Sorry to have been quiet for so long, but you can imagine how chaotic the last couple of months have been here at the Stift.  Nevertheless, we definitely want to keep you "in the loop" as to what is happening.

New Novices

On August 27th the Provost clothed Fr. Tomas Maczka of the Diocese of Kjelce, Poland, and Thomas Bolz of Sigmaringen, Germany as novices.  Fr. Maczka has been visiting Klosterneuburg for many years and finally decided to try his vocation.  Thomas Bolz was a student of Church Music before coming to Klosterneuburg and deciding it was the right place for him.  The community rejoices that God continues to bless Stift Klosterneuburg with vocations.

Profession

At the high Mass on the feast of St. Augustine itself, Theobald, Daniel and Alipius took their simple vows, binding them for three years to the community.

With the Provost at the celebration in the evening

The Bishop -an Update

Of course the impending departure of Dom Markus for his new position as bishop of Oslo was never far from mind during the celebrations, and Provost Bernhard made a point of bestowing a purple zucchetto (skullcap) on Markus at the high Mass. Later on Markus appeared in episcopal uniform for Second Vespers.  Following the vespers there was a celebration for the newly simply professed and for him in the refectory.  There he was given a statue of St. Leopold to accompany him during what will surely be difficult days in Norway.

After Second Vespers of St. Augustine

The presentation of the statue

Albert with the man who should have been his novice master... was it something he said?

And two images perhaps should be immortalized from the ceremony in July at which the Provost formally announced Dom Markus' appointment as bishop.  It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words.

A New Novice Master, a New Beginning

But the business of the Stift and of the juniorate must go on.  To that affect the Provost announced on September 6th, the appointment of Ad. Rev. Dom Anton Höslinger as Novice Master and Director of Clerics.  The announcement was met with joy by the juniorate which has promised Dom Anton its fullest cooperation, support and prayers for the task ahead.  We ask for yours as well.  We will try to be easy on him.

To give you some idea of what the Novice Master's job entails, this is just a short list:

• Formation of novices and juniors (includes teaching classes as well as organizing the other novitiate course work).

• Recruitment of future novices.

• Checking and approving the courses of study of juniors and interfacing with their various residences.

• Arranging and supervising pastoral assignments of priest juniors and novices, as well as other pastoral placements.  This includes Austria and Norway.

• Supervising the juniorate budget.

• Organizing and continuing construction work within the juniorate.

• Generally shepherding what is about 1/3 of the actual community and listening to the many gripes and problems that come his way.

It should be clear that your prayers are needed.

General

No update would be complete without a few candid shots of our favorite characters home for the summer and for the celebrations.  Obviously Dom Maximilian is a notable exception as he was home caring for his dying father who went to his eternal reward on the Feast of St. Augustine.  We keep him and his family in our prayers.  Otherwise pretty much everyone was on deck.

Elias entertains our favorite voice teacher, Fritzi and her husband Kurt	Distinguished guest, Fr. Anthony Robbie seems amused, but Dom Bruno is concerned.	Alipius (and everyone else!) enjoyed another visit from his sister, Charlotte.
And of course...DER JOSEF in a rare camera smile	The Provost doesn't look like he will take no for an answer! Perhaps Mrs. Maczka prevailed.	Clemens seeks a victim to harass
Dom Alois -back from Bergen for vacation	Theobald and his lovely guest Jane trying to be interested in what Clemens is on about	Fr. Mark Steffl of Miinnesota (here studying German) waits for the procession to begin

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