FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[tmerton]

12/27/08 From Caring Bridge


On Christmas Day, Br. Dietrich's health took a very serious downturn. Earlier this week many of you recieved Christmas greetings from him providing a health update. On Tuesay, Dietrich told us that he hoped to post a Christmas message to this site sometime this week -- and on Wednesday he attended the Saint John's Christmas Eve vigil. But on Christmas day, weakness and fatigue kept him in bed for the whole day. And each day since then he has become weaker.
On Christmas day it was uncertain whether his condition was because of the radiation treatments he underwent or from other issues. In the last days it appears that the melanoma, which has been elusive, unrelenting and unpredictable, may be rapidly taking its toll.
Though Br. Dietrich slept most of Friday, he was awake for the sacrament of the sick recieved from Abbot John and his monastic community that afternoon. Today he is terribly weak and at this juncture all who are caring for him are feeling very uncertain. He continues to ask for prayers and is thankful for the comfort of those around him.

I hope they can keep him out of the hospital; when his time comes he should be able to spend his last days and hours with his fellow monks, at the school he loves so much.  God speed, Dietrich.

[CobberFvr]

At least my Packers didn't lose to the worst team in NFL history 

[Retired Old Rat]

57, thanks for the update.

Sad, very sad.

[stanbob]

I just heard from my brother, a priest at the Abbey, that Brother Dietrich has passed on.  Sorry no link to post.  RIP.

found a link:  http://www.csbsju.edu/news/2008/12/sju/dietrich.htm

[57Johnnie]

I just heard from my brother, a priest at the Abbey, that Brother Dietrich has passed on.  Sorry no link to post.  RIP.

Here is the link:

http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/obituaries/dreinhart.html

[DuffMan]

Rest in peace, Brother Dietrich! 

[tmerton]

In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:78-79

[retagent]

It's a sad day for Johnnies everywhere. Rest in Peace Br Dietrich (who I once knew as Tom)

[retagent]

I couldn't make myself put this in the previous post. I want to remind Oz that T Jack only threw one INT since returning. That being said, I look for the two Wild Cards in the NFC to emerge victorious next week.

Jackson needs to learn when to throw the ball away and not eat it. I think that would improve the Vikings chances somewhat.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

I received an email from SJP informing me of the passing of Brother Dietrich. My prayers and sympathies to the SJU community and the Saint John's family. Eternal rest unto you, Brother DIetrich.

[OzJohnnie]

I'm sorry to read about the passing of Brother Dietrich.  He had a large influence on an institution that has had a large influence on me.  I'm grateful for his efforts and success.  I also feel a little pity for his successor as there will be some very large shoes to fill.

[Ralph Turner]

A post from an occasional visitor...

Wow!  What a life!  What a witness in Brother Dietrich!  The souls to whom he ministered!



(A "Protestant" question for clarification...what does the title "OSB" mean?  Thanks)

My prayers to the SJU community.

[57Johnnie]

A post from an occasional visitor...

Wow!  What a life!  What a witness in Brother Dietrich!  The souls to whom he ministered!



(A "Protestant" question for clarification...what does the title "OSB" mean?  Thanks)

My prayers to the SJU community.

Order of St. Benedict

[Ralph Turner]

A post from an occasional visitor...

Wow!  What a life!  What a witness in Brother Dietrich!  The souls to whom he ministered!

(A "Protestant" question for clarification...what does the title "OSB" mean?  Thanks)

My prayers to the SJU community.

Order of St. Benedict

Thanks! 

Now, may the Peace that passes all understanding keep and fill your hearts, now and forevermore.  Amen.  (My late father's favorite benediction.)

[johnnie_esq]

Tough news to hear on this Monday, as I am struggling to find, in his own words, a reason to speak with pride that "Today is a Great Day for Saint John's."

For those that did not have the privilege to know him, Brother Dietrich embodied everything we Johnnies are proud of with regard to our alma mater.  The man was intelligent, humble, compassionate, friendly and sincere-- who would never talk down to anybody and would welcome everybody, all at the same time.  In short, Brother Dietrich lived the education that SJU hopes to instill in all Johnnies. 

The man could speak volumes about almost any subject-- especially history-- but my most fond memory is of one word that he could say with intention, meaning, compassion and calmness; a word, when spoken by his whispery voice, which yielded an immediate sense of relaxation and comfort in whomever was the recipient:  "Welcome!"  Collegeville was always home whenever he said this to those alumni he met-- and wherever he did so-- and will always be that way.

God bless you, Brother Dietrich, and Thank You.