General
The Movement of the Spirit
Yesterday I made my way to Independence, MO for the Kairos retreat. I arrived at the Franciscan Retreat Center around 3:00pm, only about a 1 hr 45 min drive from the Abbey. One of the sisters showed me around the grounds and to the room where I was staying. We found the rest of the…
Kairos Retreat
Early this afternoon I will be heading to the Franciscan Retreat Center in Independence, Missouri to help out and be a “Benedictine presence” at a youth retreat. The kids on retreat are from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City. They have been on retreat since Tuesday, but I will have Mass for them this afternoon…
Special Delivery
The monks are responsible for getting the mail to the various departments on campus. The Post Office is conveniently placed on the northwest corner of campus, attached to the Printery House. The mail arrives around lunch time and one of the monks is assigned to pick it up from the Post Office after Day Prayer…
Tower Topics Fall-Winter
Our alumni, friends, and benefactors are familiar with our triennial publication, Tower Topics, which hit mailboxes about two weeks ago. I am the Editor of the publication, and the Fall/Winter 2013 publication was just my second issue at the helm. Much planning and work from various people goes into its creation, and I am always relieved…
Monastic Experience
While we are still a couple of months away, I wanted to promote our Monastic Experience weekend. We invite men, between the ages of 18 and 35, who are considering a religious vocation to spend a weekend with the monks of Conception Abbey. It will be an opportunity to discern one’s vocation in an obligation…
On a Mission
The priests of the monastery are often assigned on the weekend to different parishes in the area to assist by celebrating Mass. This weekend I traveled to Bethany, Missouri, only about 45 minutes from the Abbey. I departed Saturday afternoon, driving with sunglasses on, cruising into the bright afternoon sun. I had Mass at 5:00pm…
Emerging from the Fog
Yesterday we had fog in the morning, and in the afternoon, and in the evening. The fog did not depart all day long. But, the temperature did get close to 40 degrees, so that was nice. Today had been bright and sunny, so enjoy the contrasting pictures.
Hoop Dreams
Yesterday evening after Compline, I went over to St. Michael’s Gymnasium to watch the seminarian basketball team play their first scrimmage game against a local men’s team. The seminarians have been practicing for a few months under the direction of Coach Skip Shear. Skip has coached for several schools including, Northwest Missouri State, Southwest Baptist…
Camera and Ice
Br. Etienne left today to return to St. Vincent Seminary for the spring semester of his first year in theology school. During Christmas break I gave him my Canon Rebel XS camera, since I got an upgrade from my parents. Br. Etienne, a camera enthusiast and former camera store worker, took this amazing macro picture…
School is Back in Session
This week the seminarians of Conception Seminary College have returned to campus for the spring semester. “Spring” is somewhat of a misnomer at this time of the year, for today brought some more snow flurries as the seminarians made their way between buildings for breakfast and their first classes. Please pray that God blesses the…