Mark PlaissDeacon Mark Plaiss teaches in the department of religious studies at Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein, Illinois. Since 1997 he has been a monastic associate at New Melleray Abbey, near Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained deacon in the Roman CatholicChurch on June 7, 2003, at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in the Diocese of Gary and is currently serving at St. Gilbert Church in Grayslake, Illinois. He tries to pass on the monastic wisdom he has absorbed over the years from New Melleray and other monasteries to his students and parishioners. Read More Read Less