Newsletter No. 32 Ruswil - March 2006

Table of Contents

Foreword 1 

Looking into the Diary of the Monk Jodocus 3 

Xaver Stirnimann 6 

Minutes of the 12th Family Meeting 8 

Miscellaneous 10

Dear relatives and acquaintances

Dear members and friends of our family association

"How quickly people's gratitude vanishes and they become ingratitude!" With these words, the Greek tragedy writer Sophocles (496-405 BC) called a human idiosyncratic at that time, which, on closer reflection, also subsided around 2400 years has not changed. Be it in interpersonal or material matters, again and again the thanks become normal and routine. An example: At the round birthday party of a dear acquaintance you appear with a generous gift, which he owes you well. Some time later, you are celebrating a milestone birthday, the dear acquaintance answers, though only with a telephone congratulation. His behavior could soon lead to criticism and aversion, would not it? After all, they have shown themselves generous and now expects the corresponding consideration. May or should this be so? And how long should the thanks be valid, for ever and ever or only until things or circumstances are forgotten?

For me, thanks to others and the environment are considered a matter of honor to the extent that they are not bound by open or hidden claims or have self-serving intentions. Thanks for me also appreciation and Danger. But gratefulness must not exclude any criticism or change on the part of the other person, otherwise it would basically be self-serving again.

Unfortunately, I catch myself again and again with this peculiar peculiarity that Sophocles has described. But what could you do about it? Since I'm not a philosopher, I can not call you nice words. As a down-to-earth type, I tend to beat myself on the shoulders and say, What have you to moan about now, look at all the positives in your life and say thank you, and the negative, grab it and try to change it!

Did you know that you, dear members of the Union, express a beautiful form of gratitude to our ancestors for being in our family congregation? Their interest in the family history testifies to appreciation of those who bore the family name and passed it on to the present generation.

Therefore, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you and all new members for your membership. Without you, there would be no family unit.

Even if membership is by no means spectacular, the shared moments, as we experienced them at the last family meeting in Sempach Battle, are of irreplaceable value. Many thanks to all who came to Sempach. By the way, the minutes of the meeting can be found in this newsletter.

Other connecting moments can be experienced when members of the association come up with an idea for the association. For example, Peter Stirnimann, Möhlin. Based on his idea to have a family crest flag produced, you will now find enclosed an accompanying letter in this newsletter with all information regarding the purchase of a flag, if you are of course interested. Peter Stirnimann also has the intention to make a window-blazon. If you are interested in such, you are asked to contact him as well. I would like to sincerely thank Peter on behalf of the Board for his commitment and I hope that many fluttering flags in the wind will honor our surname.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to my colleagues for their active support.

Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye this year to a long-standing and well-known board member, namely Maria Stirnimann-Schenkermayr, Ruswil. At the family meeting in Sempach Maria was excused because of illness and no one suspected that she would not recover from it properly. She died on 10 January 2006 at the age of 79 and was buried on 14 January in Ruswil. Maria has been a member of our board of directors since her election on the occasion of the family meeting on May 15, 1977, ie 29 years. Her dedicated work deserves our recognition and is once again best owed here in the name of the board. "Lord, give her eternal life, and the eternal light shines on her, Amen.”

With the departure of Maria Stirnimann-Schenkermayr created a big gap in our board. Hans Stirnimann, Ruswil, son of the deceased, spontaneously declared himself ready to work on the board. We are happy to once again have a Stirnimann from the "Stammland" on the Executive Board with Hans and thank him very much for his cooperation.

If you, dear members of the association, are now browsing through the newsletter, you will again find other contributions, such as the continuation of the interview series, which is already traditional in character. I wish you exciting moments reading through. But your ideas and suggestions are always welcome, just contact a member of the board and use the forum.

So I wish you in every respect a grateful 2006 and remain Yours sincerely.

President

Beat Stirnimann

The monk Jodokus looked in the diary

(Continuation)

Father Jost Stirniman (monastic name Jodokus, Jodok) lived from 1654S1706, of which 36 years in the monastery Muri, AG. In 1695S1697 he followed attentively the progress of the construction work on the today's monastery church.

The original of his diary is in the archive of the College Sarnen. In the next newsletter we will publish a part of this diary. Here already the 2nd episode.

1683

On January 6th, on Epiphany, the lay brothers Jacobus, formerly called John Casparus, and Thomas, who had formerly been called Lucas, profited.

On February 12, my confessor, P. Anselmus, solicited me at the confession at my request from the Rosary, which I used to pray on Saturday in honor of the Blessed Virgin. Though he thought (according to what I had told him) that it was not a vow, but a pious purpose, he still thought it better and more useful for my rest when I was no longer obliged to to pray to those, neither on Saturday nor otherwise, because through his dispensation he canceled any obligation to offer this rosary.

On March 4, a chapter was held in which the Lord Abbot redistributed the offices; He established the parish office of the upper church for Father Peter, who was a pastor in Hohenburg; Fr. Bonaventura, who had previously been pastor in Bünzen, the pastorate of Hohenburg; the parish office at Bünzen to Father Ambrosius; He gave the office of Subcusto to Father Martinus, which I have provided for three years, but this time, in this chapter, I have been freed from it.

On March 20, Fr. Bonaventura left for Klingenberg to become a pastor there. 

On the 25th of March, the feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at about half-past nine in the night for the first time the pupils noticed something fantastic and deceptive To speak of this is a fanciful feeling, felt in the coffin of the pupils, for the first time for several days it has shaken to the beggar, and the cinnamon mass starches, and only at the twentieth: after that it has begun to the begern, or to scratch the walls of the bed-makers, as when one with the fingers or nails scratch at it: after that it began to whistle, as if one were whistling with the mouth, ia also it has day by day made up, it also talked about his puffing, and answered that it was possible to understand könen, it also answered all freaks answered with pffeiffen, what one gefroget: wan it has been called songs whistle, it has done so soon, but no spiritual song has made it whistle. auff that still several days one has the whole cameraman of the schuoler, as well as the schuol self: after dissem it has left a little bit behind: but after a few days to feel again umpub: auff dis it started to complain, so also if it was a ghost, a deceased person, it answered that it was not a ghost, but that it was still possible to say: it was a proper son of man: from dissim and the like, one has taken away, and may have kept, it I must be a lousy ghost; but because they complain, as I said before ..

... did not want to settle down, and the subject had been much longer: then it began umbacht umen, amoben, and promised to endure 10 aur, soon it has whistled, now and then in the whole kamer, at scratched the bedeckers, tripped with the fingers to dance, even the hardt hit hard on the wall of the beter, the skirts so nailed to naglen, back and disgusted, as if somebody doing a mäß soölches: after that one has never seen anyone: has they let us go dead, as well as slobberly: in the stalls we have been struck with havoc, where they have been spotted: they have done so far, and they have been forced to scream with all hellish tune, like a hungry dog, yet one would have to discriminate or make a mistake, if it were a man's stimulus, or not, when one did one or the other night, at that time be felt there, and so on giving, and summoned: it has not felt a day eight more. After that, it has been felt again: and has been worse off with it than before: it was never heard at night, as it was said, but also in the morning and on a sunny day. it has not been all that spoiled, as it has been, but also some things. First of all, nobody waded in the camera, and during the day, the pupils, their backs, and in the camera, they spread out on the floor wan a mouse soiled with diligence done: and so nit not just a special time to paint ...

... and at night: but there were other possessions for the pupils too: namely, when they took the key to the cladding box and kept it for some days: when, one day, one morning, after Saxon, we heard it in the usual way, we fritter So, when it had been drunk overnight, it would have been clever to say it would have been half the night in the little winery, and it was just that afternoon in the corridor, and quite a few whistles: but you would know it was not the case whether it was in the crutches, or in the cold: among others it was also feared, where it was the most timely time that it was possible to hear, were answered: answered it, it was near, you do it had been persecuted, injured or bewildered so severely with the blacks: it had lingered from that time, so that it would not have been possible to froze, had it been wounded ,te, the guardian answered it: if it was also gefyegt it seiye, it has lölches all fermented: and whistling said it would be: but yet they have been cain believe cain: if it wasn't her to mourn. it would still be too much to say about disser sach.

When the subject has been lengthened, it has become more and more difficult to get suspicious. It would be a matter of some kind of painting fiction, and therefore would like to get the subject to a bad end: half of the time one has been advised to give advice if this one had to sucker: where one avoided to find such a thing: for that reason the boy prayed all the prayers, brought them to another place for a while: the workers ...

... beaten out of another, and all of them were killed out of the camera, and thus, at one step on the floor, a furious filthiness was found, and among others, a cohesive papyrlin: in the stables of a poulfer-buffalo: in Dreyerley gatig pompfer's material was watery: whose color was a strange color, and says that the species is so caught up in the air, that it should be the trey pines, and that it should be covered with water. If one could hear them coming over, one knew that it would be necessary to have a good maleficium. and so you have spent the whole campfire, and what you found that you avoided it were malefici things, you have been scrounged, after that you have to wait until 10 o'clock all but the boys of anffang, after also the cameraman before the school, and also the mr. preceptoris kamer, as well as the crutches and calves, where it was said that it would be necessary to water: after that they made in the cadre of the schololer gantz new farms, and the boys In the meantime, you have not felt anything in the same camera.

On March 26, at about 10 o'clock in the evening, the lay brother Christophorus died in Klingenberg. On the 14th of April a chapter was held, to which our vicars, according to tradition, appeared before the chapter: Mr. Balthasarus, pastor in Lunkhofen, Mr. Johannes Jodocus Müller, pastor in Hermetschwil ...

... and Mr. Johannes Melchior Müller, pastor in Itwellen in Thurgau; and after having made their request in public, the following offices were assigned to them by the Chapter: Mr. Balthasarus, to the pastor in Lunkhofen, the Office or the Chaplaincy in Villmergen had been transferred, Mr. Johannes Melchior Zei had given up because of his permanent illness. Mr. Johannes Jodocus, the pastor in Hermet-schwil, has been assigned the parish office in Lunkhofen. Mr. Johannes Melchior Müller, the Pastor in Itwellen, the office has been transferred to Hermetschwil. 

On the 21st of April, around 1 o'clock, a house in Millau caught fire and burned out. 

On the 26th of April in the afternoon our lay brother Lucas left for Klingenberg to take over the office of the late lay brother Christophorus. 

On May 21, at about 7 o'clock in the morning, Fr. Augustinus from Uri passed away, suffering from a condition considered hystrophic.

On May 30, all the abbots of our congregation arrived, except for the one from Fischingen, who could not be present because of a physical ailment. For the next two days, they held a congregation. But what they have decided in this will be found in the records of the Congregation. 

On the 22nd of June, on the Feast of the Ten Thousand Martyrs, the first Meyen gricht has been kept at Beywil, attended by: Our Lord Abbot, ...

... Mr. P. Prior, P. Leodegarius Holdermeyer, P. Fintanus, the economist, P. Aegidius Schnider, our chancellor, Mr. Prefect Redig von Schwyz, Mr. Lantzschnider Zurlauben.

At about 3 pm on 2 July, two French priests from the monastery of St. Germain traveled to Paris, which is situated in the middle of the city of Paris, by the Order of St. Benedict. It is these Fathers who compile the documents of the Holy Benedictines. From here they traveled on to Einsiedeln, from there to St. Gall, but from there to Germany, with the intention of collecting the records of the Benedictine monks, as long as they are still to be found. 

On November 13th or 14th the relics of St. Martyr Benedikt arrived. 

On the 20th of November, the lay brother Melchior Müller from Zug died, on the eve of the Blessed Virgin Mary's sacrifice, at about half past eight in the evening. And on the day of the sacrifice he was buried after the evening Mass. 

On December 20, the abbot held a chapter in which Father Leontius, who had been Custos, was appointed a lay brother's teacher because Father Subprior, who had previously been their teacher, ...

has been dismissed from this position in this chapter. The custos were named Father Gregorius, who had previously been the master chef; and in his place P. Carolus became master chef, who had been schoolmaster before; and in his place is P. Aegidius Schulmeister, who had previously been a singing teacher; and in his place, Fr. Luitfridus has become a singing teacher, who was a second vocal teacher before; and at the same time he became the co-ordinator of the parish of the upper church in Muri; in its place is P. Franciscus was appointed the second singing teacher. However, Fr. Martinus was appointed parish priest, at that time Subcustos, who remained at the same time a Subcusto.

On the 26th of December, on the feast day of St. Stephen, it was villied a few times between 5 and 6 o'clock in the evening, and also toned down some times, but not at all, as it may have belonged: the cause would have been forgotten it will be hot even though warm, and rain waters were watered: which almost scrape the snow to the high mountain. alein has never judged such a long time: dan gley after newen year it started to snow, and then a very big celt fell on it.

To mark this year's coronation, it must be noted that this year a terrible war has broken out between the Emperor and the Turks, who, last summer, this year around July, miserably devastated the whole of Lower Austria during the siege of Vienna, even if they did have been expelled and defeated by the Imperialists and their allies and defiantly repulsed to the Hungarian frontier, to their great detriment and evil. You will find many things in other books and writings about this.

On the 2nd of February, at the Assumption of Light in the morning, or the night before, it was burned in Einsiedeln Monastery. 

On March 9, our Lord Abbot, Jerome Troger, died at 10 clock at night. 

On March 11, he was buried in the chapel of St. Leontius. Grave preacher was pastor of Beinwil, Matthias Honeger. 

On March 14, the election of the new abbot took place. The Abbot of Rheinau, the Nuncio of Lucerne, the Abbot of Engelberg and the Dean of Einsiedeln, Fr. Christophorus, voted for his superior, who was then traveling to Rome. P. Placidus has been elected abbot ...

Continuation follows

Xaver Stirnimann

"We have to give nature more space”

Xaver Stirnimann

Head of Civil Protection Canton of Nidwalden:

Grown up in Büron LU Xaver Stirnimann lives since 1979 in Stans. Since 2004, the 57-year-old head of the Office for Population Protection in the canton of Nidwalden has been the head of the cantonal management staff since 2002. His father grew up in Ruswil (Deckhonig) and later moved to Haemikon. In 1925, the family farm burned down and the family moved to Büron, where they bought a new Heimetli. Prior to employment at TRISA, Xaver Stirnimann completed training as a mechanical engineer and plant engineer. In between, he completed military service for four years, and finally as a company commander. Until the age of 28, he was production manager at TRISA. In 1979, Stirnimann was elected Chief of Civil Defense Training at Nidwalden, before moving to the Health Directorate of the Canton of Zurich in 1989. There Xaver Stirnimann rebuilt the entire emergency and disaster planning of the hospitals in the canton of Zurich. In 1995, the post of Head of Civil Protection was freed in Nidwalden, Stirnimann applied, was elected, and since then - as in Zurich - has brought the emergency organization (Zivilschutz XXI) up to date for the entire canton.

On 22 August last year, even the "disaster expert" Xaver Stirnimann was astonished: "That was quite a start, something we did not expect in the planning." Huge amounts of water and landslides caused unprecedented damage. Above all, the Engelberger Aa drew a trail of devastation through the valley. Roads and railway lines were torn away or metered high with scree and wood. The once thriving cow pastures and fields looked like gravel pits after the flood. Like open wounds, earth slides drew deep cracks in the mountain flanks. Whole villages stood in mud and boulders.

For the head of the civil protection department of the Canton of Nidwalden, it is clear: "We have become more vulnerable because of our construction activity." Homes are being built on many hills and slopes, even though these zones are known to be more endangered. Xaver Stirnimann sees two focal points in order to reduce the damage - if not to prevent it - in the event of similar catastrophes in the future. "We have to give water more space, nature needs more space give. And we have to be more restrained with new ones. "

We are sitting in the office of Xaver Stirnimann. At the Wilstrasse 1 in Stans-Oberdorf. The 57-year-old is tall, strong and cordial. It is early December. But the effects of the damaging floods in August are still painfully visible in many places. But the head of the Nidwalden civil protection department is already looking ahead. According to Stirnimann, the 2005 flood disaster will lead to some improvements in the Swiss notarization. "We have reached the limits. In the early hours, communication was the main problem for us. "All connections were interrupted: the telephone lines were torn off, the mobile network overloaded or shorted for water damage, the radio network out of service because the base station had no power. According to Xaver Stirnimann, the most important thing was missing: "When it comes to human lives, communication is crucial." But improvement is already in sight: The country-wide Polycom network, a very expensive mobile network for civil protection, is due this spring go into operation.

The Giesslibach in Stansstad on the wrong track through the finish mat

Whatever measures are taken, Xaver Stirnimann is certain: "We will never be able to guarantee everything completely." It also needs the courage to fill the gap in the safety net. Stirnimann knows what he's talking about. Since he was 29 years old, he has devoted himself professionally to the management of disasters. Most of his military training - four years in total - he also completed disaster relief in Switzerland. The work in Brig or Locarno has fascinated Xaver Stirnimann.

"At the age of 29, I focused my career on it." From 1979 to 1989, he was training director of the civilian protectorate in the canton of Nidwalden. Afterwards he saw the development of civil protection going in the wrong direction. "It absolutely needed reforms after 50 years of cold war," says Stirnimann. But they did not stay for the time being. Stirnimann looked for a new job and found it in Zurich.

Xaver Stirnimann continued to live in Stans, but commuted 150 kilometers daily to Zurich. There, at the cantonal Health Directorate, he headed the project for the reorganization of disaster and emergency planning for hospitals in the canton of Zurich. 35 hospitals and the entire rescue and support structure were reorganized. Varying scenarios against serious threats, be it through nature, terror or chemical accidents has been created by Stirnimann.

Then, in 1995, the post at the Civil Protection Office in Stans became vacant. Xaver Stirnimann took over the management and worked again where he lived. And civil protection, now called civil protection, has since developed in its spirit: "A lot has changed. Away from the military, to a true civil protection, "says Stirnimann. That works out well. "Civil defense is no longer ridiculed."

Since reform XXI, young people have been recruited for civil defense and not old army graduates. The stocks are massively smaller. "We are well equipped and run by professionals," summarizes Stirnimann. The organization is slim and efficient today. This has again proved during and after the flood. In the first 14 days after the catastrophe, Nidwalden's population protection system worked around the clock, in three shifts with deployment, on-call and rest periods. By the end of October 2005, a total of 15,000 man-hours were deployed. Much has worked, some mistakes are learned. That's what fascinated Xaver Stirnimann in his work for years: "Achieve very much in a very short time with a very good team." If it succeeds, that would be a highlight. "That's very satisfying," says the disaster expert.

According to Xaver Stirnimann, population protection in Switzerland must continue to be the new Circumstances are adjusted. And that under great economy pressure. "The intercantonal aid must be expanded, we need more solidarity among the cantons, says Stirnimann. First, very good experiences have been gathered in Nidwalden after the flood. Civil defense troops from Baselland helped here for two and a half months. This is a consequence of the savings. Stirnimann: "The stocks of the rescue troops were greatly reduced. Today, we have top people and good equipment. But not enough of both. "There is only one thing that helps: bundling forces.

Stirnimann's vision reaches as far as a national disaster relief corps. "For fast deployment throughout Switzerland." Or even internationally. He can well imagine that the Swiss army will no longer provide disaster relief in the future. "This will take over the civil protection." Some circles demand this, according to Stirnimann already; in the army the topic is discussed. "If you have the courage, I do not know," says Stirnimann, "because there is less and less money."

Roland Stirnimann

12th Family Meeting, Restaurant Battle, Sempach

Sunday, 11 September, 2005

Minutes of the General Assembly

1. Welcome

- Josef Stirnimann-Haas and his wife, Ruswil. (Josef Stirnimann served 19 years as President of our Association, 1977- 96)

- Heidi Stirnimann, Stans, founding member

- Alois Stirnimann, worked for many years as a cashier and auditor

- Maria Stirnimann-Schenkermayr, Ruswil, Member of the board, as well as her son Josef

- Olga Stirnimann-Wälchli, Ruswil tellers

- Frieda Stirnimann, Nottwil and Moritz Stirnimann, Ruswil Present 72 adults, 6 children

Short review of the president:

Three years ago, the last family meeting was in Buttisholz, Eglisberg. As this meeting with brunch was well received, the board decided to carry out today's conference again in this form.

In the meantime, seven board meetings took place, each in spring and autumn.

- Three newsletters have been published, with continuation of the interview series, the journals of Father Jost, Muri Monastery, the Forum, which has not yet been used by the members of the Association.

- Small advertising campaign, with a large flyer, showed only a small success (only few entries, unfortunately also withdrawals) Membership about 280 people.

- Preparations for today's family meeting. Today, the flyer is distributed to all guests, with the request to pass on to known name carriers.

dead ceremony With the saying of Friedrich Schiller: "What is nearer to the good man than his own," is clearly the bond between dear people expressed. And when beloved people die, in thought they stay with us all the time. So we had to say farewell in our association of loved ones.

- Joseph Stirnimann, professor, honorary member, initiator of our family association and longtime member of the board.

• Josef Stirnimann-Knupp, father of our member Josef Stirnimann-Tura, Cham

As a token of our appreciation, we rise and commemorate in a brief moment the silence of the dear ones dead.

2. Minutes of the 11th Family Meeting in Buttisholz, Eglisberg, June 30, 2002. The minutes of the 11th Family Meeting are read out by Agnes Bensegger-Stirnimann, unanimously approved and owed.

3. Cash report

Treasurer Gregor Stirnimann-Lisibach explains the cash balance.

Member and patron contributions: CHF 3'306.l0. For the coming years, an amount for family research and the database will be used. Also for newsletters and membership advertising, a sum is again provided. The cashier thanks for the prompt deposit of the membership fees. He is also grateful for the announcement of the new address during a move.

auditors report

The auditors Josef Stirnimann, Emmenbrücke and Thomas Stirnimann, Geuensee, have controlled the cash register report. Josef Stirnimann announces that the bookkeeping is done in a perfect way and owes the work.

Homepage

It is being looked after by Josef Stirnimann-Tura, Cham. At www.Stirnimann-Stirnemann.ch we find a lot about our association. Also a guestbook is available. It pays off to look in there every now and then. It happens that someone from the wider world answers and looks for his roots in Switzerland.

4. Options

President Beat Stirnimann is elected unanimously. His great commitment to the association is greatly appreciated by the board and the entire assembly and is best owed. Withdrawals from the board are not. All other members of the Executive Board are re-elected unanimously, as are the two auditors.

There is a request and interest for a coat of arms. Some members of the association already have one. (Price about CHF 350). This request will be commented on in the next circular letter in the spring of 2006. Josef Stirnimann, Ruswil, former President, inquires about the documents which were in his possession of Prof. Joseph Stirnimann, Lucerne. The President, Beat Stirnimann contacted Maria Stirnimann, the sister of Professor Joseph Stirnimann, who cleaned everything up and gave the documents to Beat. He did a rough sorting with a local historian. However, much remains to be investigated. Beat reports that Prof. Joseph Stirnimann has always said that his research lies in the newsletter.

5. Miscellaneous

Request of another member of the association: "Is it true that the files are deposited in the State Archive of Schwyz?" Suggestion: It would be good if the places of the documents were made known in the newsletter! Franz Stirnimann, member of the board, explains that all newsletters are deposited in the State Archives in Lucerne.

It is possible to purchase a variety of literature at the stall. There are still people looking for the board.

After the General Assembly there is the possibility of a visit and guidance of the battle chapel.

Battle Chapel

thanks

At the end of the AGM, the President sends a thank you:

- Rolf Wey and Melanie Bürgi and their team the economy for battle.

- To the two leaders for the interesting guides.

- The colleagues of the colleagues (with a little present)

- All participants of the 12th Family Meeting in Sempach.

After one hour, the GV is closed and the guests start to "battle."

Two prominent leaders explain the events of the battle between the Confederates and the Habsburgs in 1386. The battle chapel with its interesting pictures is also explained in detail.

At 14.00 there will be an extensive dessert buffet and in cozy discussions the various guests will talk. With the motto: Connectedness among us and the family, we bid farewell to the members of the association and the cozy and appealing Sunday.

Recording Secretary

Agnes Bensegger - Stirnimann