Field Trip to the Benedictine Mission House

     On February 18th at approximately 8:15 in the morning the senior class of Mount Michael Benedictine High School boarded the new bus and headed for Schuyler, Nebraska. This time it was not in the direction of the meat packing plant, Cargill, which is a regular senior class field day for the seniors while they are taking Social Justice and Peace class. This semester during the seniors Christian Lifestyles class, Fr. John again trucks the seniors up to Schuyler for a field day at the Benedictine Mission House of Christ the King.

     For many years now, Mount Michael Abbey has had a great relationship with the German House of Benedictines in Schuyler. Many of them spent time at Mount Michael in trying to perfect their English in years past. And actually, these Benedictines came to Nebraska years before the monks of Conception Abbey founded Mount Michael Abbey.

     The whole community of Christ the King joined the seniors for mass in the beautiful chapel in the retreat center and then we all shared a great meal together in the retreat center as well.

     Br. Tobias and Br. Damian gave a fine presentation to the seniors about how missionary Benedictines are different than the monks of MM. Then they split the seniors into two groups and gave a very wonderful tour of the monastery building and the retreat center.
Both of the buildings are architectural masterpieces, especially the monastery building which is built into the side of the hill, where it is located.

     An added feature to this year’s field day was the presence of two Benedictine sisters from another missionary community in Norfolk, Nebraska, Sr. Carol Ann and Sr. Dionysia. Sr. Dionysia is Korean and so the seven Korean seniors could speak their own language all day long. The Benedictine sisters of Norfolk are an international community with numerous sisters from numerous other countries.

     When asked about their day, the seniors were quite positive about their experience and said that it was a very profitable day—still a learning experience, despite being away from their classes. They also loved the food and hospitality of the Benedictines they met.

     A good time was had by all!