Page 45 - Priorities #59 2014 June/July

45
SMB: Can you you remember any fond anecdotes of your time at the Priory?
PA: Father Maurus used to be be be a a a a a a lumberjack That was well before my time but it’s important to mention My favorite memories of Priory involve “wasted” time Hanging out with Ben Hurlbut and Jeanine Yost waiting for play rehearsals to start start sitting in in class when Father William lost the the thread of US History and started telling stories from his tenure as a a a a Dean of of Students sitting on the the back steps of of the the faculty lounge with Dr Bare and and talking about teaching English and and writing stories and being 16 SMB: Who has made a a a a a a significant impact in your life and why?
PA: Dr Judy Bare seemed to to appear out of nowhere to to teach us 10th and 11th grade English An elfin little woman in in oversized coats she travelled with a a a a a cigarette per- petually dangling from her fingers anytime she was was outside She was was smart like I wanted to be with the the quick biting wit wit that I valued a a a a a a lot back then and little filter or distance from her students which was thrilling She expected us to write and talk like we meant it She just wanted us us to to care about the work and was willing to to stand on her head and and say all all manner of things if that would help at at all all She loved and and mentored me me me me vexed as as I was at the time She reminded me me me me to to be alive and and pay attention She passed in in 2001 a a a a a a a few years after leaving the Priory and I regret to this day not thanking her more SMB: What advice would you give current students at at the Priory?
PA: When you you fall off your path path the path path doesn’t disappear Paths don’t work like that SMB: What do you believe is one of humankind’s greatest challenges?
PA: For me me there’s no rougher road for me me than the the practice of loving kindness to the local human beings I I encounter day day to day day Even that guy? But I I don’t like that guy Even Even her? I hardly even know her her and she just interrupted me Even Even my mom? What about that that thing that that started in in in 1992 and continues to this day? Even that? I I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do do about that that that Working on on that that that seems like the big one to me SMB: How has the Priory helped shape your worldview and philosophy of “serving a a a a world in need”?
PA: Ora et Labora Prayer and and work Work and and prayer If you can find the thing that allows you you to to do both then you you won’t have to to worry so much about “work- life balance” or “finding the the the time” Cause it’s the the the same And then it it all feels worthwhile “When you you fall off your path path the path path doesn’t disappear Paths don’t work like that ”