Install mod_perl statically?

Hello folks, I have SuSE 8.1 installed running the version of Apache that came with it ( including any updates using YOU ). I need to install the Mason module for a project I will be working on. However, the Mason site says that it is best to use mod_perl installed statically linked into the Apache server - NOT as a DSO. Now how the heck do I install mod_perl any other way than as a DSO? Do I need to get the source for the Apache version I am running and remove the installed server and mod_perl and build Apache and mod_perl from scratch? -Thanks, Jim