BROTHER BATHOLOMEW AND THE APPLE GROVE, by Jan Cheripko, ill. by Kestutis Kasparavicius. Boyds Mills Press (Honesdale, Pa., 2004). 32 pp.

Reviewed by Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/24/05)

"God will provide. He always does," is the refrain repeated in the children’s story, Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove, by Jan Cheripko. The story offers lessons in humility and trust in God.

Brother Bartholomew is the monk who has always cared for the apple orchard. The monastery relies on the apples and their homemade applesauce to make enough money to support them. Brother Bartholomew has grown old and has rheumatism. He cares for the apples as best he can, but is unable to fix the fence that protects the apples from the deer.

When the newest monk, Brother Stephen, sees the poor state of the apple grove, he is appalled and questions Brother Bartholomew who answers, "God will provide. He always does."

Brother Stephen is not satisfied with this answer. His thoughts begin to dwell on how he might take better care of the grove and what he would do differently. When Brother Bartholomew dies, Brother Stephen has his chance to fix the fence around the apple grove but finds it is not as rewarding as he first thought.

Cheripko, a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Honesdale, Pa., seems the least likely candidate to write a story about two Catholic monks. At the suggestion of his friend, Father Stephen Morris, from St. Paul the Apostle Church in Hancock, N.Y., Cheripko went on retreat at Mount Savior Monastery in Elmira, N.Y. While there, he was inspired to write the story of Brother Bartholomew.

"The characters are completely fictional, though I would think that being surrounded by Benedictine monks certainly influenced my creations," Cheripko said. "I think I was trying to say something about the real power of divine love. I would hope that readers might catch a glimpse of God’s personal mercy."

According to Cheripko, one Jewish lady said that even though it wasn’t her faith, she could relate to the story.

Cheripko teaches English and philosophy at the Family Foundation School in Hacock, a private school for at-risk teens. Based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, teachers encourage students to get in touch with their spiritual side. They pray to whatever higher being they believe.

The word education literally means to "lead from darkness to light," he said, and this is even more evident at his school. "It becomes a real life or death situation. If they don’t make it, they may end up in jail or dead.

"I would hope children of all ages might get a glimpse of the mystery and personal relationship that God offers all people," he said.

Cheripko’s two novels for young adults, Imitate the Tiger and Rat, focus on his experience with teens who have abused alcohol and/or drugs.

Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove is suggested for children ages 6 and up. It may be purchased through Boyds Mill Press at 1-800-490-5111 or www.boydsmillspress.com.