Dear Colleagues, Students, and Friends,
In medieval times, a “moment” was defined as ninety seconds.
7,364,160. That is the number of moments that I have been blessed to be the President of Belmont Abbey College. Each of those moments, the miraculous and the mundane has taught me the perfection of the present moment. To say, “Thank you, Jesus,” in every one of them and mean it.
Even so, words alone seem inadequate to express my thoughts and overwhelming gratitude to you and everyone who holds the Abbey dear. As beautiful and meaningful as the iconic gothic brick buildings on our campus may be, it is the love, friendship, fidelity, sacrifice, excellence, and virtue of Abbey men and women that make it a special place and a little slice of Heaven.
I think Cardinal John Henry Newman was envisioning Belmont Abbey when he described the characteristics of a College; he wrote: “Moreover, it is the shrine of our best affections, the bosom of our fondest recollections, a spell upon our afterlife, a stay for world-weary mind and soul, wherever we are cast, till the end comes. Such are the attributes or offices of home, and like to these, in one or other sense and measure, are the attributes and offices of a College.”
Divine Providence brought us to our Abbey home twenty-one years ago, and I hope and pray that Providence will keep us here…till the end comes. As Oblates of the monastic community and honorary alumni of the College, Mary and I look forward to spending the rest of our lives here, at our Abbey home, deepening the friendships born here and building new ones with those called here.
Thanks again and again for all you have done and continue to do for the Abbey.
God Bless,
