Newsletter – 2024 Summer (E)

“In all things, God may be glorified” *¹
“모든 일에서 하느님은 영광 받으소서” *²

August 15, 2024

Dear friends of St. Paul’s Abbey,

The sweltering heat of summer has now broken, and the smell of fall can be felt in the air this morning. May the great grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you all, and I write to you with news of the monastery’s centennial and the Masses to celebrate it. As we shared in our last newsletter, this year marks 100 years since the Benedictine monks of the Congregation of St. Ottilien in Germany laid the foundation and began their religious life here in Newton in 1924. Coincidentally, Catholic Peace Broadcasting Co. in Korea visited our community to make a documentary on the centennial of St. Paul’s Abbey from June 19-30. They will make a film about a brief history of St. Paul’s Abbey, the story of Br. Marinus, who saved 14,000 people in Hungnam during the Korean War, the background and process of how Waegwan Abbey, came to accept St. Paul’s Abbey, and what life is like at the monastery today. The documentary will air in Korea in late September or early October and will also be available on YouTube.

We met with the architect to discuss our plans for renovating the monastery chapel. We plan to keep the renovation simple and realistic, but the cost of construction is high, so we are cautiously asking for your help. If you would like to help us renovate and refurbish the monastery church, please come and make a donation in person or send us a check or bank transfer.

On Sunday, October 6, at 11 a.m., we will celebrate our 100th anniversary Mass, presided over by Abbot Blasio Hyun-dong Park of Wagwan Abbey, followed by a time of lunch, thanksgiving for the Lord’s grace, and joy. Since we are expecting many guests, including our confreres from Waegwan Abbey and other monasteries in our congregation, we would appreciate it if you could let us know by September 20 if you plan to attend the October 6 event. (Fr. Samuel Kim: kimuel@gmail.com, 973-670-9511; Br. Matthias Yu: 973-670-9839) However, we regret to inform you that the large number of monks from Wagwan Abbey and other monasteries attending the October 6 event will make it difficult for us to accommodate you at the retreat house. If you are unable to participate in this event, you are always welcome to visit us at St. Paul’s Abbey, and we hope that you will come and spend a gracious time with us in praise of the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, our community is ever grateful for your prayers and support, and we hope and pray that the Lord’s great grace and love will abound to you and your families.

Thank you.      

How to support St. Paul’s Abbey:

Checks:

Payable to St. Paul’s Abbey.

Please include the enclosed donation card (indicating general or Church renovation) and your check in the return envelope and send it to the Abbey.

Zelle:

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

After you send your donation, please call or text the above number and let us know your name and your intention of donation (general or Church renovation). If you include your address, we will send you a letter for your tax deduction.

ACH:

Bank Name: New Millennium Bank
Routing No. 021213371
Acct No.: 40040000560
Acct Name: St. Paul’s Abbey

After you send a donation, please call or text us at 973-222-2728 with your name and intention of donation (general or Church renovation). Include your address, and we will send you a letter for your tax deduction.

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

Translated by deepl.com and revised.

1. RB 57.9 ↩︎
2. RB 57.9 ↩︎