The Catholic College of the South
Professor Bennett Quillen was recently featured as a finance expert in WalletHub’s article titled, Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance.
Dear Colleagues, Students, and Friends,
Welcome back! It is a beautiful, chilly day on campus as the Spring semester begins. A lot has happened over the Christmas and New Year break, so I will only share a few highlights with you.
God Bless,
Belmont Abbey College Alumnus Celebrates Solemn Profession of Monastic Vows
Belmont, N.C. (January 17th, 2024) – On the Memorial of Sts. Maur and Placid, Belmont Abbey celebrates the Solemn Profession of Vows of Brother Chrysostom Sica, formerly known as Joshua Sica, an alumnus of Belmont Abbey College’s class of ‘24. The ceremony took place at the Mary Help of Christians Basilica, where Brother Chrysostom was joined by his family, friends, students, and members of the college community.
In his homily, Abbot Placid emphasized that the monastic profession is a special calling that involves embracing the cross of Christ. Drawing from the Gospel of John, he reassured Brother Chrysostom with the words of Jesus, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be” (John 12:26). Abbot Placid congratulated Brother Chrysostom for responding faithfully to God’s call after four years of discernment with the monks.
Following the homily, Brother Chrysostom made his profession of the vows of stability, fidelity to the monastic life, and obedience according to the Rule of St. Benedict. Afterward, the monastic community exchanged the sign of peace with the newly professed monk, officially welcoming him as a vowed member of the community.
Brother Chrysostom, who graduated from Belmont Abbey College in 2024 with a degree in Philosophy, greatly benefited from the mentorship and guidance of the dedicated faculty during his studies. He is currently studying Theology at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Meinrad, Indiana, and is in formation to become a priest.
The Solemn Profession of Vows is a profound moment for Brother Chrysostom personally, and it also represents a significant milestone for the entire Belmont Abbey community. Belmont Abbey College offers its continued prayers and support as Brother Chrysostom begins this new chapter as a fully professed monk.
For more information about Belmont Abbey Monastery, please visit https://belmontabbey.org/.
For more information about Belmont Abbey College, please visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.
Press Inquiry Contact:
Sarah Bolton, Belmont Abbey College, sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.
On Tuesday, January 7th, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of CaroMont Regional Medical Center – Belmont, with President Thierfelder and Abbot Placid joining CaroMont executives to celebrate the new facility. Earlier in the week, they had the privilege of taking a private tour of the impressive hospital, guided by CaroMont Health CEO Chris Peek and Richard Blackburn, Vice President of Operations, gaining insight into the hospital’s state-of-the-art offerings.
Belmont Abbey College welcomes this new era for the City of Belmont and for our college community. The establishment of a facility dedicated to the care of others reflects the monks’ ongoing commitment to this community. Abbot Placid expressed deep gratitude for this milestone in their nearly 150-year mission of love and hospitality, emphasizing how privileged we are to be part of this collaboration. Since conversations between Chris Peek, Dr. Thierfelder, and Abbot Placid began in 2019 about a hospital serving Gaston County in Belmont, it is truly remarkable to see the hospital come to fruition—more than five years in the making.
The college is overjoyed at this new beginning and the many benefits it will bring to the broader community and our nursing students. Starting in the Fall of 2025, our students will utilize space in the hospital for training and complete clinicals at the new facility. In addition, the college is equally excited to welcome CaroMont’s nurses into our BSN and MSN programs in the years ahead.
During the tour, Richard Blackburn shared, “A hospital is only as good as the care the patient receives… It is about how we’re going to care about that patient, one person at a time. We want to focus on caring for that patient and every staff member understanding that that’s the only thing that matters. The only thing that we’re here to do is to care for people.”
This partnership represents a shared commitment to exceptional care and education, and we look forward to its lasting impact on our community.
CaroMont Regional Medical Center – Belmont began receiving its first patients on Wednesday, January 8th at 8 a.m.
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