St. Bernard graduate writes book about St. Bernard experience

LONGWOOD, Fla., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Seymour Lenz's new book, "Raised in the South by the Benedictine Monks at St. Bernard's Abbey," tells how, as a young adult raised in South Georgia, he took risks and faced challenges to change his life for the better.

This is a book of short stories about being raised as one of six kids in a poor family in South Georgia. As a young boy, he was told that he had a vocation to be a priest and was sent off to the seminary at St. Bernard's Monastery in Cullman, Alabama. Some of his memories are full of adventure, and others are about struggle and hardship in a large family. His stories tell of the obstacles he faced, how they affected him and how he dealt with them. The happiest stories are about his friends and the monks at St. Bernard's, who influenced his life and helped him to grow into a young man full of optimism and opportunity. His experiences in life, while growing up, helped him to form his identity. They are part of who he became. It can help today's young adults to change their lives for the better.

Seymour was inspired to write his book when he went back to St. Bernard's, in Cullman, Alabama, for his fiftieth class reunion. Before leaving the Abbey, he visited the Abbey cemetery to pay his respects. It startled him when he saw the tombstones of all of the Benedictine Monks who had ever taught him. It then dawned on him how much of who he was had come from them. The monks had dedicated their lives, as teachers and mentors, to helping him as a young adult. They also taught him by their example. This book was written as a tribute to them, and shows a little bit of how they went about transforming his life.

Book Information: http://www.ereleases.com/pr/2009-RaisedintheSouth.png
Contact:
Seymour Lenz
407-620-3566 (Cell#)
E-Mail: seylenz@aol.com
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Prep School graduate ordained

Fr. Matthew Ericksen, SBP 1997, was ordained a priest on June 20, 2009, for the Diocese of Savannah at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia. Bishop Kevin Boland, bishop of Savannah, was the ordaining bishop. Four priests were ordained at the ceremony.

Fr. Ericksen's First Mass was celebrated at his home parish in Moultrie, Georgia the next day. Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B., Fr. Ericksen's former teacher and headmaster, was the homilist. The new priest has been assigned as assistant at St. Joseph's Church in Augusta, Georgia. He is the son of Margaret and Andrew Ericksen of Moultrie, Georgia.

Matthew Ericksen and his sister Maryann graduated from St. Bernard Prep in 1997. She was Valedictorian; he was Salutatorian. After graduation Fr. Ericksen attended and graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta and did theological studies at Mount St. Mary's School of Theology in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Maryann is currently a philosophy student at the Angelicum in Rome, Italy.

SBP graduate participates in U.S. Men’s National Boxing Championship

Mikey Santos, a 2005 graduate of St. Bernard Prep in Cullman, recently qualified for the U.S. Men’s National Boxing Championship in Denver, Colorodo. The twenty-one year old lightweight paid his alma mater a visit during the 2009 Alumni Reunion.

Santos surprised everyone at the school but his former headmaster, Fr. Joel Martin. “Mikey was a small fellow when he came to St. Bernard, I would not have imagined him a boxer,” Fr. Joel said. “However, he was dogged in his determination to reach the goals he set for himself, and after watching him recently in a match, I can see that with his self-discipline, talent, and love for the sport, he can be successful.”

“Manny Pacquia, a boxer in the Phillipines, has been my idol for years,” Santos said. “My freshman year, I decided to start training with the speed bag and punching bag in the dorm at St. Bernard. This is when I decided to pursue boxing.”

Santos competes in the Golden Glove and USA Boxing Tournament Cycles. He won the USA Boxing District Championship held in Tuscaloosa, AL, and recently won the Southeastern Regional competition held in Johnson City, TN, where he won the right to compete in the nationals held in Denver, CO.

“By chance I was able to train with Jorge Teron the #4 lightweight in the world. Now, when he visits in Birmingham, we train together before big fights,” Santos said.

Santos’ parents , Leonides and Anna Maria Santos, are big boxing fans but, grinning, Mikey admits, his mom is less of a fan when he is in the ring. “She comes to the fights, but she can’t watch.”

Santos was raised in Russellville, Alabama, where he grew up with his twin brother, Joseph, who also boxes, and his older sisters, JoEllen and Kim, all of whom graduated from St. Bernard Preparatory School.

Smiling, Santos said, “I remember my first fight. I walked into the arena, and the guys took one look at me and thought I was a wimp, so I had things to prove.”
“I have never been knocked out, but I did get hurt in a sparring session training once with Jorge,” claimed Santos. “Before every fight I tell myself, ‘You are a good fighter, and you have trained hard to be here.’”

Santos attends the University of Alabama-Birmingham where he is a Spanish major and is on the Dean’s List.

St. Bernard holds Alumni Reunion 2009

St. Bernard recently held Alumni Reunion 2009 for the alumni of St. Bernard College, Junior College, High School and Prep School the weekend of June 26th , 27th and 28th. Alumni from Puerto Rico to California gathered for the weekend to renew their friendships and remember the stories of their time at St. Bernard.

The weekend began with an Alumni Golf Scramble held at Chesley Oaks Golf Course with over 40 players participating. Tee time was at 9:00 am on Friday, June 26th and golfers were on the course will early afternoon. A luncheon was served at the club house of the golf course during which the winners received their prizes and recognitions.

At 9:30 am on Saturday a reception for the alumni was held in the newly renovated Ave Maria Grotto gift shop and gardens. The gift shop displayed an expanded sales area as well as a porch veranda and new exhibits and displays. Several alumni expressed delight in seeing the newly erected bronze statue of Br. Joseph placed across from the main altar in the Grotto garden.

A town hall meeting conducted by Fr. Marcus Voss and Abbot Cletus Meagher was held in the Switcher Classroom Building to update the alumni on the life and activities of St. Bernard Abbey and School. It was reported that the Abbey continues to grow and recently receive five new candidates into its formation program. The students in the school continue to excel as is evident from the $3 million in scholarship awarded to the thirty-three seniors who graduated this year. The economic downturn has had a negative impact on the investments for both the abbey and the school. Both Fr. Marcus and Abbot Cletus underscored the important role the alumni play in helping the Abbey and School meet the current financial challenges. Immediately following the presentation, a question and answer session followed. At the conclusion of the meeting, lunch was served in the Dining Hall.

The Alumni Mass was celebrated at 4:30 pm in the Abbey Church with Abbot Cletus as the main celebrant. In this homily, Abbot Cletus spoke of the life of faith that we all share and expressed his thanks for the blessings we all have received.

The Alumni Reception and Banquet, which was held in the Fazi-Richard Athletic Center, followed the celebration of Mass. Anniversary classes had their pictures taken as the alumni gathered for a delightful evening of good food, long conversations and dancing.

St. Bernard to host Summer Open House

St. Bernard Prep in Cullman is hosting Summer Open House on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 2 p.m. Fr. Marcus Voss, President of St. Bernard Prep, said he hopes to give families the opportunity to see St. Bernard and the many benefits available at the school. “Many families are not aware of the wonderful educational option that is available to them at St. Bernard. I would invite everyone to come and see what we have to offer. We have an exceptional Middle School and High School which can help students grow and develop and become successful,” Fr. Marcus said.

The school, operated by the Benedictine monks at St. Bernard Abbey, serves students in grades 7-12. St. Bernard is a co-ed boarding and day school, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

“Just last May,” Fr. Marcus continued, “ we graduated thirty-three graduates. Those thirty-three graduates were offered in excess of $3 million in college scholarships. Our classes are small by design which allows our teachers to give more individual attention to our students. Students with average to good academic ability can learn to excel in our environment.”

Fr. Marcus concluded by saying, “We want our students to participate. We offer art, music, drama and athletics so our students can develop their talents in a variety of ways. Being well-rounded not only opens the doors to college, it also prepares a person for success in life.”

The Open House is designed for both commuting and resident students. Participants in the Open House will receive a tour of the campus, meet current students and have the opportunity to speak with parents who have students enrolled at St. Bernard.

To reserve a place at the Summer Open House, call (256) 738-6682 ext. 7110. To make application to attend St. Bernard, visit the website at www.stbernardprep.com and click on “Admissions” or call (256) 738-6682 ext. 7128.

St. Bernard to host Alumni Weekend 2009

St. Bernard in Cullman, AL will host the 2009 Alumni Weekend on Thursday, June 25-Sunday, June 28. Everyone who has attended St. Bernard High School, Junior College, College, or Prep School is invited to attend.

On Thursday a golf reception and team assignments will be held in Founders Hall. Friday will include a golf scramble at Chesley Oaks Golf Course or a town outing to specialty and antique shops. Friday evening all will take part in a buffet dinner and dance. Saturday will include a reception in the Grotto, town hall meeting, lunch cookout, and dinner banquet.

Special recognition for the anniversary year classes of 1949, ’54. ’59, and ’64, etc. and the Prep School classes of 1989, ’94, ’99, and 2004 will be given.

For more information regarding cost and registration, contact the school by calling (256)739-6682 or www.stbernardprep.com.

Record number attends Camp St. Bernard

Seventy-five boys and girls from North Alabama are participating in the first week of summer camp located on the campus of St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, AL. The first week, which is designed for youngsters ranging in age from seven to ten years of age, opened on Sunday, May 31st and will continue until Friday, May 5th. Two more weeks of summer camp will follow on June 7-12 and June 14-19 and are designed for 10-14 year olds.

Camp Director, John Arndt, said he is very pleased with the large number of participants this year. “It has been fantastic having a record number of campers” he said. “The kids are happy which speaks well for our counselors,” Arndt continued. “The campers are constantly on the move. As soon as one activity ends, everyone wants to know what the next activity is going to be.”

Camp Saint Bernard helps each individual camper gain skills that will enable him or her to achieve a strong sense of self. The campus is taught to be confidence and self-responsibility in a safe, enjoyable, and supervised setting.

One activity especially enjoyed by the campers was being marooned on the “lava boat.” Greyson Gerding, a first-year camper, said this has been his favorite activity during his first day. As Grayson explained “You have a board over four barrels and a gigantic stick. You have to push the stick, and move a barrel to the front without falling into the lava- which is really the grass.”

“One of the goals at Camp Saint Bernard is to provide a recreational environment in which campers can gain a deeper understanding of the manner in which they are related to their natural environment and their fellow man,” said John Arndt. “As stated by patron St. Bernard, a monk of the 12th century, ‘You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.’ "

Camp Saint Bernard offers day and boarding camps during the summer with each camp session lasting one week. June 7-12, and June 14-19 are camps with activities and sessions designated for 10-14 year olds. For more information contact John Arndt at 256-739-6682 or http://www.campstbernard.com/.