Distinguished Achievement Award - 1998

Father Neal Henry Lawrence, OSB, of Saint Anselm's Priory was the recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award. This honor was conferred on Thursday, October 22, 1998, during an award ceremony from 6:30-9:00 p.m., sponsored by the Community Relations Committee.

The invitation stated: "This will be an opportunity for you to meet and hear this gentle and loving Benedictine priest, who has been ministering in Japan for nearly 40 years."

The Distinguished Achievement Award is given each year to an individual whom the Selection Committee feels has contributed to, and bettered, society in a variety of ways. People who have received this award include Dr. Leona Esaki, Nobel Laureate and President of Tsukuba University; Professor Donald Keene, renowned authority on Japanese literature; Ms Telsuko Kuroyaongi, Author, TV personality and UNICEF ambassador and many others.

Neal's own description of the award follows:

31 October 1998

TAC Distinguished Achievement Award

The Tokyo American Club's Community Committee presented The 1998 TAC Distinguished Achievement Award to Fr. Neal Henry Lawrence, OSB, of St. Anselm s Priory at the club on Friday, 22 October. The Reverend William N. Hargett, Rector, St. Alban's Church (Anglican-Episcopal) recommended him to Mr. Jeff McNeil Chairman of the Community Committee. He had conferred with Fr. Kieran Nolan, OSB, Prior, to find that the award would be acceptable. The announcement attracted a large audience.

People who have received this award include Leona Esaki, Nobel Laureate and President of Tsukuba University; Professor Donald Keene, renowned authority on Japanese literature; Ms. Tetauko Kuroyanagi, author, TV personality and UNICEF ambassador; Mrs. Haru Mataukata Reischauer, author and widow of Ambassador Edwin Reischauer; Jean Pearce, columnist and author; Dr. Mamoru Mohri, astronaut with NASA; Yoshio Okawara, former ambassador to U.S. and Australia; and former sumo Ozeki Konoshiki.

The Award Ceremony was held in a spacious well-appointed room. Books associated with Fr. Neal and the framed certificate of "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" with its Emperor's Seal and Signature of Prime Minister Hosogawa, Presidential Citation of St. John s University, Minnesota, and the Tanka accolade of Prior Kieran were on display.

Fr. Neal spoke, as invited to do, on his life in Japan. He entitled it "Three Roles of My Life in Japan - Naval Officer, Diplomat and Benedictine Monk." During the talk, he briefly sketched his life up to becoming an officer in the U.S. Navy and participating in the invasion of Okinawa and after the battle helping in the regeneration. This was followed by being a member of the Diplomatic Section of General MacArthur s Headquarters (SCAP) during the Occupation. The third time he came as a Benedictine monk and Catholic Priest. During this period, he also taught in universities and became a pioneer in writing English Tanka in this ancient Japanese form which is growing in popularity.

In ending, he spoke of the future, mentioning the planned move of the St. Anselm s Monastery to Fujimi-shi in Nagano Prefecture. St. Anselm s Parish, buildings and land will become part of the Archdiocese of Tokyo, Cardinal Peter Sejichi Shiraytnagi being the head. The Benedictines have had a groundbreaking Ceremony July 28 for their new monastery, "Trinity Benedictine Monastery," and expect it to be finished early in 1999. The Blessing is now scheduled for April 1999.

Benedictines are always prepared to have quests, so people interested in retreats or other spiritual refreshment and encouragement are welcome. Fujimi Heights are noted for their fresh air and beauty and loved by tanka poets of whom there are many monuments, including Mokichi Saitoh, one of the greatest. Many other writers have visited for a long time and adopted Fujimi Heights as their subject.

Father Hargett wrote after the evening that "In talking with folks who attended last Thursday, all have spoken how much they appreciated and enjoyed your talk. (Chairman) Jeff McNeil said he learned some important history from your talk."

Neal Lawrence was a member of Trinity Benedictine Monastery and Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, U.S.A.