Fall 2012 Issue - Archmere Academy

Mission & HeritageThe Heritage TourOver the summer, members of the Archmere communityhad the opportunity to partner with Saint Norbert Collegethis summer and travel to visit five Norbertine Abbeys inBelgium and France. “The Norbertine Heritage Tour,” as thetrip was called, allowed these 21 administrators and teachersfrom SNC and Archmere to learn about the history of theNorbertine tradition and to reflect on how the foundations ofthe order are still revelant to their school communities today.(Above): Archmere Board Chair Robert Shields ‘60 and his wife Mary K,English Teacher Tim Dougherty, Language Teacher Leah daPonte, Directorof Student Life Robert Nowacyzk and wife Michelle, and HeadmasterMichael Marinelli ‘76 and wife Diane stand in the ruins of the AbbeyChurch at Premontre, the first Norbertine Abbey in France.(Left): A statue of St. Norbert overlooks Mondaye Abbey in France.Mr. Tim DoughertyWhatever I expected the Heritage Tour to be, the actualtrip – I mean pilgrimage – far surpassed it. After all, thename – Heritage Tour – though apt, wouldn’t excitemany people, but I’m deeply interested in history, andalso since I’ve never quite grasped what “Norbertinetradition” really means, I was eager to learn someNorbertine history and define this tradition for myselfand others at Archmere.Over the course of twelve days, we visited five beautiful,old, and still active and relevant abbeys, met inspiringnovices and brilliant abbots, toured churches andcathedrals, walked through stunning European villages,celebrated Mass in Dutch and French, and saw thephysical impact of the French Revolution and WWII. Wefound, among all the Norbertine sites, the consistentmessages of and dedication to education and community,selflessness and sacrifice, reverence and service...inthe 21st Century. I loved it, and I feel better poised toarticulate Archmere’s mission, given this insight.Ms. Leah daPonteThe Heritage Trip was a very special experience for me aswell as an honor. I was amazed at how the community ofNorbertines has been able to maintain their culture andcharacter over so many years. The relationship betweenthe Norbertine brothers is really warm and comforting; itwas nice to see the priests from one abbey speaking theirdistinct language, yet recognize, greet, and laugh with aconfrere from another abbey, country, and culture!What I learned most of all about myself and Archmerethrough this pilgirmage is what the Norbertine traditionmeans to me personally: it is about authentic spiritualityand respecting the importance of quiet reflection time,it’s about treating others well, being hospitable, and mostimportantly, sharing in the cheer of a good meal withgood people. In addition, our tradition to me is aboutintellectual wisdom; something one can possess throughstudying what they are passionate about, and feedingone’s curiosity with study, conversation and travel.7