Newsletter – Easter 2025 (E)

2025 Easter

Happy Easter!

Dear friends of St. Paul’s Abbey,

Praise and thank Jesus Christ, who triumphed over sin and death and rose again to become the Lord of us all. We want to share with you the joy of His resurrection. May the grace, joy, and peace of the Risen Lord fill your hearts and your homes abundantly. We send you this update news from Newton Abbey with heartfelt prayers.

General Chapter: The 23rd General Chapter of the Congregation of Saint Ottilien was held from January 15 to 23 at the newly completed retreat house called as a Cultural and Spiritual Center located in Waegwan Abbey in Korea. The General Chapter is traditionally held every four years at St. Ottilien Abbey in Germany. Still, this year’s meeting was historic as it was the first time in the 141-year history of the Congregation that the chapter meeting was held in another location. A new Abbot President of the Congregation was elected during the Chapter meeting. Fr. Javier Aparicio Suarez has long served as Secretary and Mission Procurator of the Congregation. With his characteristic warmth and charisma, we believe he will faithfully serve and work for the Congregation. New members of the Council were also elected: Abbot Blasio Park of Waegwan Abbey and Fr. Pacomio Chong-Kun Choe, Prior of St. Joseph’s Monastery in Korea, were both elected as council members. It was the honor and gladness of the Korean brothers.

Brothers: I departed for Korea on January 9 to attend the General Chapter and returned to Newton on February 5. After the chapter, I stayed at Waegwan Abbey, where I spent the Lunar New Year with the brothers, had precious moments filled with joy, and celebrated Abbot Blasio’s feast day. One particularly joyful encounter was with Br. Antonio Geun-Il Moon intended to join Newton Monastery last year but instead entered Waegwan Abbey due to visa issues. He officially entered on January 10, and I was fortunate to arrive that day and meet his family after the entrance ceremony. I hope he may join us in Newton after his formation and profession. Br. Luke Seung-Yun Oh, who returned to Waegwan after five years in Newton, is now faithfully serving as the vocation director and organist. Two brothers from Waegwan Abbey have been assigned to Newton this March and are currently undergoing the visa process. One of them, Fr. Beda Yeon-Soo Na, first joined Newton in 2004, made his perpetual profession, and was ordained here. In 2014, he was assigned to Waegwan Abbey and served in various locations throughout Korea, and he is now returning to Newton. Br. Theodore Su-Yong Lee, a dedicated community member, is currently applying for permanent residency, although the process has been delayed. Abbot Joel went to Schuyler Priory to give a presentation at St. Benedict Center from February 14 to 16. Then, he went to Washington, DC, to visit Fr. Ramond Studzinski, OSB, and stayed until February 20. Abbot Justin is still with us, showing Jesus’s love for us from his fatherly and spiritual side. Our community at Newton currently includes Abbot Justin, Abbot Joel, Br. Bernardin from Hanga Abbey in Tanzania, and five Korean monks. Last year, there were some difficulties as three monks were reassigned to Korea, but we expect new energy to be brought into the community with the arrival of two new brothers.

Guests: We are always grateful for the many retreatants and visitors to the monastery. In addition to group and individual retreatants, we are often visited by friends and religious guests. On January 6, Fr. Maximilian Jacobs from Inkamana Abbey in South Africa visited Newton after participating in a sabbatical program in Colorado Springs and stayed until January 10. On February 20, Fr. Moses Man-Geun Yoon from the Salesians of Don Bosco attended a meeting in Washington, visited Newton, and spent time with us. Fr. Yoon has studied in the western U.S. for a long time and has visited us several times. Also, from February 20 to 28, a family facing hardships stayed with us seeking help. While we were not able to offer much, we are grateful that they were able to leave with renewed hope. We sincerely pray that all who visit Newton Monastery may be filled with the Lord’s grace and love.

Dear friends, this year marks the 23rd year of Korean monks living in the Newton community, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. We sincerely thank you for your continued prayer and support, which has allowed Newton Monastery to grow steadily. The sale and lease of the old monastery building, land across from the monastery, and the former seminary building are expected to be finalized by June this year, which should reduce our management burdens. Plans and designs for the renovation of the Abbey Chapel are also gradually progressing, and we hope to begin construction early next year. We sincerely thank those who have already supported the chapel renovation. However, much help is still needed, so we humbly and cautiously ask for your continued support. Once again, we sincerely thank you for your help and prayers. May the joy of the Risen Lord fill your lives with grace and good health. Thank you.

Fr. Samuel Kim, O.S.B., Prior
and the monks of St. Paul’s Abbey



How to support St. Paul’s Abbey

1) Mail check: Payable to St. Paul’s Abbey; send a check with an appeal card using an enclosed return envelope.

2) Zelle: Send to St. Paul’s Abbey, Tel.: 973-222-2728; please let us know your name and contact after you send a donation.

3) Credit Card: use our website  www.newtonosb.org/donation

U.I.O.G.D.

Newsletter – Easter 2025 (K)

2025 부활


Happy Easter!

뉴튼 수도원을 아끼시는 모든 분들께

죄와 죽음을 이기시고 부활하셔서 우리 모두의 주님이 되신 예수 그리스도께 찬미와 감사를 드리며, 이 기쁨을 함께 나누고 싶습니다. 부활하신 주님의 은총과 기쁨, 평화가 여러분과 여러분의 가정에 충만히 깃들기를 기도드리며, 뉴튼 수도원의 소식을 전해드립니다.

연합회 총회 소식: 제23차 성 오틸리아 연합회 총회가 지난 1월 15일부터 23일까지, 한국 왜관 수도원 담장 안에 피정집으로 새롭게 완공된 문화 영성센터에서 열렸습니다. 연합회 총회는 본래 4년마다 독일 성 오틸리엔 수도원에서 열리는 전통을 가지고 있지만, 이번 총회는 연합회 창설 141년 만에 처음으로 다른 장소에서 개최된 역사적인 모임이었습니다. 이번 총회에서는 새로운 연합회 총재 아빠스가 선출되었으며, 하비에르 아파리시오 수아레스(Fr. Javier Aparicio Suarez) 신부가 그 직책을 맡게 되었습니다. 신임 총재 아빠스는 오랫동안 연합회의 비서 및 선교 총무로 수고한 분으로, 특유의 친화력으로 연합회를 위해 충실히 봉사할 것이라 봅니다. 또한 이번 총회에서 연합회 임원단을 새롭게 선출하였는데, 왜관 수도원의 박 블라시오 아빠스와 요셉 수도원의 최 종근 빠코미오 원장 신부가 연합회 평의회원으로 선출되었습니다.

형제들: 저는 총회 참석을 위해 1월 9일 한국으로 출국하여 2월 5일에 뉴튼으로 돌아왔습니다. 총회 이후에는 주로 왜관 수도원에 머물며 형제들과 함께 설 명절을 보내고, 블라시오 아빠스의 영명축일도 함께 축하하며 뜻깊은 시간을 가졌습니다. 특히, 작년에 뉴튼 수도원에 입회하고자 했으나 비자 문제로 왜관 수도원으로 입회하게 된 문 근일 안토니오 형제를 만날 수 있어서 참으로 기뻤습니다. 안토니오는 1월 10일 왜관 수도원에 정식으로 입회하였는데, 마침 제가 그날 왜관에 도착하여 입회식에 참석한 가족들도 만날 수 있었습니다. 안토니오 형제가 충실히 수련기를 보내고 수도서원을 한 후 뉴튼으로 와서 함께 생활할 수 있기를 기대해 봅니다. 작년 말 5년간의 뉴튼 생활을 마치고 왜관 수도원으로 돌아간 오 승윤 루가 수사는 현재 오르간 반주와 수도 생활을 희망하는 이들을 수도원으로 인도하는 성소 담당이라는 중책을 맡아 충실히 생활하고 있습니다. 아울러 왜관에서 두 명의 형제가 3월에 뉴튼으로 소임을 받았는데, 현재 비자 절차를 진행하고 있습니다. 그중 한 명인 나 연수 베다 신부는 2004년 뉴튼에 입회하여 종신서원과 사제 서품을 받은 뒤, 2015년 왜관으로 소임을 옮겨 여러 지역에서 봉사한 후 다시 뉴튼으로 오게 되었습니다. 뉴튼 수도원의 큰 일꾼인 이 수용 테오도로 수사는 현재 영주권 신청 중인데, 절차가 지연되고 있어 여러 방안을 모색하고 있습니다. 유 마티아 부원장 수사와 재무 담당 이 베르나르도 수사는 해외 출입 시 편의를 위해 Global Entry를 신청하기도 했습니다. 현재 뉴튼에는 저스틴 아빠스를 비롯해 죠엘 아빠스, 탄자니아 항가 수도원에서 온 버나딘 수사, 그리고 다섯 명의 한인 수도자들이 함께 수도생활을 이어가고 있습니다. 작년에는 세 명의 수도자가 한국으로 소임을 옮기면서 다소 어려움이 있었지만, 이번에 두 명의 형제가 새롭게 오게 되어 공동체에 새로운 활력이 더해질 것으로 기대하고 있습니다.

손님: 수도원에는 늘 단체 피정이나 개인 피정자들이 오고 있지만 수도원 손님들도 끊이지 않고 찾아오고 있어서 감사드립니다. 수도원의 오랜 벗인 탄자니아 베네딕도회원인 Lucia 수녀뿐만 아니라 미국에서 공부하고 있는 여러 수녀들과 성직자 수도자들이 수도원을 방문하곤 합니다. 1월 6일에는 남아프리카 Inkamana 수도원의 Maximilian Jacobs 신부가 Colorado Springs에서 안식년 프로그램에 참여한 후 10일까지 뉴튼을 방문하였습니다. 2월 20일에는 살레시오회 윤 만근 모세 신부가 워싱톤에서 열린 회합에 참석하기 위해 왔다가 뉴튼을 방문하여 함께 하는 시간을 가졌습니다. 윤 신부는 미국 서부에서 오랫동안 공부하였으며, 여러번 뉴튼에 왔었습니다. 2월 20일에는 어려움에 처한 한 가족이 수도원에 도움을 청하며 28일까지 머물렀는데, 큰 도움은 주지 못했지만, 조금이나마 상황이 나아져 새로운 희망을 품고 출발할 수 있었음을 감사하게 생각합니다. 이 외에도 수도원을 찾아오시는 모든 분들께 주님의 은총과 사랑이 함께하길 진심으로 기도드립니다.

친애하는 형제 자매 여러분, 작년 수도원 설립 100주년을 기념한 뉴튼 공동체에 우리 한인 수도자들이 생활해 온 지도 벌써 23년째입니다. 여러분의 지속적인 관심과 도움 덕분에 뉴튼 수도원이 조금씩 성장해 나가고 있음에 진심으로 감사드립니다. 수도원 맞은 편에 위치한 옛 수도원 건물과 부지, 그리고 옛 신학교 건물의 매매 및 임대가 올해 6월까지 마무리될 예정이라, 수도원 운영과 관리에 따르는 부담이 한결 가벼워질 것으로 기대됩니다. 이와 함께 수도원 성당 보수를 위한 설계도 및 여타 계획도 차근차근 준비 중이며, 내년 초에는 본격적인 공사가 시작될 수 있을 것으로 보입니다. 성당 보수를 위해 도움을 주신 분들에게 진심으로 감사드립니다. 그러나 아직 많은 도움이 필요한 상황이라 또다시 여러분의 도움을 죄송한 마음으로 조심스럽게 부탁드립니다.

다시 한번 여러분의 도움과 기도에 진심으로 감사드리며, 주님 부활의 기쁨 속에서 늘 건강하고 은총 충만한 생활 되시길 바라며 기도합니다. 감사합니다.

Fr. Samuel Kim, O.S.B., Prior
and the monks of St. Paul’s Abbey

뉴튼 수도원 후원 방법

1) 수표: Payable to St. Paul’s Abbey

함께 보내 드리는 기부카드(기부내역 일반 기부금 또는 성전 보수 기부금 표시)와 수표를 반송 봉투에 함께 넣어서 수도원으로 보내주세요.

2) Zelle: Send to: St. Paul’s Abbey, Tel.: 973-222-2728

송금하신 후 위 전화번호로 카톡이나 문자로 이름과 송금내역 (일반 기부금, 성전 보수 기부금 또는 미사신청)을 알려주세요. 주소를 함께 알려주시면 세금 공제용 편지를 보내 드립니다.

3) 크레딧 카드: 수도원 홈페이지(www.newtonosb.org/donation)에서 온라인으로 결재하실 수 있습니다.

U.I.O.G.D.

Thanks for your support

Dear benefactors and Friends of St. Paul’s Abbey,

Thanks to all who are helping and supporting St. Paul’s Abbey.

Recently, we received some donations via Zelle. Unfortunately, we can’t find the right benefactors if you donate to us and do not inform us of the name of the person who donated via Zelle.

If you need an acknowledgment letter for your tax purposes, please let us know your name, your transaction, and how you want to receive the letter: by mail, email, or SMS. Then, we will send you the acknowledgment.

For others who are interested in donating or supporting us, we have the following options:

  1. Check – payable to St. Paul’s Abbey, mail to 289 Route 206 S, Newton, NJ 07860
  2. Online – www.newtonosb.org/donation
  3. Zelle – 973-222-2728, osb@newtonosb.org Acct Name: St. Paul’s Abbey
  4. Visit – our Gift Shop

Thanks again all who help us and pray for us.

Br. Bernardo Lee

Newsletter – 2024 Christmas -E

Christmas 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As we rejoice in the birth of the baby Jesus, who became human to save us and give us meaning, hope, and joy in life, we bring you a brief monastic update. We wish all of you who show love and concern for Newton Abbey the fullness of the Lord’s Christmas grace.

Monastery Centennial: We are so grateful that, thanks to your support and prayers, we were able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the monastery on Sunday, October 6, at 11:00 a.m. with a Mass celebrated by Abbot Blasio Park of Waegwan Abbey in Korea, and a time of food, fellowship, and joyful thanksgiving for the Lord’s grace. Approximately 130 people, including clergy and religious, were present to share in the celebration and joy. Bishop Kevin Sweeney of the Diocese of Peterson attended the celebration and offered congratulations and encouragement. In addition, a documentary on the centennial of Newton Abbey, filmed by the Korean Catholic Peace Broadcasting in June, aired in Korea in early October and is still available on YouTube. We are so grateful that so many of you continue to support the renovation and refurbishment of the Abbey Chapel. It will be long before construction begins in earnest, but we are moving forward in small steps. We look forward to your continued support and prayer.

Canonical Visitation: The Canonical Visitation of our Congregation took place June 13-17 and was led by Abbot em., Prior Anastasius of Schuyler Priory in Nebraska, and Prior Pacomio Choi of Joseph Monastery in Korea. Our monastic life, as well as the overall financial condition of Newton monastery, was examined, and the visitators offered much advice, encouragement, and encouragement for the brothers to work together in more dialogue and understanding so that Newton monastery can continue to grow and Benedictine way of life can be deeply rooted in this area.

Guests: May the Lord’s great grace be with all who visit the monastery. In May, we were pleased to welcome Sr. Christina Moon, who served as the Prioress of St. Benedict’s Convent in Daegu, and Fr. Poemen Kang, who works as a secretary in Waegwan Abbey, along with two of his friend priests. On June 19, Fr. Clemens In, who serves as the mission procurator at Waegwan Abbey, and two producers came to make a documentary on the 100th anniversary of Newton Monastery. They stayed for ten days, filming in various parts of the monastery and meeting and interviewing many people. On the 20th, Bishop Kevin Sweeny, Bishop of Peterson Diocese, came here with Sr. Teresa and Fr. John Chris Han to interview Newton Abbey’s relationship and collaboration with the diocese and the beatification of Br. Marinus. Then, in October, Brs. Alexander Kim and Ireneo Kim from Waegwan Abbey with Abbot Blasio Park, Brs. Joseph Baek and Dominic Moon from Joseph Monastery and Fr. Adam from Schuyler Priory came to attend the centennial celebration on October 6 and stayed for a few days. We had a great time celebrating the centennial.

Brothers: Brother Matthias Yu, Subprior of Newton, had a home vacation in Korea for six weeks from April 15 and made a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in mid-September. Abbot Joel traveled to Europe on business in mid-June, and from June 29 to July 16, he went to Kumily, Kerala, South India, to celebrate the community being raised to the conventual priory. He traveled to Kumily over the years to help out. He also went to the house that Hanga Abbey has in Klamath Falls, Oregon, in September to attend the celebration of being raised to a domus religiosa. On December 2, he visited Inkamana Abbey, South Africa, to give the community retreat. Abbot EM. Justin is still giving witness to Jesus’s love and Joy here at St. Paul’s Abbey, although he frequently visits the doctor’s office and hospital for his health problems. His presence here gives us strength and stability because of his fatherly and spiritual side. Br. Bernardo Seok-Yeong Jee, who came to Newton in June 2017, returned to Wagwan Abbey in Korea on July 1 for various reasons. One of the reasons was that he applied for permanent residency in 2020, but the Pandemic kept delaying it. This year, our community had our annual retreat from September 23 to 27, and Fr. Odilo Yi gave a brief history of Newton Abbey with old photos he had prepared for the centennial. It was a time to reflect on our lives and activities and the changes in the monastery from the early days to the arrival of the Korean monks and envision what Newton Abbey would look like in the future.

Vocations: A vocation knocked on our door for the first time in a long time.  Antonio Moon from South Korea visited the monastery on September 25 and stayed with us for about a month to experience the monastic life. After that, he wanted to enter our community. However, due to various circumstances, especially visa problems, it was difficult for him to join Newton, so he decided to enter Wagwan Monastery next January.

Christmas Tree Sale: This year’s tree sale started a little earlier than usual, the weekend before Thanksgiving, and ran through the 15th, the third Sunday in December. Although the number of sales has been decreasing each year, many people still come to the monastery farm, and with the help of our neighbors and Korean volunteers, we did well. Starting next year, the sale will be held in the back of the Gift shop because the place where we currently sell trees is rented. May the Lord’s great grace be upon all who helped with the tree sale.

Dear benefactors and friends, we are truly grateful for your prayers and support, which allow our Newton community to grow bit by bit and live according to Saint Benedict’s teachings and spirituality, bearing witness to the Lord’s Word and love. May the grace, joy, and peace of the Christmas of the Infant Jesus abundantly bless your homes, and may you continue to live a life whole of blessings in the coming 2025 in the love of the Lord.

Thank you.

Fr. Samuel Kim, O.S.B., Prior
and the monks of St. Paul’s Abbey.

Newsletter -2024 Christmas – K

2024성탄

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

우리를 구원하시고 삶의 의미와 희망과 기쁨을 주시기 위해 인간이 되어 오신 아기 예수님의 성탄을 진심으로 기뻐하며, 뉴튼 수도원에 사랑과 관심을 보여 주시는 모든 분들에게 주님 성탄의 은총이 충만히 깃들기를 바라며 간략한 수도원 소식을 전해 드립니다.

수도원 설립 100주년: 여러분의 관심과 기도 덕분에 10월 6일 주일 오전 11시에 왜관 성 베네딕도 수도원의 박 현동 블라시오 아빠스의 주례로 수도원 설립 100주년 기념 미사를 봉헌하고, 함께 음식을 나누며 주님의 은혜에 감사드리고 기쁨의 시간을 가질 수 있어서 진심으로 감사드립니다. 성직자 수도자들을 포함해 약 130여명이 참석하여 축하와 기쁨을 나누었는데, 페터슨 교구의 Kevin Sweeney 주교도 축하식에 참석하여 축하와 격려의 말씀을 해주셨습니다. 그리고 지난 6월에 한국 가톨릭 평화 방송에서 촬영한 뉴튼 수도원 100주년 기념 다큐멘터리가 10월 초에 한국에서 방영되었는데, 지금도 YouTube를 통해 볼 수 있습니다. 많은 분들이 수도원 성당 개축 및 보수를 위해 계속해서 도움을 보내 주고 계심에 진심으로 감사드립니다. 본격적으로 건축이 시작되기까지 많은 시간이 걸리지만 조금 조금씩 준비해서 일을 추진 중에 있습니다. 여러분의 계속적인 관심과 도움을 부탁드립니다.

연합회 정기 시찰: 5년에 한번씩 시행되는 연합회 정기 시찰이 6월 13일부터 17일까지 있었는데, 네브라스카 주 스카일러 수도원의 Anastasio 아빠스와 한국 요셉 수도원의 최 파코미오 원장 신부가 수고해 주었습니다. 우리의 수도 생활뿐만 아니라 뉴튼 수도원의 전반적인 재정 상태를 점검하였는데, 시찰자들은 형제들이 좀 더 많은 대화 안에서 서로 이해하고 협력함으로써 뉴튼 수도원이 계속해서 발전해 나가고 이 지역에 베네딕도회 수도 생활이 깊이 뿌리 내릴 수 있도록 많은 조언과 격려와 함께 용기를 북돋아 주었습니다.

손님들: 수도원을 찾아 주시는 모든 분에게 주님의 크신 은총이 가득 깃들기를 바랍니다. 5월에는 대구 성 베네딕도 수녀원의 원장으로 수고하셨던 문 크리스티나 수녀와 왜관 수도원 서무실에서 일하고 있는 강 포에멘 신부가 친구 신부들 2명과 함께 방문하여 반가운 시간을 가졌습니다. 6월 19일에 뉴튼 수도원 100주년 다큐멘터리 제작을 위해 왜관 수도원에서 선교 총무로 활동하고 있는 인 영균 끌레멘스 신부와 제작자 두 명이 와서 열흘 동안 머물며 수도원 여러 곳을 촬영하고 많은 사람들과 만나 인터뷰를 하였습니다. 20일에는 페터슨 교구장인 Kevin Sweeny 주교와 교구 수도회 담당 데레사 수녀 그리고 한 요한 크리스 신부가 와서 뉴튼 수도원과 교구와의 관계 및 협력 그리고 마리누스 수사의 시복 시성에 관해 대담해 주었습니다. 8월 2일에는 대구 교구 소속으로 볼티모어 한인 성당에서 사목하는 정 해철 신부가 한국에서 온 차 호철 신부와 다른 5명의 일행들과 함께 수도원을 방문하였는데, 두 신부는 저와 함께 신학교에 입학한 친구 신부들입니다. 정 해철 신부는 10월 18일에도 두 명의 신부와 함께 수도원을 방문하고 돌아갔는데, 한국에서 손님들이 올 때마다 미 동부 지역을 여행한 후 마지막에는 수도원을 들러서 돌아가곤 합니다. 그리고 10월 6일 100주년 행사에 참석하기 위해 왜관 수도원의 박 블라시오 아빠스와 함께 김 치삼 알렉산델 수사와 김 정배 이레네오 수사, 요셉 수도원의 백 찬현 요셉 수사와 문 석준 도미니코 수사 그리고 스카일러 수도원의 아담 신부가 방문하여 며칠씩 머무르며 100주년을 축하하고 기쁘고 반가운 시간을 보냈습니다.

형제들: 뉴튼 수도원 부원장인 유 마티아 수사는 4월 15일에 한국에 6 주간의 휴가를 다녀 왔으며, 9월 중순에는 과달루페 성모 성지를 순례하는 시간도 가졌습니다. 2017년 6월에 뉴튼으로 와서 생활하던 지 석영 베르나르도 수사가 여러 가지 이유로 7월 1일에 한국 왜관 수도원으로 귀원하였습니다. 2020년 경에 영주권을 신청하였으나 펜더믹으로 인해 영주권이 계속 연기된 것도 이유 중의 하나였습니다. 올해 우리 공동체는 9월 23일부터 27일까지 연례 피정을 하였는데, 이 오딜로 신부가 100주년을 위해 준비한 오래된 사진들과 함께 뉴튼 수도원의 간략한 역사를 소개하는 시간을 가졌습니다. 수도원 초창기부터 한인 수도자들이 오기 전까지 수도원 모습과 형제들의 활동 및 변천 과정을 보면서 우리의 모습과 삶을 생각해 보며 앞으로의 뉴튼 수도원의 모습을 그려볼 수 있는 시간이 되었습니다.

성소자: 실로 오랜만에 수도원 문을 두드리는 성소자가 있었습니다. 한국에서 온 문 안토니오 형제인데 9월 25일에 수도원을 방문하여 약 한 달간 함께 지내면서 수도생활을 체험하는 시간을 가졌습니다. 그 후 수도원 입회를 희망하였으나, 여러 가지 사정, 특히 비자 문제로 뉴튼으로 입회하는 것이 어려워 내년 1월에 왜관 수도원으로 입회하기로 하였습니다.

성탄 트리 판매: 올해 트리 판매는 예년 보다 조금 이른 추수 감사절 전 주말부터 시작하여 12월 셋째 주일인 15일까지 판매하였습니다. 비록 판매 숫자가 매년 감소하고 있지만 많은 사람들이 여전히 수도원 농장을 찾아 오고 있으며, 이웃들과 한인 봉사자들의 도움으로 잘 마칠 수 있었습니다. 내년부터는 현재 트리를 판매하는 장소가 임대되기 때문에 성물방 뒤에서 판매하게 될 것입니다. 트리 판매를 위해 도움을 준 모든 이들에게 주님의 크신 은총이 가득 깃들기를 바랍니다.

친애하는 은인 친구 여러분, 여러분의 기도와 도움으로 우리 뉴튼 공동체가 조금씩 성장해 나가고 사부 성 베네딕도의 가르침과 영성에 따라 주님의 말씀과 사랑을 증거하며 살아가고 있음에 진심으로 감사드립니다. 아기 예수님의 성탄의 은총과 기쁨 평화가 여러분의 가정에 풍성히 깃들며 다가오는 2025년에도 주님 사랑 안에서 복된 생활 되시길 바라며 기도합니다. 감사합니다. 

Fr. Samuel Kim, O.S.B., Prior
and the monks of St. Paul’s Abbey

p.s. 우편물이 잘 배달되지 않는 경우가 있습니다. 이메일 또는 카톡이나 문자로 답장을 원하시는 분은 함께 보내 드리는 카드에 이메일 주소나 전화번호를 적어서 보내주시면 연락드리겠습니다.

2024 Christmas tree map

cpbc News: St. Paul’s Abbey in Newton, USA, celebrates its 100th anniversary…embarking on a journey to the next 100 years -(E)

미국 뉴튼 성 바오로 수도원 설립 100주년… 새로운 100년 향한 여정 시작

Catholic Peace Newspaper

No. 1780 October 13, 2024

Vocation Plummets in the 1980s
Korean acquisition requested in 2002;
Korean ties deep, including Fr. Marinus LaRue as a branch of Waegwan Abbey

After a turbulent century, St. Paul’s Abbey in Newton, New Jersey, USA, celebrated its 100th anniversary Mass on Saturday.

The Mass, celebrated by Abbot Balsio (Hyundong) Park, abbot of the Waegwan Abbey, was attended by more than 100 people, including Oblates of St. Paul’s Abbey, who reflected on the past 100 years and looked forward to a new era of rebirth with God’s grace. Monks from Waegwan Abbey and the Joseph Monastery (in Korea) also visited the United States to celebrate the centennial.

St. Paul’s Abbey was founded in 1924 by Father Michael Heinlein of St. Ottilien Abbey in Germany, with St. Teresa of Lisieux/The Child Jesus as its patron saint. In the early years, many young people joined the monastery, which became a monastery in 1928, four years after its founding, and was elevated to a Conventual Priory in 1936. 1947 the monastery became the Abbey and was renamed St. Paul’s Abbey, with St. Paul as its patron saint. At one point, the monastery was a thriving community of more than 65 monks, but by the 1980s, the number of vocations began to plummet. Eventually, in 1997, Abbot Joel Macul, who was elected the fourth abbot of the monastery, became so concerned about the situation that he turned to the Congregation of St. Ottilien for help, leaving only about a dozen elderly monks.

Recognizing the potential for the future of religious life in Korea’s Waegwan Abbey on the other side of the world, the Congregation requested the acquisition of St. Paul’s Abbey. Abbot Simon Lee, who passed away, visited St. Paul’s Abbey in 2001 and found a deep connection to Waegwan Abbey. Br. Marinus LaRue, who joined St. Paul’s Abbey after saving 14,000 evacuees as a captain in the Heungnam evacuation during the Korean War; Abbot Bishop Bonifacio Shin of the Servant of God, Tukwon Abbey, the roots of Wagwan Abbey; and Fr. Timothy Bitterli, who founded Wagwan Abbey and served as its first Prior, stayed at ST. Paul’s Abbey to prepare for its founding.

Because of this connection and the opportunity to serve Korean immigrants and believers living in the United States, Father Kim and five monks were sent on December 13, 2001, and St. Paul’s Abbey was officially declared a branch of Waegwan Abbey on January 25, 2002. Currently, six Koreans, one Tanzanian, and two American retired fathers live together in the monastery.

Abbot Blasio Park said in his homily, “As we look back on our 100-year history, we realize that when we stay in God, we will reap unexpected fruits and fruition.” “The fact that our Korean brothers are living here and serving the Korean and American communities makes us feel the providence and security of God’s care for 100 years,” he said.

“People from New York and other neighboring cities come to the monastery to find spiritual strength and experience the depth of spirituality,” said Bishop Kevin Sweeney, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, at a celebration following the Mass. ”We are grateful to the monastery for its longstanding care for the Korean American community in the United States.” “We hope that you will continue to do so for another 100 years and another 100 years.”

“It’s a big challenge for the Korean community to come and live with the American community,” said Abbot Justin Dzikowicz, the third abbot of Newton Abbey, ”but I think we’ve done an excellent job so far and I hope that we’ll continue to meet the challenges with new creativity.” “St. Paul’s Abbey was founded by Germans, run by Americans, and inherited by Koreans,” said Joel Abbot, the fourth and last Abbot of Newton Abbey. ”Its history speaks to the universality of the Catholic Church, which transcends borders and languages.”

Today, St. Paul’s Abbey serves as a spiritual home for the local community and Korean immigrants. It maintains a monastery building, retreat center, sacristy, and Christmas tree farm on more than 430 acres of forested land.

Nam Soon Choi (Clara), who has been associated with Newton Abbey for 10 years, said, “It feels like a home because it has Korean culture and sentiment.” “I hope that many vocations will come out and remain with the Korean faithful for a long time,” she said. “The monastery is more organized than before, and more believers are visiting,” said Choi Haengse (John) Choi, President of Oblate of St. Paul’s Abbey, ”and I will help spread the spirituality of the monastery as a consecrated member.”

The monastery is celebrating its 100th anniversary and will renovate and refurbish the church for the faithful. At the end of each day’s prayer, the monastery prays for Fr. Marinus’s beautification and is also working to find vocations.

New Jersey, USA=Min Kyu Park Reporter mk@cpbc.co.kr

Translated by Deepl.com and modified.

Original source in Korean:

cpbc News : 미국 뉴튼 성 바오로 수도원 설립 100주년… 새로운 100년 향한 여정 시작

Brief history of 100 years of St. Paul’s Abbey -(E) Part 2

The visit of Archabbot Jeremias Schroeder, who was elected Archabbot of the Ottilien Congregation in January 2001, opened another possibility for the future of monastic life in the monastery, when he asked the Korean monastery of Wagwan to take over St. Paul’s Abbey. Abbot Simon Lee, who was elected abbot of Wagwan in August 2001, visited Newton in mid-September of that year, met with Korean clergy and faithful who were serving in the area, and then returned to Wagwan to formally propose the acquisition of St. Paul’s Abbey to the Waegwan Abbey’s chapter meeting.

At that time, Abbot Simon emphasized the close ties between St. Paul’s Abbey and Waegwan Abbey, which date back to the Korean War, when a future member of the abbey was involved in the Heungnam evacuation operation during the Korean War. He emphasized the ties between St. Paul’s Abbey and Waegwan Abbey: Br. Marinus LaRue, who as captain saved fourteen thousand evacuees during the Heungnam evacuation in the Korean War; the several visits of Bishop Abbot Bonifacie Shin to St. Paul’s Abbey to ask for financial help during the time of the Tokwon Abbey in the north of Korea, the roots of Waegwan Abbey; and the fact that Fr. Timothy Bitterli, the first prior of Waegwan Abbey, stayed at St. Paul’s Abbey to prepare for the founding of Waegwan Abbey after the Korean War.

With of these connections and the opportunity to serve the Korean immigrants and faithful living in the United States, the Waegwan community agreed to the proposal of Abbot Simon. On December 13, 2001, the feast of St. Odilia, the patroness of the Ottilien Congregation, the entire community of Waegwan Abbey gathered to celebrate the feast of St. Odilia, and on December 15, 2001, Fr. Kuin John Bosco Kim and five monks were sent on a mission and arrived at St. Paul’s Abbey. Finally, on the Feast of St. Paul on January 25, 2002, the American monks officially turned over the monastery’s ownership and management to the Waegwan Abbey brothers, marking the beginning of a new chapter in St. Paul’s Abbey’s history.

On January 25, 2004, two years after being declared a canonical branch of Waegwan Abbey, St. Paul’s Abbey was elevated to a simple priory, with Fr. Kuin John Bosco Kim as Prior and Fr. Samuel Kim as subprior, setting the stage for the growth of Benedictine life in the region once again.

On January 25, 2007, Fr. Bosco John Bosco Kim resigned and Fr. Samuel Kim was installed as prior, and since then, several vocations have entered the monastery, including three brothers who have made perpetual vows and one monk oblate. As of 2024, there are nine monks: two American, one Tanzanian, and six Korean.

St. Paul’s Abbey consists of monastic buildings, retreat houses, vegetable gardens, a gift shop, and a Christmas tree farm on approximately 430 acres, more than half of which is forested. The need for a retreat house arose after the arrival of the Korean monks in 2001. Still, the old retreat house was too old and difficult to maintain, so the monastery building where the monks lived was converted into a retreat house. The buildings used as infirmary rooms and training rooms for the monks were repaired and renovated to become a monastery.

In 2015, the monastery installed toilets and showers in each room to make it more comfortable for retreatants and now has 30 double-occupancy rooms. Since the 1970s, the Christmas tree farm has been planted on about 100 acres of land with many varieties of Christmas trees and sold from the day after Thanksgiving through the week before Christmas. It is so well known that it is often associated with St. Paul’s Abbey. The Abbey Gift Shop, located at the entrance to the monastery, provides the necessary sacramental and gift items and church books for the Church’s feasts. It is here that Br. Marinus, who entered the monastery in 1954, worked for many years, not only providing the faithful with sacraments but also witnessing to them the Lord’s love through his many spiritual discourses.

 Currently, the cause for the beatification of Br. Marinus is being promoted by the U.S. Maritime Pastoral Service, which, with the cooperation of the Diocese of Peterson and the full support of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference, is well underway, gathering evidence and materials for the beatification process and raising funds for the cause. In addition, our brothers are working to repair and maintain the vegetable gardens, buildings, vehicles, and farm equipment.

This is the 22nd year our Korean brothers have been here, called by God. When we first came here, our goal was to revitalize Benedictine monastic spirituality in the area by raising St. Paul’s Abbey once again after it had fallen rather than serving the Korean faithful.

But over time, we realized that it was more important to turn our attention to the Korean immigrants and faithful and to find things that would benefit them, rather than to have all the liturgies in English and to find things that would benefit the locals here. With the approval of Abbot Blasio, who was elected Abbot of Wagwan Abbey in South Korea in 2013, the monastery increased the number of Korean-language liturgies, renovated the retreat house to allow for more interaction with Korean immigrants, and built a reception room to make it more comfortable for those who visit the monastery.

Furthermore, the monastery planted about 500 different flowering trees around the monastery and built a path so that people could walk and pray around the monastery. In the spring, cherry blossoms, apple blossoms, and pear blossoms bloom not only around the monastery but also along the path, giving joy to those who visit the monastery.

Now that we are approaching the centenary of the monastery’s founding, rather than commemorating and celebrating the accomplishments and completions that have been made, we would like to use this occasion to begin anew.

We are grateful that with the grace of the Lord and the help of many benefactors, the monastery is gradually stabilizing. Now, our greatest desire is to repair and renovate the temple so that those who visit can meet the Lord in the temple and have a time of grace, thanksgiving, joy, and peace of mind. As Newton Abbey celebrates its centennial, we hope that it will continue to grow in God’s grace and provide spiritual shelter and peace to the local community and Korean immigrants and that in its simple life of prayer and work, it will continue to live a life of witness to Christ and his love for all who come, following the words of St. Benedict, “Consider nothing better than the Lord Jesus Christ.” A generation has passed away, and a new one has begun. We thank God and all who love Newton Abbey that the Church continues, and the Benedictine tradition lives on, just as new life forms out of apparent death.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version) and modified.

Brief history of 100 years of St. Paul’s Abbey -(E) Part 1

Little Flower Monastery — Saint Paul’s Abbey

St. Paul’s Abbey belongs to the Ottilien Congregation of the Benedictine family. This congregation has its origins in the missionary movement that was newly awakening in the Church in the nineteenth century. Fr. Andreas Amrhein, a monk of Beuron, believed that the Benedictines, too, could share in this missionary movement and keep alive the monastic missionary tradition of the Benedictines that existed in the first millennium in Europe. He founded his congregation in Bavaria, Germany in 1884. Almost immediately Rome assigned the monks of the new congregation the southern half of present-day Tanzania as their territory.

World War I brought a set back to that monastic mission work in East Africa. All the German monks were detained from 1917 on for the remainder of the war and then returned to St. Ottilien in Germany. The missionary monks realized that they had to expand their base in personnel beyond Germany if they were to be able to continue. At the same time, the post war period in Germany was economically difficult. St. Ottilien looked towards the USA. In 1921 it assigned one of its former East African missionaries, Fr. Michael Heinlein, to come to the United States to solicit funds for mission work and to scout out a place for a foundation.

After several years of looking throughout the country, Fr. Michael settled on the East as the best place to make a foundation. In the meantime, St. Joseph’s Abbey in Louisiana had received monks from St. Ottilien to help them. In 1922 four monks traveled to Louisiana. These would eventually find their way to Newton. By the end of 1923 it looked like the Diocese of Newark, NJ would be open to receiving the Benedictine monks of the Ottilien Congregation. Contact was made with St. Joseph’s parish in Newton, NJ and Rev. Michael Donnelly helped Fr. Michael to locate the Red Gate Farm on what is now Route 206. This farm consisted of about five hundred acres. It had a stone house that dated from about 1849, a frame house and several out buildings as well as a twenty acre lake with its own farm house and barn.

In January 1924 the bishop of Newark gave his consent to the foundation. In early March the property was purchased and on March 15, 1924, Fr. Michael and Fr. Matthias Nett came to take possession of Red Gate Farm.  The stone farmhouse was cleaned and prepared to welcome a monastic community. Several other farm buildings were likewise made fit for the common life. On April 21 the first Mass was celebrated by Bishop Thomas Spreiter, who had formally been the superior of the missionary monks in East Africa. The community was placed under the patronage of Blessed Theresa of Lisieux and called Little Flower Monastery.

In May of the same year, the first band of six brothers arrived at Newton from several monasteries in Germany. By March 1925 the community had doubled in size when monks who were part of a proposed foundation in Washington State were transferred to the new monastery at Newton.  The former farmland was reactivated with dairy cattle; the milk was sold locally. An apple orchard was planted near the lake whose produce was eventually sold or made into cider. Land not cultivated was planted with trees. This project later evolved into the Abbey Christmas Tree farm.

In the late 1920s the whole foundation was threatened with closure, but after the newly elected Archabbot Chrysostom Schmid, O.S.B. made his initial visit to the monastery in 1931, a green light was given to continue with the community. The first thing Father Michael did was to plan for a larger building. It was to house all the community members as well as his dream of a Benedictine Mission Seminary. By October 1932 the building was completed and there were fifteen students in the seminary. In 1934 one of the alumni of this seminary entered the novitiate and the following year saw the first American vocation, Fr. Boniface Cronin, make profession.

In 1936 the community was raised to the rank of a conventual priory by the Holy See. This meant that the community life was stable enough that the monastery could be an autonomous, independent monastery in the Ottilien Congregation. The founder, Father Michael, continued on as superior and the first conventual prior. He continued to put his energy into vocations and in the summer of 1938 a boy’s camp, Camp St. Benedict, was started. It ran, with a hiatus during the war years, until 1978. This camp did bring several vocations to the monastery over the years, including two of its abbots. The camp peaked in enrollment in the early seventies. But by 1978 the nature of camping had changed, there was a shortage of monastic personnel as well as insufficient funds and the camp was closed.

The rapid growth of the community, the arrival of American vocations and the financial woes connected with the Depression brought much stress to Father Michael and in July 1941 he stepped down as superior. He had done his work well and the community now numbered nine priests, fifteen professed brothers and six clerical novices. The responsibility of leadership now fell to Fr. Aquilin Sendelbach, O.S.B., a monk of Münsterschwarzach Abbey in Germany. He was appointed administrator in July 1941. It was Fr. Aquilin who led the community during the war years as well as trying to keep it economically solvent. One fruit of the growth of the community was that in 1945 two Americans were sent to the missions. Fr. Andrew O’Sullivan and Fr. Paul Keohane were sent to the Zululand missions of the Ottilien Congregation in South Africa. Fr. Paul eventually went on to East Africa and taught at a mission station school there.

On June 9, 1947, the priory was raised to the dignity of an abbey. In August of that year an American, Father Charles Coriston, became the first abbot. At the same time permission was granted to place the new abbey under the patronage of Saint Paul, the missionary apostle. The abbey continued to expand. The monastery building of 1932 was too small to hold the monks and the seminarians. In 1948 a temporary structure was put up to house the students. There was an increase of vocations. Some of the German monks now joined their young American confreres, who had gone to East Africa, and took a turn at mission work in South Africa. In the 1950s it was also decided to phase out the farming operation. Some of the brothers who had worked in the barns now became missionaries in Venezuela and Colombia.

In 1960 plans for a new monastery building on a site across the highway and away from its noise were drawn up. In November 1962 the community moved into its new home. At the same time the former monastery building was renovated to house the Queen of Peace Retreat House. Retreats at the monastery had begun in the late 40s and a wooden building had been put up for this program at some distance from the monastery. With larger quarters the retreat movement expanded even further, and school groups were added to the usual weekend retreat groups.

The 1960s were an exciting time for the Church, especially with Vatican II. There was also much happening in the United States as well. The Civil Rights Movement and peace movements were challenging the ideas of many. These trends and experiences affected life in the country and also had their effect on the community of St. Paul’s

Some members of the community became involved in these movements with their concerns for peace, justice and social awareness. A number of members left the community at this time to find new apostolates and new vocations. By 1965 Abbot Charles had led the community for nineteen years. He decided to step down for a younger person. In December 1966 Father Augustine Hinches, O.S.B. was appointed prior-administrator. In September 1970 he was elected as the second abbot of St. Paul’s Abbey. He oversaw the completion of a new seminary building––changing times eventually forced its closure in the early 70s. As the former business manager of the monastery, he continued to keep the community on solid financial footing. The Christmas Tree Plantation expanded tremendously under his direction. Eventually it became a Choose ‘n Cut operation, sales increased, and a regular planting schedule was implemented along with experimentation in various kinds of conifers. Another area that also expanded was the retreat work. The Matt Talbot retreats for men and women in recovery mushroomed and became the dominate feature of the community’s retreat work. While the community was able to stabilize after the departures of the late sixties, it was not able to recover its vocational losses, and few new members joined the monastery.

In March 1982 Abbot Augustine was succeeded by Abbot Justin Dzikowicz, O.S.B., the monastery’s third abbot. He inherited a community that was now small in numbers, but with a sizeable physical operation. A period of self-study was undertaken, and questions of the future began to emerge. At the same time the community opened itself to welcoming monks from the congregation’s monasteries in Africa. They received their orientation to American life at the monastery as well as intensive language courses. They were then placed in American Benedictine colleges for further study. In addition, there was a spirituality program offered here for members of the Ottilien Congregation. It ran twice.

The missionary commitment of the small community remained strong. While one member returned after fifteen years at Inkamana Abbey, South Africa, another was sent there and another was assigned to the young priory in Nairobi, Kenya.

At home the community realized that it was growing older and so a portion of the monastery was renovated to care for the needs of the senior members. In the early 1990s the Abbey Gift Shop that originally had been started in the fifties was also completely renovated.

On December 31, 1996, Abbot Justin resigned. In early January 1997 the community elected Father Joel Macul, O.S.B. as its fourth abbot. He had spent the previous five years at St. Benedict’s Priory in Nairobi and Tigoni, Kenya. At the time of his election there were ten monks living in the abbey. Most of them were in their eighties. The situation regarding the future needed to be faced directly. But first the community celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding in 1999 with a celebration on October 2.

In the Jubilee Year 2000 the community took up the task of praying and deciding its future. Several members had died since 1997 making the situation more critical. In the process of discussion and sharing it became clear that very shortly the community would not be able to care for itself. In the autumn of 2000, the members agreed to enter into a process of phasing out the monastic community at Newton. The General Chapter of the Ottilien Congregation in October 2000 heard the community’s petition and reluctantly agreed to the community’s decision and allowed the process of phasing out to begin. The monks began to look for new monastic homes.

In the meantime, a visit of the congregation’s new abbot president, Archabbot Jeremias Schroeder, O.S.B., in January 2001 opened up another possibility for the future of monastic life at the abbey. He supported the community’s decision but did not want to have an empty monastery. He approached Waegwan Abbey in South Korea and asked them to consider taking on the monastery in Newton. Since there is a sizeable Korean Catholic community in the New York-New Jersey area, there would be a ready apostolate for these Korean Benedictine monks.

There was already a special bond between the abbey and Korea. One of its monks, Br. Marinus LaRue, O.S.B. had been a Merchant Marine captain at the time of the Korean War. He had authorized the evacuation of 14,000 refugees from North Korea on his ship the Meredith Victory at Christmas 1950. At the time the rescue was recognized by the new South Korean government and the US Congress, but for the most part had been forgotten over the years. The year 2000 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the evacuation and old memories revived. Now elderly and sick, Br. Marinus was still alive, and his story was revived. Since one monk of Wagewan was a very small boy on board that ship, the Waegwan community was also well aware of the connection. The new abbot of Waegwan came for a visit to assess the situation and ascertain the support of the local Korean Catholic community. In October 2001 the monks of Waegwan Abbey agreed to form a community at St. Paul’s Abbey. In December 2001 the first six monks arrived from Korea with Fr. Bosco Kim, O.S.B. as their superior. A new chapter in the history of the abbey was beginning. In January 2002, on the feast of St. Paul, the American monks formally handed over ownership and care of the abbey to their confreres from Waegwan Abbey.

Assisted in the beginning by three monks from the former American community, the monks of Waegwan have made an effort to adjust to a new country and life style and at the same time to serve the spiritual needs of Korean Catholics living in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. Like the German monks who first came here in the 1920s, the Korean monks too are meeting the challenges of a new country and at the same time keeping the spirit of St. Benedict alive in this part of northern New Jersey.

God’s providential care has its own mysterious ways. One generation faded out and a new one has begun. Out of apparent death, new life takes shape. The Church continues and the Benedictine tradition is being handed on.