Our brother Karoll, a member of the Chemin Neuf community, introduces us to the abbey where he has been on mission in the Netherlands for the past five years.
What are your responsibilities in the Chemin Neuf community?
For the past five years, my wife, our three children, and I have been living in the community in Oosterhout, the Netherlands, at the magnificent St. Paul’s Abbey. My wife Kasia and I are part of the national team for the community in the Netherlands. I also serve in a financial and administrative role as the national treasurer. On a daily basis, I work in the abbey garden and take care of various small repairs. Two other, more outward-focused ministries have been entrusted to me along with others: Brouwen en Bidden (“Brewing and Praying”) and the silent weekend retreats based on the Ignatian exercises. We also lend a hand with other initiatives—Cana, the youth ministry, or hosting groups at the abbey—and we handle practical services.
Tell us a little about your projects
Perhaps it would be good to say a little more about the “Brew and Pray” ministry. It’s a ministry developed by a former brother in the community, Henk, who combined his hobby of brewing with his desire to share the Gospel. It’s always a great combination! He developed a brewing system that allows us to brew 150 liters of beer at a time. The idea behind this initiative is to welcome people to the abbey who aren’t necessarily Christian—in fact, many participants have no connection to the faith at all. It’s a workshop where anyone can easily be invited, because it’s simply a wonderful activity! “Brouwen en Bidden” is a one-day program. It can accommodate up to fifteen participants, and we spend the day together brewing beer, sharing a meal, visiting Saint Paul’s Abbey, and spending time in prayer. We introduce participants to Ignatian prayer, and we also have plenty of time to discuss, share, and talk about our faith, the community, and what’s happening at the Abbey. So far, we’ve organized five workshops a year, and we’re now working on offering one each month, as we’ve seen a lot of interest. We’re also exploring the possibility of launching a small-scale beer production to raise the Abbey’s profile among the local community.
For me, this mission is personally linked to another one I’ve taken on: ensuring a financial balance between a large abbey and a small community. At the same time, many groups and individuals come to spend time here, and find Jesus and His peace. We’re seeking a good balance—continuing our mission of hospitality while also finding the means to make it possible. There are surely many ways to achieve this. Starting a microbrewery—or rather, a nano-brewery—is one of them, and it strikes me as very interesting because it builds on the legacy of the monks and craftsmanship, can engage the local community, and open our doors to a wider audience. And besides, I simply love good beer 🙂 We are praying and discerning God’s will for this project. We are now taking the first step by renovating a room so that we can offer the workshop more often. Small beginnings, with open hands, to see what God’s will is for this mission.
How do you live out brotherhood in your daily mission?
There are different moments—for work, leisure, prayer, or fellowship. Each of them helps nourish our fraternal life. Sometimes we strive to be super efficient, and we may forget that fraternal life is the fertile ground in which our missions can grow. The Brouwen en Bidden mission would not be possible without this fraternal context. For me, the primary goal of this mission is to bear witness to the joy we have found in Jesus and, through him, in our fraternal life. I take great pleasure in carrying out this mission with my brothers, and it is also a place where we can share our lives more deeply. People today aren’t looking for grand words or teachings, but for brotherhood, community, and sharing. And we cannot share that if we do not live it out among ourselves.
What does she bring to your life?
Fraternal life helps me persevere in times of doubt and crisis, and it also helps me discover more deeply God’s great love for me. For me, it is also a place where I can give my life in service to my brothers and sisters, and to all the people who come to visit the abbey on their journey in search of Jesus. It is a great honor to see how God accomplishes his work in our lives and in the lives of those who come here.
When and how do you rely on your brothers and sisters in the community?
These are very often simple moments—quite often just the chance to talk and share what’s on my mind. Sometimes it’s a walk around the abbey with my brother; sometimes it’s a coffee or a beer we have together, and we simply share our struggles, but also our hopes and dreams. Sometimes we do a few repairs together, or brew a batch of beer for the community. I think that as men, it’s important to have a space to work together; it brings a lot of joy and nurtures our brotherhood. What also gives me breathing room is knowing that I don’t have to be perfect, that I can make mistakes, and that we have time to ask for forgiveness and reconcile. These moments are very precious.
What requirements might the fraternity have for carrying out a mission?
The most important aspect of the mission, it seems to me, is the process of reflection. If we can honestly share what worked and what didn’t, it can help us avoid investing our time and energy (and money) in works for God, and instead seek His works. Another aspect is fellowship. I think it’s good to ask one another: Does this mission help my heart to live fully? Do I find joy in what I’m doing? Sometimes there are moments when we must persevere faithfully, but without joy, no mission would be complete. The apostles surely found great joy in walking alongside Jesus, even though it was often very demanding. Reconciliation also plays a very important role in our mission. Each of us should be ready to ask for forgiveness and to acknowledge our mistakes or sins. In this way, we can bear one another’s weaknesses, and that gives us great strength.