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The Paris Chamber of Commerce named Subiaco Abbey and Academy the Business of the Month. Certificate, presented to Abbot Leonard at the Coffee and Donut gathering at the Methodist Church in Paris on February 14, is to be displayed in the the Administration Office area.

The profession of two young men as Benedictine monks took place in the Abbey Church February 2, 2019. During Vespers on February 2, 2019, Novice Casey Simpson and Novice John Fryer presented their written and signed petitions to Abbot Leonard who then received their public profession of monastic vows for three years. Reflecting this change in their state of life, the Abbot assigned each a new name. After three years from that time, they will be eligible to make their final, perpetual vows. Br. Thomas More (Casey) Simpson comes from Shreveport, but was born and reared in Many, Louisiana. He worked in political campaigns, took Liberal Arts degree from LSU and a Civil Law degree from Loyola New Orleans. He practiced law for twenty years before entering Subiaco Abbey. Br. Ambrose (John) Fryer comes from Alexandria, LA where he was a teacher in the Diocesan school. Teaching was not his first calling, priesthood was. However, upon completion of his seminary education (St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, LA and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC) he felt he wanted some "life" experience before being ordained. What was supposed to be a couple years sabbatical turned into twenty! He is always amazed at how God moves in his life. He still desires priesthood, however, as someone once stated to him, he has had the ability to influence more people's lives in the classroom than in the pulpit. Br. Ambrose is pleased to have a new way (with God's grace) to serve God, the Church and the world as a professed monk.

The Arkansas Catholic recently conducted an interview with Br. Raban about his recent Solemn Profession as a Benedictine monk of Subiaco. Click on the title to be taken to that article.

Br. Raban Heyer, OSB, made solemn profession of vows as a monk of Subiaco Abbey at Mass on December 22, 2018, in the Abbey Church. Having completed the period of triennial vows, he professed this life-long commitment as a Benedictine monk. Br. Raban, born in Rochester, NY, graduated from Waterford Union High School (WI) in 2007, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, in 2011. He also studied at Ohio Dominican University and the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR. At St. Joseph Catholic School in Pine Bluff, AR, he taught literature and composition and he also taught at Christ the King Catholic School in Little Rock. Br. Raban presently teaches English and coaches track and cross country at Subiaco Academy.

Br. Basil was recently interviewed about a new venture of brewing beer that the Abbey is about to undertake. Click on the title above for the link to view the article.

Thirty-four units were donated by Subiaco students and staff during the September 6 blood drive at Subiaco.

40+ alumni and friends enjoyed story-telling and craft beer at The Denton Country Brewing Company (TX) on Friday, August 24. Next door to this establishment is The Bearded Monk. Jason Priakos '90 couldn't resist snapping our two bearded monks--Fr. Reginald '78 and Br. Basil.

Fr. Patrick provides oak boards from huge logs. This work is a change of pace from his labors in Subiaco Academy.

DEATH OF FR. HUGH: Abbot Leonard informed our Subiaco community that our monastic brother, Fr. Hugh Assenmacher, OSB, has died. He had been making a valiant recovery after a serious fall had left bleeding on the brain. Yesterday (Monday) the hospital informed us that Fr. Hugh had contracted pneumonia and was administered oxygen and medication in the hope of overcoming this complication. Unfortunately, at 3:45 am on Tuesday Fr. Hugh died and the monastic bells chimed for him at our home of Subiaco. Funeral arrangements: The monastic community will meet the body at 5:00 pm on Thursday. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 pm the same evening in the Abbey Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am Friday morning in the Abbey Church with burial in our Abbey cemetery. Through our prayers for our brother, our monastic community now entrusts Fr. Hugh to the merciful judgement of our God to whom Fr. Hugh made his solemnly vowed commitment to seek Him and prefer nothing to Christ. Please join us in our prayers for the repose of the soul of our monastic brother. In the words of our Holy Father St. Benedict in his Prologue, "What, dear brothers, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in His love shows us the way of life. Clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see Him who has called us to His kingdom (1 Thess 2:12)." Rest in peace, our dear brother, with our monastic brothers of old about whom you have written often. May choirs of angels welcome you and lead you to the bosom of Abraham; and where Lazarus is poor no longer may you find eternal rest. CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE for the full obituary.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 14th at 10:30 am, when Bishop Anthony Taylor will ordain Br. Cassian and Br. Reginald to the priesthood. The ordination will be held at the Abbey Church of Subiaco. There will be a reception afterwards open to all. Subiaco has been blessed with eight men in monastic formation. If you feel like you might be called to our way of life, then stop by the abbey for a visit!

Congratulations goes out to Subiaco Abbey's newest graduate, Br. Cassian Elkins Osb. After many years of training for priestly ordination at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, Br. Cassian has completed his studies and was granted a Master of Divinity. Br. Cassian will join his Subiaco confrere, Br. Reginald Udouj, for ordination to the priesthood on July 14th at 10:30 am in the Abbey Church at Subiaco. Ad multos annos...and we are immensely proud of our brother!!!!

The Arkansas Catholic provided a nice article on the upcoming retirement of Br. Adrian as the Academy Tennis Coach after 40 years. The article states, "...Brother Adrian brought home the conference team title 32 times. His athletes won the conference doubles title 32 times, the conference singles title 21 times and he coached 10 doubles teams and five singles players to state championships over that span. His four Arkansas Coach of the Year awards and 2005 national Coach of the Year honors merely underscored what his athletes — and his competition, for that matter — already knew." Click on the title and read the full article.

The Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem was a Catholic military order founded by crusaders around 1119 at a leper hospital in Jerusalem, Kingdom of Jerusalem, whose care became its original purpose, named after their patron saint, Lazarus. It added a military arm to defend against the Saracens. After the end of the Crusades it continued its charitable and military functions in Europe. It still fulfills its charitable role under the protection and direction of the Royal House of France. Fr. Gregory, one of our monks at Subiaco, recently received the Order of Merit for his ongoing work with the Order. Pictured are the old and new Chaplains of the Military and Hospitaler Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem with HRH Princess Clothidle D'Orleans. In the picture L to R: Fr. Gregory, Fr. Philip Landry, HRH Princess Clothidle D'Orleans, Fr. Magiera, FSSP, and Fr. Wayne Passy.

About 30 people joined monks and development staff at the Sam Houston Race Track for the second annual Subiaco Night at the Races in Houston, TX. We thank Mr. Paul Kubis '57 for his help in coordinating the event.

Four men were invested as novices during Vespers on February 1, 2018, by Abbot Wangler, OSB. The four had been at the Abbey for six months as candidates. A number of Academy students were present at the ceremony.

Abbot Leonard and the monastic community of Subiaco Abbey announce the death of our beloved confrere, Fr. Bruno Fuhrmann. Fr. Bruno was born on July 31, 1929, made his profession as a monk of our monastery on September 15, 1949, was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1954, and died on January 24, 2018. For funeral arrangements and the full obituary, click on the title of this article to be taken to the page providing the information.

On January 14, Br. Raban, Br. Anthony and Br. Basil joined the development team at Sacred Heart Church in Charleston for a Meet and Greet. The parishioners who attended the 10 am Mass with us enjoyed refreshments and fellowship afterwards in their parish hall. It was a great day and we were excited to see old friends and make new ones.

Brs. Irenaeus and John Paul manned a booth at "Mercy-Fest" the 25th anniversary celebration of Mercy Crest's retirement facility run by the Sisters of Mercy

The Angus Journal is a publication of the American Angus Association with over 13,000 subscribers. Their recent article told the history and work of our Angus operation, while also interviewing Fr. Patrick, Br. Joseph, and Butch Geels. Click on the title and read a fascinating article.

Replacement of the Abbey greenhouse was long overdue. As often the case, generous donations made this new construction possible. The wood and steel framing that supported the heavy glass panels was sagging, leaking and unsafe. We had to carefully disassemble and remove the wood, steel and glass piece by piece leaving only the masonry foundation which remained structurally sound. We pressure washed and resurfaced the old masonry work. installed new water supply lines, floor drains and added a cement floor throughout. Built new stud walls and installed a new truss system to support the high tech. polycarbonate roof panel system specifically designed for commercial green houses. Installed new steel framing and entry doors. The entire exterior received new masonry finish and paint. A new temperature controlled forced air ventilation system, electrical service and L.E.D. lighting has been installed. Several new steel work tables have been purchased and will be assembled and installed within.