Lent Appeal
Greetings and prayerful good wishes from all the monks of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler.
In the Rule for Monastics, St. Benedict gives solid advice to his followers, now and today! The monastic way of life is balanced between prayer and work!
Monasteries are known to have scholars and artisans among their members. In classrooms and workshops knowledge is passed on to the younger generation.
When our first monks and sisters set out for missionary work in former German East Africa to bring the light of the Gospel to those entrusted to them, they left home knowing that they might never see their home monastery or family again.
However, the love for Christ motivated them. The pioneers soon realized that education must be a priority. Wherever they settled, they took care of the sick, gathered the people for instruction in the faith, introduced methods to improve farming, animal husbandry, carpentry, etc. These tasks, and many others, are carried on today by indigenous monks and sisters who nurture the seeds planted by our missionaries since 1886. Our monasteries in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Togo, and Asia foster education on every level, healthcare, and many trades. Our trade schools, and all institutions of learning and caring, have a good reputation.
The monks of the Benedictine Mission House invite you to embark with us on a new partnership in mission by assisting graduates of our trade schools in their next chapter of life’s journey.
Our Vision:
· Keep young men and women from moving to suburban cities where jobs are not so plentiful and thus keeping them from homelessness and unemployment by providing startup assistance.
· Simple toolboxes of their trade are a great help to start a business in their home villages.
· Encourage the graduates to partner with others in providing services to local families and businesses: building trades, auto mechanics, electricians, tailors, butchers or bakers, secretarial skills, etc.
The Solution:
· Engage the administration team of our vocational training centers to identify the teachers who can recommend what a toolbox should contain.
· Assist graduates in search of employment with recommendations to prospective employers.
· Provide ongoing education and training.
The Need:
· Help us with funds that we can support the suggested programs and purchase the materials needed for the starter kit – the toolbox for specific trades as recommended by the teachers.
· Pray with us that young women and men will never forget the values of honest and hard work that they learned at the Benedictine institutions.
The Season of Lent is a welcome time for spiritual renewal. There are many ways of achieving this. Balance your daily routine of work, family, and prayer. Lent is not a time of giving up, but an opportunity of adding good deeds and time for personal prayer.
St. Benedict invites us to look forward with joy to holy Easter.
Do you see a way of helping us again financially during this Lenten Season in our outreach to graduates of our trade schools? Please know, your own needs and obligations have priority.
Fr. Anastasius and all the monks at the Benedictine Mission House walk with you the journey of Lent and we assure you of our prayers for your intentions. THANK YOU for trusting in our approach to assisting where help is needed. We wish you a grace-filled Lent and a joyous Easter!
Gratefully yours:
Bro. Tobias
Director of Development
Trade School Students at Carpenter Shop and Tailoring Department