Page 30 - Priorities #48 2011-January/February

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The theme of the conference was “Communio – A Benedictine Gift For the Future”. At the Priory, “community” is one of our primary values. The first keynote speaker was Sr. Margaret Malone from Australia. Her lecture focused on the importance of community as a primary characteristic of the Benedictine school. She stressed that “communio” has two challenges for faculty/staff and students: (1) spreading the “mission” the search for truth and (2) the dignity of every person. The Benedictine school is charged with the obligation of creating an inclusive environment where all students and staff are respected. Sr. Margaret was able to draw
on her long experience as teacher, head of school and university professor to give poignant examples.
Abbot Fidelis Ruppert, O.S.B. of Muensterschwarzach, gave the second keynote address. His presentation focused on the historical development of the Benedictine environmental concerns and an ecological wisdom of life. From his experience of overseeing the development of a “carbonless footprint” for the Abbey and School, he shared many suggestions for a school that dares to be in the forefront of an ecological balanced life. Abbot Fidelis is not only concerned about creating a clean outside but challenges everyone to also look to the interior life by asking, “is constant, instantaneous communication not just another form of environmental pollution?”
After every address there was time for small group discussions and reflections. The groups were assigned without regard for language barriers. The keynote addresses enjoyed simultaneous translations into German, Spanish and English. In the small groups
we had to navigate the language divide. It is amazing to witness communication between people who do not speak the same language – a living example of “communio”.
Time was allotted for each geographical region (USA, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe) to meet. The Benedictine schools in North America have not met in several years. Our task was not only to establish a future meeting time and place but also an agenda. The younger faculty members from the United States suggested the following topics: the task of transmitting Benedictine values within a non-Christian school population; establishing an on-going in-service for faculty/staff in ways of transmitting the principles of the Rule of Benedict to students, parents and coaches; investigating ways of using technology that allow teachers in
one school to observe teachers in another school especially when dealing with the transmission of Benedictine values; and ways to engage younger members of the faculty in both regional and international Benedictine conferences.
After the conference ended, the members of the Commission (representatives from each geographic region) stayed on to meet, to review and critique the conference. We learn from each experience and then we “begin again”. The next international conference
will be held in 2013 in Manila. The schools in the Philippines traditionally have at least a thousand students. The trip was inspiring and educational and provided yet another opportunity for the Priory to understand its place among the worldwide Benedictine community.
In Memorium
After a short illness, Rosemary Kopmeier Bradford Hewlett died on October 29, 2010 at her home in Atherton, California surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Roesemary was actively involved in Woodside Priory and was influential in many development projects including: renovating the Fine Arts Building, funding the Faculty Summer Grant Program, funding the Fr. Martin Scholarship Fund, Founder’s Club level donor, consistent donor to the Chapel Fund, and so many more.
In addition to her philanthropy work with the Priory, Rosemary was actively involved on the Board of Menlo College, the San Francisco Opera Company and was one of the founding board members of the Peninsula Bridge Program, promoting academic and personal success for motivated middle school students from under-resourced local communities. This program in particular gave Rosemary much satisfaction and a great sense of pride.
Rosemary was also a member of the order of the Dames of Malta and numerous other clubs and organizations. Rosemary was truly a vibrant spirit that touched all who met her. She loved life and until very recently continued to travel the world and take holidays with family, close friends and her beloved caretaker for 17 years, Jose. Rosemary’s stimulating conversation and exuberance for life will be forever remembered. She never hesitated to let you know how she felt and would often say, “I love you” or “Te quiero mas.”
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