Abbey land remains with monks

SHAWNEE – After months of uncertainty, the monks of Saint Gregory’s Abbey have received the good news that they will retain ownership of more than 450 acres of land surrounding their monastery in Shawnee. The monks had offered the land in 2017 as collateral for a loan to shore-up Saint Gregory’s University as it sought participation in a USDA bond program. The university entered into bankruptcy after its application for the financing program was denied.
 
“We wanted to do all that we could to save the mission of Catholic higher education in Oklahoma. We do not have large financial resources and so decided to risk much of our farmland to buy time for the university,” explained Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., abbot of Saint Gregory’s Abbey. “Unfortunately, the hoped-for recapitalization plan did not succeed causing us to be at risk of losing most of our land. Fortunately, the university’s loans made against the abbey land were repaid in its bankruptcy process. We are very grateful that our land is no longer encumbered or at risk.”
 
The purchase of the university property by Oklahoma City based Hobby Lobby clears the way for the monks to move forward with their plans for the future.
 
“Knowing the disposition of both the university campus and our own property allows us to continue with a strategic planning process that we began in 2014,” Abbot Lawrence said.
 
The Abbey received funding for a multi-year comprehensive planning process from the National Religious Retirement Office of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Abbey plan is designed to enhance the prayer, communal life, work, ministries and vocations program of the monastic community.
 
The site plan includes gifts of land for new facilities for both the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art and Home Integration, Inc., founded by Father Paul Zahler, O.S.B. 
 
The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art has a growing collection and a thriving education program that attracts more than 18,000 school children from across Oklahoma to the museum each year. Home Integration, Inc., provides comprehensive services for children and adults with developmental differences and employees more than 130 people. These organizations were founded by monks of Saint Gregory’s Abbey and continue to have a close relationship with the monastery.
     
For more information about retreat opportunities at the abbey, contact [email protected] or (405) 878-5490.