Heartfelt hospitality to benefit all

Editor’s Note: From the Outside In is a biweekly column written by SJU alums. Please email The Record at record@csbsju.edu for topic suggestions.

One of the foundational Benedictine values is hospitality. During my four years in God’s Country, I was able to experience it in spades from the monastic community and from my teammates on the Track and Field team.

Simple moments like saying, “Hello,” to each other when walking around campus and spending quality time together in the dorms set the stage for life beyond “The Pine Curtain.”

After graduation in 2008, I went on to the St. Paul Seminary to study for the priesthood.

People commented that they appreciated my kindness and hospitable spirit.

While some of that was undoubtedly due to my family upbringing, I really attribute my intentionality of hospitality to my time in Collegeville.

Throughout my 11 years of priestly ministry within the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, I have made it a goal to be caring and compassionate and welcoming of all peoples.

This attitude of heartfelt hospitality was sown at St. John’s and is now bearing fruit as I share the Good News of Jesus with others.

Continue to be hospitable at CSB+SJU and know that it will set you up for a joyful future of fellowship. May the Lord bless you greatly.

P.S. Though the word hospitality contains the word “hospital,” it doesn’t mean that you have to be sick or injured to live it out.