Superior Seeks Donations To Care For Senior Monks

By GRETCHEN KEISER, Staff Writer

Published: December 18, 2003

CONYERS—On March 21, 2004, the Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit will mark its 60th anniversary.

The year of grace is also an occasion for the Cistercian community’s superior, Father Francis Michael, OCSO, to reflect on the needs of the monastery, which he believes is going through an unusual transition, and to request the financial support of those who know and respect the monks and their contribution to the archdiocese and the wider community.

“In these 60 years, with the exception of special projects, we have never had to ask for help. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, we have never taken up a collection at Mass, except for the poor. Now I am in a situation where I have to ask,” he said recently in an interview at the Abbey Store on the monastery grounds.

At the present time, the eight-bed infirmary within the monastery is full. Several senior monks receive around-the-clock care there. Their medical needs require not only the care of several monks who help, but also that of a registered nurse and of aides who staff various shifts.

At the same time, the industries that support the monastery are being actively restructured, Father Francis Michael said.

Where the monks once baked bread and in even earlier times operated a farm, today they are producing a pecan and peach-flavored Southern fruitcake that is becoming their most vibrant industry. At the same time, long-standing industries such as the Abbey Store, the bonsai greenhouse and the stained glass studio continue to provide income, while he and his monastic counsel consider ways to strengthen them or to get the word out more about these industries so they are more productive.

A total of 16 employees now work in a variety of areas, including the infirmary, the retreat house, the greenhouse, the Abbey Store and in maintenance.

The stained glass studio of Father Methodius has produced windows for churches for almost 50 years, and the bonsai greenhouse has been well known.

Still there has been a shortfall over the last few years between the income raised by the monastery’s industries and the extraordinary expenses incurred in medical care, the superior said.

“The medical cost for the seniors last year was just over a quarter of a million dollars . . . Our industries didn’t make enough to cover the medical costs,” he said.

He has been drawing from the savings of the monastery to cover that difference, but he also believes that the community has a lot of friends in the archdiocese, Catholic and non-Catholic, who might be willing to make a contribution to help with the care of the senior monks. A mailing list of some 4,000 people will receive a newsletter shortly that includes news of the monastery and also this request for help. However, many others may not know of the need.

“I believe there are many people in the archdiocese who would help us if they knew we had a need,” Father Francis Michael said.

The community of 41 professed monks has six monks over 90 years old, another six who are in their 80s, and others who are in their 70s, the superior pointed out. At the same time, there are eight solemnly professed monks who are younger than 60 years old as well as two monks who have made simple profession of vows and three novices in formation.

“I believe the basis (for the financial need) is the imbalance of young and old and that that period is going to pass. We are in a moment that is going to last a few years. We are probably going to be a smaller community but better balanced in age,” he observed.

As he points these things out, Father Francis Michael is quick to say that the monastery is still very strong; in fact, it is one of the largest Cistercian communities of men in the world.

Also, he says, a number of the monks in their 90s are still physically as well as spiritually active, and “working very hard.” Those who cannot do physical work still contribute to the community with their prayer and sacramental life.

As he considers the challenges they face, he notes it has been a year in which all the main electrical cables installed 45 years ago had to be replaced after a power outage. And, after heavy rains caused a section of the church crypt to flood, an overhang had to be built in the back of the church to prevent future recurrences. They hope to make needed repairs to the family guesthouse in coming months.

“If we can have some more financial support now to help take care of our seniors,” that assistance will bridge this period of time, Father Francis Michael said. Then “that need will have diminished or, in that time, we will have restructured our ministries in terms of our manpower and our age.”

“For me, the situation, as I see it, is like a window, a period of having an extraordinarily large group of seniors,” the superior said. “It is a vibrant community. It is a good community. There are a good number of candidates looking at the (monastic) life.”

“It seems to me if we could get the word out to Catholics in the archdiocese that we needed help, they would help.”

Those who would like to make a donation to care for the senior monks may send it to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Highway 212, SW, Conyers, GA 30094-4044. The monastery can be reached at (770) 483-8705 or www.trappist.net.