lead some of our oblates on a weekend of

reflection on the Prologue of the Rule of Saint Benedict. In late July, Joe Malham of trinity Icons will direct five days of retreat in an Icon painting workshop for beginners. By the end of the workshop the participants will have painted their first icon. If you are interested in information about the Icon painting workshop, contact Abbot Philip. there will also be a number of projects taking place to improve the Abbey and Academy campus. the bridge to the cemetery will be replaced, the remaining structures from the hog farm operation will be removed and the land prepared for farming, some needed tuck pointing will be done on the east side of the academy building, and the floors of the abbey choir chapel as well as the top of the choir stalls will be refinished. the list could go on and on but suffice it to say we will be working hard. I hope that you will enjoy the articles we have included in this issue of Abbey Views. You will learn a bit about Father Patrick’s candle shop. the following section is dedicated to our Oblate Program: explaining the purpose of the program, what our oblates studied this

part year, and the blessings that one person found in becoming an oblate. You will also be able to read more about our deceased Father Marion. Again, I want to express my deepest thanks to all of you who remain essential members of our Saint Bede community. Without your help we would not be able to continue our important apostolates of prayer, education and hospitality. May the Rule of Saint Benedict be our guide, and may the Spirit of Saint Bede stay with us forever.

the Men of SAint Bede leAd By exAMple

Brother Luke McLachlan (’88)

Mark Dudek (’77)

Bob Ficek (’55)

Justin Lamboley (’00)

Dave Milus

Jeff Mauck

Bernie Moore

Mike Rosploch (’87)

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More than one third of the student population volunteered their time at this year’s auction, understanding the main objective of the event is to support their hopes and dreams. In the twenty-nine year history of the auction, Bonnie Prokup & her remarkable team raised $212,746.00 for the students of Saint Bede Academy! Back-to-back record breaking years!!! We want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s auction: the individuals and businesses who so generously gave of their treasure; the many adult and student volunteers who gave of their time and talent; and to the 330 guests who attended the auction, your continued generosity and support of our mission allows us to do great work on behalf of the students of Saint Bede Academy!

Several months after having attended a meeting of the oblates of Saint Bede Abbey for the first time, I wrote to Father James, the director of oblates at the time, that I knew I had found my home. No longer satisfied with being a “recliner christian,” comfortable with my spirituality at a level that demanded few commitments, and content with private devotions, I had discovered my prayers for guidance, balance, and community pleasantly answered on nervously taking a seat at the back of the meeting room. the peace that permeated the room that January day has permeated every meeting since and is something continually remarked upon by regular attendees and visitors alike. Peace is accessible in abundance at Saint Bede Abbey. “Guide me in the path of your commands, for there is my delight. Bend my heart to your will and not to love of gain” (Ps 119:35-36) I love the psalms. they span the breadth of human emotions, and they are as relevant today as ever in their guidance, through the Holy Spirit. One of the objectives for oblates is to be men and

women of prayer. Prayer results in guidance. Oblate meetings include part of the divine Office, laden with those beautiful psalms, lectio, a presentation pertaining to spiritual nourishment and growth, group discussion, and fellowship. the benefits of partaking of this support-and-guidance buffet endure as I return to my daily routines and personal interactions. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Mt 6:33). the paradox of christian teaching continually astounds me. How can I achieve balance in my life by concentrating on one objective? the idea defies my human understanding and baffles my logical mind, but it has proven to be true repeatedly. Although I have just started to study the rule of Benedict, I can already see the common sense and balance woven into the rule. the belief that God is present everywhere allows me to seek his kingdom regardless of where I am and what I am doing. When I am open to God’s grace, permitting me to seek and see him everywhere, my like is in balance and I am at peace.

“do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for those of others” (Phil 2:3-4). I have so much yet to learn about the meaning and practice of community. My mortal and therefore sinful nature convinces me that simply being part of the church and practicing my private devotions (remaining comfortable in the spiritual recliner) constitutes community. receiving and applying the understanding of a unified whole that exists and acts as one rather than as many individual parts put together will be a central theme in my oblate journey. It will require me to leave behind my secure default position of solitude and trust the gentle persuasion of the Holy Spirit to reach out and share the many blessings God has so graciously given me. I know it will be challenging and sometimes even frightening, but God has also provided me with an exceptional gift of love and support in my new home, the Benedictine oblates of Saint Bede Abbey.

Abbot Philip & Dr Valencia at the Oblate Picnic

Father James Murray, refounder of Oblate program & oblate, Kathy Yerley

Guidance, Balance, and Community: Finding Home as a Benedictine Oblate

2011 – 2012 was a year of getting back to basics for the oblates of Saint Bede Abbey, a year in which they and I explored humility as the foundation of the Benedictine way of life. Because the chapter of humility in the sixth-century rule of Benedict is, not surprisingly, difficult for twenty-first-century readers to properly understand, we used our monthly meetings to gradually work up to that chapter rather than start with it. After considering two pertinent tenets of our faith-first, that Jesus christ won salvation for us once and for all by his passion, death, and resurrection, and, second, that the individual christian, nonetheless, can attain salvation only by a lifelong process of ongoing conversion-we came to see that the task that lay before Saint Benedict in writing the rule was one of legislating a way of life that best ensures that ongoing conversion can and will take place. An examination of the rule made it clear that its bedrock is a belief

in the abiding presence of God-our Father, who revealed himself as a loving God through the incarnation of this Son, and who ceaselessly continues to reveal himself as such in the activity of their Holy Spirit in the church and in our hearts. It also make it clear that the ongoing conversion that Saint Benedict envisaged for his monks consists precisely in their constant mindfulness of God’s constant presence and in the concrete ways in which they should respond to it. this coming year the oblates will be pondering how they, in their daily lives outside the monastery, can remain mindful of God’s abiding presence and respond to it as he would have them respond, or, in other words, how they can allow God to be more accessible to them and make themselves more accessible to God.

Br. Nathaniel, Grossmann, O.S.B.director of Oblates

BaCk-to-BaCk Record Breaking Years!

29th AnnuAl

“There’s No Place Like Home”

Auction GAlA

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Each year for Lent, Academy chaplain Father ronald Margherio challenges each class to raise the equivalent of $10 per class member for charity. the period c junior religion class and I undertook a special project to bring one of the parables to life in support of a school in Haiti. the parable was from Matthew 13:33: “the kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” the amount of flour is the most surprising element of the parable, which is not entirely evident in most English translations. “three measures” is the usual translation for the original Greek “tria sata” which is a little over a bushel of flour (1.125 bushels, to be precise). that’s a ridiculously large amount of flour---you’d need a 100-quart Hobart mixer with a dough hook as big as your leg to knead

it! translating into kitchen measures, 1.125 bushels is 144 cups of flour. Presuming we used a common recipe for basic white bread that uses 5 ½ cups of flour, 144 cups is enough to make twenty-six batches of bread of two loaves each, giving us a total of fifty-two loaves. We decided that we would try to make the parable come alive by baking “tria sata” worth of bread and selling it along with other Easter treats. there was some skepticism: Megan tiger admitted, “I kept thinking, well, the parable’s nice and all, but do people really want to buy bread?” Others found the logistics of the project stimulating: Sam Brolley said, “I enjoyed the planning process that required compromise and creativity.” So Holy thursday, after a half day of classes, we measured out 1.125 bushels of flour (including some whole wheat we ground ourselves), mixed the dough in the abbey kitchen, and then carted all our supplies to Saint Joseph’s parish hall for the Big Bake. the students were organized into teams for dividing and measuring dough, shaping loaves (Kaylee Sienza proved to have amazing braiding skills), baking, and clean up. Others had made rice Krispies treats and other goodies for the sale, put up signs, and

delivered the finished loaves. the hours spent shaping and baking the bread were especially enjoyable. “this experience was the most fun I’ve had in a long time,” said Megan cain. “I got to spend time with classmates I normally don’t hang out with, and I got to see a whole new side of some people. doing this project didn’t just help raise money, it brought a group of students closer together.” According to Bobby Morrow, “It showed me how doing charity could be a joyful experience.” doors opened at 3:00 p.m. and we were sold out of bread in about 20 minutes. Some people paid for loaves that were still in the oven and just sat down to wait. After all our bread and goodies were sold, we had earned $475—each student had paid $3.00 in advance to buy groceries, so it was all profit. When we added our earnings to the funds collected during lunch periods and at prayer services, the junior class total was $1,021.00. Jake Postula reflected, “this project has opened my eyes about the God-given talents we possess that allow us to help others.” In the end, what’s the message of the parable? It’s simple: the kingdom of heaven is like a woman who wants to do more than feed her family: the kingdom of God is like a woman who wants to feed the world. the Academy juniors in period c religion class experienced what the woman in parable felt and did. Sam Lucas summed it up well: “Believing in the Gospel and learning from it are one thing, but living it is what develops that sense of spirituality that people need in their lives.”

The Big Bake

Brendan Zimmerman Eric Li, Bobby Morrow and Sam Lucas Jake Postula

Kaylee Sienza, Father Dom and Xavier Stewart

Touch the Dough

the caritas dining room was abuzz with energy as 12 students from Saint Bede Academy in Peru, Ill., joined the sisters for dinner on Friday, April 18. Father ron Margherio, OSB, brought the students for a weekend of service and learning about religious life. Six senior girls and six freshman/sophomore boys spent the weekend at Mount carmel, getting to know sisters firsthand. Hosted by the Initial Membership team, Lou Anglin and Kathy carr, the students learned about the history and contributions of women religious in the U.S., the charism and core values of the BVMs, and heard personal vocation stories. On Saturday morning, a panel of four BVMs (therese Frelo, Mary Mccauley, Paulette Skiba and roberta White) shared their stories of being called to the BVM way of life, and how their ministries have shaped and challenged them over the years. the students were especially touched by the many diverse ways in which BVMs live out their mission of “being freed and helping others enjoy freedom in God’s steadfast love.” the students definitely came to serve as well as learn. Abounding with energy, they quickly accomplished several tasks for the activities department: preparing the flower beds in the Joan Keleher doyle garden, cleaning porches, patios and chairs, and washing out pop cans. Saturday afternoon they got to experience some of the sites of dubuque, including the Mississippi river Museum, prior to joining the Sinsinawa dominicans for common

prayer. Sunday provided an opportunity for liturgy at Mount carmel, celebrated by Father ron; quick visits to clarke University and Loras college, and a final dinner with the sisters in caritas dining room. the students seemed to be very much at home with the sisters, and spent long periods of time after meals visiting with those at their tables. From all accounts, the sisters were as thrilled to be with the students as the students were to be with the sisters.

—Kathy carr, BVMInitial Membership coordinator

Fr. Ron Margherio, OSB, and students from Saint Bede Academy, Peru, Ill., arrive at Mount Carmel for a weekend

of learning, service, prayer and fun!

Kyle Kapraun, Matt Silfies and Dominic Sondgeroth prepare the raised flower beds for planting.

Lou Anglin (center) works with students Meghan Cessna and Emily Santman

to prepare the patio in the Joan K. Doyle garden for spring.

StudentS’ viSit Enlivens Mount Carmel

the new Saint Bede aCadeMy Interact Club

the Saint Bede Academy Interact club is sponsored by the local rotary club and is dedicated to promoting service to local and world communities through the charitable hands of the Saint Bede Academy students.

L to R Front row: Kyle Kapraun, Nick Miller, Chris Sampson, Maggie Kaniewski, Megan Ravnikar, Sophie Carus, Megan Tiger, Matt Silfies, Gabby Mendoza, Sam BrolleyL to R Back row: Brandon Criss, Sam Said, Laura Sickley, Raley Mauck, Max Halm, Angela Silfies, Abby Milus, Kelsey Thompson, Morgan King, Erin Line

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the right reverend Marion Balsavich, O.S.B., former abbot of Saint Bede Abbey, aged 86, died from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia on March 16, 2012 in the infirmary of the abbey where he had been receiving hospice care for two weeks. Abbot Marion was born in Springfield, IL on June 11, 1925 and baptized as Eugene Ignatius. His mother, Mary Marenda, was a native of Spring Valley, and his father, John Balsavich, was a native of northern Illinois who had come to Spring Valley to work in the coal mines. His family returned to Spring Valley in 1926. After elementary education at Immaculate conception grade school in Spring Valley, he came to Saint Bede Academy in 1939, initially as a day student, where he excelled academically and was an active participant in extra-curricular activities. during his last two years of high school and his first two years of college he lived at Saint Bede as a boarding student with the intention of entering the monastic community. His novitiate year was spent at Saint John’s Abbey in collegeville, MN, followed by simple profession in July of 1946. He spent the next two years completing college studies, first at Saint Benedict’s college in Atchison, KS, and then at Saint John’s University in collegeville, MN, from which he graduated magna cum laude with a BA in philosophy in 1948. He thereupon undertook further studies in the school of theology at Saint Bede for three years until 1951, during which he also taught remedial reading at Saint Bede Academy and Greek in the junior college. Ordained on September 22, 1951 by Bishop Joseph Schlarman of Peoria, he was then assigned to graduate study in theology at the international Benedictine university in rome, Italy, where he obtained the degree of licentiate in sacred theology (S.t.L.) after two years. He then pursued further studies for the doctorate in theology and was awarded the S.t.d. degree in June of 1955. Upon returning to Saint Bede, Father Marion became the seminary rector and professor of dogmatic theology, as well as student chaplain and prefect of the seminary students in the junior college. Beginning in 1957, he also taught moral theology and offered a course in preaching to the theology students. In 1962 Father Marion was appointed subprior of the abbey and superior of junior monks, as well as assuming a number of administrative duties. He then served as prior of the monastery under Abbot david duncan from 1968 to 1981. during these years he was instrumental in planning the construction of the abbey church that was completed in 1974 and in facilitating many of the changes, especially in the area of worship, that were required by the decrees of Vatican council II. Upon the resignation of Abbot david in 1981 he was elected fifth abbot of Saint Bede on April 10 of that year and was blessed on May 25 by Bishop Edward O’rourke in our abbey church. He served as abbot until he reached the age of 65 in 1990, when he submitted his resignation as required by the law in force at that time. during his administration he had spearheaded a renovation of the monastery that modernized the building and adapted it to current needs. during the years when he was abbot he suffered a heart attack, from which he recovered, and also had surgery for skeletal problems in his back. A second surgery in 1998 did not completely resolve this issue, and in his final decade of life he was obliged to wear a leg brace and to use a walker, with increasing problems of balance. Nevertheless he continued to take an active part in the community’s life, especially as guest master for more than twenty years. He also served for part of this time as director of the abbey’s theological library and oversaw the scheduling for the use of the abbey church. Father Marion was a true scholar who daily demonstrated a deep love for God, the church, his confreres and the many friends and guests who had the good fortune of spending time with him. He embodied the words of Saint Benedict that “all guests should be received as christ”.

In late October 8 senior students, Megan ravnikar, Emily Santman, Angela Silfies, Haley Sondgeroth, Nick duncan, Noah Jordheim, Anthony Ossola, Ihsan Said, Mrs. Kathy Martin and Father ronald went on a MYStErY trIP. the trip was all about trust: trust in one another, trust in Father ronald and, above all, trust in God. For 5 days the students experienced trust, firsthand, because they had no idea where they were going or what they would be doing. Every length of the journey was a mystery. the mystery unfolded as follows: the first stop was in St. Louis for an overnight stay with the christian Brothers who run christian Brothers High School for 900 boys. the next morning we continued on to rolla, MO for breakfast. One of the rules of the trip was: no chain restaurants. Leonna’s cafe turned out to be a great choice. the journey continued on to tulsa, OK and Bishop Kelley High School. Students met us, joined us at a local sandwich place for supper and then to Oral roberts University for a tour and we met up with Katie Williams who attended Saint Bede. After that we went to see a movie. Overnight we bedded down in sleeping bags in the new library at the high school. On Saturday morning we were joined by a group of students from Bishop Kelley High School and all of us headed out together. Our destination turned out to be Joplin, MO. Joplin still is recovering from a devastating tornado. the day was spent working for catholic charities assisting tornado victims. Once our work was done we headed and drove as far as Miami, OK where we spent

the night at the parish center of the catholic Parish. We went to mass and then found a great non-chain Mexican restaurant for supper followed by bowling. In the morning the Bishop Kelley kids headed back to tulsa and we continued on to Fort Scott, KA. After a great breakfast at a local diner we went to the military cemetery and found the grave of Mr. Bernie Moore’s father. We said a prayer and were off again. Our last destination was Hannibal, MO and we were guests of Steve and Linda dinges whose 3 children graduated from Saint Bede. they were great hosts and served us a huge supper and breakfast. A good part of our last day was spent visiting the Mark twain sites in Hannibal before heading home. Five days of mystery as a metaphor for life, which is truly a mystery and which requires real trust in God.

Saint Bede MyStery trip A Metaphor for Life

Using a diagram, Father Marion explains a religious concept to seniors, George Kapacinskas ‘68

and Larry Snyder ‘68.

THE RIGHT REVERAND MARION BALSAVICH, O.S.B.