Conception Abbey revitalizes ministry The Printery House

CONCEPTION, Mo. — This summer, the monks of Conception Abbey made a fundamental change to one of their ministries. The community’s apostolate The Printery House became Altar + Home by Conception Abbey. The name change has brought with it a more focused mission to share the monks’ Catholic faith and Benedictine spirituality.

The change in name honors the publication that began this ministry in the 1930s. Altar and Home was a publication directed to the average Catholic audience to encourage full and active liturgical participation on the part of all the members of the Church.

Altar and Home offered a pragmatic approach to the liturgy, seeking to bridge the gap between the Sunday liturgical assembly and domestic life.

The publication led to the beginning of Conception Abbey Press, which eventually became The Printery House, which specialized in Christian greeting cards and gifts. Find our timeline here.

“For many years, we expressed our love for God by creating and selling Christian-themed cards and gifts in The Printery House,” said Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB, abbot of Conception Abbey. “As times changed and people began to communicate their faith in new ways, we have decided to adjust our efforts to share the faith by changing the type of things we offer and the name of our ministry to Altar + Home by Conception Abbey. This is a way to return to the magazine we published many years ago to spread our love for the liturgy from the altar into the home.”

Rather than a rebrand, this “retro-brand” comes with a focus on providing resources and tools to support customers on their faith journeys and cultivate one holy, apostolic, Catholic Church.

“These changes will happen gradually, as most things led by God do,” said Kaity Holtman, Director of Altar + Home by Conception Abbey. “We began with the name and a better online shopping experience for customers, which together has already made a very visible difference.”

The new website, www.altarandhome.org, offers a streamlined shopping experience and displays cards, paper goods, and products in a simple, clean format.

“The new website was a necessary step to begin this new journey,” Holtman said. “Now we are working to bring new product lines, intentional prayer resources, and fresh greeting cards and prints to you in the near future.”

Neenan notes that in this ministry and other ways, Conception Abbey is experiencing much change and growth. “But we see this as the way to preserve what is good and sacred and lasting in our Benedictine way of seeking first the Kingdom of God,” he said.

The near-century of stability and expertise in this business and industry allows the monks and employees at Altar + Home to carry on the Benedictine tradition in intentional and quality products.

“This may seem like a new venture, but really, we are continuing to share God’s love and the Good News of the Gospel in meaningful ways to new audiences and connect with them where they are,” Holtman said. “We are excited to share this mission-focused work with our customers and retailers alike, as we strive to glorify God in all we do.”

To stay connected to new products and other changes, visit www.altarandhome.org. Sign up for emails at www.altarandhome.org/pages/email-sign-up.