February 2006
Monthly Musings
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REVERENCE FOR GOD AND THE HUMAN PERSON
RESPECT FOR LEARNING AND ORDER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHARED EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY LIFE
This is part of an ongoing series of informal communications with Portsmouth Abbey School's constituents. Current parents, alumni/ae, past parents and friends have all expressed an interest in hearing more about our school, more often. It is meant to be one element among a number of activities designed to keep you better informed about the School, the Monastery and our community.
Nocturnal Adoration for Monastic Vocations: The Benedictine Monks of Portsmouth Abbey will commence nocturnal adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the First Friday of every month. The intention is to pray for new vocations to their community. Everyone is encouraged to come in at anytime throughout the night to adore Our Lord, pray for vocations to the Abbey, for needs of the Church, for family and friends and to ask Jesus to lead you into a deeper union with him. Adoration hours are from 7:20 in the evening until about 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning, depending on the season.
Ethics and World Religions Field Trip: The Ethics and World Religions class, a Sixth Form Christian Doctrine elective taught by Blake Billings '77, traveled to the Providence Islamic Center to meet with its director, Imam Abdul Hameed. The class studies ethical philosophy and contemporary ethical issues, while also devoting time to the study of major world religions. Imam Hameed explored some of the principles and practices of Islam, such as its "five pillars" of shahada or confession of faith, prayer, fasting, wealth sharing, and pilgrimage. The discussion, which included an informative question and answer period, was followed by an informal reception for the students. After this reception, students were able to observe the midday prayer session, which was called to order in Arabic over the mosque's public sound system by a Kurdish Iraqi. The class is planning a trip to the Providence Zen Center this spring. For more information on activities on campus, visit our online Calendars.
UPenn Model UN: Portsmouth Abbey School attended its third and final Model United Nations conference of this academic year. The School dispatched twelve students led by head delegate, Alex Leonard '06, to the Ivy League Model United Nations at the Wyndham Hotel in Philadelphia in January. The conference, sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania, was attended by some 2,000 students from across the country. Representing the Arab, natural-gas rich state of Qatar (pronounced "cutter"), the Portsmouth delegation included Courtney Mitchell '06, Laura Curren '06, Becky Findlay '06, Jesahel Cantarell-Cachoa '06, Na Hyun Lee '07, Chantra Pimolwatana '07, Maggie Moran '07, Adaobi Ibida '07, Catherine Hart '07, Kaitlyn Soares '07, Andrew Carson '07 and Dr. Zilian as their advisor. The delegates prepared for seven weeks by giving practice speeches, learning about Qatar, researching the issues before their respective committees and writing "position papers." At the conference, informal committee sessions ran according to parliamentary procedure; the students addressed issues before the actual United Nations such as human trafficking, separatist groups, globalization and debt relief for developing countries. Visit our Photo Galleries for photos of this event.
Dom Gregory Havill, O.S.B. Makes Solemn Profession: On February 2nd, during a mass celebrated by Father Caedmon and attended by the entire Monastic and School communities, Brother Gregory Havill made his solemn profession to the Abbey. Dom Gregory is now a fully professed permanent member of the monastic community of Portsmouth Abbey, one of the monasteries of the English Benedictine Congregation. Brother Gregory, a professional sculptor for thirty years, has works in collections in North and South America, Europe, and the Near East. He is also a valued member of the Portsmouth Abbey School faculty. When asked to describe his work, Brother Gregory says that "his artistic work is good, but his real masterpieces are his students." To read more about this event visit the Online News Pages of the School's Website, or visit the Photo Galleries for pictures.
Boat Contest: The 2006 Boat Contest was held in the Winter Garden on Monday, February 13th. Student teams built miniature boats made out of anything from empty Gatorade bottles to plastic foam and rubber bands. The competition was exciting and everyone involved had a great time. The winning team included Kyle Biddick '06, Christian Davenport '06, Kyle Ropoza '06. You can see photos of this event, in our online Photo Galleries.
Dom Luke Child's Lecture delivered by Keith Botsford '44: On February 3rd, writer, teacher, editor, and musician Keith Botsford '44 delivered the third Dom Luke Childs lecture. Botsford remembered his inspiring math teacher at Portsmouth, Headmaster Brady, as well as playing basketball and competitive tennis, "chasing Fr. Bede from corner to corner on the tennis court." He felt that Dr. Kelly's history classes, and his adage, "History is nothing but a bunch of stories," influenced him greatly as a writer. Botsford, once a student of the great Hungarian composer Bela Bartok, praised the influence of the beauties of Gregorian Chant he heard while a student at Portsmouth. Botsford has composed numerous musical pieces including two song-cyles and a number of chamber works and is an accomplished dancer. Botsford spoke on the subject of why artists choose to be artists. He cautioned, "Don't be an artist unless you absolutely have to; and then, don't believe that it won't consume you... The Arts are exercise and practice. They require persistence and tenacity. You have to keep at it." However, he added, "The Arts will never bore you." To read more about this lecture visit the Online News Pages of the School's website.
Winter Musical Extravaganza: On Friday, February 17th, the Abbey Players kicked off a weekend of outstanding performances of Cole Porter's musical, Anything Goes, directed by Jay Bragan, Director of Performing Arts. The musicians, directed by Blake Billings '77, led the actors through such old favorites as Blow, Gabriel, Blow and De-Lovely, on a stunning set built under the supervision of Brother Joseph. Individual performances by Kati O'Hearn '08, Traver Tischio '07, Kara O'Hearn '09 and Kyle Boston '07 were just a few of the outstanding additions to an incredible ensemble cast. Congratulations to cast and crew on another spectacular production!
Father Paschal's New Book available for Purchase Now: The Catholic University of America Press and the Portsmouth Abbey Community are pleased to announce the publication of a new study of Wilfrid Ward, the great biographer of Cardinal Newman and a leading Catholic voice in English society during the early twentieth Century: Out of Due Time: Wilfrid Ward and the Dublin Review by Father Paschal Scotti. Wilfrid Ward was the editor of the Dublin Review, the leading Catholic journal in the English-speaking world. Under his guidance the Dublin Review entered its golden age, attracting the best of England's Catholic writers and much attention outside the household of faith. Under his editorship, the journal featured well-known contributors such as G. K. Chesterton, Hilaire Belloc, Francis Thompson, Alice Meynell, Herbert Thurston, C. C. Martindale, and Robert Hugh Benson. The book is now available in the Online School Store. To read more about the book, visit the School's Online News Pages.
Annual International Food Night: On Thursday, February 9th, students had the opportunity to step behind the food line in the Stillman Dining Hall, and cook traditional foods from their Native countries. Some of the countries represented were Mexico, Zimbabwe, Korea, Germany, and Italy. The event was well attended and everyone was well fed! To view photos from this event click here.
Raven Cup Trivia Bowl: Round two of the 5 round Raven's Cup was held on Sunday, February 5 (aka Super Bowl Sunday). In keeping with the theme of the Super Bowl, students gathered in the auditorium for the first annual Abbey Trivia Bowl. Three representatives from each house gathered at their stations on stage to answer Trivia questions from the following categories: Geography, Sports, Pop Culture, Television and Movies, and Portsmouth Abbey School trivia. The participants' responses were not only impressive, but entertaining as well. While most dorms had a strong showing of support, St. Bede's and St. Aelred's were a little weak in the participation department. Since participation does count for points towards the event, it was all the more motivation for St. Bede's to take home the Trivia prize, answering nearly all of the questions correctly and scoring a total of 12 out of 15 points, leaving other houses in the dust with 7 points for St. Mary's and Manor House, 6 points for St. Leonard's, St. Hugh's and St. Benet's, and 5 points for St. Aelred's. The next Raven Cup event is Broomball in the Ice Rink...
Alumni & Development Regional Receptions: We hope that you will be able to join Dr. and Mrs. De Vecchi, Fr. Caedmon, and Cliff Hobbins as they travel in Florida and Atlanta in early March. The following is the schedule of events: March 7th Miami Dinner at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse; March 9th Vero Beach, FL Reception at the home of James'79 and Sue Mulholland; March 12th Naples, FL Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel; March 14th Atlanta Dinner at the Horseradish Grill. For more information on any of these events please click here, or to register Online please click here.
Appalachia Volunteers Needed: The 2006 Appalachia volunteers are in need of three more chaperones. The Appalachia trip will be over Spring Vacation, March 11-19. Student volunteers along with chaperones continue the Portsmouth Abbey tradition of service by helping to rebuild the impoverished Appalachia region of the United States. For more information please contact Clarence Chenoweth at 401-643-1277.
Lunar New Year Party: The Korea Culture Club sponsored the third annual Lunar New Year celebration on Thursday evening, February 2nd. A reception for over 60 people was held in the Cortazzo Administration Building's parlor. The party featured typical New Year's foods of Korea. The group's advisor, Blake Billings '77, and his wife, Jillian Fenton, helped organize the event, which is now in its third year. The festivities included playing traditional games, origami and listening to Korean pop music. The celebration was highlighted by a demonstration of Tang Soo Doo, a Korean martial art offered by children of faculty: Fenton Billings, Fletcher Bonin and Ander Guerenabarrena. For pictures of this event, visit the Photo Galleries.
Shakespeare Competition: Students competed in the annual Portsmouth Abbey School Shakespeare Competition on Wednesday, January 25th, in the Auditorium. All students gave remarkable performances, and should feel proud of their work. The winner was Andrew Carson '07; second place, Sade Solola '06; Third place, Courtney Mitchell '06. Each of the winners received a certificate and Tuck Shop gift card. Andrew will go on the the Rhode Island Shakespeare contest. The winner of this contest goes national, to compete for the opportunity to go to the home of the bard himself, Stratford-Upon-Avon, in England. To view photos from the competition, click here.
U.S. History Lecture: Bo Smith, teacher of the Irish History Seminar, led the Fifth Form and faculty on an oral tour of New York City and it's Irish Republican personalities in a lecture entitled "Famous Secrets: Two Centuries of Irish Republicanism in NYC." The tour started with the story of Mr. Smith's visit, one Easter, to the 69th Regiment Armory at Lexington and 26th, while he was attending Graduate School in the City. Here he attended a meeting of Irish Republicans, and witnessed an organization that was "open and democratic in one way", but "secretive and ruthless at heart". After this stop, the listeners were led to Saint Paul's Episcopal Church and the unexplained monuments to the exiled Emmet and Macneven. Visual depictions followed of the Fenian invasion of British Columbia and the first modern submarine, as built by John Holland. After a brief history of the Saint Patrick's Day parade in New York City, the lecture finished with some interesting music trivia, and the audience departed to the unexpected strains of Irish Republican rap.
Answer to the January Question of the Month: "Who was the last monk to make his solemn profession to the Abbey of Saint Gregory the Great, and when?" Answer: The last monk to make his solemn profession was Brother Francis in May of 1997.
February Question:The Girls' Varsity 200 Medley Relay swim team, including Nicole Biewenga '08, Maggie McCarthy '08, Joanna Lanz '07, and Lucy Wallace'07, broke the record with a time of 2:04.74 this month. What was the previous record, and who held it? Please e-mail answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please contact the Communications Department at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
