Message from Fr Peter

As we prepare to celebrate St Norbert Day next Friday, Prior Fr Peter Stiglich O'Praem reveals what St Norbert Day means for the College community.

St Norbert News:  How many St Norbert Days have you celebrated?

Fr Peter: I have been here for St Norbert Day celebrations since 1979. I missed one in 1992 as I was overseas studying, but I celebrated at one of the Norbertine abbeys in Europe.

SNN: Why is St Norbert Day such an important tradition at the College?

Fr Peter: Every Catholic school has a patron, whose values and life are worth following to help us to know Jesus. St Norbert was one who changed his life around, and made a difference in the Church and society in which he lived. I think that is something we should be doing  in the 21st century too.

SNN:  What is your favourite part of St Norbert Day? 

Fr Peter: The singing of the College hymn at the end of the Mass.

SNN:  As we continue into the 900th year of the founding of the Norbertine Order, are there any special commemorations in store for the College community this St Norbert Day? 

In Europe, the Norbertine have been around for 900 years, in Australia only 62 - nearly 70 if you count the Dutch Norbertines who came to Brisbane in the early 1950s ( but they returned to the Netherlands). It’s a bit harder to celebrate a not-so-long tradition. But we are going to make sure each of us has a remembrance of the year.

SNN: How will our St Norbert Day celebrations compare to those of Norbertine communities in other parts of the world? 

Fr Peter: Probably a lot freer as many countries are still under strict restrictions because of the pandemic. A number of special celebrations of the Order have been curtailed or cancelled because of uncertainty.

SNN: How is the person and/or the life of St Norbert relevant to our community today? 

Fr Peter: St Norbert’s finding of God in his life is still relevant for any time – perhaps we won’t have to fall off a horse to meet God! The openness that Norbert had to seeing what was needed and responding to it is very relevant today, in my opinion.

SNN: 900 years on, how do you feel Saint Norbert would feel about our College community?  

Fr Peter: I hope that he would see us trying to do what is right, just and good. That we are trying to create a community where all are valued, listened to and included.

Mrs L Quartermain 

(Community Relations)