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Articles by Tom Canuel
Seniors reflect on four years of work on The Crier, bid farewell
Words matter. I’ve heard this small phrase more times than I can count. However, as I have written for the Crier over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege to see how words make an impact. I’ve seen words bring our community together in celebration for Relay for Life, ordinations, OCIA Masses, and commencements. I’ve seen words bring hard topics to the forefront, especially in matters related to sexual assault, mental health, and various forms of discrimination.
Campus gents live like monks during annual Holy Week retreat
The Abbey Church was filled with darkness. The monks, retreatants, and congregation had just heard seven readings and seven psalms. They all sat waiting for the joyful moment to occur. After a few moments, the Church was filled with light, altar servers placed flowers around the altar, and the organ began to play with the most power it had in a long time. Easter was here at the Vigil and joy filled the air.
‘That all may be one’: Abbot Mark’s legacy on the Hilltop
Monk, middle school teacher, priest, CFO, chancellor, outdoorsman, and abbot. These are just some of the many roles that Abbot Mark Cooper has played during his time as a monk. On April 7, the Crier spoke to Abbot Mark about his background, accomplishments, and legacy as the fifth abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey. Abbot Mark grew up in Freeport, Maine. In 1967, he decided to attend Saint Anselm College as a math major, eventually switching to politics before he graduated in 1971.
The hills were alive with the sounds of the Saint Anselm choir
“Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.” The Latin translation of Pitoni’s “Cantate Domino” echoed through the chambers of Engelberg Abbey in Switzerland as the Saint Anselm College Choir began their final performance during a well-traveled spring break. Music could be heard throughout the 1,000 year old church, which had been rebuilt in the nineteenth century after a severe fire damaged much of the Abbey.
Be ready to celebrate new abbot when the bell tolls on April 30
The announcement of the abbatial election given by the Abbey has significant implications for our college and monastic community. A panel last week explained the process of electing a new abbot, mainly what April 29 and April 30 will look like for the monastic community along with different scenarios that could play out on those days. All members of the monastic community have been summoned for the election, including those at parishes and at Woodside Priory in California.
Abbot Mark to resign when he hits 75; election in April
The last time Saint Anselm Abbey elected a new abbot, the college was only a few weeks into their summer recess in 2012. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni sat outside the Abbey Church, waiting. Twelve years later, the monastic community is getting ready for what will be another major abbatial election to take place April 29-30. Fr. Francis McCarty, O.S.B., is serving as the secretary of election for the monks.
Events celebrate alumni, 50 years of women’s education
What are some great gifts for Valentine’s Day? Some say chocolate or a romantic, candlelight dinner. How about sending postcards to Saint Anselm alumni? A collaborative effort between the Student-Alumni Association and College Advancement brought about a new tradition to the Hilltop: Love our Alumni Week. Throughout the week, students were asked to fill out postcards that the college can send to alumni volunteers and donors.
The liberal arts at SAC
What differentiates Saint Anselm College? Lately, there has been much discussion among students, faculty, and staff about what a Catholic, Benedictine, and liberal arts/humanities-oriented education should look like on our campus. Over my time on the Hilltop, I’ve written much about the importance of our mission as a Catholic and Benedictine institution.
Question on the Quad: What are your thoughts on the results of the NH Primary and a potential 2024 Trump-Biden rematch?
I’m not surprised in theslightest. Polls had Trump up significantly, and while he was given quite a run, he has built up a strong base. While Biden didn’t make it on the ballot, it didn’t matter because he is the incumbent and there aren’t really many other candidates giving him a competition. BRENDAN FEDRIZZI, CLASS OF 2024 I dislike both candidates. Ithink Trump is a controversial figure and his actions after Jan. 6th are reprehensible. As for Biden, I dislike his policy decisions, his politics.
Fr. Cecil laid to rest at 94; leaves rich, diverse legacy
Father Cecil John Donahue, O.S.B., died on Nov. 19, 2023. He was a beloved monk, priest, educator, administrator, and music composer at Saint Anselm Abbey for 75 years. He was the longest serving monk in vows in Saint Anselm history. In 1946 he was accepted into the novitiate of Saint Vincent Abbey to become a Benedictine monk. He transferred to Saint Anselm Abbey, professing vows in 1948.
Aaron Tolson Institute of Dance to set toes tapping on campus
Dance on the Hilltop has been a tradition of recent Saint Anselm history. The dance team and club light up the stage every April for their annual showcase. The Abbey Players perform musicals every year and the Multicultural Center has held salsa dancing lessons over the past few years. However, for those that want to become “dancing queens,” very few opportunities have arisen for dance instruction and study. Until now.
Get to know Fever Dog: the latest band rocking at Saint A’s
Anthony Pasquarosa ‘25 was at club frisbee practice in the fall of 2022 when he first met Chris Carville ‘26. Little did they know that in a year they would be playing in a band called Fever Dog alongside Charlie Dalsass ‘26 and Gabe Wescott ‘26. The group has drawn attention among the Saint Anselm community, having performed a concert on Friday, October 13 which attracted over 200 attendees on a cold October night in front of Alumni Hall. So, who is Fever Dog?
College forms Bias Response Team to ‘create a culture of belonging’
After about five years of planning and significant collaboration, the college is prepared to announce the formation of a Bias Reporting Team which will likely be implemented before the end of the fall semester. The team is a collaboration between Student Affairs, the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, and Academic Affairs.
Grappone Institute puts ‘pretty darn big stake in the ground’
After five years of planning and a year of construction, the Gregory Grappone Humanities Institute has officially opened its doors in its new permanent home. Now holding classes, Come Friday Forums, concerts, and the annual Sonnet reading festival on Shakespeare’s birthday, the Humanities Institute is set to make a lasting impact on the college community for many years to come.
Monastic community celebrates Br. Celestine’s solemn vows
The monastic and college community gathered in the Abbey Church to celebrate the profession of vows for Brother Celestine Hettrick, O.S.B. The profession of vows took place on September 2, making it the eighth profession of solemn vows in ten years for the monastic community. Brother Celestine joined the monastic community four and a half years ago. He became a novice in 2019 before professing simple vows in October 2020.
St. A’s places second, wins $1,100 in international ethics competition
A team of five students from the college recently placed second in their division for a 25-minute presentation and first for a 90-second presentation at the International Business Ethics Case Competition (IBECC). Students Jacob Akey, ‘24; Sara Danner, ’23; Thomas Donovan, ’24; Riley Buchanan, ’24, and Anthony Walters, ’25 competed in this year’s competition and were led by Dr. Jeffrey Wiebe of the business department and Dr. Robert Anderson of the philosophy department.
Francis celebrates ten years as Pope - yay or nope?
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected by the college of cardinals in the Vatican in March 2013 and took the name Pope Francis. Last month, Pope Francis hit his first milestone of a decade as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. On-campus and throughout the world, Catholics have reflected on the impact, momentum, and immense controversies surrounding his papacy.
The challenges and merits of conversation in our relationships
I’m sure many of us have heard the old adage, “A good relationship starts with good communication.” However, in our culture, it seems that good communication is being thrown out the door, leading to a concerning trend that has really developed over the past decade. Simply put, we don’t know how to communicate with one another anymore. Let me give you a few examples to pinpoint this principle. It is easier to get an RA to ask a neighbor to quiet down late at night than to ask them ourselves.
Fr. Titus ordained priest, celebrates his First Mass
When Michael Phelan graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2012, he had thought about joining the monastic community at Saint Anselm Abbey. After attending grad school and working for two years at Catholic University of America, Phelan joined the monastery as a novice, taking on his new name Titus in 2017. On Saturday, April 15, Fr. Titus Phelan, O.S.B. became just the third monk in one year to be ordained a priest at Saint Anselm Abbey, and now he is ready to begin a new journey in his vocation.
New TRIO office to support first- gen and students with disabilities
The college community officially welcomed the TRIO federally funded program to the Jean Student Center last Thursday. The new office is aimed at assisting first-generation students and students with disabilities through advising resources and collaborative programming.
‘Spill the Tea’ amplifies diverse voices in the Catholic Church
The sounds of laughter and good conversation echoed through the Student Center as Office of Campus Ministry welcomed guests Kayla August and Tarah Valin to lead off their new dinner and discussion series called ‘Spill the Tea.’ August and Valin discussed how their preaching and poetry have helped amplify their voices and contextualize their experiences as black Catholics. Valin and August are both graduate students at Boston College studying theology.
Letter to the Editor: A play about televangelists shows lack of judgement
Last week, I attended the 24 hour play festival run by the Abbey Players. This was my second time attending the annual event, and many of the performances did not disappoint. However, there was one very controversial and concerning play during this year’s play fest called “You Can’t Spell Faith without AI.” To clarify before I begin, I am not here to tear the play apart, but to simply bring attention to two problematic aspects of this play.
Students, faculty remember the lasting legacy of Benedict XVI
While students were home for winter break, Catholics around the world mourned the passing of Pope Benedict XVI, the former pope emeritus who is perhaps best known for being the first pope to resign from the position in over six hundred years. Now, students and faculty are looking back on his complicated yet extraordinary legacy in their lives and for the Catholic Church.
Chapel Art exhibit Dilecta II explores origins, flourishes
The Chapel Art Center is a place many students have never ventured to in their time on the Hilltop, but is one of the most stunning places on-campus. Their latest exhibit, Dialecta II: Origins and Furnishes, signifies just how important the gallery is for the Saint Anselm College community and beyond with an extensive collection of artwork original to the college and containing works from famous artists like Rembrandt and feminist figure Marian Harris.
A new take on the season of Christmas music
Every year on November 1, I always joke around with friends that I have started listening to Christmas music. I love Christmas, and I figure that once we hit 54 days until the season starts, it is time to begin preparing. Shortly after listening, I will put up two giant Christmas trees in my room and hang string lights and as many decorations as I can find while listening to my fun Christmas playlist.
Students, faculty troubled by accessibility problems
Concerns are emerging over the misuse and lack of handicap accessibility as the college continues to find ways to make buildings more accessible for students, faculty, and guests. Addressing accessibility is a very difficult project according to Jonathan Woodcock, director of physical plant and overseer of Capital Planning and Project Management for the college. Woodcock noted, “The Hilltop is a tough place to wage a war on physical accessibility.
BC Jesuit underlines social justice within new ‘Eucharistic Revival’ efforts
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Fr John Baldovin of Boston College presented a highly anticipated theology lecture last Tuesday challenging the Eucharistic Revival put on by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to focus more on the desired effects of the Mass.
Second ‘Dilecta’ exhibit to open in two weeks at Chapel Arts Center
On November 17, the Chapel Arts Center will open part two of Dilecta, reflections on a permanent collection. The exhibit comes as Fr. Iain MacLellen, director of the Chapel Arts Center, celebrates 25 years as director and with a new staff assisting the gallery and the curation of the year-long exhibition.
A new director, Disney cabaret, and the Diviners - oh my!
Tom Canuel, Crier Staff The Saint Anselm College Abbey Players are transitioning to a new interim director for the 2022-2023 school year–their third director in three years. The college hired Elizabeth Daily, a retired professor from Plymouth State University, to fill the position after the departure of Daniel Bird Tobin last spring. The director position for the Abbey Players has been unstable since long-standing director, Landis Magnuson, retired in 2020, after serving the college for 32 years.
Lessons and Advice to First-Year Students from a Road for Hope Participant
When I applied to walk the Road for Hope one year ago, I went in with little to no expectations. I had done hiking in the past but never walked more than 6 miles in one day. I had volunteered at local charities in my hometown, but hadn’t done much in helping out the Manchester community and beyond. I had never been on a pilgrimage, never branched far out of my comfort zone, and I thought I knew what community meant. That is, at least, until I walked the Road for Hope.
Campus Ministry celebrates college’s Benedictine identity
The Office of Campus Ministry hosted their annual Benedictine Heritage Week celebrations with a series of programs and special events held for the college. The week, beginning on Monday March 21, kicked off with the feast of St. Benedict and ended with a Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Saint Anselm College must stand up as a pro-life institution
This past January, 34 students from Saint Anselm College were set to participate and travel to the 2022 March for Life in Washington D.C.. The trip was unfortunately canceled for our college community as a result of the Omicron COVID variant. Although we were unable to represent Saint Anselm College at the March for Life among the 150,000 other marchers who stood for life in Washington, we must strive to defend life here on-campus as well.
College alum discusses his new book on Catholic response to AIDS
Michael J. O’Loughlin, Saint Anselm College alum and renowned Catholic journalist, recently spoke to the Saint Anselm College community about his new book, Hidden Mercy: The Catholic Church and the AIDS Crisis. On Monday, January 31, O’Loughlin spoke about how the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. during the 1980s and 1990s impacted gay Catholics at the time along with the response of Catholic diocese around the country.
Christmas returns to the Hilltop in style beginning November 29
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor In the pandemic year of 2020, the Saint Anselm College community lost a significant amount of traditions for the holiday season. The gingerbread competition, Christmas feast, an in-person manger blessing, and an in-person Decembersong are just some of the normal traditions that students could not celebrate quite the same.
Alum Michael O’Loughlin, journalist, receives letter from pope on AIDS book
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor In our last issue, an article was published about several new books from alumni and a retired professor. On Monday, November 15, Michael O’Loughlin, class of 2007, published an op-ed article in the New York Times. O’Loughlin had written a letter to Pope Francis about the newly published book, and Pope Francis responded to the letter. Michael O’Loughlin quoted the following excerpt from Pope Francis’s letter, translated from Spanish into English: “Dear brother.
Celebrating the dead
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor From October 31 to November 2 every year, the Mexican community celebrates the day of the dead. El Día de Los Muertos commemorates the memories of family members and welcomes back their souls for a reunion. Celebrations typically include food, drink, dance, and fun. El Día de Los Muertos has its roots in a 3000-year tradition that honored loved ones who passed away in the Americas.
Two recent alumni, retired prof release new books this fall
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor Saint Anselm College professors release many papers and books, but so have the alumni and retired professors. This fall, two alumni members, Michael O’Loughlin and Jeffrey Aubuchon, and retired professor Thomas Lee wrote and are now watching the publications of their new books. Jeffrey Aubuchon is an alumni member of the college. Aubuchon attended Oakmont Regional High School, Saint Anselm College for his undergrad, and Harvard University.
Fine Arts Dept. puts a little “sole” in the hallways, plus there’s no smell
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor The fine arts department puts up many interesting and captivating displays around campus every semester. Typically, the department highlights their work in the LLC, the Dana Center, and various other places around campus. Now, we can add the basement of the Chapel Arts Center onto the list with a very interesting display this year. Any student or faculty member who travels down that hallway will immediately notice many hands and feet lining up the sides of the hallway.
In response: The theological, anthropological, and moral injustices of abortion
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor For most of my life, I have been afraid to speak out on certain issues involving controversial topics. As anyone can attest to, choosing a side on any controversial topic creates both friends and enemies, and in my paradigm, remaining silent was the best answer for a pacifist, like myself, because it avoided conflict.
Mass, vets memorial ceremony marks 20 years since 9/11
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor On Friday, September 10, the Saint Anselm College community held a day of remembrance to remember the lives of civilians and first responders lost by both the college community and the United States. The day began with a solemn celebration of Mass in the Abbey Church at 8:30am. Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., the president emeritus of Saint Anselm College, said the liturgy. In his 15 minute homily, DeFelice recalled his memories of the terrorist attacks 20 years ago.
AVI dining service faces pushback over dining changes
Before the beginning of the school year, the school decided to partner with an outside vendor for food services. One month later, tensions have risen among students, staff, and AVI as they sort out unexpected problems associated with this new program.
The Abbey Players updates: Cabaret, Puffs, and Student One-Acts
Tom Canuel, Culture Editor Following a year of uncertainty from the pandemic, the Abbey Players are back for the fall semester with a line-up of shows for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families to enjoy. According to Daniel Bird Tobin, the new director of the Abbey Players, the group has three major events planned for this semester. On October 1st, the Abbey Players will be hosting a Cabaret night. Tobin described Cabaret as “an evening about singing songs people enjoy.
Crowd cheers Liam Bascle, new soccer star
Tom Canuel, Luke Sugar, and Anna Raley On Tuesday, August 31, the Saint Anselm community came together to support Liam Bascle, a 7-year old Bedford native suffering with a malignant neoplasm of the brain, a rare form of pediatric brain cancer. Hundreds of Anselmians, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and monks, showed up to support Liam. According to Coach Bruno Victal, the men’s soccer coach, the Saint Anselm community showed up in a big way for Liam.
Saint Anselm College opens the door for the class of 2025
Things are beginning to look normal again for students at Saint Anselm College following a year of uncertainty and restrictions due to the pandemic. The round tables and trays are back in Davison Hall, the pool and table tennis tables are functioning once again in the student center, a new dining service is taking center stage, and even the Abbey Church is back to full capacity to welcome students this August.
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