Volunteers help Oklahoma Benedictines with maintenance work

Published: 2007-03-29

HULBERT, Okla. (CNS) -- With a crisp spring breeze in the air, more than 175 volunteers from throughout the southwestern United States came together March 10 to assist the Benedictine monks of Our Lady of Clear Creek Monastery near Hulbert in northeastern Oklahoma. The effort, which was organized by Tulsan Dan Doyle, assisted the monks with a number of construction and maintenance duties on the 1,050-acre ranch where they are building a monastery near Hulbert. When completed, the 70,000-square-foot monastery -- including the monks' residence and church -- will cost an estimated $32 million. Father Philip Anderson, prior, said the monks appreciate the support of the volunteers, who have staged the workday for the past five years. "We are grateful for the help that the volunteers provide. I truly believe the effort is part of the grace that is manifested by the monastic life," he said. "The workers will do in a day what it takes our monks more than a year to do."

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