Holy God, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
Yet by your grace there is health in us.
In your mystery, carry us on.
As we bring unity and joy, humble us.
As we bring division, strengthen us.
In our stumbling, lift us.
When we weep, comfort us.
When we laugh, enjoy us.
Rev. Carter Heyward
Bro. Andrew (Richard John) Fuller, OSB
April 26, 1954 – October 5, 2025
Bro. Andrew called Tewksbury in the Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts, his hometown where he grew up with his two brothers Garry and Brian, lovingly cared for by his parents Walter and Katherine Fuller. His father worked at the local hospital in the finance office, while his mother was a government employee. Richard was baptized on May 16, 1954, at St. William’s Church in Tewksbury where he also received First Holy Communion on May 26, 1962, and was confirmed on May 10, 1966.
His education took place at North Street and Center Street Schools and Tewksbury Junior High School before transferring to St. Francis Seminary in Andover, MA. Throughout the early years he showed interest in religious life, maybe inspired by his mother’s sister, Sr. Albina, a member of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate, a community within the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Andrew made sure that we never forgot that he is a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Rite, Eparchy of Stamford, Connecticut. For many years he participated in the annual pilgrimage to Sloatsburg, New York. The rich Eastern Rite Liturgy and customs were part of his faith journey. He did not hesitate to praise the traditions and customs when it came to comparisons with the Roman Catholic traditions. He loved the iconography; the prayer cord was a daily companion especially when sitting in chapel.
After Graduation, Bro. Andrew worked for a crisis counseling center and as esthetician and makeup artist. He loved movies and theater, especially the music of Barbra Streisand. Prior to his entry as postulant of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, he was employed at a local bank at home where he received high praise for his efficiency and interaction with customers. At some time in his life, he was with a religious community in Louisiana and in Florence, Italy. His search for a permanent religious home led him in 1991 to the Missionary Benedictines of Schuyler, NE, where in August of 1992 he joined the community. Following the required postulancy, he was sent to Conception Abbey in Missouri for the canonical novitiate. The poem by Rev. Carter Heyward is part of the correspondence on file shortly before completing the canonical novitiate at Conception Abbey. It appears that it was written especially to characterize Bro. Andrew.
Following his first monastic vows on May 13, 1995, Bro. Andrew took classes in business administration at Platte County Community College in Columbus. His assignments in the priory included work in the mission office and as sacristan. For many years he worked as manager of our gift shop at the retreat house, St. Benedict Center Books and Gifts. His love for books was evident with the many new additions to our own library.
At St. Benedict Center he befriended people of every walk of life. He had a natural talent in giving customers a listening ear, a good word, or bringing laughter into their life. For years, his daily routine included checking up on coworkers both at the priory, mission office or St. Benedict Center, giving help to those in charge of maintenance, and to others advice or sarcastic remarks, as the situation required. Bro. Andrew will be remembered as “the extra spice for the soup” with his witty and sometimes challenging remarks. To many people he was not only a true Benedictine monk, but a trusted friend and helper in difficult situation as displayed especially in the last seven years of his life undergoing chemotherapy for stage 4 colon cancer. Patients at the Columbus Oncology Clinic, the nurses and doctors affirm that Bro. Andrew ministered to others, cheering them up and listening to them.
On November 4, 2006, Bro. Andrew was ordained as a permanent Deacon by Archbishop Elden Curtiss, having received the consent of the Congregation for Oriental Churches. He served in this ministry until health issues creeped up
In late September, Bro. Andrew encountered breathing problems and was admitted to the local CHI hospital on Friday evening, September 26. During the night he was transferred to Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha where the lung condition was treated. At that time, he was diagnosed with severe heart issues that made a transfer to the cardiology unit at CHI Bergan Mercy Hospital necessary. It is believed that Bro. Andrew knew about the severe condition. During the last week of his life, monks and friends were with him daily. Family members arrived in Omaha in the evening of October 3. Andrew no longer could talk but with his eyes and head movements communicated with those around him.
Strengthened by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, and in the presence of family members he gave his life back peacefully to the Creator around 1:47 AM on Sunday morning, October 5.
May his memory live on forever! Bro. Andrew, rest in God’s never-ending love and peace!
A private Vigil Service will be held on Tuesday, October 7 at Christ the King Priory, honoring the wishes of our late Bro. Andrew. We will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, October at 2 PM at St. Benedict Center.
Abbot Michael Reepen, OSB
Abbot of Muensterschwarzach
Fr. Anastasius Reiser, OSB
Prior and Community of Christ the King Prior