September 23, 2011
Vincennes native celebrates 50 years at Blue Cloud Abbey
On August 15, Benedictine Father John McMullen observed the golden jubilee of his monastic profession. He entered Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, S.D., in 1960 from his home parish of St. John the Baptist in Vincennes after having studied in the minor seminary at St. Meinrad Archabbey. His first Mass was offered in St. John Church on June 12, 1966.
Father John said he was drawn to the Blue Cloud Benedictines because of Abbot Gilbert Hess and Father Prior Meinrad Hoffman, both of whom were from his hometown, and by Benedictine Sister Wilma Davis who taught him in early grade school and was then a member of Queen of Peace Monastery in Belcourt, N.D. on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Blue Cloud Abbey was founded by St. Meinrad Archabbey in 1950 to continue the monastery’s apostolate among Native people. Father John spent five years working on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Born in Washington, Ind., on May 13, 1940, Father John is the oldest of the three children of William C. and Mary Catherine (Evans) McMullen. His father is deceased and his mother resides in Vincennes.
Following his ordination by Bishop Lambert A. Hoch of Sioux Falls on May 29, 1966, Father John attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and received a master’s degree in library science. He is presently in charge of the abbey library and is the community’s treasurer.
For eleven years, he was pastor of Annunciation Church in Revillo, S.D., and since 1988 to the present he has been pastor of Annunciation Church in Wilmot, S.D. He has been able to commute to this pastoral work from the abbey.
Father John’s renewal of monastic vows were made in the presence of Benedictine Abbot Denis Quinkert during the liturgy at Blue Cloud Abbey on the morning of Aug. 15.
Cards and good wishes may be sent to Father John McMullen at Blue Cloud Abbey, P.O. Box 98, Marvin, SD 57251-0098.