November 2014 Newsletter

Our November meeting will be held next Sunday, November 23, in the St. Joseph room in the parish center at St. Gertrude in Madeira. Br. Francis Wagner, OSB will be the guest speaker for this meeting. Br. Francis’s topic will be:Being With God in Prayer.

As the minutes of the October 26 meeting were unavailable at press time, they will be emailed to you separately or passed out at the meeting on Sunday. I recently spoke with JoAnn Moeller, an oblate from Walton, Kentucky, who is experiencing some serious health problems and would appreciate your prayers. She also asked that I pass on her greetings to you and assure you that you
are remembered in her prayers.

We received an email invitation from Sr. Deborah Harmeling of St. Walburg Monastery inviting our oblates to attend Advent Group Lectio with Sr. Mary Tewes at St. Walburg on Tuesday evenings, November 25, December 2, 9, and 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Monastery Chapel at 2500 Amsterdam Rd., Villa Hills, KY 41017. If interested, please call or email Sr. Mary Tewes at 859-331-6324 or marytewes@gmail.com.

Fr. Columba Kelly, OSB, is the presenter for the December Oblate Retreat at Saint Meinrad that will be held from December 12-14. The title of the retreat is: Some Tools for Experiencing the Presence of God in the Daily Life of a Benedictine Oblate. If you are planning to attend, but have not yet registered, you may do so by calling (800) 357-6841.

REMINDER: There will be no meeting in December due to the retreat at Saint Meinrad. Our next meeting following the November meeting is on January 25.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

October Meeting Minutes

The Cincinnati Chapter of Benedictine Oblates of St. Meinrad Archabbey                                  

Meeting Minutes, October 26, 2014

Attendance of oblates and guests:

Rosemary Conrad, Pat Dorn, Clyde Dorn, Ursula Hassel, Kathy Gloeckner, Nick McCarroll, Ron
DeMarco, Joan Hilton, Jerry Etienne, Karen Mendoza, Linda Faulhaber, Scott Alt, Steve Bay,
Mary Louise Reed, Peyton Reed, John Campbell, Chris Collins, Susan Anderson, Margaret
Sherlock, Stephen Drees.

The meeting was opened by Rosemary Conrad with the reading of the Mission Statement and
introductions. Second Vespers were prayed using The Liturgy of the Hours for Benedictine
Oblates.

Our Lectio Divina was based on Sunday's Gospel (Matthew 22:34-40).


Treasurer’s Report:

Nick McCarroll reported that we paid $33.46 for a pitch pipe for use in our singing of psalms at
chapter meetings.  We now have a balance of $95.00 in our treasury.


Old/New Business

The minutes were approved from our last regular meeting held on September 28, 2014.
Fr. Meinrad has mailed to all oblates a CD of the presentations given by Fathers Harry Hagan
and Jeremy King at the June oblate coordinators conference. These talks will be used for our
topic of discussions at our chapter meetings when no monk is scheduled to visit with us.
Rosemary Conrad reported that Fr. Meinrad has given us a special price on the Liturgy of the
Hours books we will be purchasing for use by our guests at chapter meetings. We will receive
six books for the price of five. Thank you Fr. Meinrad.
Pat Dorn reported that the Perpetual Adoration Committee at St Gertrude Church where our
chapter meetings are held is requesting prayer requests from each Parish Ministry for perpetual
adoration in their chapel.  The following intentions were suggested and approved by those
present:

• For those among us who are suffering from serious, life-threatening illnesses, and for their care givers that they may see God's love in their struggles.
• For an increase in vocations to the priesthood, monastic, and religious life. 
• For all persecuted Christians, for those fleeing from the wars in the Middle East, and for the conversion of those perpetrating these atrocities.

Pat will be responding to them with the intentions of our chapter.

During our meeting, it was learned that oblate Donna Lundesford, who had been rushed to the
emergency room earlier with a serious stroke, had passed away.  Donna, who lived in Amelia
and was a member of St. Mary Parish in Bethel, OH, had been an Oblate of Saint Meinrad since
March of 2006.  Prayers were said for Donna and her family.
We are pleased to report that Lori Wallhauser’s ability to talk is improving.  We lift her up in
prayer.

Ron Lillie will make his oblation at the November oblate meeting, and Peyton and Mary Louise
Reed will make their oblation at the December 2014 retreat at St. Meinrad. Congratulations  to
Ron and Mary Louise and Peyton!

The date of our next oblate meeting is November 23, 2014 at St. Gertrude.

Peyton Reed closed our meeting by leading us in singing a few psalms using various psalm tones
sung at St. Meinrad Archabbey. This is a prelude to our singing one or more psalms at our
meetings. After practicing the psalms using psalm tones, we all felt singing the psalms adds to
the beauty of these prayers.

Submitted by Ron DeMarco

October 2014 Newsletter

The October oblate meeting will be held on Sunday, October 26, in the St. Joseph Room of the St. Gertrude Parish Center at 2:00 p.m.  The program for this meeting will be the 7^th and final conference of Fr. Harry Hagen’s conference series entitled An Overview of Things in The Rule.  The study sheet for Conference #7, “Selections From The Holy Rule,” is enclosed.

Oblate Lori Wallhauser is making steady progress and is very appreciative of your prayers.  Lori was recently featured in an ad for a bionic device used to improve mobility for stroke victims.  A copy of the ad, which appeared in the September 2014 issue of Cincinnati Magazine, is enclosed with this newsletter.   Please continue to remember her in your prayers.

The agenda for the October meeting is below, along with a reminder of the promises and duties of an Oblate of St. Benedict.

See you on the 26^th!

September 2014 Newsletter

Our first meeting for 2014-2015 will be held on Sunday, September 28 and—as usual—will be followed by a potluck dinner. We will provide the plates, napkins, utensils and drinks as well as a meat/cheese tray, bread, etc. If you are are able, please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share. If this presents a difficulty for you, do not feel obligated to bring anything—just come! We always have plenty to eat.

PLEASE NOTE: this meeting will be held at our home in Kenwood rather than at St. Gertrude. Directions are enclosed.

Fr. Joseph Cox, OSB, will be our guest speaker. His topic is: “Murmuring and the Presence of God.”

R.I.P.

Mary Joy Phillips In memory of our oblate and friend Mary Joy who entered into eternal rest June 29, 2014.

Rest in peace, Mary

Joy.

Congratulations

Our congratulations to Mark Caldwell-Reiss who made his final oblation as an oblate of Saint Meinrad Archabby at the April 27 meeting.  Br. James Jensen, OSB, accepted Mark’s oblation on behalf of oblate director Fr. Meinrad Brune.

April 2014 Newsletter

The April meeting will be held next Sunday, April 27, in the St. Joseph Room of the St. Gertrude Parish Center at 2:00 p.m. Br. James Jensen, OSB, will be the speaker for this meeting. The title of his talk is: Seeking God: My Journey to St. Meinrad. This will be our last chapter meeting until we resume in September.

If you are planning to attend the Day of Recollection on Saturday, May 17, please return your registration form or let me know. If there is anyone who would like to attend but is in need of help to cover the cost, please let us know also.

Reminder: The annual June Oblate Study Days at Saint Meinrad Archabbey will be held June 9-12. Fr. Brendan Moss will be speaking on “The Presence of God in the Life of the Oblate.” Please contact the Oblate Office to register.

Hope to see you all at the meeting on the 27th!

February 2014 Newsletter

Our February meeting will be held in the St. Joseph room of the St. Gertrude Parish Center at 2:00 p.m. next Sunday, February 23. Br. Peduru Fonseka, OSB, will be the special guest speaker for this meeting. His talk is entitled Universal Call to Holiness.

Br. Peduru will also invest Anne Spaeth as a Benedictine Oblate Novice and receive Scott Alt’s oblation as a Benedictine Oblate at the February meeting. We are pleased to welcome Anne to our chapter and we extend our congratulations to both Anne and Scott.

As our January meeting was cancelled because of the bad weather, the Minutes of the November 24, 2013
meeting are attached for approval at the February meeting.

Christ in the Cloister: Shaped by Word and Sacrament is the topic of the March 19-21 Oblate Retreat at
Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Fr. Vincent Tobin, OSB, will be the presenter for this retreat. If you are planning
to attend and have not yet made your reservations, you may want to do so while guest rooms are still available.

The phone number for reservations is: 800-581-6905.

REMINDER!

OHIO OBLATES

DAY OF RECOLLECTION

Please mark your calendars for the Ohio

Oblates Day of Recollection on May 17, 2014.

Our Cincinnati Chapter will be hosts for this

event, which will be held at the Milford Retreat Center.

January 2014 Newsletter

Our January meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26 in the parish center at St. Gertrude in Madeira. The agenda and program information may be found below. The Minutes of the November meeting are enclosed.

Jo Ann Moeller called me recently and asked me to extend her greetings to the oblates. Jo Ann, as most of you will remember, is an older oblate from Walton, Kentucky. As she is unable to drive, she depended on riding to the meetings with Bob and Melinda Reckers before they moved to Texas. Jo Ann said she is praying for the oblates, especially at the times we are meeting. And, speaking of Melinda, she emailed to wish everyone a Happy New Year. She and Bob are now the proud grandparents of three!

Fr. Meinrad Brune sent an email reminding the chapters that, in accord with the policy of Fr. Abbot Justin, a Mass will be offered for each deceased oblate and the monastery will cover the stipend for this Mass.

Congratulations to Paula Yerke who made her oblation at our November 2013 meeting, and to Mary Louise & Peyton Reed who were invested by Fr. Meinrad as oblate novices. They are welcome additions to our chapter!

November 2013 Newsletter

Our November meeting will be held next Sunday, November 24, in the St. Joseph room in the parish center at St. Gertrude in Madeira. Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB will be the guest speaker for this meeting. Fr. Meinrad’s topic will be: The Sacrament of Christ: Becoming the Sign of Christ’s Love.

OBLATE PINS & BOOKS AVAILABLE: Oblate pins and the following oblate books will be available for purchase at the meeting on Sunday. Prices are listed.

• Oblate pins ................................................................................ $10.00
• Liturgy of the Hours Book ......................................................... 20.00
• Benedictine Spirituality for Oblates Book ................................. 20.00
• Prayers & Rituals for Benedictine Oblates Book ....................... 20.00

REMINDER: As we have December Oblate Retreat at Saint Meinrad December 13-15, we will not meet in December.

Therefore, this will be our last meeting until January 26.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

September 2013 Newsletter

• Eric Kennedy made his oblation at the April 28 meeting, and Mary Holton and Mark Caldwell-Reiss were inducted as oblate novices.  

• Ron DeMarco made his oblation at the May 13 Columbus Oblate Retreat, and John Campbell renewed his oblation at the Columbus retreat as well. John celebrated 69 years as an Oblate of Saint Meinrad!

• Cincinnati Oblate Ron Beathard recently published an article about his experiences of being an oblate of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.  The article, “Beer, Pizza and St. Benedict,” appeared in the July 2013 issue of St. Anthony Messenger and was accompanied by some great photos.  I was able to obtain a copy of the magazine for our library if anyone is interested in checking it out.

• The December Oblate Retreat at Saint Meinrad will be held December 13-15.  The presenter for this retreat is Fr. Eugene Hensel, OSB.  Fr. Hensel will explore the topic, “The Infancy Narratives of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.”

• Cincy Oblates Attend Ice Cream Social at St. Walburg Monastery — Eight of our Cincy oblates accepted the invitation of the oblates of St. Walburg Monastery to attend their Annual Ice Cream Social on June 22.  The oblates and sisters of St. Walburg went out of their way to welcome us.  We were not only entertained by the music of the oblate band and treated to ice cream sundaes, but enjoyed several light-hearted games of the great Catholic “sport” of Bingo.  We were also taken on a tour of the Monastery by Sr. Victoria, ending with a visit to Sr. Emmanuel’s art studio—which was a treat in itself.  During the tour of the monastery, Sr. Victoria had pointed out two stunning stained glass windows Sr. Emmanuel had designed.  Therefore, we were delighted to meet the artist herself.  Sr. Emmanuel was a most gracious host and it was a privilege to meet her and to be able to admire some of her other artwork that was displayed in her studio.