Opening of School Mass: Feast of the Assumption

Every year we have an all school mass to celebrate the beginning of a new year.  This year the first day of classes just happened to coincide with the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.  Abbot Michael Liebl was the celebrant. More Photos

Faculty Retreat Prepares the Way

Three days of in-service for the faculty concluded with a half-day retreat led my Sr. Marietta Kerkvilet, OSB from Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, South Dakota. The them of the retreat was "Tools for Leaders" Which focused on Chapter 4 of the Rule of Saint Benedict titled the "Tools for Good Works".  The morning offered time for personal reflection, small group discussion and sharing.  At the conclusion of the retreate each member of the community was presented with an actual tool (wrench or screwdriver) as a reminder throughout the year of the "Tools of Good Works" they intend to practice in their work during the school year.

After the retreat group photos were taken of the monks, faculty, and staff:

Back Row: Jim Lewis, Laura Rice,  Ken Rice, Kari Herbst, Ed Wilberding, John Gathje, Chad Schuttler, Abbot Raphael Walsh (retired)
Front Row: Bro Luke Clinton,  Lori Coffield, Fr. Richard Thell, Jenny Powell, Michele Whitaker, Dave Cormier

Back Row: Sr Carol Jean Van Den Hemel, Gail Raabe, Leah Zohner, Matt Luettel, Christy Crnkovich, Eileen Sullivan, Amy Masek.
Front Row: Bro Joseph Dugick, Michael Williams,  Russ Brester, Tim Struckman, Bob Sullivan, Dr. David Peters.

Noelle Kunkel, Mary Ann Maier, Tedi Lund, Jason Mackeprang, James Bender, Kim Volpone, Abbot Theodore Wolf (retired).
Front Row: Bro. Benedict Mary Ober, Jon Borer, Fr. John Hagemann, Sean Albright, Jack Pritchard, John Roshone.

Back Row: Michael Sullivan, Fr. Louis Sojka, Michael Smith, Bro August Schaefer, Tom Heaston, Joe Kapusnick, Fr. Daniel Lenz,
Front Row: Bro Roger Mangels, Marilynn Theis, Bro William Dokulil, Gina Fosco, Randy Crnkovich, Bro Mel Tichota.

Randy Speer '13 selected as Athlete of the Week

Mount Michael is very proud of recent 2013 alum Randy Speer who was named Arby's Athlete of the week.

Opening of School Mass & Picnic 2013

The Mount Michael community of families, faculty, staff and monks gathered around the Bell Tower for the annual opening Mass and picnic. Fr. Stephen Plank OSB was the celebrant  at the Eucharist.

Over 800 people were in attendance for the evening.  Afterward the freshmen parents and their sons met for orientation.  The freshmen stayed the night to continue orientation on Monday before heading home until class begin later in the week. Upper classmen move in on Wednesday afternoon and classes begin on Thursday. The enrollment for the school year is over 230 which is a record enrollment. More Photos

Alumni & Mount Michael Sons

Alumni Knights with their Mount Michael sons.
Left to Right: Dr. John Drahota '82, Lumir Drahota '14, Harrison Hohman '15, Dave Hohman '83, Evan Murray'12, Steve Murray '80, Benedict Murray'17, Jon Collins '15, Alec Gregerson '17, Charlie Collins '85 Bill Gregerson '85, DJ Wooten '13, Dave Wooten '87, Thomas Wooten'15, Jared Mikuls '15, Dr. Ted Mikuls '86, Jake Render '88, Patrick Render '17, Brian Morrisey '84, Colin Donahue '14, Jack Morrisey '16, Cooper Wilson '14,  Mike Donahue '89, Don Wilson '79, Jeff Jamrog '83, Jared Jamrog '14, Davis Wilson '14 (Not Pictured: Dr. Sean Kenney '84, Connor Kenney '16, Steve Britt '79, Robin Britt '14)

Summer Renovations Around the Mount

Trees added to Picnic Grounds

As students and staff return to the Mount they are discovering that some renovations have been occurring.  Some new trees have been planted just south of the school to expand the reach of the picnic grounds.  Of course it will take a few years before they provide much shade but in time they will greatly improve the space.  North of the school the soccer field has been widened and reseeded.  On the north side of the track where an old freezer was used for athletic storage a new athletic storage building has been built.  The upper floor of the new building will provide filming and score keeping space for the renovated soccer field.   The Michaeleen/Development Office has received a face lift with the porch being rebuilt and sod and a sprinkler system was installed.

Inside the school the freshman deans living and office space has been expanded and renovated.  As a result the library made a few renovations that have allowed for the consolidating of the fiction section into one area and the rearrangement of the computer and magazine areas.  Four new computer stations have also been added.  Because of the growing enrollment an additional room dorm room has been added on the top floor.  The main entrance to the school is also being redone inside to provide better security and hospitality for guests.

Building Constructed on Athletic Fields

Near the Abbey a garage is being constructed to house the Abbey and school vehicles.  Construction will begin in August with a November 1st completion date.  This will allow the current garage, which is attached the gym, to be renovated into a new weight room at a future date.

A special thanks to everyone who assisted with the renovations and help prepare the Mount for the upcoming school year. More Photos