Page 2 - Priorities 4

Cover: Students in the scope are part of Woodside Priory's second Millard Fillmore Trivia Team. For the story on the big scope, see page 5.
From the Prior
Over the entrance of the National Archives build- ing in Washington is engraved: “The past is prologue.” In the last issue of Priorities we looked back over the past forty years and the great accomplish- ments of Woodside Priory’s founders. If the past is prologue, then it is fitting that in this issue we look forward to the future.
The community of monks that
live here on the campus has for
the past two years been studying
its future and its relationship to the Priory School. Just as many corporations have been experiencing “downsizing” trends, we are experiencing a “downsizing” too. Currently, we have six members: myself, Frs. Martin, Egon, Pius, Maurus and Br. Edward. The average age is now 62 years.
Initially, we looked at possible ways to augment our size. We contacted other monasteries within the United States, the Hungarian congregation which originally founded Woodside Priory, and we talked at length with Abbott Matthew, head of our parent abbey, St. Anselm, in New Hampshire. A similar aging of communities is a problem facing the order and the entire Catholic Church, at least in the west- ern nations. It was apparent that they could not help us increase our size.
Next, the community investigated alternative sponsorship models that would allow us to remain active but reduce our responsibility for governance. Many schools have taken this step.
In late August, members of Woodside Priory returned to St. Anselm for a joint meeting. As many of you know, the community voted there to begin a transitiontoanewformofschool governance.St. Anselm monastery will retain ownership of the Priory School and continue to oversee its Benedictine and Catholic character in the future as it has over the past forty years. The Board of Trustees will assume more responsibility for governance.
We have retained the services of Catholic School Management, Inc. of Madison, CT., as consultants for this transition year. They have many years of experience work- ing with other religious orders on similar transitions.
In practical terms, little external change will result. On a daily basis the same classes will be held, and the monks will contin- ue to work in the school and live their monastic lives in the monas- tery. They will continue to pro-
vide spiritual direction and liturgical services to the school and to our many friends who worship in the Chapel each Sunday.
On a personal note, I will complete twelve years as Prior in June of 1997. Abbot Matthew has granted me a sabbatical starting this coming summer. I will study in the Holy Land and do research at a U.S. university. After my sabbatical, the Abbot will assign me to a new position at St. Anselm.
Woodside Priory School probably will not retain the position of Prior. Due to our reduced number, one of the monks will be superior of the communi- ty, but not administrative head of the school. Monks will continue to have a presence on the Board of Trustees.
While I will miss the Priory and all of you, I am excited about the opportunity for growth this new step represents for the Woodside Priory School. We are a strong school now with full enrollment, wait- ing lists for most grades, and excellent college acceptances. The Priory School will begin a new era from a position of strength. I am sure all of you share my optimism and faith in the future.
Sincerely,
(Very Rev.) William Sullivan, O.S.B., Prior
“While I will miss the Priory and all of you, I am excited about the opportunity for growth this new step represents for the Woodside Priory School.”
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