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Volume 31, Number 3 |
Richardton, ND 58652 |
July 2003 |
Brother Anthony Baker
Makes Final Profession
by Terrence Kardong, O.S.B.
On Saturday, May 10, at 10:30 A.M., Anthony Baker pronounced his solemn vows as a Benedictine monk of Assumption Abbey. Thomas Baker was born in Minneapolis in 1961, but he is quick to point out that he actually grew up in St. Anthony Village, one of those little towns that got surrounded by the city. He is the son of the late Ralph Baker and his wife Jovita.
Thomas Baker attended schools in his local village and then studied at the Minneapolis Technical Institute from 1980 to 1984, where he did programs in graphic arts and computer. He has continued to work with the computer, and the quality of the signs he posts on the community bulletin board witnesses to his training. He is currently helping to train some of us who got started late with the computer. Bro. Anthony has stated that he hopes to finish his college work at one of the local universities.
During his years in Minneapolis, Bro. Anthony attended some classes at the University of Minnesota. He also became a serious sports fan at that time, following the ups and downs of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. He still rejoices and despairs with those outfits.
Bro. Anthony pronounced his first vows on March 21, 2000, the Feast of St. Benedict. He preferred to make final vows in May in order to accommodate his family. Bro. Anthony is much attached to his family, so this is the least he can do for them. His superior all through formation has been Bro. Alban Petesch.
During his formation years here at Richardton, Bro. Anthony has worked as our laundryman. That service not only helps those monks who want it, but it takes care of the bedding for the groups that use Schnell Hall and the Guest House. Bro. Anthony has also been a frequent visitor to the aged and sick at the Richardton Health Center.
In seeking to characterize Bro. Anthony, a word that comes to mind is loyalty. When he gets involved with a project or a person, he sticks with them. For example, he greatly enjoyed his time at the summer programs for junior monks that he attended. In the subsequent month, he stayed in touch with the participants via a website that he helped to maintain.
Gosh, Uncle Anthony, how do you do it? Matthew and Rachel Gemlo marveled at the dexterity of Bro. Anthony in a photo taken some years ago. They have since outgrown this phase.
