Page 29 - Priorities #48 2011-January/February

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On our trip to Europe, we were able to strengthen student exchange arrangements with schools in Hungary, Germany and Austria. We currently have a student from Austria and a student from Germany will arrive in February. The Priory is a highly regarded school within the worldwide Benedictine network.
Prior to attending ICBE, Tim Molak , Head of School, and I traveled to Hungary where we were greeted by Abbot Matthew, Abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey. Abbot Matthew arranged for us to visit two Benedictine Schools. The first school, Györ, is a day school of 380 students. We met with Fr. Tomas, Head of School and several of the teachers, monastic and lay. The day of our visit was the patronal feast of the school. The day ended with Mass at which Abbot Matthew was the celebrant.
Br. Edward, Fr. Tomas, Headmaster at Gyor, Abbott Matthew, and Tim Molak, Head of School.
Priory representatives with Pannonhalma monks and faculty.
The second school was at the Archabbey of Pannonhalma, a boarding school for approximately 340 boys and the Founding Abbey of the Priory. Archabbot Astrick and the Benedictine Community gave us a very warm welcome. Tim and I had met Fr. Titus, Head-of-School, several years ago at an International Benedictine Educators Conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Fr. Titus gave us an extended tour of the school. That evening, Fr. Henry and several 9th grade students hosted Tim and me for evening tea and a discussion of Benedictine education in the United States.
The ICBE met at St. Ottilien Archabbey and school in Bavaria, Germany from November 3rd to the 6th. St. Ottilien Archabbey and school is relatively new in comparison to the schools we visited in Hungary. It was established in the 1880’s but has a fascinating worldview and local history. Converging upon St. Otillien School were more than 190 representatives from 90 Benedictine schools from more than 23 independent nations representing all continents with the exception of Antartica.
One of the advantages of attending international meetings is making face-to-face contacts in other Benedictine schools. Tim Molak, Head of School, and I, traveled to Europe to visit several Benedictine Schools, to attend the International Commission on Benedictine Education (ICBE), and to attend an alumni reunion event in Budapest. Priory faculty Tina Paulson and Drew Ciancia, also later joined us as Priory representatives at the ICBE.