Winter 2011 - Mount Michael Benedictine School

Merry Christmas!
Volume 56, Issue 14
Winter 2011
Many blessings to you and your family
from the Monastic Community!
During this blessed Christmas Season may the
new born savior fill you with many blessings
and give you his abundant peace.
We want to thank you for your gifts, your prayers,
and your presence throughout the year
at Mount Michael Benedictine.

Letter from the Abbot
…there
is a peace
and quiet
associated
with the
Marian
shrine…
A couple of years ago this fall, we spent time
in one of the suburbs of Minneapolis-St. Paul
to meet with alumni in the area. Among the
alumni joining us for our get-together were
Thomas Roman and his wife Stella. Tom was a
student at St. John Seminary (the predecessor
of Mount Michael Benedictine) from 1956
through 1960. While sharing stories of his time
at St. John’s, Tom asked whether the Marian
shrine was still standing. The short answer is yes,
and very much so.
The Marian shrine is located just to the
north and to the west of the school building,
about halfway down the bluff. At the end of the
track north of the school, there is a path that
leads down the bluff to the Marian shrine. Few
casual visitors see the shrine. You have to know
where the path begins. It takes some effort to
reach it. According to Br. Mel Tichota, who is
our resident historian for that era, the Marian
shrine was built about 1960. Some enterprising
students led by Michael Guevara went to a good
deal of effort to build the shrine, because it has
survived in wonderful condition for fifty years.
Over the years, a variety of classes worked
around the shrine or helped maintain the
pathway leading to it. In the early 1980s, Fr.
Thomas Allen used to mow the entire hill on
foot with a push mower. Given Fr. Thomas’s
advanced age, it was a remarkable feat of
stamina. Fr. Thomas went through several
mowers keeping the grass and the weeds cut
down on the hillside, much to the chagrin of Fr.
Nathanael Foshage who was business manager
at the time.
Due to its relatively isolated location, the
Marian shrine has always proved a popular
spot with students who have a desire to get
away from the hustle and bustle of school or
the watchful eyes of a prefect or dean. There is
a peace and quiet associated with the Marian
shrine, in addition to a beautiful view of the
Elkhorn valley below.
Having worked on the shrine and having a
devotion to Mary, Tom Roman was naturally
curious to learn if the shrine still existed. I told
him that indeed, the Marian shrine very much
still existed and is still a treasured, if somewhat
unknown, feature of the campus. We promised
to send him some photos of the shrine. Good
intentions sometimes get lost in the swirl of
responsibilities. Some days ago, I received a
letter from Tom. He asked again about the
shrine and wondered if there are any photos
of the shrine. In his letter, he also encouraged
us to remind the students of the advantages to
interceding with Mary in prayer. So I sent a
letter back to Tom. This time I promised Tom
I would not forget his requests. So the abbot’s
letter in this issue of the Michaeleen is a thankyou
to all the students who helped make the
Marian shrine the special place it was and
remains to this day. And of course, a reminder
to not forget the value of turning to Christ’s
Mother in prayer.
~ Rt. Rev. Michael Liebl, O.S.B.
Christmas & New Year’s Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve Mass • December 24th - 8:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Mass • December 25th - 11:00 a.m.
New Year’s Day Mass • January 1st - 9:30 a.m.
2

Memorial & Tribute
Information
Often inquiries are made about our memorials
and tributes for relatives and friends, living or
deceased. At Mount Michael one can enroll families
or friends in our memorial and tribute foundation.
This consists of daily remembrance at the Eucharist
and the Divine Office by the monks of Mount
Michael Abbey. Upon enrollment, we will notify the
family with a card.
The suggested offering for this memorial enrollment is:
INDIVIDUAL
One Year $50
Five Years $100
Lifetime $250
FAMILY
One Year $100
Five Years $200
Lifetime $500
Mass Information
If you find that your pastor is unable to
conveniently take care of Masses you wish to have
celebrated for your particular intentions, Mount
Michael Abbey welcomes the requests for such
intentions. We will see to it that the Masses are
celebrated as promptly as possible.
The offering you make should correspond with
that suggested by the diocese in which you reside.
Your pastor will be able to inform you of what the
stipend of a particular diocese may be.
Mass Intentions $10.00
Please address such requests to:
Mass Intentions
Development Office
Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey
22520 Mount Michael Road
Elkhorn, NE 68022
Births
Grant Lawrence, September 13th, 2011
8 lbs. 5 oz., 23 inches long
Andy (’01) and Liz Worthington
Marriages
Marc (’06) and Jessica Jergovic
Married August 27th, 2011
Deaths
William Goralski
Grandfather of Jacob Eyth (’14)
Robert Jergovic
Father of Michael Jergovic (’01)
David Jergovic (’03)
Marc Jergovic (’06)
Bob Long
Friend of Mount Michael
Ruth Rada
Aunt of Sophomores
Cooper and Davis Wilson
Robert J. Sylvester
Father of Patrick Sylvester (’83)
Daniel Sylvester (’84)
Donald Sylvester (’96)
Beth Lafave, Daughter
Grandfather of Nick Lafave (’11)
Please send announcements to Kari Herbst:
kherbst@mountmichael.org
3

Letter from the PRESIDENT
…Sharing
the good
news…
According to Boarding School Review
(www.boardingschoolreview.com), Mount
Michael Benedictine ranks #1 in the country
for all-boys boarding schools in two key
categories—Affordability and ACT/SAT
scores. A result of hard work done well, and
from being supported generously with much
love and plentiful prayer. I share this with you
not to be boastful, but rather to remind us to be
thankful for what we have, and that you might
help share this good news with others to make
them aware of the opportunity Mount Michael
Benedictine offers.
A Mount Michael Benedictine education is a
commitment to develop the whole person, not
just the mind as calculator. For example, Father
Gregorio has done a terrific job with campus
ministry, striving to instill Benedictine values
in our community. And we appreciate having
enthusiastic coaches and program leaders who
have led our teams to successes this fall, such as
State Cross-Country runner-up, and finishing
in first place in Class B and second place in all
classes at the UNL Math Day Competition, and
who led our teams through the tough lessons
of life taught by overcoming adversity and
doing your best in spite of the results on the
scoreboard.
We have twenty Mount Michael Benedictine
students named as 2011 AP Scholars by the
College Board. We also have three Knights who
received National Merit recognition.
The financial operating forecast for the year is
ahead of budget. And thanks to the generosity
of many, the capital campaign has secured gifts
to cover the $2 million endowment and to
begin the Water Treatment Project.
A special “Thank you!” to the Booster Club,
for donating new CAD computers and tables,
new and renovated weight room and wrestling
equipment, and for providing funding for our
drama program.
We had record attendance for our
Open House for prospective students on
November 20th, a 35% increase from last
year. Attendance for Camp Mount Michael,
our most important source of students, was up
38% from last year, which bodes well for future
incoming freshman classes.
Thanks again to all who provided feedback
on Dr. Peters’ performance. The summary is “it’s
early, but I like what I see so far.” Dr. Peters’
strengths mentioned most often are his ability
to build trusting relationships, to demonstrate
the Mount Michael Benedictine mission in
his conduct, his communication skills and
his professionalism. Parents asked for more
opportunities to interact with Dr. Peters and for
Dr. Peters to build stronger connections with
the students. I’ll be working with Dr. Peters on
plans to fill these gaps. Please keep the feedback
coming, we need to hear from you to continue
to make Mount Michael Benedictine an even
better experience and stronger community.
We are most grateful for the dedication
of our employees and the generosity of our
many volunteers and benefactors. We are also
sincerely appreciative of the guidance from the
School Board and monastic community, and
for the input from parents, alumni and friends.
With your support, we will continue to strive
for excellence in all that we do, as we live our
mission of spirituality, scholarship, and the
formation of Christian Community.
~ Mr. Bob Goldsmith
“That in all things God may be glorified.”
Rule of St. Benedict (1 Peter 4:11)
4

HANDCRAFTED HANDCRAFTED PINE CASKETS
PINE PINE CASKETS
Simple, Simple, dignified dignified pine caskets
pine caskets
You are Invited! The monks of Mount Michael Abbey ask that you please join us.
Sunday, October 16th from 1 - 4p.m. on the 1st floor of the Abbey
View the beautifully handcrafted caskets that will now be available for purchase by the public.
For more information, contact Father John Hagemann: jhagemann@mountmichael.org
The design The design and craftsmanship
and craftsmanship
The design and craftsmanship
The by
The design for The
design Mount design
for Michael for
Mount Mount
Michael
Benedictine Michael
Benedictine Abbey’s Benedictine
Abbey’s
coffins Abbey’s
coffins was created coffins
was by was
created
created
by
by
Bro.
Bro. Andrew Bro.
Andrew
Sorenson, Sorenson, O.S.B. Sorenson,
O.S.B. (1921-2007). O.S.B.
(1921-2007). (1921-2007).
During During of his monastic During
his his
monastic
life, monastic
life,
of life,
Bro. Bro. Andrew’s The Bro.
Andrew’s main design Andrew’s
main work for was Mount main
work
that work
was
Michael of abbey was
that Benedictine that
of
carpenter. of
abbey
abbey
carpenter. Many Abbey’s carpenter.
Many of caskets the desks, Many
of was of
the
created the
desks,
desks,
tables to by
tables and bookcases Bro. tables
and Andrew and
bookcases around bookcases
around Sorenson, the Abbey around
the
O.S.B. and (1921-2007). the
Abbey
As School Abbey
and are and
School
testaments During School
are his are
testaments
monastic to testaments
to
his
life,
to
his
his
careful careful and meticulous Bro. careful
and Andrew’s and
meticulous work. meticulous
work.
main As work a side work.
As
was project of that
As a
side
Bro. of
side
project abbey Andrew project
Bro.
carpenter. Bro.
Andrew
built Andrew
built coffins Many for built
coffins
of the
in the coffins
for desks,
for
the
the
monastic
monastic community. tables monastic
community. Many community.
Many
bookcases of our around deceased Many
of of
our
the our
deceased
monks Abbey deceased
monks by are and buried School monks
are
in are are
buried the testaments buried
in
beautiful
in
the the
beautiful
to beautiful
hand-made his
to
hand-made wooden careful hand-made
wooden in and coffins meticulous wooden
coffins
crafted coffins
crafted
by work. Bro. crafted
by in As Andrew. a side by
Bro.
Bro.
Andrew.
project he Andrew.
Bro. Bro. Andrew Bro.
Andrew
was as laid Andrew
was built to
caskets was
laid
laid
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for
to
rest
rest in our Abbey the rest
in
monastic in
our
Cemetery our
Abbey
Abbey
Cemetery
community. in a Cemetery
in
coffin Many he in had a
coffin
of coffin
he
set our aside deceased he
had
had
set his set
aside
monks own. aside
as
as
his
are his
own.
buried own.
in the
Bro. Bro. Andrew Andrew Sorenson, Sorenson, O.S.B. O.S.B. beautiful hand-made wooden caskets crafted by Bro. Andrew. Bro. Andrew
Bro. Andrew Sorenson, Bro. O.S.B. Andrew Sorenson, O.S.B. was laid to rest in our Abbey Cemetery in a casket he had set aside as his own.
If If there there are are artisans in in the the monastery, let let them them practice their their crafts crafts with with all all humility, provided the the Abbot has has given given permission. But But if if
If there are artisans If any there in one the are of monastery, them artisans in let the them monastery, practice over let their them his crafts skill practice in with his all their craft, humility, crafts with provided he all humility, the to Abbot be provided has given the permission. Abbot has of given the But if permission. let But him if
any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft, because he seems to be conferring benefit of the Monastery, let him
any one of them Bro. becomes any taken Andrew one of conceited from them Sorenson, his becomes craft over O.S.B.
and his conceited no skill in his over craft, his because skill it in his he craft, seems after because he to has conferring he seems a to benefit conferring the of the Monastery, a again benefit gives of let the him him Monastery, let him
taken from his craft and no longer exercise it unless, after he has humbled himself, the Abbot again gives him permission.
be taken from his be craft taken and from no longer his craft exercise and no it longer unless, exercise after he it has unless, humbled after himself, he has humbled the Abbot himself, again gives the Abbot him from permission. again the gives Rule of him St. permission.
57
If there are artisans in the monastery, let them practice their crafts with all humility, from the
provided from
Rule of St.
the Benedict
Abbot the Rule has of
Chapter
given St. Benedict permission. Chapter
57
But if
57
from the Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 57
any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft, because he seems to be conferring a benefit of the Monastery, let him
be taken from his craft To and Purchase, no longer exercise Contact it unless, Father after John he has at: humbled hagemann_john@hotmail.com
himself, the Abbot again gives him permission.
from the Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 57
1. The rope handled casket – $1,895 2. The wooden handled casket – $1,495 3. The very plain pine box – unfinished – $895
5

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
…a simple
meal is
central to
our faith…
The holidays are a great time for people to
celebrate. Starting with Thanksgiving and going
through the New Year we are generally invited
by others, or we invite them, to get together.
Christmas is a big time for family, work and
neighborhood celebrations. Food is usually
involved somehow with these parties and
gatherings. Food plays an important role.
Meals are, in and of themselves, social events.
Planning major meals, like at Thanksgiving
and Christmas, takes effort and time. Family
traditions with the menu constitute a form of
practice, custom and ritual. We all want our
aunt’s cookies or grandmother’s special gravy.
Even when people pass on and are gone, the
cherished recipes may continue through the next
generations. We get together and enjoy the food
because it makes us remember them. Meals can
be memorial.
Meals are important at a place like Mount
Michael Benedictine School. We offer three
meals a day to our young men. Besides
personnel costs, the most expensive item in our
budget is food! It costs hundreds of thousands
to feed our young men over the course of a year.
Respect at mealtime is important. Proper
table manners and good conversation are vital.
Our young men eat in a dining room as a
community. They do not go through our kitchen
line and retire to their room in isolation. It is
important for them, and for us, to have this
shared time together. It is community, which is
an important Benedictine value, and it is like
family. Our boys share this time, while eating,
together as brothers in community as if in a
family.
Sometimes hectic and varied schedules keep
families from having meal times together.
A hurried run-through at Burger King,
McDonald’s or Wendy’s, and then eating in
the car, may constitute a family meal. Time
and schedules can conspire against having this
family time together.
How important are family meals In looking
at twenty years of data on National Merit
scholars the National Merit Scholarship
Corporation found that the only thing that all
past National Merit recipients had in common
was this: these students came from families
that ate together three nights a week. Without
exception, National Merit scholarship winners
grew up sharing dinner time with their families.
Another one of our Benedictine Values is
hospitality. When we invite guests into our
homes for meals, parties or get-togethers
hospitality becomes very important.
The Mass is a lot like that. The fact that Jesus
was eating His last supper with His friends, thus
establishing the Mass, the liturgy, as the focal
point to our faith, is monumental. A simple
meal is central to our faith.
Family attendance at midnight Mass or a
specific Mass at Christmas is another example
of a traditional celebration. It takes time to plan;
you need to arrive on time and then share in the
meal together as a community.
Meals lead to memories. They are memorial.
In many respects it is how we can meet and
really get to know people. It is a significant form
of hospitality. Good meals take time to prepare
and plan. It is not ironic that Jesus emphasized
the meal. That is why He said to do this in His
memory when He broke the bread and blessed
the wine. He became the meal. He became
central to all.
As you celebrate the Advent season and make
way for the birth of the Christ child, keep in
mind those family members or friends who are
no longer here. Enjoy those holiday gatherings,
celebrations and meals and remember those who
have gone before us. Remember those who used
to share those meals with us. Toast them and
your memories of them. They are there, still with
us in our hearts and souls, as we celebrate.
Keep them, and our Lord, close.
God bless, Merry Christmas.
~ Dr. David J. Peters, Ed.D.
6
For the latest news about Mount Michael Benedictine, visit our website at:
www.mountmichael.com

MOUNT MICHAEL BOOSTER CLUB
The mission and support statement for the
Mount Michael Booster Club trusts in following
the charism of the gospels and the Rule of Saint
Benedict. The Mount Michael Booster Club promotes
Mount Michael Benedictine School’s extracurricular
activities, awareness of the school, sportsmanship, and
Christian values.
The Booster Club supports many activities and
Projects: Sports Broadcasts, Event Programs, Youth
Basketball, Performing Arts Equipment, Supplements
to Activities Budgets, Sponsoring Speakers, Facilities
Renovations and Equipment, Robotics, Youth
Football Camp and much more.
Most recently, the Mount Michael Booster Club
provided team meals following some of the football
games. They have donated $2,500 to support the
Mount Michael Athletic program, along with another
$6,300 for new equipment and repairs for the school
weight room and wrestling program. They have
donated $5,600 for drafting tables and computers, as
well as sponsored a luncheon for the Silver Knights
Club. The Club provides two $1,000 scholarships on
an annual basis.
Along with their support, the Booster Club also
has many aspiring goals, some of which involve the
development of closer relationships with the Alumni
Association, along with strongly encouraging the
attendance of the January 14th banner game and
ceremony following. The Club plans to heavily attend
and participate in the annual D.J. Sokol Alumni Golf
Tournament/Fundraiser each year.
Membership in the Mount Michael Booster Club
is still open. It is due to our current members that
we are able to attain our annual goals of providing
support to the students and specific areas of Mount
Michael Benedictine High School.
President: Jerry Rauterkus
Vice President: Don Wilson
Treasurer: Jim Suing
Secretary: Shelia Mikulicz
Booster Club Wish List!
• Baseball Pitching Screen - $225
• Rubberized Decking for High Jump - $1,000
• Air Conditioning for Weight Room - $1,000
• Wrestling Mat - $9,000
• Baseball Bleachers - $20,000
Abbot Raphael enjoys the sunshine and hamburgers at a
Booster Club tailgating party!
Mount Michael Cross Country
Team Takes 2nd Place in State!
Pictured at
left, Tommy
Feichtinger
leads Mount
Michael,
running
in the
Class B State
Tournament.
Here’s how you can become a member
of the Mount Michael Booster Club!
www.mountmichael.com
> MM Resources > Parents
> Booster Club > Membership Page
7

DEAN’S LIST – First Quarter 2011-2012
— First Honors —
Martin Anderson
Tyler Bolden
Jared Bourek
Lukas Buehler
John Byrne
Nicholas Cairney
Neal Colaric
Michael Collins
Matt Denton
Harrison Engel
Tommy Feichtinger
Jun Haeng Ho
Tea Hyun Hwang
Joe Im
Taylor Korensky
Sean Kruger
Evan Murray
Keenan Reilly
Songa Rugangazi
Joe Sobczyk
Michael Sojka
Joe Stellato
George Townsend
Nathan Van Haute
Tom Walter
Richard Woods
— First Honors —
Nick Beckman
Matt Bohnhoff
Collin Donahue
Cameron Engel
Will Ernst
Rowan Gruber
Alex Hynes
Charlie Jarosik
Eun Woo Jee
Kevin Jewell
Andrew Johannes
Thomas Kalil
Moon Sup Kim
Justin Lytle
John Mikulicz
Matthew Okalebo
Will Sleddens
Jackson Taylor
Scott Townsend
Griffin Willer
Seniors
SOPHOMORES
— Second Honors —
Sean Anderson
Trevor Anderson
Joseph Bastian
David Dickey
Michael Duce
Alex Gass
Jacob Kenney
Dan Kim
Nico Marasco
Ned McNally
Jacob Peffer
Ian Sheets
Dan Sjostedt
Chris Thomas
Ian Thomas
— Second Honors —
John Beckman
Elijah Buckhold
Andrew Carpenter
Spencer Connors
Jarrett Crnkovich
Ryan Degener
Jacob Eyth
Jared Jamrog
Daniel Pavlik
Austin Ramaekers
Kyle Silke
Blade Tomich-Batten
Davis Wilso
Peter Xu
— First Honors —
Michael Budler
John Choi
Gabe Cohen
Peter DeWald
Vincent Harvey
Hunter Hottovy
Yoonho Kim
Benet Kinghorn
Joe Kucirek
Paul Kujawa
Tommy Maliszewski
Connor Moynihan
Yun Sik Oh
Ji Hoon Park
Grant Ramm
Joshua Rauterkus
Jacob Recker
Randy Speer
Jimmy Steier
Alvin Wang
— First Honors —
Joshua Adams
Ian Alfieri
Jonathan Alvine
Ryan Anderson
Jacob Batenhorst
Jacob Bragg
Cameron Bretsen
David Choi
Jonathan Collins
Marcus Cronin
Augustin deMayo
Andrew Ernst
Zachary Frevert
Chase Goddard
John Gutsmiedl
Harrison Hohman
Alex Hotovy
Oliver Jarosik
Jin Seo Kim
Logan Larson
Conor Luff
Jared Mikuls
Andrew Pace
Young Joon Park
Zachrey Starman
Eric Sullivan
Stefano Tarantolo
Anthony Taylor
Nathan Thomas
Reed Tiwald
Lucas Tucker
Andrew Whitaker
Thomas Wooten
JUNIORS
FRESHMEN
— Second Honors —
Joshua Bloomquist
JT Cronin
Tony Gao
Cory Keegan
Matt Lingo
Mark Loeffelholz
Ben Pape
Joshua Policky
Nick Scheer
Will Watson
David Wooten
— Second Honors —
Preston Blaine
Ben Borsh
Thomas Farhart
A.J. Grovas
Sam Heimerman
Logan Kalkowski
Ashton Legenza
Zachary McBride
Jacob Mumby
Michael Steier
Adam Terasinski
First Honors
1) Minimum GPA of 3.5
2) Satisfactory Personal Conduct
Second Honors
1) Minimum GPA of 3.0
2) Satisfactory Personal Conduct
8

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Over the past several years, Mount Michael
has continued to expand and get closer to its
target enrollment of 240 students. The 2011-12
school year began with Mount Michael having
its largest student body ever of 223 students. The
future continues to look bright with the 2011-
12 recruiting season going very well. This past
fall, Mount Michael had a record number of
over 100 students attend its annual open house,
as well as over 80 boys attend its “All Knighter”
Lock-In event. In addition to these events,
over seventy 7th and 8th graders have recently
come out to spend a shadow day on campus.
Even with a large number of students looking
at Mount Michael, we would still appreciate
Upcoming
Entrance &
Practice Exams!
Entrance Exam/
Scholarship Testing
Saturday, January 14, 2012
9:00 a.m.
Practice Exams
Saturday, December 3, 2011 &
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Both at 9:00 a.m.
the names/information of prospective 6th-8th
graders that are well-rounded, academically
oriented young men who you think might
thrive in Mount Michael’s top level academic,
extracurricular and athletic programs. We want
to make sure that Mount Michael continues its
tradition of excellence.
If you have any names/information for
prospective students, please feel free to submit
them by phone at 402-253-0946 or email at
ecrawford@mountmichael.org.
~ Eric Crawford ’00, Director of Admissions “…the
admissions@mountmichael.org
Christmas Break
Dismissal:
Thursday, December 22, 2011
future
continues
to look
bright…”
Classes Resume:
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Benedictine Values
Service
Community
Hospitality
Moderation
Integrity
9

ALUMNI NEWS
Going Places
…our
students
believe in
themselves,
and know
that they
are going
places…
10
Looking back, there are so many things that I
loved about my four years at Mount Michael—
the high academic standards demanded by
the teachers, the effort and sportsmanship
expected by the coaches, and the support and
brotherhood shared among the students. One of
the aspects I took for granted was the implicit
expectation that every student was going places.
The question in the spring of Senior year was
not if one was going to college, but where one
would enroll in the fall. “I’m going to UNL to
study Engineering” or “I’m going to St. Thomas
to pursue a degree in Philosophy” or “I’m going
to be a cadet at West Point.”
I went to a small liberal arts school in
Northfield, Minnesota called St. Olaf College,
where I majored in Physics and Religion while
participating in numerous music ensembles
and engaging in all the richness of campus
life. Like my four years at the Mount, my time
at St. Olaf prepared me to be successful, both
personally and professionally. Perhaps the most
valuable gift from the values-based education I
received at Mount Michael and St. Olaf was a
deeper understanding of my place in the world.
Conversations with monks, teachers, professors
and peers helped me shape a world view that
led me to understand the privilege I have been
given. Both of my parents went to college and
were able to send me to the best college-prep
high school in the state, which empowered me
to study at a leading liberal arts college. This
privilege is not anything to be ashamed of;
instead, it can be used as a tool for the greater
good.
After graduating in May of 2011, I signed up
for an AmeriCorps service year with a nonprofit
called College Possible right here in Omaha.
AmeriCorps is a federally-funded national
service organization; it’s similar to the Peace
Corps, but members serve within the United
States. College Possible is a nonprofit formed
ten years ago in Minnesota’s Twin Cities with
the mission to help low-income students earn
their college degrees. Upper-income students
are more than ten times more likely to earn a
college degree by the age of 24, compared to
their low-income peers; this is a disparity that
only contributes to the cycle of poverty.
College Possible is making college admission
and success possible for low-income students
through an intensive curriculum of coaching
and support. Ninety-one percent are students
of color who come from families that make an
average of $25,000 per year. Students attend
twice-weekly sessions after school during the
course of their junior and senior years. My role
within College Possible is a junior coach; I work
with high school juniors, building the idea that
college is an expectation, not an aspiration, and
facilitating ACT test-prep, learning about the
college application process and exploring college
options. In their senior year, the curriculum
shifts from test-prep to applying for admission,
financial aid and scholarships. College Possible
coaches continue to support our students
throughout college, giving our students every
benefit we can to empower them to success.
Over the last ten years, 98% of our students have
earned college admission, and of those, 80%
have earned a college degree or are currently
enrolled in college!
College Possible has done awesome things
for low-income youth in the Twin Cities and
Milwaukee; Omaha is the third city in which
College Possible operates, and we are very
excited to make a difference in this community.
In our first year, we will be serving 60 students
in two local public schools, and we are hoping to
serve in six high schools next year, with plans for
further expansion.
I’m excited to be making a difference in the
lives of these students. Many never considered
going to college prior to enrolling in College
Possible, and now they are on a path to success.
Just like at Mount Michael, the most common
question posed to a College Possible Senior isn’t
if he or she is going to college, but where; our
students believe in themselves, and know that
they are going places!
~ Kyle Svingen (’07)
Alumni Golf Classic
In Memory of
DJ Sokol
Friday, June 1, 2012
Alumni Reunion
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Classes of: ’57,’62,’67,’72,
’77,’82, ’57,’92,’97,’02,’07

DEVELOPMENT NEWS
23rd Annual
Night of Knights Prayer
Heavenly Father protect us as we
travel the wooden walkway of life.
Send your blessings upon
“Knights on the Boardwalk,”
our fundraiser event. Support our mission
to educate Mount Michael Benedictine
students to be true Christians enabling
them to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
~ Abbot Theodore Wolff, O.S.B.
SATURDAY
MARCH 24, 2012
Presented By
MOUNT MICHAEL
BENEDICTINE
Night of Knights Kick Off!
Introducing the 2012 Co-Chairs!
Pictured (left to right) Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Jessica Duce,
Abbot Michael, Mr. and Mrs. Rick and Jennifer Bohnhoff.
DECEMBER 2011
18 Breakfast with Santa
MARCH 2012
24 23rd Night of Knights
More events added as information becomes available!
For updates, please visit our website at:
www.mountmichaelhs.com.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA!
Sunday, December 18th, 2011, mark your calendars for Breakfast with Santa! Make
the experience a new tradition in your family! Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the
Mount Michael Chapel. A continental breakfast will be served in the Armory to
follow. Bring the whole family for this chance to meet Santa and tell him all the
things you want for Christmas this year. Guests will be able to sit on Santa’s lap, take
pictures and decorate cookies!
This event is free to all who attend. Current families, alumni families and friends of
Mount Michael are welcome. Please RSVP the development office at 402-253-0950.
This event is brought to you by the Mount Michael Alumni Association.
11

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A Quarterly Publication of
MOUNT Mount Michael MICHAEL Benedictine BENEDICTINE ABBEY Abbey & SCHOOL
22520 Mount Michael Road • Elkhorn, NE 68022-3400
Phone 402-289-2541
www.mountmichael.com
Abbot
Rt. Rev. Michael Liebl, O.S.B.
School President Abbot Rt. Abbot Rev. Raphael Michael Walsh, Liebl, O.S.B.
Director Interim School of Development President Bob Kim Goldsmith
Volpone
Director School of Development
Principal Kimberly Tom Ridder Volpone
Director School of Admissions Principal Dr. Eric David Crawford J. Peters
Director of Admissions Eric Crawford ’00
MICHAELEEN Staff
Michaeleen Editor Staff
Amanda Erwin
Monastic Editor
Rev. Kari Richard Herbst
Thell, O.S.B.
Publishing Monastic Editors
Mary Very Rev. Cormier Richard Thell, O.S.B.
Contributing Editor
Father Brother John Benedict Hagemann, Mary, O.S.B.
Publishing Editors
Brother Mary Cormier
Luke Clinton, O.S.B.
Brother Father John August Hagemann, Schaefer, O.S.B.
Brother Luke Clinton, O.S.B.
Brother August Schaefer, O.S.B.
Mount Michael Directory
Mount Michael Chapel
Visitors are always welcome
Daily Mass 7:15am • Sunday Mass 9:30am
Saturday 8:00am
Liturgy of the Hours (Monday-Saturday)
Morning Praise 6:30am
Noon Day Prayer 11:45am
Vespers 5:15pm
Night Prayer (In the Abbey) 7:00pm
St. Benedict Guest House
Gift Shop/Lunches/Teas/Dessert
Day Retreats
Br. Brother Jerome Jerome Kmiecik, Kmiecik, 402-206-2069
Vocation Ministry
For information about monastic life:
Brother August, vocations@mountmichael.org
Oblates of St. Benedict Director
Br. Prior Jerome Richard Kmiecik, Thell, O.S.B., 402-289-2541 402-206-2069x1002
oblates@mountmichael.org
rthell@mountmichael.org
Alumni Association
For information about meetings/events or or to to
report news: 402-253-0953
alumni@mountmichael.org
World Prayer Wide Needs Web and Spiritual Direction
www.mountmichael.org Abbot Theodore, O.S.B., (Abbey) 402-206-2089
www.mountmichaelhs.org
School Admissions
(School)
www.mountmichael.net
Eric Crawford, 402-253-0946
(Alumni)
Prayer admissions@mountmichael.org
Needs and Spiritual Direction
Abbot
Development Theodore,
Office
O.S.B., 402-206-2089
School Kim Volpone, Admissions 402-253-0964
Eric kvolpone@mountmichael.org
Crawford, 402-253-0946
admissions@mountmichael.org
Development Office
Kim Volpone, 402-253-0964
kvolpone@mountmichael.org
BOARD Board OF of Directors
DIRECTORS
William J. Behrendt
Jude Beller ’92
Eric Crawford ’00
Robert D. Goldsmith
Laura Hickman
Sara York Kenny, Ph.D.
Thomas Robert Lanik
McKnight, M.D.
Robert Rt. Rev. Lanik Michael Liebl, O.S.B. ’68
Rt. Dan Rev. Matuszek
Michael Liebl, O.S.B. ’68
Mary Thomas Kay McKnight, Miller M.D.
Brian Mary Kay Morrissey Miller
’84
Ravi Nath, Ph.D.
Br. Dr. James David Pope, J. Peters
O.S.B.
Thomas Todd Rohweder
Ridder
Todd Rev. Louis Rohweder Sojka, O.S.B. ’81
Rev. Audrey Louis Suing
Sojka, O.S.B. ’81
Audrey Very Rev. Suing Richard Thell, O.S.B.
Rev. Kimberly Richard Volpone
Thell, O.S.B.
Kimberly John Wagner, Volpone ’67
Rt. Rev. Raphael Walsh, O.S.B.
Bernard J. Wilson, Jr. M.D. ’84
Emeritus Peggy Sokol
In this
Issue…
Marian Shrine
2
Booster News
7
11
Night of Knights
11
Santa’s Breakfast