Page 45 - Priorities #60 2014-November/December

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Nate Spears holds the distinction of the most years served for a lay staff member at the Priory. For 34 years, Nate has cooked food with a smile to all those that entered the Priory kitchen. He says, “There isn’t anything I’m afraid to cook, I always give my best when I cook and serve.”
It’s true. The Priory is one big community and as Nate often says, “we’re all broth- ers and sisters here at the Priory, we have a good time.” When asked his favorite time of day, Nate prefers breakfast. He likes to be the first to serve and give people a positive start to their day with a good meal (his scrumptious cheesy eggs are famous!).
Nate’s creativity and prowess in the kitchen is legendary. It’s common to see alum- ni visiting with Nate and to share in a meal. In addition to the special mentor rela- tionships that Nate has formed with students over the years, he says he really values the people who started it all—the monks, both past and present. Nate says, “my most special time at the Priory is being able to share moments with the monks.” He added, “What a great job I have, it’s not every job where you can serve people, make them happy, and talk about God.”
Nate is more than just a guy serving food behind a counter. When Nate isn’t cook- ing, he serves as a deacon at his church and is the facilitator of a special Friday night service called Power Night where he arranges guest speakers and acts as MC.
When looking back on his time at the Priory, Nate says that he takes the time to learn something new everyday. Nate probably can’t count the number of meals he has served over the years, but his positive influence is easily measured. Visit the Priory kitchen for breakfast and see for yourself. Nate Spears is a man that takes Christ’s ex- ample to heart—he loves to serve and serves to love.
“Nate has become an institution at Priory. He knows every student and what they want for breakfast, is responsible for much of the good humor in the kitchen, and is the final authority on Giant’s baseball and Niners football.”
—Fr. Martin
ANNIVERSARIES
Nate Spears
Chef extraordinaire, student mentor
by Sean McLain Brown photo by Jim Kirkland
When Estella Spears hired her son to help out at the kitchen, gas was $1.19 a gallon,
Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was in theaters.