| Rev. Eugene Gries, O. Praem. |
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"As a small Community of priests and brothers, we cherish communio – living together, eating together, praying together, celebrating the Eucharist together."
My First Journey to Albuquerque, New Mexico, was in February 1985. Several Norbertines from the Abbot's Council of St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, Wisconsin, came to see where the Norbertines might become established and begin to serve the Church of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
The rest is history. The Norbertines arrived at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in the summer of 1985 to begin serving the people of that Parish. In 1995, the Norbertines established a more permanent Priory residence in the South Valley. Here we are also able to provide spiritual direction and hermitage retreats.
For some reason not totally know to me (one of those mysteries in life), I am drawn to a cross-cultural experience in Church ministry. I had lived in the Fox River Valley of northeastern Wisconsin for over fifty years. I served at St. Norbert College for seventeen years.
After four years as Prior of St. Norbert Abbey, I volunteered to help open our foundation effort in Jackson, Mississippi, a primarily African-American community. Two years later, I was transferred back to the Abbey and reappointed the Prior. The ministry experience in Jackson at Catholic Charities was most rewarding.
As Prior of St. Norbert Abbey it was a privilege to serve the men of the Community. I had the opportunity to collaborate in the setting up of a Home Care program for our senior men. This enabled our older confreres to be home under the care of the nursing staff instead of being sent to a nursing home for care. This home health program at the Abbey truly uplifted the hearts of our older men.
As Prior, I was also able to visit our men in their various places of ministry: Peru; South America; Jackson, Mississippi; parishes; men on sabbatical; or at our various priories. This included an annual visit to Albuquerque to see the Norbertines already ministering here and be shown some of the many attractions around the state. I remember one visit in the month of February when the weather was exceptional, reaching 70 degrees or more every day. The warm sunshine was welcomed, given the hard, cold winter in Wisconsin.
After leaving the Prior's post, I recuperated from some health problems and watched over my mother as her health declined and she went home to God.
During that time, I savored the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl victory over New England. I also developed a walking program which I still observe this day.
After my mother's death, I rested, attended a scripture seminar and a month-long workshop in Spiritual Direction at Mercy Center in Burlingame, California. I also received approval from the Abbey personnel committee and the Abbot, to accept an invitation to join the Norbertine Community of New Mexico in Albuquerque to offer assistance in their various and growing ministries (another cross-cultural experience!) I am in the ninth year of this assignment.
As Associate Pastor at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church Community , I work with Fr. Joel Garner, Pastor, and the Pastoral Team consisting of other religious and laity.
At our priory in the South Valley, we Norbertines are also developing what will eventually be an abbey some day in the future. So we are very much here to stay. As a small Community of priests and brothers, we cherish communio – living together, eating together, praying together, celebrating the Eucharist together. Each of us has responsibilities in the daily life of the priory – for me this includes acting as Sub-Prior and Treasurer. I am also formation director for the Oblate Candidates.
My call to religious life was influenced by pastors in my own home parish and the Norbertines who helped on weekends there. My attendance at St. Norbert College had a great impact on me. I entered the Norbertine Order in 1962. By God's good grace, I made my Solemn Profession in 1967 and was ordained a priest the following year in March, 1968 on the Feast of St. Joseph.
The past forty years as a Norbertine Priest, I have enjoyed the many opportunities to serve. My present experience in Albuquerque too, is a special blessing. For all of this I give thanks to many.