ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the interview with Father Marus. Hungarian by birth, during the 1956 Russian invasion of Hungary, Father Marus was one of many to flee his country. Eventually he found his way to Portola Valley, where a community of Hungarian Benedictine monks was in the process of building a school and monastery. His life has been a pilgrimage of service to others. The values found in this interview transcend faith or ideological creed. This interview is powerful because stories are shown to be a tool aligned with a value system. Although the value system may have its roots in institutional ideologies, it has applicability to anyone. From a utilitarian point of view, being fully present and attentive to others is the best way to produce long-term results. Father Marus clearly shows how stories facilitate the synergy between communication and learning and how this synergy leads to the most productive outcomes for everyone.