ABBEY BANNER - St. John's Abbey

Mathias Arnold Spier,
OSB
1931 – 2010
The fourth of the six children
of John and Genieve
(Schmeing) Spier of nearby
Freeport, Arnold came to Saint
John’s Preparatory School in 1945 to
determine if he had a vocation to the
priesthood. Indeed he did as proved
by the forty-five years Father Mathias
(the name given him as a novice)
served God’s people in Minnesota
parishes.
Ordained in 1958, Mathias was the
associate pastor and pastor of parishes
in Albany, St. Paul, Medina, Richmond,
Northeast Minneapolis, St.
Joseph and Jacobs Prairie and chaplain
of nursing homes in New Hope
and Cold Spring.
On the occasion of his silver anniversary
of ordination, Mathias
reflected on his assignment as pastor
of Holy Name Parish in Medina: “The
day before I arrived the old altars and
carpets in the church were removed,
and for the first month I offered Mass
in a makeshift surrounding. Finishing
the remodeling of Holy Name
Church was one accomplishment that
brought me the greatest satisfaction.”
He added his gratitude for the help of
three Benedictine sisters from Saint
Scholastica Monastery in Duluth.
Mathias left his mark on other
parishes. He renovated the rectory of
Saint Boniface Parish in Minneapolis
so confreres studying in the Twin Cities
or needing an overnight stay close
to the airport could have free lodging
and a well-prepared meal. In Medina
he worked with local officials to bring
sewer and water to the church and
area. In St. Joseph he developed the
community food shelf, began Meals
on Wheels and cajoled the fire depart-
OBITUARIES
ment to put Christmas lights on the
big fir tree in front of the rectory and
set up a fine crib set. When the Minnesota
Gophers’ football team held
their pre-season camp at Collegeville,
Mathias invited a coach to the monks’
retirement center to distribute maroon
and gold caps and sweat shirts.
In his homily at Mathias’ funeral,
Abbot John identified him as a “warm,
outgoing, friendly man with a dry,
lively sense of humor.” Mathias’ obesity
complicated other health problems
and a month before he died he was
told he had inoperable cancer. Abbot
John remarked, “As a faith-filled
pastor who helped many other people
face similar situations, Mathias gave
it all to Christ. When he died, he was
truly at peace.”
Mathias’ funeral was celebrated on
January 22. May he rest in peace. +
Fr. Mathias was the Grand Marshall of the 1989 4th of July parade and celebration of
St. Joseph, Minnesota.
St. Joseph Lion’s Club
Abbey Banner Spring 2010 page 25