Monastery Exterior

The workers continue the demolition and construction of the monastery.  From the outside, one can observe the replacement of windows and window frames.  Where windows have been removed, some boards block the frame, but elsewhere the windows wells are left wide open for any bird or creature to find a new home.  The area around the…

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The Week Ends, the Week Begins

We have had significantly cooler temperatures these past few days.  On Friday we had a high of only 54.  Saturday morning it was 36 degrees out, before warming up to 63. Fortunately the weekend was very sunny.  It made for excellent biking weather, and I spent every free moment on my bicycle, knowing that there…

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Fall Monastic Experience Weekend

The monks of Conception Abbey are hosting a Monastic Experience weekend this fall.  Experience Benedictine monastic life at Conception Abbey from October 31st to November 2nd.  Men between the ages of 18-35, who are considering a vocation to religious life, are invited for a discernment retreat.  This weekend will be an excellent opportunity to draw closer to God…

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Volleyball Practice

I am coaching the Seminary volleyball team again this year in preparation for our Seminary Soccer and Volleyball Tournament, a.k.a. “The Thunder Cup”.  The tournament takes place the weekend of October 18-19 and we invite several other seminaries to travel to Conception, Missouri to compete. Last year, our volleyball team improved immensely on my leadership,…

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140 Years of Friendship

This evening, the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at Clyde, Missouri, invited the monks over to their monastery to celebrate 140 years since their founding.  The sisters’ community was founded in September 1874, while Conception Abbey was founded one year before in April 1873. The monks joined the sisters for Vespers at 5:00pm, followed by…

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Labor Day Weekend

I was invited to help out with a Catholic young adult gathering at Lake Pomme de Terre, about four hours south of the monastery.  When I told people the name of the event, they just started laughing.  It was called “Nature’s Call.”  I’m sure the original campers had fun with coming up with the title.…

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The Art of Lettering

Br. Michael has been doing calligraphy for years. He has attended many workshops, taught classes on the art in the seminary, and giving calligraphy retreats. In early August, Br. Michael, had two calligraphy retreats- one for beginners and one for intermediate students. He weaved in the Benedictine practice of lectio divina into the lettering process.

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Funeral for Br. George

Today, the monks of Conception Abbey celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial for our confrere, Br. George. Brother George Strohmeyer, O.S.B., monk of Conception Abbey, died Monday, 25 August 2014. He was 92 years old and had been a monk for 36 years. He was born on 20 June 1922 near Benoit, Wisconsin, to Engelbert…

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Picture Time

It is picture day and registration for the seminarians of Conception Seminary.  The early morning rain did not prevent the photographer from capturing their smiling faces.  This morning the men gathered in front of the Basilica in order to take the group photo.  Afterwards they took separate pictures based on Diocese or Religious Order. Loud noises…

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