Page 7 - LOTN Advent issue 57

Dom Simon Piątkowski is appointed

Prior Administrator of Pluscarden Abbey

t the abbatial election held at Pluscarden on programme "Dom-Uni".
Thursday 14th and Friday 15th November, no Dom Simon has served

A candidate emerged with sufficient votes to become the community in many
the community's fourth Abbot. different ways: most
Accordingly, the Abbot President of the Subiaco-Cassinese recently acting as guest
Benedictine Congregation, Dom Ignasi Fossa, with his master.
Council of Assistants, has appointed Dom Simon Piątkowski Friends of the
as Prior Administrator of Pluscarden, until the next regular community should be
canonical Visitation: that is, until June 2027. The decision reassured that the recent
was recommended to the President by the Abbot Visitor, election took place
Dom Cuthbert Brogan of Farnborough Abbey, who reached it very peacefully, in an
together with his Provincial Council. atmosphere of both open
Dom Simon is the youngest member of the Pluscarden frankness and fraternal Dom Simon Piątkowski OSB
Community in solemn vows. He was born in Warsaw in 1979. charity. All the community are grateful to Abbot Cuthbert, who
While at University there, he played Volley Ball to a semi- presided over the election with great competence.
professional level. Afterwards he went on to Essex University Normally the Abbot Visitor would carry out the formal
for further studies, gaining a doctorate in the field of ethnology. installation of the new Superior. But in the circumstances, being
He made his first profession at Pluscarden on 14th September, no longer present at Pluscarden, Abbot Cuthbert demitted this
2011. Before his ordination he gained a further theology degree task to Abbot Anselm and Prior Simon was duly installed on
by distance learning from the Dominican University on-line Thursday, 21 November.

Celebrating Catholic education celebrate Catholic education in our schools and parishes.
We were delighted that the Mass could be celebrated
in our schools and parishes by Bishop Hugh who exemplified beautifully what a
pilgrim can look like! Priests of the diocese and the school
n the 12th November, the three Catholic schools chaplains concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Hugh and
in Aberdeen held an Education Mass at St. alongside our deacons. John Horton, musical director
OMary's Cathedral. The theme of the Mass was the played and sang with us, having practised the hymns in
Jubilee Year theme - Pilgrims of Hope. Children from all the schools over the previous weeks.
three schools participated in the readings, prayers and We are looking forward to our Mass next year as we grow
offertory procession. this annual event into a community-wide celebration of
The schools decided to make it an evening Mass on our Catholic schools. We thoroughly enjoyed the time
this occasion to include more of the Catholic community. we were able to spend together after Mass with some
The Mass was held prior to the beginning of Catholic refreshments in the hall and we all are grateful to the team
Education Week, an annual event held nationally to
for providing those to us.

Bishop Hugh demonstrates to the children how we imagine Children's art from all three schools illustrated the Jubilee
a pilgrim to look like Year theme - Pilgrims of Hope

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