Another Advent approaches, another season of preparation and anticipation. We pray that our celebration of Christ's birth will bring some peace to a world always in need of it.  May the new year also bring a renewed spirit of hope to all who are working to spread the Gospel. 

BR. CRISPIN RORK
FIRST PROFESSION

In the presence of Abbot Thomas Hillenbrand, OSB and the community of Blue Cloud Abbey, Brother Crispin Rork made profession of temporary vows as a Benedictine monk on October 1.  A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Brother Crispin had a career in food service in Kansas City before entering the novitiate at Blue Cloud a year ago. He is a sacristan at the monastery in addition to performing various household duties.  His brother Billy (on the left) and Uncle Terry (on the right) came from Kansas for the profession ceremony.

OTHER ABBEY NEWS 

Abbot Thomas received Chris Nicolaes as a claustral oblate on October 11.  Chris is originally a native of Maastricht, the Netherlands. He has participated several times in our associate program, and has now asked to live among us in a more permanent relationship. Claustral oblates live in the monastery, unlike secular oblates who live outside the monastery in their own homes. Blue Cloud Abbey has a few hundred secular oblates. Chris Nicolaes' oblate novitiate  will  last  one  year,   similar  to  a   monastic novice's. He has been working with Br. Chris Wesely in the greenhouse, and in the carpentry shop.

A slightly wetter than average autumn did not hurt the usage of our retreat center. Longtime abbey friends Buddy and Frances Jetty celebrated their 50^th  wedding anniversary, along with friends here in early September.   Br. Paul hosted a Hispanic group from Sioux Falls, and Br. Benet organized a weekend retreat for abbey oblates.   Other groups in September included the Central Baptist Church from Sioux Falls, a Newman Center group from Brookings, SD, deacons from the St. Paul Archdiocese, students from  Gustavus Adolphus College (MN), nine Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, and Youth Ministers from the (mid-west) Region 8. 

October groups included priests of the Sioux Falls Diocese, a smaller group of clergy from the Twin Cities area, a Mixed Twelve-Step Retreat, Catholic Family Services from the Sioux Falls Diocese, and another Newman Center group, this time from the University of South Dakota.

Fr. Abbot traveled to Coban, Guatemala, for his annual visit to our priory in late October.  Fr. Carlos Pop is scheduled to return to Coban in December.

2005 CALENDAR

     Advent also means the return of the Blue Cloud Abbey calendar. This year we are continuing the format of full-color pictures of life at the abbey, in an 8" by 5" size. The calendar is sent to all who mail in prayer intentions during our Advent/Christmas campaign.  It is a small way of thanking you for your support. Thank you again to our many benefactors whose donations help us cover the cost of printing and distributing the calendar.
  - Fr. Matthew