Celebrating Our Jubilarians

Fr. Kenneth Reichert, OSB – 70 Years Professed

In my conversations with Fr. Kenneth, I am struck by his strong identity as a Benedictine monk and priest. It is truly remarkable that after 70 years of monastic life and 66 years of priestly ministry, his dedication to this calling remains unwavering. His journey, from being baptized by a monk of Conception Abbey in his hometown of Brunswick, Missouri, to embracing a monastic vocation and professing his vows as a Benedictine monk in 1954, seems to be a testament to God’s divine plan.
Mr. Ben Darnell, a graduate of Conception Seminary College and currently a member of the seminary faculty, reflects on the impact of Fr. Kenneth on his life. During his seminary days, Fr. Kenneth served as Ben’s spiritual director, which began a deep and enduring friendship between them. Fr. Kenneth accompanied Ben through his journey of discerning priesthood and later marriage, standing by his side through life’s triumphs and tribulations. When asked what he believes Fr. Kenneth would most like to be remembered for, Ben shared, “His unwavering dedication to the monastic community and his infectious joy.”
Monastic joy and his concern for others, cultivated in his role as Prior for 14 years, are hallmarks of how Fr. Kenneth is known among the brethren. While he has slowed down at 91 years of age, his concern for the lives of other monks and his friends has not waned. Neither have his prayers for all those dear to him.
After 70 years of monastic life, he is confident in God’s providential care throughout the years, and for that, he gives thanks. It is with our own gratitude to God that we celebrate Fr. Kenneth’s monastic witness and service to the Lord as a Benedictine monk for 70 years.

— Br. Gabriel Chinn

Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB – 50 Years Professed

In honoring Fr. Peter Ullrich’s 50 years as a monk of Conception, we honor a more-or-less local boy. “Local” here refers to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was born and named William Michael by his parents, William and Rose Mary (O’Malley) Ullrich, June 25, 1950. He was baptized that July and went to grade school at St. James parochial school.
A little further away from home and from Conception, William attended St. John’s Diocesan Seminary in Kansas City, from which he graduated in 1968. He graduated from our seminary in 1972 with a bachelor’s in Behavioral Sciences and then attended St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1972-73. He entered novitiate here at Conception in August of 1973 and professed vows one year later, receiving the name Peter. He graduated from St. Meinrad School of Theology with a master’s in Divinity in 1987 and was ordained a priest on May 23rd of that year.
In looking through what I will call Fr. Peter’s “work-life,” which includes a variety of administrative positions such as Director of The Printery House, Director of the Abbey Guest Center, Kitchen Master, and a number of capacities related to budget and finance and computers, my impression of the work that is best fit to his personality and talents is “pastoral.” He has served in parishes, where he is currently pastor, Conception Junction and Parnell, but before that, as Newman Chaplain at NWMSU in Maryville and the parishes in Savannah and Forest City. These pastoral labors have tapped more richly his personality and humor. Here, I speak not of accomplishments, but of his willingness these assignments have drawn upon to stay in the harness and do what needs to be done.

— Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB

Fr. Sebastian Allgaier, OSB – 25 Years Professed

This year marks the 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood for Fr. Sebastian Allgaier, OSB, monk of Conception Abbey. Fr. Sebastian was ordained on April 25, 1999 by Bishop Raymond Boland of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. That day was a particularly special one because it was the first ordination in the newly renovated Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, rededicated only one month earlier in March.
On that day Bishop Boland said in his homily that it was “a good day not only for the monastery but for the diocese as well.” The bishop’s words were well chosen because Fr. Sebastian has spent a good part of his years in priestly service in parishes of the diocese: St. Peter’s parish in Stanberry, St. Patrick’s in Ford City, and Blessed Sacrament parish in Bethany, as well as 10 years as a chaplain at Conception Seminary College. When asked what has been his greatest joy in his years of ministerial service, Fr. Sebastian was quick to respond, “to celebrate Mass for the people of God.”

— Br. Michael Marcotte

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