Easter  2012

Dear friends of St. Paul’s Abbey,

Happy Easter! May the risen Lord give you and your loved ones His abundant grace, peace and happiness. Wishing the abundant grace of Easter to overflow in you and your beloved ones, I give you our brief monastery news.

10th Anniversary of Receiving the Stewardship: On December 15, 2001, Fr. Bosco and five other Korean brothers arrived at Newton and received the Stewardship of the Abbey from the American community on January 25, 2002 the feast of Conversion of St. Paul, Titular and patron of the monastery. Ten years later, we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Receiving the Stewardship from the American community, again on January 25 the Conversion of St. Paul. Around 70 people joined our celebration at 11:00 am. After the mass, we invited them for lunch. Fr. Samuel Kim gave thanks to the friends and benefactors for their prayers and help. He also gave some special thanks to American confreres Abbot Joel, Abbot Augustine and Br. Luke for their fraternal love and cooperation.

 Guests: Abbot Simon Ri visited us from Feb. 24 until March 1. He met each of our brothers and had a conference with us. He asked us to keep trying to prosper and firmly plant the Benedictine monastic way of life in this ground and to help both Korean and American communities with our mission works, giving witness to the Gospel. Besides Abbot Simon, several guests visited us. In January, our guests were Fr. Stephanus Kim, who works in China, Br. Nicodemo, who studies at St. Martin Abbey, Sr. Maria Goretti Yi, the sister of Fr. Odilo, and Ms. Maria Ji-young Khong, the author of several best sellers in Korea. She interviewed the American brothers and looked around our monastery because she came here to write a novel about Br. Marinus, who saved 14,000 refugees at Hungnam harbor during the Korean War. February brought the arrival of Fr. John Won-hee Lee, a priest of Eujungbu Diocese in Korea who has a sabbatical year. He will stay with us until April 17. A different Fr. John, who is an Indian priest, made a retreat for one week. In March, Fr. Matthew Choi, a Jesuit priest, gave a 9 day retreat to four Koreans staying with us. While he was with us, he heard the confessions of our brothers. May the Risen Lord give his blessings to all the guests and visitors.

Our Brothers: Prior Fr. Samuel together with Abbot Joel attended an annual abbots and priors meeting at St. Joseph Abbey in Louisiana from Feb. 10 to 14. He also visited the Korean community in Calgary, Canada to give some Lenten lectures from March 21 to 26. Abbot Joel helped celebrate Masses several times for the Hermits of Carmel in Chester and St. Joseph’s Parish in Newton. On Feb. 23, he went to Kumily monastery in India until March 14 and then visited the Langata Study House in Nairobi, Kenya until March 23. Although Abbot Augustine has Parkinson’s disease, he is in good health so that he sometimes can walk instead of driving his moto-wheelchair. He was congratulated on his 82nd birthday on Feb. 17. Also in February, Fr. Bosco went to the Korean community in Chicago to celebrate Masses for 2 weeks while the pastor was absent. We helped celebrate Masses and gave lectures for several Korean communities such as Rockland, Poughkeepsee, Edison and Princeton. We also helped the American community at Good Shepherd Parish near St. Paul’s Abbey. Fr. Augustine So went to the Korean community in Columbus, Ohio to give some Lenten lectures from March 24 to 26.

Every year, we are invited by the Benedictine community of St. Walburga Convent to join their Vespers and dinner to celebrate the Feast of St. Scholastica on Feb. 10. This year, Br. Luke and some brothers attended Vespers and had dinner with them. We were also invited by Bishop Serratelli of Paterson Diocese to join him for Vespers and a reception to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life at St. Philip’s parish on Feb. 19. Br. Luke and Br. Bernardo attended the event. Beginning this year, the Korean government gave the right to vote to citizens who live abroad. Thus, on March 29, several Korean brothers went to the Korean Consulate in Manhattan to vote for the members of the National Assembly in Korea.

We have to report unhappy news about our brothers. On January 31, Deacon Bede Na’s father, Mr. Jacob Na passed away after a car accident. Deacon Bede went to Korea to attend the Funeral Mass. Fr. Peter Ahn, who was assigned to St. Paul’s Abbey in 2002, returned to Waegwan Abbey in Korea on March 15 after being assigned as an Abbey secretary. On April 1, his father Mr. Francis Xavier Ahn, also passed away due to heart failure at the age of 81. Please pray for the souls of Mr. Jacob Na and Mr. Francis Xavier Ahn for eternal happiness and life in the bosom of God.

Dear friends of St. Paul’s Abbey,

As always we are thankful for your kindness and good friendship. We realize that your help is very important to us in order to live our monastic way of life and serve mission works. We hope that you can feel God’s love, mercy and peace through the works and prayers of our community. We keep praying for you and your loved ones so that Jesus Christ will repay your good deeds with abundant gifts and grace, especially Easter grace. May the Risen Lord’s peace and happiness remain with you always.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

 Fr. Samuel Kim, OSB, Prior
and the monks of St. Paul’s Abbey

2011년 성령강림 대축일

뉴튼 수도원을 아끼시는 은인 친지 여러분,

올 초는 유난히 비가 많이 오고 5월 말까지 쌀쌀한 날씨가 계속 되더니 6월인 지금은 서서히 무더운 여름을 향해 나아가고 있습니다. 그리고 성령강림 대축일로 주님의 거룩한 부활시기를 마친 우리들은 이제 연중시기를 맞이하였습니다. 성령의 인도하심으로 주 예수 그리스도의 사랑과 은총 속에서 건강하고 복되게 생활하시길 바라며 우리 뉴튼 수도원의 소식을 전합니다.

부제서품: 나 연수 베다 수사가 5월 20일 저녁 7시 30분에 모리스타운에 있는 Saint Margaret of Scotland 성당에서 페터슨 교구장이신 세라텔리 아더 주교님의 주례로 다른 5명의 신학생들과 함께 부제품을 받았습니다.베다 수사는 우리 한인 수도자들이 뉴튼 수도원으로 온 이래 처음으로 이곳에서 수도서원을 하였고 작년 여름에 한국에서 종신서원을 하였습니다. 베다 수사는 현재 피정의 집과 캠프장을 책임지고 일하고 있습니다.

성소주일 행사: 매년 동북부 사제 회의의 주관으로 우리 수도원에서 성소주일 행사를 갖고 있는데, 올해는 비가 온다는 소식에 400여명의 학생들과 신자들이 참석하였습니다. 그러나 하느님의 은총으로 아침에 비가 멈춰 사제회의에서 준비한 각종 프로그램에 따라 학생들은 즐거운 시간을 보내고 돌아갈 수 있었습니다. 우리 수도원에서는 안 베드로 신부가 매년 성소주일 행사를 위해 수고하고 있습니다.

손님: 아프리카 탄자니아에서 선교사로 활동 중인 다미아노 신부님이 지난해에 이어 올해도 우리 공동체를 방문하였습니다. 신부님은 탄자니아에서 학교를 운영하고 있는데, 78세라는 연세에도 불구하고 열정적으로 일하고 있습니다. 4월 29일에 오신 신부님은 6월 2일 주님 승천 대축일 미사를 집전하신 후 아프리카로 돌아가셨습니다. 아프리카 남쪽 나미비아에서 수녀원 지도 신부로 있는 저스틴 아빠스님도 4월 28일에 우리 공동체를 방문해서 함께 지내며 건강 검진과 치료를 받고 있으며 7월 경에 아프리카로 돌아갈 예정입니다. 페터슨 교구의 첫 한인 신부인 이 마이클 신부가 6월 3일 우리 공동체를 방문하여 우리를 위해 미사를 집전하였습니다. 이 마이클 신부는 우리 한인 수도자들이 이곳에 온 이래 여러 가지로 많은 도움을 주고 있는 이 막달레나 자매님의 아들로서 지난 5월 28일에 페터슨 교구에서 사제로 서품 되었습니다.

수도원 형제들 소식: 싱그러운 5월을 맞이하여 우리 공동체는 5월 27일 수도원 근처 Stoke State Forest로 봄소풍을 다녀왔습니다. 아름다운 자연 속에서 함께 기도하고 음식을 나누며 형제애를 나누는 시간을 가졌습니다.

5월 28일에는 김 요한 보스코 신부님과 몇몇 형제들이 페터슨 교구 소속 이 마이클 신부의 사제서품식에 참여하였으며, 6월 7일에는 페터슨 교구 주교님의 집전으로 교구 소속 사제들과 수도 사제들 중에 서품 은경축과 금경축 그리고 60주년 및 40주년을 맞이하는 사제들을 초청하여 함께 축하 미사를 봉헌하였는데, 우리 수도원에서는 올 7월 5일에 사제서품 40주년을 맞이하는 김 보스코 신부님이 초청을 받았습니다.

수도원 행사 및 피정 안내

7월에는 큰 행사가 세 번이나 있을 예정입니다. 먼저 7월 5일은 김 보스코 신부님의 사제서품 40주년 기념일입니다. 그래서 동북부에서 사목하시는 성직자와 수도자들, 그리고 은인 및 친지들을 초청하여 축하 미사와 점심을 함께 할 예정입니다. 축하 미사는 오전 11시며 참석 하실 분들은 미리 편지나 전화로 연락 주시기 바라며, 전화는 유 마티아 부원장 수사 (973-670-9839)에게 6월 27일까지 연락하시기 바랍니다. 그리고 7월 8일 오후 3시부터 10일 오후 2시까지 서울 카톨릭 대학교 최 호영 신부님을 초청하여 음악 치유 피정을 합니다. 피정에 대한 문의는 나 베다 부제 (973-803-2929)에게 하시고, 교회 음악의 대가인 최 신부님의 음악 치유 피정에 많은 분들이 참석하여 은혜를 받으시길 바랍니다.

7월 23일 오전 11시에 뉴튼 수도원에서 처음으로 종신 서원식이 있습니다. 이 베르나르도 수사가 이번에 종신서원을 하게 되는데, 왜관 수도원의 이 시몬 아빠스님이 주례를 하십니다. 미사 후에 축하식이 있으니 바쁘시더라도 오셔서 베르나르도 수사를 위해 기도해 주시고 함께 기뻐해 주시기를 바랍니다. 참석 하시고자 하는 분들은 유 마티아 부원장 수사 (973-670-9839)에게 연락하시기 바랍니다.

뉴튼 수도원을 아끼시고 사랑하시는 은인 여러분,

우리 공동체가 이곳에 온지 12월이면 벌써 10년이 됩니다. 선교사와 수도자로 이 지역에 빛과 소금의 역할을 충실히 하고자 노력하지만 여러 가지 어려움, 특히 경제적인 어려움이 따르는 게 사실입니다. 그래서 현재 수도원에서는 전기와 난방비를 절약하기 위해 태양열 이용 가능성을 알아보고, 낡고 오래된 보일러를 교체하기 위해 준비 중입니다. 그리고 올 1월 25일에 첫 서원을 한 김 마리누스 수사가 9월부터 Oregon 주에 있는 마운트 엔젤 수도원 신학교에서 신학 공부를 시작하게 됩니다. 늦은 나이에 신학 공부를 시작하는 마리누스 수사에게 힘과 용기를 주시고 도움도 부탁드립니다. 마리누스 수사 뿐 아니라 앞으로 공부하게 될 학생들을 위해 성소 후원비를 보내주시면 정말 감사드리겠습니다. 우리 공동체를 위해 여러 가지로 도움을 주시는 모든 분들께 다시 한 번 감사드리며 주님의 풍성한 사랑과 은총이 여러분과 사랑하는 모든 분들께 가득 깃들기를 바라며 기도하겠습니다.

감사합니다.

뉴튼 수도원에서
김 사무엘원장 신부와 형제 일동드림

PAX

St Paul’s Abbey, Newton, NJ                           Summer 2010

Dear Friends of the Abbey,

 The summer of 2010 gives a new meaning to the phrase, “hazy, hot, and humid.” This has been a good growing season both for our tree farm and the kitchen garden, just not too great for people. Let us hope for more comfortable weather in the fall. Now I’ll try to fill you in on the news from here.

 

THE COMMUNITY IS GROWING

 

Over the past few months, the community here at St. Paul’s has increased:

>Br. Pontiano Kim, who lived here previously in 1999 and 2000, has returned from Korea and is supervising our food service.

>Br. Bede Na has returned to us. He was in our motherhouse in Korea where he made his solemn profession.

>Br. Bermardo Lee has returned to us with a new religious worker visa after a one year hiatus inKorea.

>Two postulants, Messrs. John Suh, previously of Atlanta and Japan, and Thomas Cho, previously of Los Angeles and Korea, joined our community in June.

VISITORS

 

On July 20^th, Abbot Simon Ri came for his annual visit. On July 22^nd  he presided at the investiture of the new postulants, brother John and brother Thomas. The abbot spoke to the community on various subjects: the recent canonical visitation, our mission work, the condition of the community and our future. He visited two of the Korean parishes which we serve, the community in Demarest and the Long Island Korean communities.

On April 19 two financial visitators examined our financial practices and were able to suggest several modifications to improve our operating procedures.

Archabbot Jeremias visited in mid-July as a follow-up to an earlier canonical visitation. He was able to suggest approaches to our administrative procedures.

Mr. Wonjune Kim and a production team from a film company in Korea visited our monastery in connection with Br. Marinus LaRue. He was the merchant marine captain who transported 14,000 refuges during the Hamheung evacuation in the Korean War. This company is making a documentary film about the Korean War as part of the 60^th anniversary remembrance of the beginning of the War; the Hamheung evacuation is an important part of that story. Both Abbot Joel and Father Bosco were interviewed by the production team.

Ms. Hyun Suk Kim, a staff reporter of the Voice of America, Korean Service, also interviewed Abbot Joel and Fr. Bosco about Brother Marinus in connection with a VOA program that was to be broadcast into North Korea.

Fr. Mattaeo Kim of Waegwan stayed with us for a couple of weeks while he coordinated the sale of Korean books published by our Bundo Press in Waegwan.

On June 22^nd four Korean Benedictine Sisters from LA visited with us while they were en route to an annual retreat at Huntington Seminary on Long Island.

BROTHERS

Prior Samuel traveled to Los Angeles to attend the General Assembly of Korean Priests in the USA. He offered several retreats in various parishes and here at the monastery. He also planted 19 cherry trees along the driveway of the monastery and made several decorative plantings around Subiaco.

Subprior Matthias traveled with Fr. Bosco to attend the diaconal ordination of Rev. Mr. Michael Lee, the son of Mrs. Magdalena Lee. He also traveled with Abbot Joel and Br. Pontiano to Schuyler to participate in the 75^th anniversary celebration of the foundation of the Schuyler monastery on July 11, 2010.

Abbot Joel traveled to Kumily, India in May. Fr. Bosco went to St. Meinrad Archabbey for a Formation Directors’ meeting. He also was retreat master for a meditation retreat. His retreats will be held four times a year.

Br. Luke attended a Christian Brothers Medical Program Trustee meeting in Chicago in May. Fr. Peter led a pilgrimage for the Legio Mariae to Fatima, Portugal. Deacon Owen was hospitalized on March 24^th for heart problems. He had open-heart surgery on April 8th, then convalesced in theBarn Hill Care Center and returned home to the monastery on May 3^rd.

Fr. Michael Na, a Korean Air Force Chaplain and a friend of Prior Samuel, visited St. Paul’s. Fr. Na. came to the US to improve his English and will study in Buffalo.

SPECIAL EVENTS

>A flea market was held near the Gift Shop parking lot by the Don Bosco Columbiettes in April.

>On Vocation Sunday, May 2^nd, 800 children visited and enjoyed a picnic here.

>On May 26 our community went to Jones Beach, Long Island for a spring outing.

>On June 27, sixty people from Dail Korean Protestant community held a retreat in our retreat house.

>On July 1 a Dallas, Texas Korean community held a retreat.

>July 11^th we celebrated the feast day of our Holy Father Benedict. We had a cookout on our back lawn and invited the local priests to celebrate with us.

Well that seems to be about all for now, so I think I’ll sign off till next time.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Samuel Kim, O.S.B.