2015 부활

Happy Easter !!!

알렐루야! 우리 구세주 예수 그리스도께서 죽음에서 참으로 부활하셨습니다!  부활의 이 벅찬 기쁨과 영광이 뉴튼 수도원을 아껴주시는 모든 분들께 충만하시길 바라며 기도합니다.

2015년 양의 해를 맞이한 우리 형제들은 올 한해 주님의 말씀과 사랑을 충실히 따르고 증거하는 착하고 믿음직한 양들로써 살아가기를 다짐하며 새해를 시작하였습니다.

피정집 공사: 지난해 11월 초부터 시작된 피정집 공사와 수도원 건물 소방 안전 설치는 거의 끝나고 마무리 단계에 있습니다. 그래서 4월 2일부터 시작되는 성삼일 전례피정부터 피정집을 사용하기 시작하였습니다. 그러나 보일러와 유리창 교체는 아직 준비 중에 있으며 얼었던 땅과 눈이 녹으면 작업에 들어가리라 예상하고 있습니다.

손님: 우리 성 베네딕도회 오틸리엔 연합회 창립자인 안드레아 암라인 신부님이 함께 창립한 툿징 포교 베네딕도회 Lumen Gloria, 최 카리타드 그리고 데마레스트 수녀원의 김 필립바 수녀님들이 1월 10일에 수도원을 방문하여 점심식사를 함께 하며 환담을 나누고 돌아갔습니다. Lumen Gloria 수녀님과 최 카리타드 수녀님은 연합회 참사회원들로써 미국에 있는 수녀원들 시찰 왔다가 방문하였던 것입니다. 1월 11일에는 군종 주교이신 유 수일 프란치스코 하비에르 주교님이 수도원을 방문하여 하루를 함께 지내고 돌아가셨는데, 주교님은 2011년에 이어 두 번째로 방문해 주셨습니다. 작년 11월 11일에 뉴튼에 와서 함께 지내던 요셉 수도원의 이 수철 프란치스코 신부님이 2월 4일에 한국으로 돌아갔습니다. 이곳에 지내면서 우리 형제들에게 좋은 말씀과 수도생활의 모범을 보여 주었을 뿐 아니라 인근 한인 신자들에게도 도움을 주신 신부님께 다시 한번 감사드립니다. 중국에서 선교활동 하시는 김 상진 스테파노 신부님이 3월 8일에 수도원을 방문하였는데, 일흔이 넘은 연세에도 불구하고 선교에 대한 왕성한 열정을 엿 볼 수 있어서 이곳에 선교사로 온 우리들의 삶을 되돌아 볼 수 있게 하였습니다.  3월 11일에는 우리 공동체에 특별한 행사가 있었습니다. 지난해 4월 16일에 일어났던 세월호 참사 유가족들 중에 단원고 학생 2명의 어머니들이 수도원을 방문하였습니다. 그분들과 함께 약 25명의 한인들과 미국인 10여명이 우리 형제들과 함께 미사에 참석하고 점심을 나누었습니다. 주님께서 그들의 아픔을 어루만져 주시고 눈물을 닦아 주시어 하루빨리 그들의 고통이 치유되고 또한 주님의 사랑과 정의 평화가 드러나기를 바라며 기도하였습니다.

수도원 형제들: 2월 15일 페터슨 교구 세라틀리 아더 주교님이 주관하는 봉헌생활의 날 행사에 루가 수사와 마티아 수사 그리고 지난 9월에 이곳으로 온 송 바르나바 수사가 참석하였습니다. 저는 2월 2일부터 9일까지 알라바마주 버밍헴에 있는 성 베르나르도 수도원에서 있었던 미국 베네딕도회 장상 모임에 참석하였는데, 이번에는 수녀회에서도 참석하여 약 100여명의 남녀 베네딕도회 장상들이 함께 하는 시간을 가졌습니다. 3월 13일부터 17일까지는 테네시 주 멤피스 한인 공동체에 가서 사순 특강을 하였는데, 비록 작은 공동체였지만 가족 같은 분위기와 주님께 대한 신자들의 큰 열정과 사랑을 볼 수 있었습니다. 김 마태오 신부 역시 3월 14일부터 16일까지 오하이오 주 클리브랜드 한인 성당에 가서 수고해 주었습니다.

왜관에서 우리 한인 형제들이 와서 생활한 이래 처음으로 이곳에서 수도서원을 하고 서품을 받았던 나 연수 베다 신부가 왜관 수도원으로 소임을 받아 3월 17일에 뉴튼을 떠나 왜관으로 갔습니다. 베다 신부는 현재 수도원 병실에서 연로하고 아픈 형제들을 돌보고 있습니다.

친애하는 형제 자매 여러분, 우리 공동체는 우리의 수도생활을 위해 기도와 도움을 아끼지 않으시는 여러분께 진심으로 감사드립니다. 그런데 피정집 공사가 마무리 단계에 접어든 이 시점에 도움을 줄 것으로 믿었던 연합회에서 가난한 나라에 있는 수도원들을 위해 모은 헌금으로 미국에 있는 수도원은 도울 수 없다는 결정을 보내왔습니다. 조금만 도움을 받으면 곧 우리도 가난한 나라에 도움을 줄 수 있을 거라 희망하였는데, 이제 이 문제를 어떻게 해결해 나가야 할지 모르겠습니다. 경제가 어려운 이 시점에 여러분들께 도움을 청하고 싶지 않았는데 이런 사정을 말씀 드리게 되어 대단히 죄송합니다. 그러나 죽음마저 물리치고 부활하신 주님이 계시기에 희망을 가지고 충실히 생활할 것입니다. 다시 한번 우리 공동체를 아껴 주시는 여러분 모두에게 주님 부활의 은총과 사랑이 가득 넘치길 바라며 기도하겠습니다. 감사합니다.

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

Feb. 19, 2015 (Thu) – Lunar New Year

The community mass will be at 7:30 am. 

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

When we see the deep blue sky and beautifully tinted trees in this season, we can feel God’s grace. Asking God’s abundant grace and gifts for you and your family, I would like to share the news of our community with you.

I. Our Brothers

New face: Br. Barnabas Song came here from Waegwan Abbey in Korea on September 22. When he was in Seoul monastery, he worked as a cellarer and manager of the monastery. Now he is learning English and having his period of adjustment.

Abbot Augustine: On May 25, our beloved brother Abbot Augustine Hinches passed away peacefully and returned to God at St. Catherine of Siena Health Care Center in Caldwell at 3:07am. In spite of his Parkinson’s Disease, he worked hard and made good efforts for the community with his whole strength and heart. He loved Christmas trees and the tree farm so we decorated the altar with Christmas trees at his funeral mass. Around 150 people attended the funeral mass and burial rite.

Sad news: On August 25, Br. Marinus’ father, Mr. Basil Do-Su Kim, passed away because of lung cancer at around 4:38pm. The funeral mass was at the Korean community in Brooklyn, NY at 10:00am. All Korean brothers attended his funeral mass and consoled his family. Postulant Jin-mo Paul Chung, who joined on June 4, left the monastery on September 24 because of his view of the monastic ideal. He wants to live a more prayful life.

Other Brothers: Br. Bernadin and Fr. Odilo went on their home vacation to Korea and Tanzania in June. Br. Bernadin visited Korea for two weeks on the way to Tanzania. He visited Waegwan Abbey and its dependant houses. He had a good time and experience with Waegwan brothers. In June and July, Abbot Joel attended several celebrations such as the 25th Anniversary of Ordination Mass for Fr. Prior Elias Lorenzo at St. Mary’s Abbey, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Profession of Fr. Raymond Studzinski at St. Meinrad Archabbey, the alumni reunion and the 50th anniversary of the class of 1964 at St. Meinrad Archabbey with Br. Luke. On September 8, Abbot Joel went with Br. Luke to St. Mary’s Abbey to attend the inauguration of the 75th anniversary of Delbarton School with Abbot Primate Notker at 5:30pm and on September 23, he went to Cuba and then El Rosal, Colombia for the major superiors’ meeting.

II. Guests

This summer many guests visited our community. On June 12, Fr. Aaron Jang of Waegwan Abbey and Fr. Elias Lee of St. Joseph Priory in Korea came here to learn English and experience some American culture before attending “Study Weeks” in Germany for abound two months. While they were here, they visited some Benedictine Abbeys and convents, and also visited Niagara Falls, New York City, Washington D.C., etc. On June 23, Mr. Bob Lunny, who was one of the crew members of the ship “Meredith Victory” and 5 Koreans visited us in memory of Br. Marinus and his heroic act and humanitarian mission at the evacuation of Hyungnam Harbor during the Korean War. They visited our Abbey cemetery and honored Br. Marinus. On July 28, Fr. Christian Temu, who was a Congregation Secretary, visited us and stayed with us until August 2. On September 6, Abbot Primate Notker visited us and had lunch with us. He came to St. Mary’s Abbey in New Jersey on September 5 for the inauguration of the 75th anniversary of Delbarton School on Sept. 8. In spite of his age, he always looked very energetic and spirited. Abbot President Jeremias and Fr. Stephan Raster came here for the Canonical Visitation from September 16 to 19. The day before, the newly elected prior of St. Joseph Monastery in Korea, Prior Pacomio Choi, arrived with Abbot Blasio Park who came here for the visitation. After the visitation, they went to Cuba and El Rosal to attend the major superiors’ meeting.

III. Canonical Visitation

Abbot Blasio also joined discussions with the visitators. They encouraged and stimulated us to thrive as a community so that we can firmly root the Benedictine monastic way of life in this ground. On the basis of the visitation, Abbot Blasio and brothers made several decisions, after having deeply reflected on where we should focus to realize the goal of the community and its missionary obligations. So we have made the following decisions:

1) Vigils, morning prayer, vespers and Mass are celebrated in Korean. 2) Noon prayer and compline are celebrated in English. 3) However, Mass on Wednesday and Saturday is celebrated in English. In special cases, the language of the liturgy can be determined differently after community notification is announced. 4) The time of the community Sunday Mass changes from 9:00am to 10:30am. 5) We started this schedule on Sunday October 5.

IV. Renovations

The plan to remodel the retreat house is still being promoted. When we submitted the construction proposal to the township on July, the Building committee rejected it because our buildings need fire warning systems and handicap restrooms, etc. Thus, the construction was delayed in order to revise the drawings and prepare for fire equipment, and the cost has more than doubled. Although we asked for help from the congregation at the visitation, we also should pay our own expenses. But it is very difficult for our present financial condition to complete this construction without your help. I humbly and eagerly ask you for help. When we renovate our retreat house, we can accept retreatants and guests in more modern, convenient facilities. Thank you for your prayers and support. May God repay your good deeds with his abundant gifts and grace.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

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

Easter 2014

Dear friends of St. Paul’s Abbey,

Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead by defeating sin and death. Let us rejoice at his triumphant resurrection! From now on, we do not have to worry about anything in our lives because Jesus became our true hope as our savior and Lord. We would like to share the joy of resurrection with you. We also wish the abundant grace of Easter to overflow in you so that you can bear abundant fruit in this blessed Easter season.

Brief Monastery News

We brothers of St. Paul’s Abbey have sincerely sought and followed God’s will and made several development plans in order to deeply implant the Benedictine monastic way of life again in this area. As I mentioned last newsletter, we have properly proceeded with the installation project for showers and toilets in the retreat house rooms with the help of a Korean architect.

Visit of Abbot Blasio Park: On February 20, Abbot Blasio visited us and stayed with us until March 3. He met with all the Korean brothers twice for almost the whole day, talked about many things and made some decisions. In particular, we decided to renovate our retreat house mainly for retreatants. However, we also will install showers and toilets in our brothers’ rooms and expand the monastery area a little more. While Abbot Blasio was in the USA, he attended Abbots’ and Priors’ workshop at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama from Feb. 21 to Feb. 25. He asked for some help from the abbots who have colleges and seminaries because he plans to send some Korean brothers to America to study. I also attended the meeting with him.

Our Brothers: Fr. Augustine So, who came here in 2011, returned to Waegwan Abbey in January. Now he works at the Abbey library. On April 25, Br. Mario Kim, who worked at the library in Waegwan Abbey, came here. He will be given his new assignment after having some time to adjust. The second Abbot of St. Paul’s Abbey, Abbot Emeritus Augustine Hinches, moved to a nursing home run by Dominican sisters in Caldwell, NJ on March 4. He worked and made good efforts for our community with his whole strength in spite of his Parkinson’s disease. Our brothers occasionally visit him. I ask you to pray for Abbot Augustine. Br. Matthias Yoo visited Korea for his home vacation for two months. Fr. Odilo also went to Korea for 2 weeks to attend the funeral mass for his sister-in-law. During Lent, Korean priests helped several Korean communities to hear confessions and gave some lectures. On February 6, Br. Luke had eye surgery once again because a fragment of cataract fell into his eye during the last surgery and it was successfully removed. After the surgery, Br. Luke along with Br. Bernardo Lee and Br. Ezekiel Kim attended the celebration of Consecrated Life with Evening Prayer presided by our local Bishop Serratelli at St. Philip in Clifton, NJ. Br. Ezekiel prayed one of the intercessions in Korean. On March 29, Abbot Justin returned to Namibia after having medical treatment for several months in the U.S.A.

Vocation Guests: Mr. Jong-kun Chris John Han and Mr. John Cho visited our community in January and in March respectively. They are both from the West coast. Mr. Jinmo Paul Chong will join our community on June 4. He was supposed to come here in March, but he asked me to postpone his entry until June because of his father’s eye surgery in May.

Guests: From January up to now, many guests have visited us, especially on March 21, the Solemnity of Passing of our Holy Father Benedict. Fr. Edward and Fr. Benoit from St. Vincent Archabbey visited us and stayed with us until the next day. They work at the Saint Benedict Education Foundation for Saint Anselmo in Rome. Around 6 people attended the Easter Triduum Retreat from Thursday, April 17 to Sunday April 20. Fr. Michael Goonan and Fr. Sebastian Lee, who are priests of the Society of St. Paul in Staten Island, visited us and attended the Easter Triduum Liturgy. Several Koreans and Americans attended Easter Vigil Mass and shared the joy and glory of the Lord’s resurrection with us.

Dear friends,

March 15 was the 90th Anniversary of Foundation of Newton monastery. We Korean brothers have lived here for 12 years since we received stewardship from the American community. Soon it will be the 100th Anniversary of Foundation. We have sincerely tried to root our monastic way of life in this area, but it is not easy. There are many problems and difficulties, especially old and worn-out monastery buildings. Last year, we renovated roofing on the retreat house wing. This year, we have a plan to install showers and toilets in the rooms of the retreat house. We expect that our retreatants and guests will stay here more comfortably. I would like to ask you for help in order to faithfully seek and follow God’s will as monks and missionaries. Once again, we thank you for your generosity. May the Risen Lord give you and your loved ones his abundant grace and love.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

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