Spirituality

Benedictine Monks

Fr. Frank Ziemkiewicz, O.S.B.

Headmaster
Fr. Frank Ziemkiewicz, O.S.B., is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Prior of Benedictine Priory in Savannah. His previous experience includes serving as Dean of Students at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. and as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in St. Mary’s, Pa. His service term at St. Mary’s was interrupted as he had to serve as a chaplain in the U.S. Army during a tour of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He received a commission in the Army’s engineer branch in 1971 and through the ROTC was on active duty in Germany from 1972-74. His military service included having a company command for the 3rd Engineer Battalion while in Fort Stewart, Ga. from 1975-78. The Reverend Colonel’s final assignment was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. While in Savannah, he became acquainted with the Benedictine community and pursued a calling to the priesthood. 

Leaving active duty in the military, he went to the Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. Father continued his military career following his ordination as a priest, later attaining the rank of Colonel before retiring in February 2007. He has a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary. Read about Fr. Frank in Connect Savannah.

Fr. David Klecker, O.S.B.

Assistant Headmaster / Benedictine Prior / Computer Science Teacher / Mathematics Teacher
Fr. David Klecker, O.S.B., who is from Minnesota, earned a bachelor of science degree in 1997 from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. He has done graduate work at the Angelicum in Rome, the Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, and at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Conn.

He completed his master of divinity degree at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2016. He was ordained a deacon in the spring of 2011. At the Archabbey, his assignments have included work in the Archabbey Public Relations Office; assistant to the monastic community in computer technology and as a videographer.

Fr. David professed solemn vows on July 11, 2018, in Latrobe, Pa. He was ordained a priest Sept. 22, 2018, in Latrobe, Pa. He received his master's degree in computer science from Georgia Southern University in May 2019.

Br. Matthew Hershey, O.S.B.

Theology Teacher
Br. Matthew Hershey, O.S.B., a native of State College, Pa., earned a degree in special education from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2008. In addition to teaching, he has coached club soccer, and been a high school boys junior-varsity soccer coach and varsity assistant.

He became a novice of Saint Vincent Archabbey on July 1, 2013, and professed simple vows on July 10, 2014.

He began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in the fall of 2014. His assignments have included assistant director, Archabbey guests and guest facilities; assistant, college athletics; assistant to the director of vocations, and miller, Saint Vincent Gristmill.