New International Program for Priests

Pictured to the right are the 16 priests who attended the first International Program for Priests held here at Conception Seminary College. It is called "Language, Culture and Church for International Priests." It is for priests from foreign countries who have volunteered for service in dioceses in the United States. Priests attending this year were from Nigeria, the Philippines and India, but all are presently serving in dioceses in the United State. The program was three weeks in length and included language, as well as culture. The mornings were pretty well taken up with language courses and the afternoons had a variety of workshops involving many different aspects of parish life in our country.

One evening the priests prepared a special meal for all the monks and guests. We had native foods from the various countries represented. It was an enjoyable experience for all of us.

In August we are looking forward to welcoming one new novice, Adam Burkhardt; one novice who will make his first profession of temporary vows on August 15, Isaac Dale; and two who are completing their three years of temporary vows and will make solemn profession on August 24, Brother David Wilding and Brother Victor Schinstock.

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Please note that I will be leaving for some vacation days on July 29 and will return on August 6. So there will be no new entries in this blog for the next ten days or so. Fr. Kenneth

Hot and humid in July

The brief video above includes the front of the Basilica and the towers and the ringing of bells before vespers on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Hope you enjoy it and that it will serve as a reminder of Conception Abbey.

The weather has been quite hot lately and is supposed to stay that way. We have not yet had a day up to 100 degrees but it has been up in the 90's and, as any of you know who have lived in the midwest, we usually have some rather hight humidity.

This weekend and through Monday, July 21, the Swiss American congregation of Benedictines are having their Congregation meeting at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. This meeting is held every three years. It includes the Abbot (or superior) of each monastery in the Congregation and one elected representative from each monastery. Abbot Gregory and Father Patrick are there from Conception Abbey. Brother Thomas is also there as he is on the Abbot President's Council. There are sixteen abbeys or priories in the Swiss American Congregation.

Father Daniel, the Prior returned home from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land last Tuesday. It seems to have been a good trip but very fast and so much to see in a short time.

Hope you are all having a good summer. God's blessing be with all of you.

Oblate Pray and Work weekend

We just completed our 7th annual Oblate Pray and Work weekend. While we did not have quite as many attending and taking part in the weekend this year as in past years, it was a good group and they did a lot of work as well as prayed with the monks. They also enjoyed one meal with the monastic community and also had some social time on their own. To see more photos of the weekend go to:
http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/4728968_kPd9C

The weather for the weekend was perfect as it was cloudy and cool on Saturday. We did have a little rain shower around noon but it soon passed and we were able to work outdoors again by 1:30 or 2:00 PM.

Our own confrere, Father Karl, spent a couple days here with us. He left today to fly to Australia for the World Youth Conference. He is the pastor at Fulton, Missouri in the diocese of Jefferson City.

4th of July weekend

On the 4th of July, Friday evening, we had a community picnic out on the plaza between St. Joseph Hall and St. Michael Hall. The weather was beautiful -- not too hot and there were not even any flies or bugs flying around. It was a delightful evening. After the meal we even had a water balloon contest and that pretty well ended in a water balloon fight. The monks were joined by the guests who were here for the weekend and some of the lay employees who live here. Even a few of our seminarians were here for the day.

Today the Pri0r, Father Daniel, left for a week long trip to the Holy Land. He is chaplain for a group of about 22 Catholic high school teachers
who are going there for a week of study.

Arriving here at Conception today are about 16 priests from foreign countries who are working in dioceses in the United States. They are spending three weeks here to better learn the language, as well more about the culture of our country so they can better serve the people in the parishes where they will be working.

Tomorrow, July 7, is an eventful day for me as I celebrate my 75th birthday. Time does fly by fast.

Pictures from up high and bicycle tour

Last weekend Father Frowin and Postulant Adam and some other monks used the cherry picker we have rented to go up high and take some pictures. These two were taken by Postulant Adam and are rather impressive of the Basilica and towers and the front part of the monastery. To enlarge the pictures, just click on them.

The other picture shows some of the bicycles here last week on Thursday when a couple hundred bicycle riders descended on Conception for a stop on their eight day tour of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. They are known as the Border Raiders and the ride is an opportunity to test your stamina, enjoy the scenic Missouri River Valley and ride through some inspiring places of history in our country. The ride starts in Lawrence, Kansas and ends back at Lawrence. They stopped here early in the morning to tour and enjoy some refreshments.

One more reminder to the Oblates. The "Pray and Work" weekend is coming up soon, July 11-13. If you have not yet registered be sure to contact the guest department at 660-944-2809.