Recent News Items
Br. Boniface Coplein, O.S.B., Ordained as
Deacon
Br. Boniface Copelin, O.S.B., Assists at Mass with Pope Benedict XVI
Br. David Downey, O.S.B., Enters Eternal Life
Father Philip Berning, O.S.B, Fifth Abbot of St. Gregory's, Enters Eternal Life
Abbot
Lawrence Institutes Four Monks to Ministry of Acolyte
Inauguration of University President held on October 26, 2007
Abbot
Lawrence Institutes Four Monks into Ministry of Reader
Br. Isidore Featured as
Red Cross Volunteer
Local News Station
Features St. Gregory's Abbey
Organ
in Abbey Church Undergoes Major Repairs and Enhancement
Br. Boniface Copelin Ordained as Deacon
Br. Boniface Copelin was ordained to the Diaconate on Sunday, April 20, at Collegio Sant'Anselmo, the Benedictine house of studies in Rome.
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| Abbot Lawrence presents Br. Boniface to Bishop Farrell as a candidate for the Order of Deacon. | Bishop Brian Farrell ordains Br. Boniface to the diaconate through the ancient gesture of laying on of hands. |
His Excellency, Bishop Brian Farrell, was the ordaining bishop. Abbot Lawrence and other representatives from the Oblates of St. Gregory's Abbey and the Board of Directors of St. Gregory's University travelled to Rome for this special occasion.
Br. Boniface is in the process of completing his third year of theological studies at Sant'Anselmo. He will be ordained to the Priesthood at St. Gregory's Abbey by the Most Reverend Eusebius Beltran, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, on Thursday, August 21, at 2:00 p.m.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, Br. Boniface will return to Sant'Anselmo for two years of advanced study in the "History of Theology" program in the Mabillon Institute of Sant'Anselmo.
Please keep Br. Boniface in your prayers as he continues his preparation for ministry as a deacon and priest of St. Gregory's Abbey.
Br. Boniface Copelin, O.S.B., Assists at Mass with Pope Benedict XVI
Br. Boniface Copelin, who is in his third year of theological studies at the Benedictine Pontifical University of Saint Anselm in Rome, had the privilege of serving at Mass with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on Ash Wednesday.
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His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, arrives in the sacristy at Sant'Anselmo on Ash Wednesday. Br. Boniface is the second person from the right. |
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His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, enters the church at Sant'Anselmo. Br. Boniface is in the background at the front of the procession. |
For many centuries, people of the Church in Rome has made a daily pilgrimage on each day of Lent to what are referred to as "station churches."
A different "station church" is designated for each day of Lent. Pilgrims traditionally gather in a designated location early each morning and then process to the station church designated for that day for the celebration of Mass.
The station church for Ash Wednesday is the Church of Santa Sabina, which has been used as a place of Catholic public worship since the late Fourth Century. It is one of the oldest public places of Christian worship, having been built shortly after Christianity was legalized. Given the historic nature of the Church, the Pope traditionally begins the station church pilgrimages by celebrating Mass at the church of Santa Sabina. But where does he begin the pilgrim procession? The Benedictine University of Sant'Anselmo is only a couple of blocks down the street, and so - for several years now - the Holy Father begins his pilgrimage procession at Sant'Anselmo. Because of this, the community of monks at Sant'Anselmo usually have a special place in the celebration.
Our own Br. Boniface was selected this year to serve as an acolyte for the celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity for him not only to participate in a special Mass for Ash Wednesday, but to have the rare opportunity to serve Mass for the Pope.
Br. David Downey, O.S.B., Enters Eternal Life
Brother David James “Larry” Downey, O.S.B., a monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey, Shawnee, Oklahoma, died on January 9, 2008, strengthened by prayer and the presence of members of his family and monastic community. He was 67 years old.
Br. David was born on October 16, 1940, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Michael and Nellie O’Keefe Downey. He had five brothers and six sisters. He graduated from Windthorst High School, in Spearville, Kansas, in 1958. He became a postulant at Holy Cross Abbey, Canon City, Colorado, in 1959, and began the novitiate in 1962. He made monastic profession on July 11, 1963, and final perpetual vows on July 11, 1966.
He served Holy Cross Abbey in many ways: as director of the farm, as prefect in the dorms of the Holy Cross Abbey School and director of the horse program for the school and the Holy Cross Camp during summer, as manager of the student dining room for the school, and at various times as Novice Master, Director of Postulants, Subprior, and Business Manager. When the Abbey School closed in 1985, Br. David continued to serve as alumni coordinator. He then became active in prison ministry in both the Federal prisons in Florence and at some of the Colorado State prisons in Canon City.
Br. David’s college work included study at St. Thomas Seminary, Denver; St. Bernard’s College, Alabama; and St. Benedict’s College, Kansas. He completed a B. A. in Social Science from the University of Southern Colorado. He was a certified Instructor of Horsemanship from Ranchland in Dallas, TX. Br. David was extremely popular among the students and friends of Holy Cross Abbey School, serving as a mentor to many. Numerous Abbey School alumni have traveled to St. Gregory’s over the last two years to visit with their friend, Br. David.
Holy Cross Abbey began to close its doors in 2004 and members of the community sought transfer to a number of other monasteries. Br. David and Br. Matthew Bach came to St. Gregory’s Abbey attracted in part by the opportunity for continued work with horses and the ministry of therapeutic riding. They promised their stability here on September 3, 2006.
Since coming to St. Gregory’s, Br. David was a faithful and active member of the community. He put his training and long experience with horses to work at the stables at St. Gregory’s, assisting with the therapeutic horseback riding program. He quickly became highly regarded and beloved by members of the extended community of St. Gregory’s.
Br. David was diagnosed with gastro-esophageal cancer last March. He battled the disease with courage and faith. After he learned in December that his cancer had metastasized, he embraced God’s will for his life. The monks at St. Gregory’s are very grateful to members of Br. David’s Family, the Abbey Health Care Staff, and Heartland Hospice for making it possible for Br. David to remain at the monastery until his death.
Br. David is survived by the members of the monastic community of St. Gregory’s Abbey and the former members of Holy Cross Abbey; his sisters Mrs. Norma Jean Weeks, Mrs. Kathleen Konda, and Miss Doris Downey; his brothers Timothy and Jerry Downey; and sister-in-laws Leola Downey and Elaine Downey and brother-in-law Dwight Thompson, many nieces and nephews, and a wide network of former students and friends. He is predeceased by his parents; brothers Michael Downey, Jr., Rev. Pat Downey, and Tom Downey; and sisters Helen Orth, Mrs. LoraAnn Thompson, and Edith Downey.
Vigils of the Office of the Dead for Br. David was celebrated on Sunday, January 13, at St. Gregory’s Abbey. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, January 14, at the Abbey Church with Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., as the principal celebrant; interment followed in the St. Gregory’s Abbey Cemetery. Memorial gifts to Br. David may be made to the building fund at St. Gregory’s Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur Drive, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804
We commend Br. David to your prayers!
Father Philip Berning, O.S.B., Fifth Abbot of St. Gregory's, Enters Eternal Life
Rt. Reverend Philip A. Berning,
O.S.B., Fifth Abbot of St. Gregory's Abbey, died
peacefully at home at St. Gregory’s on Saturday, November 17, 2007, sustained by
prayer and strengthened by the sacraments of the Church.
Father Philip was born Anthony Bernard Berning on June 8, 1915, in Ashton, Iowa, to Joseph and Elizabeth Haverkamp Berning. He had four brothers and five sisters, all now deceased.
After grade school in Ashton, Father attended St. John's University Preparatory School, Collegeville, MN, and college at Trinity College, Sioux City, IA, for two years. He entered the novitiate of St. Gregory's Abbey in 1935, receiving the name of Philip. He made his simple monastic profession at St. Gregory’s on July 11, 1936, and solemn monastic profession on July 11, 1939. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from St. Benedict's College, Atchison, KS, in 1938. Upon completion of theological studies at St. John's Seminary, Collegeville, MN, Father Philip was ordained to the priesthood at St. John’s on June 7, 1942, at which time he returned to St. Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee. He received an honorary LL.D. from St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA, in 1956.
Father Philip was elected Coadjutor Abbot to Abbot Mark Braun on March 12, 1953, and received the abbatial blessing from Bishop Eugene McGuinness on May 6, 1953. He succeeded Abbot Mark on the latter's death on April 2, 1954. Father Philip led the community as Abbot for the next 16 years, through the times of the Second Vatican Council, until he resigned on February 16, 1970.
During his tenure, St. Gregory's experienced great growth. The monks built a new monastery building as many young men entered the community. The community assessed its ministries and made the decision to close St. Gregory's High School and place increased emphasis on St. Gregory's College. During that period, many of the present buildings on campus were constructed. The college administration building, Benedictine Hall, was completely reconstructed. Bernard Murphy Hall, housing the student and monastery food service, Duperou-Degrasse and Mark Braun residence halls, the Commons, and the aquatic center were all completed during his term as Abbot.
Before he was elected Abbot, Father
Philip served in several positions in the monastery, including as procurator,
director of scholastics, and novice master.
He served as Prefect of Discipline
for St. Gregory’s High School, where he also taught religion, history and
typing. His pastoral assignments included two terms as pastor of St. Joseph's
Church in Ada, Oklahoma, and many years as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church
in McLoud, Oklahoma.
After
his tenure as abbot he served as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in
Chandler, Oklahoma. In his later years he served as porter and procurator at
St. Gregory’s Abbey. He was a positive example to all in his gentility,
humility, quiet service and devotion to prayer. He greeted all with a shy smile
and welcoming eyes. He remained a faithful witness of monastic observance and
ministry for seventy-one years and bore the increasing effects of Alzheimer’s
disease with great faith and patience.
Father Philip is survived by the Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. The monastic community is grateful for the assistance of the staff of Mays Hospice of Shawnee, the St. Gregory’s Abbey Health Care Staff, and many friends, who helped make it possible for Fr. Philip to remain at his monastery home during the final years of his life.
Father Philip’s body was received at St. Gregory’s Abbey at Noon on Monday, November 19, and the Vigil for the Deceased was prayed that evening in the Abbey Church. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, November 20, with Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, presiding. Archbishop Eusebius Beltran of Oklahoma City was in attendance, as was Abbot Barnabas Senecal from St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, KS. The Abbey Church was filled with many friends, former students, former parishioners, oblates and colleagues who had come to remember this remarkable man. May he now rest in the peace of Christ forever!
Abbot
Lawrence Institutes Four Monks to Ministry of Acolyte Abbot
Lawrence instituted four members of the monastic community to the Ministry of
Acolyte: Br. Dominic Ramirez, OSB, Br. Benet Exton, OSB, Br. George Hubl,
OSB, and Br. Bonifice Copelin, OSB. The ceremony took place during Mass on
Sunday, October 7, 2007. The Ministry of Acolyte was established by Pope
Paul VI as part of reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Acolytes are given special responsibility in the liturgy,
assisting at the altar and in the distribution of Holy Communion. They are
to develop a love of the Eucharist and are to be prepared to train others who
assist in the liturgy. They may also in special circumstances expose the
Blessed Sacrament for periods of Adoration and return the Sacrament to the
tabernacle at the conclusion of such occasions. Congratulations
to Br. Dominic, Br. Benet, Br. George and Br. Boniface!
Pictured from left to right: Br. Dominic, Br. Benet, Abbot
Lawrence, Br. Boniface and Br. George.
Inauguration of University President held on October
26, 2007
Story by Brad Collins - Public Relations Director for St. Gregory's
University
Dr. David Wagie set his vision for the future of
St. Gregory’s University during his inaugural address on Friday. Wagie was
inaugurated as the fourteenth president of the state’s oldest institution of
higher learning before an audience of family, friends, distinguished guests,
community members, faculty, staff and students inside W.P. Wood Field House.
Nikki Cook, newly appointed chairperson of SGU’s
board of directors, officially installed Wagie, and the Most Rev. Eusebius
Beltran, D.D., archbishop of Oklahoma City, blessed the new president. St.
Gregory’s alumnus and former State Rep. Bob Weaver served as master of
ceremonies.
“My presidency will be driven by a whole-hearted
commitment to academic excellence, outreach and service, and religious faith,”
Wagie said. “…to lead St Gregory’s in becoming that regional force for Christian
values, educational opportunity, and community impact—to become a brighter, more
visible beacon for the region.”
Wagie said in order to become more visible to the
region, the university must grow “selectively in ways that follow our mission
and heritage.” He said..., “As an emerging Catholic university, we now have
the exciting opportunity to change so many more lives; to be more widely known
for our service to students, our protection of the environment, and our impact
on our community, state and region,” Wagie said. “As the Church teaches us, the
path to true happiness, peace, and a meaningful life is not through
accomplishment for its own sake, but by accomplishing things that help people,
that serve a noble cause, that honor our Lord by using our talents and energy
for the good of society."
Wagie assumed office in April, succeeding the Rt.
Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., who served in the role for seven years. Abbot
Lawrence was elevated to chancellor of the university last year. Wagie has more than 20 years of experience in
higher education. He recently completed a two-year position as an educational
consultant to the United Arab Emirates. While working for the UAE Minister
of Education, he spearheaded the concept and design for a future “University
City” in Abu Dhabi, entailing 4,000 acres, numerous universities with shared
resources, and funding provided through public-private partnership.
Wagie served 32 years in the United States Air
Force, retiring in July 2004 as a brigadier general. During his career, he
served in a variety of leadership positions, including research pilot, flight
instructor, engineer and educator. In his last position in the USAF, Wagie
served as Provost at the USAF Academy in Colorado. There he coordinated 500
teaching faculty and 200 staff, providing 500 courses in 32 academic majors to
4,000 students. During his tenure, the USAF Academy was one of only
16 institutions nationally selected in 2000 as a prestigious “Leadership
Institution” by the American Association of Colleges & Universities. In
addition, the Academy was named “No. 3 best overall academic experience” and
“No. 6 best undergraduate engineering school” in the United States for 2003.
Originally from Wisconsin, Wagie has a bachelor’s
degree in engineering science from the USAF Academy and a master’s degree in
systems management from the University of Southern California. He’s also earned
a master’s from Stanford University and a doctorate from Purdue University, both
in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
He and his wife, Sue, have been
married for 34 years and have three daughters: Angela, Megan and Tiffany; and
two sons-in-law: Colin and Kiel.
Abbot Lawrence Institutes Four Monks into Ministry of Reader Abbot Lawrence has instituted four monks of St. Gregory's Abbey
into the Ministry of Reader. Br. Kevin McGuire, Br. Dominic Ramirez, Br.
Benet Exton, and Br. Boniface Copelin were instituted as Readers during the
Community Mass on September 14, 2007, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross. The Ministry of Reader was established by Pope Paul VI as part of
the reforms following the Second Vatican Council. As Readers, the four monks have received a special
blessing and approval of the Church in fulfilling their role in proclaiming the
Word of God in the Liturgy, especially the Mass, and in serving as teachers of
God's Word. As described in the ceremony of institution, Readers "proclaim
[the] word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the
faith, and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. ...[They]
bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received" the Word of
God." We congratulate Br. Kevin, Br. Dominic, Br. Benet and Br. Boniface
on their institution to the ministry of Reader.
Br.
Isidore Featured as Red Cross Volunteer Br. Isidore Harden, O.S.B., was featured in the August 2007
issue of "Crosswise," the newsletter publiched by the Oklahoma City Chapter of
the Red Cross. Along with biographical information, the feature article
describes how Br. Isidore has been an active Red Cross Volunteer for over
fifteen years. During that time, Br. Isidore has served as an instructor
in water safety, teaching Red Cross Lifeguarding classes to students at St.
Gregory's. The article notes that in 2006, "Br. Isidore took on the role
of the primary CPR instructor for the Shawnee Chapter" of the Red Cross.
The author writes: "He devoted several hours each month teaching CPR and
First Aid, in fact, teaching all of the courses offered at the Chapter. In
total, he has taught 670 people valuable life-saving skills." As the article notes, Br. Isidore has been a monk of St.
Gregory's Abbey for 27 years. He is a native of Long Island, NY, and came
to Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma State University, where he completed a bachelor's
degree in architecture. He currently serves as the Health Care Program
Coordinator at the monastery, and pursues a number of hobbies and interests,
including Native American flute playing. The article ends by saying:
"His passion for helping others is obvious, and we are very grateful for his
support over the years. Thank you, Brother Isidore for helping us fulfill
our very important mission." Congratulations Br. Isidore and keep up the good work!
Local News Station Features St. Gregory's Abbey Oklahoma City's ABC affiliate, KOCO TV - News Channel Five,
recently visited St. Gregory's Abbey as part of their live broadcast from
Shawnee. Reporter Kimberly Lohman compiled a very positive story about
life at St. Gregory's Abbey. This story can be viewed for a limited time
at the KOCO TV website:
www.koco.com/5ontheroad/index. The feature story is entitled "Modern
Monks Thrive in Shawnee."
Organ
in Abbey Church Undergoes Major Repairs and Enhancement Workmen install casework and an exposed wind chest to hold new
pipes being added to the organ of the Abbey Church Pictured at right are the electronic switches that
were installed below
new pipes added to the organ in the Abbey
Church
The first o f the new exposed pipes are installed in the Abbey
Church Significant
repairs and additions have been completed on the pipe organ in
the Abbey Church. The project to
repair and enhance the pipe organ was carried out in three phases over a ten
year period. During this time the organ console was rebuilt, the
blower was replaced and the original wiring and switching were replaced with a
new computerized switching. In the final phase
some of the original pipes in the organ chamber are being replaced with new
pipes that will provide a brighter sound to the organ. Repairs were
made to the shutters that control the sound coming from the main organ chamber.
Finally, additional ranks of exposed pipes were added to the organ to
provide a true "great" or foundational sound to the organ.
The combination
of replacement of older pipes, repairs to the swell shutters and the addition of
new exposed pipes provides for a greater variety of sound and makes
possible a more appropriate accompaniment of the monastic liturgy as well as for
congregational singing. 
Dr. Wagie continued in his address:
“We all want to be part of something meaningful,
something enduring, something bigger than ourselves—and we are,” Wagie said in
closing. “We are part of a Catholic university. We are part of St Gregory’s. And
we are all part of building a great future—to become a brighter, more visible
beacon—to be a regional force for Christian values, educational opportunities,
and community impact—to build the kingdom of God through education.”
Pictured above are Br. Benet Exton, Br. Dominic Ramirez, Abbot
Lawrence, Br. Kevin McGuire, and Br. Boniface Copelin.
Please join us in commemorating the following birthdays and anniversaries!
May
1, 2008: Fr. Paul Zahler, OSB, and Abbot Martin Lugo, OSB -
46th
Anniversary of Ordination
May 1, 2008: Br. Boniface Copelin, OSB - Birthday May
4, 2008: Fr. Jerome Wichulis, OSB - 54th Anniversary of Death May
5, 2008: Br. Henry Aldanondo, OSB - 52nd Anniversary of Death May
6, 2008: Fr. Claude Sons, OSB - 24th Anniversary of Death May
6, 2008: Br. Dominic Ramirez, OSB - Namesday May
10, 2008: Fr. Maurice Costello, OSB - 56th Anniversary of Death May
12, 2008: Br. John Laracy, OSB - 68th Anniversary of Death May
14, 2008: Fr. Elias Fink, OSB - 72nd Anniversary of Death May
15, 2008: Br. Isidore Hardin, OSB - Namesday May
16, 2008: Fr. Bendan Helbing, OSB - Namesday
May 17, 2008: Fr. Robert Maloney, OSB - 76th Anniversary of Death May
17, 2008: Br. Kevin McGuire, OSB - Birthday May
21, 2008: Fr. Peter Diesel, OSB - 31st Anniversary of Death May
22, 2008: Fr. Vincent Montalibet, OSB - 80th Anniversary of Death May
23, 2008: Fr. Bendan Helbing, OSB, and Fr. Joachim Spexarth, OSB -
43rd Anniversary of Ordination May
25, 2008: Fr. Francis Luckinbill, OSB - 76th Anniversary of Death May
25, 2008: Fr. Patrick McCool, OSB - 45th Anniversary of Ordination May
27, 2008: Fr. Basil Keenan, OSB - 41st Anniversary of Ordination May
27, 2008: Fr. Maurus Jaeb, OSB - 13th Anniversary of Ordination May
28, 2008: Br. Justin Belza, OSB - 88th Anniversary of Death May
29, 2008: Fr. Louis Vanderley, OSB - 42nd Anniversary of Ordination
June
3, 2008: Fr. Eloi Justou, OSB - 42nd Anniversary of Death June
3, 2008: Br. Kevin McGuire, OSB - Namesday June
4, 2008: Fr. Martin Mulcahy, OSB - 54th Anniversary of Death June
5, 2008: Fr. Adalbert Haffner, OSB - 85th Anniversary of Death
June 5, 2008: Br. Boniface Copelin, OSB
- Namesday June
7, 2008: Abbot Lawrence - Birthday June
9, 2008: Br. Mark Barton, OSB - 20th Anniversary of Death June
10, 2008: Fr. Ildephonse Ellisalde, OSB - 67th Anniversary of Death June
11, 2008: Br. Francis Touron, OSB - 102nd Anniversary of Death June
15, 2008: Fr. Manuel Magallanes, OSB - Namesday June
20, 2008: Fr. Charles Buckley, OSB - 38th Anniversary of Ordination June
22, 2008: Fr. Placidus Harismendy, OSB - 79th Anniversary of Death
June
24, 2008:
Fr. Basil Keenan, OSB - 47th Anniversary of Profession
Fr. Adrian Vorderlandwehr, OSB - 47th Anniversary of Profession
Br. Joseph Niischel, OSB - 46th Anniversary of Profession
Fr. Manuel Magallanes, OSB - 44th Anniversary of Profession
June
25, 2008: Fr. Manuel Magallanes, OSB - 32nd Anniversary of
Ordination June
26, 2008: Fr. Linus Deschamps, OSB - 82nd Anniversary of Death June
26, 2008: Fr. Michael Roethler, OSB - 13th Anniversary of Death June
30, 2008: Fr. Blaise Haritchabalet, OSB - 59th Anniversary of Death June
30, 2008: Fr. Maurus Fuerstenberg, OSB - 49th Anniversary of Death June
30, 2008: Br. Joseph Niischel, OSB - Birthday
