2022 - Year in Review

The Year 2022 in Review 

“The Lord bless you and keep you!

The Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!

The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!”

The blessing from the Book of Numbers is well known and used in liturgical prayer by all Christian denominations. This blessing is very dear to me. I am writing the first blog message for the mission office during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18 through 25).  At the Last Supper, Jesus prayed that his followers be one! History and events of long ago have brought division. It took decades before religious leaders could overcome obstacles and sit face to face to address issues that unite us, but also what still divides us. Thank God, the dialogue is ongoing! As followers of Jesus let us embrace the call of The Joy of the Gospel to which Pope Francis invites us all.  Let us live our faith joyfully and be a light in the darkness of our world and a beacon of hope!

Let me share with you about our monastic community in Schuyler, our ministries and give you a report of fundraising activities in 2022. Without the prayerful and financial support of many friends we would not be able to help with projects of the Missionary Benedictines around the world and out outreach to those in need. This outreach happens also here in the United States.

Christ the King Priory is a dependent house of the Abbey of Muensterschwarzach, Germany. In 1935, our pioneers settled in the heartland of America, taking up residence in an empty standing convent in Schuyler, Nebraska, that formerly served as school for home economics, etc. operated by the Notre Dame Sisters of Omaha. From here our “good will ambassadors” travelled to almost ever state to find new friends and supporters. Today we must use technology and direct mail in finding new friends.

We remain committed to the personal approach that our pioneer monks handed down to us!

Monks of Christ the King Priory:

            Fr. Anastasius Reiser, OSB                            Prior

            Fr. Adam Patras, OSB                                    Subprior and Cellerar

            Br. Sebastian Goldade, OSB                        Vestment Department

            Fr. Tom Hillenbrand, OSB                             Pastoral Ministry

            Fr. Volker Futter, OSB                                   Oblate Director, Librarian

            Br. Tobias Dammert, OSB                             Director of Development

            Fr. Thomas Leitner, OSB                               Administrator of St. Benedict Center

            Br. Andrew Fuller, OSB                                 Bookstore Manager

Confreres on assignment:        Fr. Paul Kasun, OSB  St. Benedict Priory, El Rosal, Colombia

                                                Fr. Jacques Missihoun, OSB, Abbey of the Incarnation, Agbang, Togo

For the past 6 years, Fr. Joel Macul, OSB, served our community as its prior. On January 15, 2023, he handed over the responsibilities to Fr. Anastasius. We thank Fr. Joel for his energy and leadership and wish him God’s blessings as he returns to his monastery of profession, St. Paul’s Abbey in Newton, NJ.

Despite the challenges of the corona virus and its variances, you responded generously to our appeals. Your financial support in 2022 helped with these projects:

• St. Michael’s Priory, Kumily, Kerala: renovation of monks’ residence and formation house in Malom and expansion of rubber tree plant - $119,708.00

• Our Lady Help of Christians Abbey, Ndanda, Tanzania: ongoing formation and education for hospital staff - $125,961.00

• African Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady Help of Christians, Mwanza, Tanzania: student hostel for their schools - $121,849.00

• Congregation of St. Ottilien: operating cost of our study houses in Kenya and Zambia & student fees - $80,048.00

• Christmas Appeal 2022 – general mission support  (as of 1-20-23) - $241,792,00

• Website Christmas Appeal 2022 – photovoltaic systems for African monasteries - $13,210.00

• Mass offerings  (Masses have been celebrated with the help of missionaries) - $148,173.00

In 2022, the total income from appeals, regular mail, and bequests came to $3,386,068.28 with the average donation of almost $200.00.

In our appeal letters we always stress that you, the donor, have your own needs and obligations and that these must come first. A big thank you to all our friends who supported our work again financially and with their payers.

We try to find new supporters through personal contact, referrals, and mailings. In 2022 we received help from over 2,000 new donors, acquired through mailings or who found us on the internet. The average donation from these new friends came to $42.03. Many remained faithful supporters beyond their initial gift. The promotional mailing seeks support for our hospitals, farming and environment, clean water, and support of education in Africa and Asia.

In 2022, we mailed #1,014.057 pieces of appeal letters to friends and potential donors. Our expenses are covered from investment income, a fund that was established many years ago. We do not hire consultants. However, printing and bulk mailings are outsourced to a company in Omaha.

All incoming mail receives personal attention and, if possible, is acknowledged the very same day. Postage increases do not stop us: all gifts are acknowledged, even a $1.00 gift because we believe that the proverbial “widows mite” adds to the funds that make outreach possible and successful. It is also our policy that 100% of the donations are used for the purpose indicated by the donor.

The total income of 2022 includes funds from bequests that have been used towards projects if the Last Will and Testament did not state a specific purpose. My predecessor once wrote a brochure “The Law has no Soul.” Hopefully this helpful information can be reprinted and shared. Contact us if you have any questions concerning how to make a charitable bequest in your Last Will and Testament.

Our investment portfolio makes it possible that we can reach out to Schuyler community through the Ministerial Association in addition to support education for underprivileged youths, with outreach to the Native American communities, our retreat ministry, natural disaster relief, assistance to our motherhouse in Germany and its ministries and requests from communities working with the Missionary Benedictines.  

Finally, the work as Development Director/Mission Procurator is teamwork. I am grateful to my coworkers in the data entry and correspondence office, Wendy and Mara; to my brother monks Andrew, Adam and Anastasius who keep an eye on me while I count money for the bank deposit; to the coworkers in the IT, finance and administration departments: Mary, Paul, and Pam.  

Our common mission is, as St. Benedict says:
THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD BE GLORIFIED!

Be assured of our prayers for you and your intentions! Thank you and may our God shower many graces and blessings upon you as we journey through 2023.

Br. Tobias Dammert, OSB
and the team of the Mission Office

Advent Message

An Advent Message from Bro. Tobias Dammert, OSB

A Message from Bro. Tobias in the Mission Office

An All Souls Message from Bro. Tobias, OSB

Monastic Life - Africa (Hanga Abbey)

We are pleased to share with you video #4 that the Conference of Mission Procurators commissioned. It features monastic life at St. Maurus Abbey, Hanga, Tanzania.

Other videos on the Benedictine Mission House Blog:

October 2021     Education – Ndanda Abbey
March 2022         Healthcare – Ndanda Hospital
May 2022             Environment – Holy Spirit Abbey, Mvimwa

We Missionary Benedictines are grateful for the prayerful and financial support of so many friends. God bless you and reward you.

During the upcoming Nine Day Novena of Prayer and Holy Mass from August 6 through 15, your needs and intentions will be included in our prayers.

On behalf of the monks of Christ the King Priory/Benedictine Mission House

  ~ Br. Tobias, OSB

The Environment – God’s Gift to Humankind! (Mvimwa, Tanzania)

Natural disasters challenge us to treasure the environment and care for it. As Missionary Benedictines, we try to make an effort wherever we serve to care for the earth and its many gifts, especially the crops we harvest for our daily sustenance.

The Conference of Mission Procurators’ dispatched the videographer team to Holy Spirit Abbey in Mvimwa, Tanzania, to capture not only the beauty of the land, but also to highlight what with proper use of modern technology can be achieved.

The friends and supporters of the Benedictine Mission House have generously reached out to our monks of Mvimwa over the years, with farming projects towards self-sustainability, support of their schools and the building of a beautiful abbey church.

Thank you for all that you do for us so that we can help others!

Br. Tobias, OSB

Mission Procurator – Benedictine Mission House

Healthcare Project in Tanzania

With the newly released video on healthcare, commissioned by the Procurators’ Conference of our Congregation, we highlight the work you, dear friends, made possible thanks to your prayerful and financial support.

Ndanda Abbey in Tanzania is not only a spiritual center for clergy, religious, and laity, but also a “monastic village” that has grown around the monastery with retreat house, workshops, schools, and especially its hospital.

Enjoy this video and at the same time accept our THANK YOU for being faithful supporters of the Mission House in Schuyler, NE, whenever we present a project. Healthcare is certainly the #1 priority, followed by education. Ndanda Hospital still depends on support from people of goodwill. The manifestation of the healing power of Jesus is evident in our outreach to the sick, thanks to your help.

Br. Tobias, OSB

Mission Procurator – Benedictine Mission House

A Message from Bro. Tobias in the Mission Office

Greetings during this First Week of Lent!

Please know that we monks remember you in our prayers, especially at the celebration of daily Eucharist.
We certainly live in challenging times with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine going on and the many suffering people and refugees. Let us pray fervently that the Holy Spirit will guide world leaders as they seek a peaceful solution. There has been too much bloodshed already and destruction.
People of good will have responded to relief efforts. God bless all who care for their neighbors without even knowing them.

On a more positive site:
Fr. Urbanus, OSB of Holy Spirit Abbey in Mvimwa, Tanzania, reported of his pastoral ministry among the people of Kate parish. In the picture, you see Father visiting the sick and elderly on Ash Wednesday for the distribution of Ashes.

Catechists from the parish participated in a workshop given at Mvimwa and concluded the day with the visit to the Marian Shrine. Friends of the Mission House have reached out to Mvimwa Abbey many times and supported especially the pastoral ministries of the monks.

God bless our Lenten journey!
Br. Tobias, OSB

PS: Check out the current appeal on our website and if the Holy Spirit moves you, and your financial resources permit, help our brothers of St. Michael’s Priory in Kumily, Kerala. Thank you!

Thank You from Benedictine Mission House

Through the generosity of our friends from near and far, we could again respond to individual requests of missionaries and help not only our monasteries in Africa , Asia, Europe and South America, but with specific projects.

Lent Appeal
Christ the King Priory, Tororo, Uganda
Housing and assistance towards self-sustainability

Sacred Heart Appeal
St. Therese Priory, Katibunga, Zambia
Farming and poultry project

Novena Appeal
Hanga Abbey – Coland Secondary School
Dormitory and monks residence

All Souls Appeal
Blessed Gerard Care Center, Mandeni, South Africa
Outreach ministry of Fr. Gerard Lagleder to orphans, sick, Aids victims, etc.

Christmas Appeal
General help to all our monasteries and convents we assist on a regular basis.

Without your help, all this would not have been possible. We Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory are grateful and promise to keep you and your intentions always in our prayers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022!

Bro. Tobias Dammert, OSB

An Update from Katibunga

I am happy to share with our friends information provided by Fr. Javier, the Mission Procurator of our Congregation. The friends of the Mission House have generously supported projects for St. Theresa Monastery of Katibunga. Just this year, our friends helped the community with the poultry and farming project, one initiative the community took towards self-sustainability.
Thank you for your help.
Prayerful good wishes for a blessed Advent!

Br. Tobias, OSB

All Saints/All Souls Message

An All Saints/All Souls Day Message from our Bro. Tobias,

Mission Sunday

Each year during October, the Church observes World Mission Sunday. This day is set apart to invite us for reflection that Jesus asked his disciples to bring the Gospel message to the end of the world. As followers of Jesus, let us reflect what our mission is. There are many opportunities locally and globally.
Pope Francis invites us to be joyful witnesses of the Gospel.

The Conference of Mission Procurators of our Congregation released a new video just in time for World Mission Sunday. Learn about our efforts of sharing knowledge and skills by watching the video covering education in the Ndanda area of Tanzania.

We Missionary Benedictines thank all our friends and supporters for their prayerful and financial support of our ministries whenever your financial resources permit.

Join us for the celebration of Holy Mass on Mission Sunday, October 24, at 9 AM at St. Benedict Center.

Br. Tobias, OSB

Tis the Season!

YEAR END GIVING

During this last quarter of 2021, individuals and couples examine their financial resources, deciding how to make an impact on ministries of a charitable organization they like to support.
Thank you for considering the Benedictine Mission House – Christ the King Priory and Saint Benedict Center as beneficiaries.

Congress has incentives in place how your IRA can be of help. Please consult with your financial advisor. Make a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) work for you! Special legislation passed that there would be no RMDs in 2020. This year, the RMD is back for everyone age 72 years and older. Most people do not like to take money from their IRA. The preference is to let it grow and have funds available as needed. However, if you take the RMD, you pay income tax on that distribution.

The IRA Charitable Rollover is an Annual Break for your IRA
While you still must distribute money from your IRA if you are 72 or older, you can do it in a tax-advantage way. Talk with your IRA administrator to determine the best way. Instruct the financial institution to send your IRA donation to the Benedictine Mission House. Your full name and address should be provided so that a proper acknowledgement can be directed to you personally.
• You do not pay income tax on the distribution
• You receive gift acknowledgement for the full amount of the distribution
• You satisfy your RMD up to $100,000
• If you and your spouse have your own IRA, both of you can use the IRA charitable rollover

Do not consider this block post as legal advice since I am no lawyer nor do I claim to be an expert in tax issues. Always consult with the experts.

We Missionary Benedictines truly appreciate your friendship, prayer, and financial support whenever possible.

God’s choicest blessings!

Br. Tobias, OSB
Mission Procurator and Director of Development

Disclaimer: above information is based on legislative information provided by The NonProfit Alliance and the Office of Stewardship of the Archdiocese of Omaha

Summer Message from Bro. Tobias

Summer 2021

It has been some time since I gave an update on fundraising appeals to which our friends so generously responded in spite of the uncertainty what needs might come up due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

The healing touch of Jesus is at work and we thank God that vaccination and other precautionary measures have kept our community safe. Sure, we too deal with occasional health issues and pray that by the grace of God we can continue our ministries. Work at the retreat house is going well with more groups attending programs and individuals seeking assistance for the spiritual journey through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or a session in spiritual direction.

In late June, I facilitated a program with the title “Jesus the Divine Healer.” It was a powerful experience as we shared in Lectio Divina and Visio Divina – the prayerful reading of a Gospel passage and using the images of “The Two Cures” from The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition that is on permanent display at St. Benedict Center.

On the Solemnity of St. Benedict, July 11, we welcomed back the faithful from the surrounding area and retreatants to celebrate Eucharist with us. After 18 months of no congregation for liturgy, it sure was a blessing to be together with others, yet observing social distancing and voluntary mask recommendation.

A word of thanks!

Our friends from near and far reach out to us so that we can help others. This is so evident in the appeals that we mailed earlier this year and posted on our website. As a fundraiser for the various ministries of the Missionary Benedictines around the world, and as directed by the Conference of Mission Procurators, our office raised during Lent $140,000 to help our monks in Tororo, Uganda. The Sacred Heart appeal mailed in May gives us the opportunity to help the monks of St. Theresa Priory in Katibunga, Zambia, with $140,000 for the poultry project and the needed financial support towards self-sustainability. In an email, dated August 25, I was happy to bring greetings to our friends from the monks of Hanga Abbey stationed at Coland Secondary School and their students for the support of their renovation and expansion project.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO DO SO THAT WE CAN HELP OTHERS

As of August 25, we raised $84,000 for Coland Secondary School in Tanzania. The budget for the project presented to the Conference of Mission Procurators estimated the total cost at $94,000. I am confident that we can reach the goal eventually. I encouraged our confreres not to give up hope!

On the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, August 15, we concluded the Nine Day Novena of Prayer and Holy Mass for the intentions of the benefactors. Our heavenly Mother Mary, I am sure, will intercede with her Divine Son for you and your loved ones.

Outlook

In early September, the pre-chapter conference series will take place as a virtual event at which I will represent our office. This video conference series brings members of our international Congregation of Missionary Benedictines together. The promoter for the General Chapter 2022 is aware of the various time zones involved so that representatives from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas can meet together. Technology makes such meetings possible. I hope that international travel without too many restrictions is possible by the time the General Chapter 2022 will take place at St. Ottilien, Germany.

Occasionally professional experts reach out to us offering their services. I decline such services since it is our policy that all funds raised go 100% to the project or as directed by our friends and supporters. Unfortunately, ways of finding new friends is an expense we have to absorb. For this, we rely on the help of a reliable vendor and friend. We cover our expenses with the income of an endowment fund established many years ago.

Even with the new postage rates going into effect on August 29, we will continue communicating with you, our friends by sending our acknowledgements as soon as possible and as personal using first class postage. You deserve this and this is our promise to you!

Our world is in great need of God’s healing touch so that nations can live in peace. We are witnesses of the ongoing acts of terrorism and ethnic divisions. Let us pray for peace and for the Church as it experiences many trials.  In one of my favorite hymns, written by Sr. Delores Dufner O.S.B. of St. Benedict Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, we sing:

Then let us go to serve in peace, the gospel to proclaim,

God’s Spirit has empowered us; we go in Jesus name.

Soon you will receive the invitation to send us the names of your departed loved ones for the daily remembrance at Mass during November. The departed loved ones are our intercessors with God.

In the meantime, stay healthy and know that we think of you and pray for you!

Gratefully,

                        Bro. Tobias, OSB

Project Update from Bro. Tobias

Dear friends!

Br. Cassian Mhawa of Peramiho Abbey, on behalf of the community, and especially the administration and staff of Peramiho Hospital expressed again appreciation for the support received from the friends of the Benedictine Mission House. After learning of the murder of a visiting mother in one of the staff houses associated with the hospital, the Conference of Mission Procurators agreed to help with a safe housing project. The pictures show the work in progress made possible in 2020 by our friends, especially in memory of mothers. We monks pray that our Lord shower many graces and blessings upon you as we continue to reach out to others, in the spirit of Jesus and that all lives matter.

Gratefully:

Br. Tobias, OSB
Mission Procurator

A Message from Bro. Tobias in the Mission Office

Dear friends!

Words fail me in expressing the gratitude for your faithful financial and prayerful support whenever a project is presented to your attention.

Today it gives me great joy communicating to you a word of gratitude of Abbot Pambo of Holy Spirit Abbey in Mvimwa, Tanzania, and his community.

His Excellency, Archbishop Marek, Papal Nuncio to Tanzania, consecrated the new abbey church, assisted by Abbot Pambo and several bishops and abbots, monks from Ndanda, Peramiho, Hanga and Katibunga and a multitude of religious sisters and faithful. 

The Conference of Mission Procurators was represented by Br. Dr. Ansgar Stuefe, OSB, former Procurator of the Congregation but still in charge of overseeing the work at our hospitals in Africa.

Abbot Pambo renewed the solemn promise to keep all the benefactors of our various mission offices in Europe, United States and Asia in prayer. With the generosity of so many, Mvimwa Abbey developed to its present status in the Church of Tanzania with its pastoral ministry,  social outreach and  education services.

 With deep gratitude for your support, in the name of Abbot Pambo and community

 Br. Tobias, OSB

Project Update - Peramiho!

Br. Cassian of St. Benedict Abbey in Peramiho reports that the staff housing for which we asked for financial assistance in May of last year are now being constructed. These houses will provide safe shelter in a gated complex with guards on duty. Unfortunately this project was initiated following a robbery and murder before safety measures were in place.

Thank you to all our friends who helped us in funding the housing project in honor of Mother’s Day, remembering also mothers who have gone to their eternal reward.

Blessings and Peace for Holy Week and Easter

Br. Tobias, OSB

The Benches are Fixed!!

The monks of Christ the King Priory – Benedictine Mission House, rejoice with the community of Holy Spirit Abbey in Mvimwa, Tanzania, at the completion of their church to be dedicated on Pentecost. The original plan called for the Feast of St. Benedict, March 21. The pews and choir stalls came from the shops of Ndanda Abbey. The construction of the church and furnishings were made possible through the generosity of many friends and donors in the United States and Europe. To the benefactors of the Mission House in Schuyler a special thank  you for  your prayerful and financial support even in times of the corona pandemic.

On behalf of Abbot Pambo and community: ASANTE SANA – THANK YOU

Br. Tobias, OSB

A Message from the Mission Office & Bro. Tobias

Blessings for the Lenten Journey!

I am writing this message in the hope that you and yours are doing well during these days of winter.

On February 10, we celebrated the Feast of St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, we cancelled our annual pilgrimage to be with our sisters of Immaculata Monastery in nearby Norfolk. No doubt, we remembered all Benedictine women in prayer and gave thanks to God for their witness to the monastic life and the ministries in church and society, especially education and healthcare.

February 11, World Day of the Sick, the Church honored Our Lady of Lourdes. During this time of pandemic, we asked our heavenly Mother for her intercession so that the healing touch of Jesus will restore the sick to better health and that they receive the graces to cope with health related issues.

By now, you may have received our Lenten appeal seeking financial assistance for our brothers of Christ the King Priory in Tororo, Uganda. Thank you for giving this appeal your attention and as your financial situation allows, contribute in response so that the community can continue their important ministries. God will bless and reward you!

In Chapter 49 of The Rule of St. Benedict, we read in verse 7 “…and look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing.” Let us trust that God grant us a time of spiritual renewal that reaches out to the people we encounter and thus bring a new springtime to Church and society.

Pope Francis dedicated this year to the special patronage of St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, and Patron of the Universal Church. I invite you to seek his intercession as part of your Lenten practices. The prayer over the gifts on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, paraphrased here and expanded, may serve as an inspiration:

O God, just as Saint Joseph served with loving care your Only Begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, may we be worthy to reach out to all brothers and sisters, near and far, with a sincere and pure heart. 

Saint Joseph,

… foster-father of Jesus, watch over all families;

… protect all workers, especially those who struggle to make ends meet;

… help us to accept the stranger, especially refugees and immigrants;

… bring us closer to Jesus and obtain the grace for a peaceful hour of death.

Saint, Joseph, pray for us!

Blessings for the journey from all the monks of Christ the King Priory – Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler.
          ~ Bro. Tobias, O.S.B.

PS: For more details of our “current appeal”, check the website at www.missionmonks.org.   Website donations are welcome and appreciated. Consider consulting your financial advisor how to make a direct donation from your personal IRA account to the Benedictine Mission House. We kindly ask that the financial institution that handles your investment give us your name and address. Do not hesitate contacting us with any questions.

A Message from Br. Tobias in the Mission Office

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and give you peace!

Greetings!

The first week of 2021 is already history and what a week it has been! My prayer is that our country and each one of us will experience God’s loving protection as we move on. The uncertainty of what the future has in store could be scary. However, we have the assurance that the Lord is with us at each moment.

On Saturday, January 9, we completed the celebration of the Novena of Nine Holy Masses for your intentions and in thanksgiving for your friendship and support of our ministries at home and wherever Missionary Benedictines are represented.

As I look at the statistics of our fundraising efforts in 2020, I have to admit that in spite of the many challenges the covid-19 pandemic brought upon us, our friends have been loyal and supportive whenever possible. Thank you for standing with us so that we could help others.

As part of our commitment of transparency and of being good stewards of the donations entrusted to us I can report the first results for the projects we submitted to our friends for their consideration of support.

Lenten Appeal 2020 – new addition to the convent in Chipole, Tanzania $115,000
Sacred Heart Appeal 2020 – safe staff housing in Peramiho, Tanzania $103,000
Novena Appeal 2020 – new convent at Litembo Hospital, Tanzania $107,000
Poor Souls Appeal 2020 – renovation and addition to house in Lome, Togo $ 90,000
Christmas Appeal 2020 – support of African & Asian monasteries and
ministries of Christ the King Priory, Schuyler $194,000

Total income from five “house appeals” towards specific projects $609,000

In addition to the support of our appeals, we had income from daily correspondence, requests for celebrating Holy Masses, our birthday greetings and acquisition mailings, a program that targets prospective donors. We added new donors to our database and these too have become loyal supporters and friends. We are grateful to God for all the friends who identify themselves with our ministries and support these whenever possible.

I am happy to state that on average it costs us only $0.15 to raise $1.00 and the mission office has financial resources that cover all our expenses so that every donation given for a specific purpose or general mission is credited 100% as designated.

In 2020, we raised the Grand Total of $1,912,000. People in Africa and Asia benefited from your generosity. As stewards of the funds entrusted to us, we support ministries and projects that will benefit all brothers and sisters whom we Missionary Benedictines serve.

God bless you with good health! We in turn include your intentions in our daily prayers.

Bro. Tobias, O.S.B.
Director of Development

Happy Thanksgiving from the Mission House

Thanksgiving - 2020

Sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts,
always thanking God the Father for all things
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The celebration of our national holiday, Thanksgiving, overshadowed by the corona virus and the various challenges we encountered in the course of the year, will certainly take a new approach that calls for difficult decisions especially when it involves family gatherings.

May I suggest spending time in conversation with God in preparation for Thanksgiving?

Let me share with you my personal reflection in the course of a quiet Sunday afternoon and a sleepless night that turned into a powerful time of prayer. These challenges came to mind:
• Covid-19 and the ever climbing rate of infections worldwide, but also in Nebraska and all of the United States;
• the loss of lives due to the corona virus and no known cure of the disease or when a vaccine may be available to break the infection rate;
• concerns for healthcare professionals: doctors, nurses and first responders performing their duties under much stress, yet putting the safety of others ahead of their own;
• Covid-19 demanded finding new patterns for interacting socially; for attending worship services with a faith community, precautionary action when a visit to the grocery store or any other business is necessary, taking advantage of online shopping or dining yet considering safe “local options” that prevent closure of small businesses or restaurants;
• learning institutions on all levels shifted to online models and as soon as in person classes were possible, the infection rate rose;
• natural disasters: hurricanes and wildfires threatened lives and property in many parts of the country, and let down farmers expectations for a bountiful crop;
• the death of a dear friend and not being able to visit earlier in the year due to travel restrictions – and many names come to mind of people I know who are dealing with many sicknesses;
• we claim to be “One Nation under God” but tension and riots burdened our living together in “the land of the free.” The challenge is to overcome systemic racism that is so evident in society and then making efforts for adopting the culture of life, showing respect for others, even of opposing political conviction, but especially to immigrants and refugees. The message of Jesus found in the Gospels is the guideline for all people of good will.

Then I asked myself “Where has God been in all of this?”

A time of prayer of pleading for the gift of wisdom and understanding followed and it turned into intercessory prayer for the wellbeing of all our friends and benefactors, for the coworkers of the mission office, monastery and retreat house, for my brother monks and for our families.

As I became quiet, great peace overwhelmed me. Words from Sacred Scripture assure me that we are never alone. Our God is with us! He reaches out to us in so many ways. I only have to open my eyes and my heart. With gratitude for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during this prayer experience, I now can focus on giving thanks. I share with you this:

Creator God,
on Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks for the gift of life, for family, community, friends and acquaintances who journey with me daily.
I give thanks…
... for being at my side in challenging moments and joyous times;
… for the labor of farmers, gardeners, and all who assist with harvesting;
… for wheat, grapes, fruit, and produce of gardens that will nourish us;
… for our readiness to share with the less fortunate;
… for the many supporters of the Missionary Benedictines who enable us to help others;
… for all whose friendship and ongoing prayer support sustains us;
… for the assurance that YOU are always with us;
… for signs of hope for the days ahead and the promise:
“I will be with you always!”

On behalf of the monks of Christ the King Priory – Benedictine Mission House extend greetings to all our friends near and far. Be assured that you are included in our prayers and we thank you for going with us the proverbial extra mile by supporting our ministries financially whenever possible and for praying for the success of our work.

“The earth has yielded its fruits;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him.”
Psalm 67, 7-8


HAPPY THANKSGIVING

from the monks of Christ the King Priory

Br. Tobias Dammert, OSB
Director of Development