BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS

It is Christmas day and we have just finished our 11:00 AM day Mass on Christmas and enjoyed a delicious Christmas brunch. I am including a picture of the church which I just took a few minutes ago without any lights on in the church. I want to wish all of you readers of this blog a Blessed and Merry Christmas. It's a beautiful feast and I pray you have each had an opportunity to pray and give thanks to God for sending his Son to bring us salvation.

Yesterday we had first vespers of Christmas at 4:45 PM. Then at 6:00 PM we had our Christmas dinner, a banquet. At 7:45 PM we had Vigils and then at midnight we had Mass. I myself did not attend the midnight Mass here as I went to Clyde Monastery and had Mass for the Benedictine Sisters at 9:00 PM. That is when they have their Christmas Mass. When I got back it was about 11:00 PM so I went to bed. This morning we had Lauds at 9:00 AM and then most of the monks went to the infirmary as the monks who live there opened their gifts. At 11:00 AM we had a second Christmas Mass. This afternoon at 5:00 PM we have vespers and then at 7:00 PM Compline or night prayer.

It's a beautiful sunny day and it is a white Christmas as we have probably 4-5 inches of snow on the ground.

Many blessings to each of you on this holy feast.

Guest from Switzerland

This Christmas we have a guest from Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland. He came with Brothers Guerric and Macario who are studying theology at St. Meinrad Archabbey. Einsiedeln is the Mother House of St. Meinrad and Brother Aaron was sent there to study this year. He is spending Christmas with us. Conception Abbey of course is also from an Abbey in Switzerland, Engelberg Abbey.

Most of the ice from the ice storm is now melted although there is still some ice on a few of the trees and some places the sidewalks are still slick. However we still do not have heat in the Basilica, the kitchen or St. Joseph Hall. Something on the four boilers that serve these buildings got frozen during the time the electricity was off and they are waiting for parts to repair the boilers.

All the monks who are away for school have arrived home for the Christmas feast--as mentioned above Brothers Guerric and Macario have come from St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary, Brother Pachomius has come from Mount Angel Abbey and Seminary in Oregon and Brother Anselm has arrived from Washington, DC where he is studying philosophy at Catholic University of America.

Ice Storm

This must be the ice storm of the century. At least I do not remember any ice storm that was worse. The rain began and ice began forming the night of December 10 and it rained throughout the day on Tuesday, December 11. Our electricity went off Tuesday morning and it was not fully restored until Saturday evening. And then the rural water company that furnishes our water from Maryville, MO, could not pump water for their water tower. So we simply had to move out. No lights, no heat and very little water. So on Tuesday at noon the students were told they could begin their Christmas break early. They were due to leave on Thursday but were mostly gone by Wednesday evening. Fortunately the roads were not too bad. Then on Wednesday the monks moved out with about 23-24 going to Clyde monastery, about 8-10 to the parish at Stanberry and four to the home of Herb and Beverly VanVactor in Stanberry (Beverly works in our business office). All these places had electricity. Clyde has a generator that will run most of their plant. We had to stay at these places until Saturday. Sometime after midnight on Friday they got the electricity on for the south part of campus, including the infirmary. On Saturday then they spent the entire day connecting the remainder of the campus. Aquila Electric which furnishes our electricity had their men working long hours and far into the night. There are still many in the county who do not have electricity. It seems the worst ice was from about St. Joseph, MO and then north into southern Iowa.

Now we are trying to get everything up and running. Unfortunately it seems that the boilers for heating St. Joseph Hall and the Basilica were frozen and so broken and now need to be replaced before we can use the Basilica. And of course we are worrying about other pipes freezing now in St. Joseph Hall. There is also no heat in the kitchen but the lights do work there and the stoves all work so they cooking there.

I have included one picture of the ice but you can see others by going to the following web site:
http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/4002919/1

So much for this edition.

Sad news

I just received word this afternoon from some relatives in Omaha that a cousin of mine was killed in the shooting incident at a shopping mall in Omaha this past week. I had of course read about this but little did I realize that someone I knew was involved. Her name was Dianne (Clavin) Trent. Her Dad (deceased) and I were first cousins. She worked in the customer service department at the Von Maur store where the shooting took place. It came as quite a shock when I heard the news. Having survived the shooting incident here at Conception in 2002, news of such things happening have an effect on me and make me feel a lot of sympathy for the families involved.

Other than that this has been a cold and slick weekend. We have had mist and freezing mist and fog for the past two days, after receiving about 4-5 inches of snow on Thursday. More freezing rain is forecast for tomorrow night. The roads I understand are in fairly good shape but sidewalks and side streets are slick.

This is the last week of school for this semester. The students will be leaving on Thursday.

More windmills

As you can see from this photo, just taken this afternoon, more windmills have been set up just to the north of the Abbey, more or less between Conception and Clyde. They are just getting ready in this picture to lift up the propellor blades to be attached at the top. On some of the pictures you can see a couple workers at the very top who will attach the propellors.

For more photos of the windmills go to:
http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/3736027

More winter weather

Yesterday, December 1, we awoke in the morning to freezing rain and sleet. Roads and sidewalks were very slick, but then early in the morning it began to warm up and by late morning, although we were still getting rain, most of the ice had disappeared.
We had a little trouble staffing the infirmary due to slick roads but managed to have someone on duty at all shifts.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent so the beginning of a new year of grace in the Church. I was celebrant for the conventual Mass today. We had rather large group of young people on campus for the weekend for a confirmation retreat. Groups were here from both St. Joseph Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Springfield, MO.

Work continues on the windmills. The one over closest to the Clyde monastery is all assembled and they are now working on the two just to the northeast of the Abbey.

Thanksgiving Week

During Thanksgiving week the monks who are out serving in various missions come home for the week. This year all were home except for the four who are away at school: Bro. Pachomius, Bro. Guerric, Bro. Macario and Bro. Anselm. Our students in the seminary left for home after their last class on Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday we had community meetings and chapter meetings.

On Wednesday evening of the week we begin to celebrate all the jubilees of monks who are celebrating jubilees this year. On Wednesday evening we had a social and the junior monks put on a delightful drama to honor the jubilarians. On Thanksgiving day we had a solemn Mass at 10:00 AM and then at noon a banquet to also honor the jubilarians. Abbot Gregory was celebrant for the Mass and among the concelebrants was Archbishop Jerome, our former abbot, and now the Archbishop of Dubuque, Iowa. Also, home and concelebrating was Abbot Marcel, another former abbot and former Abbot Primate of the Benedictine order.

Jubilarians this year were: Father Malachy, 70 years professed, Father Hugh and Father Regis, fifty years ordained, Father Francis, Father Rene and Brother Mark, fifty years professed, and Brother Cyprian, twenty five years professed.

The picture up above was taken the day after Thanksgiving. As you can see we had a white Thanksgiving. We had snow a big part of the day on Wednesday and, although most of it melted right away, probably a good inch accumulated on the ground. The weather also turned very cold. I believe last night it got down to about 12 degrees.

New Windmills

This morning Brother Blaise and I took a drive around the local country side to see the windmills that have been set up. I am putting a couple pictures on this blog. They are quite impressive. The other picture is of a couple of flowering pear trees in front of the monastery. The leaves are beautiful this time of the year. For more pictures of the windmills go to: link posted below the pictures
http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/3736027

The Fantasticks

This past weekend the Seminary drama department presented THE FANTASTICKS. It was presented on Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. It was very well done and enjoyable to watch. It was directed by Brother Cyprian. Actors were seminarians: Alex Urena, Andrew Horn, Craig Thomas, Chris Ciaffa, Sam Matthiesen, David Bauer and Dan Nielsen. Kathy Nelson, who is from the local area, played the part of the girl, Luisa. Jennifer Phelps, an oblate from Des Moines, was in charge of make-up.

Yesterday I took Abbot James to St. Joseph for a doctor appointment. On the way home I came by the back roads, as it were, in order to take Abbot James by some of the windmills that are set up now as part of the Conception Wind Energy Farm. They are not working yet but are very impressive and quite large. As soon as I have a chance I will take a close up picture of one or two of them and post them on this blog.

The Benedictine Priors who were here for a workshop last weekend left on Monday. On Sunday evening they enjoyed a meal at a restaurant in St. Joseph.

That's it for this time. Continue to enjoy the nice fall weather.

Ordination to diaconate

This past weekend I attended the ordination to the diaconate of an alumnus, Nathan Gohlke, for the diocese of Joliet, Illinois. He is looking forward to ordination to the priesthood in the spring of 2008. The ordination took place in the Cathedral at Joliet. The next day I concelebrated with his pastor Father Ron Hart at Irwin, Illinois. At the Mass the new Deacon Nathan gave the homily and was deacon for the Mass. See picture posted with this blog. I stayed a couple days with Father Hart, also an alumnus, and good friend of mine for the last 40 years or more. For anyone who remembers Nathan I have some more pictures on my photo web site at:
http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/21921

Work on the windmills continues. I took a couple more pictures today if you want to see some of the progress. Go to the same address as I put in my last edition of this blog, posted just down below this one.

This coming weekend is "Encounter With God's Call." A weekend for young men who are perhaps giving some thought to a vocation to the priesthood. It is also the weekend for the seminary dramatic production.

Conception Wind Farm

The picture at the left gives some idea of the size of the propellor blades for the new windmill farm that is being erected in our area. This particular windmill will be on a neighboring farm. One of them will be located on the Abbey farm just a little to the east of the monastery and seminary. They are quite large and the tower holding these propellors is quite high. They have some of the windmills set up now but are still working on the one on the abbey farm. For more photos of these go to: http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/3736027

This past Sunday we had our donor appreciation Mass and dinner. There were about 160 people here for this. My brother and his wife were among the guests so I had dinner with them. Also here for this event were Bill and Shirley Saathoff, brother and sister in law of our former Father Alexis. Father Alexis died in 1998. He and I were classmates so I kind of knew his family and enjoyed visiting with them again.

We continue to have some beautiful fall weather with night time temperatures in the 30's but today it is up around 70 degrees.

Organ and violin concert

A visitor for a few days this week was Abbot Christopher, pictured on the right of the photo. Abbot Christopher is abbot of Worth Abbey in England. With him is Brother Gabriel, a monk from Worth Abbey, who is studying here in our seminary. Abbot Christopher has been here a couple times before and this time was on his way to Chile for a meeting of International Benedictine secondary school personnel.

Thursday evening we had an organ and violin concert in the basilica. Mr. Gregory Sandomirsky was the violinist. He is the Associate Concertmaster of the Kansas City Symphony. The organist was Father Paul Turner, an alumnus and a pastor in the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Some of the windmills in our area have now been set up and you can see them from quite a distance. They will certainly get the attention of people when they are all set up.

Oblate Retreat

We had about fifty oblates here for retreat this weekend. Father Frowin directed the retreat and spoke on St. Benedict's phrase in the rule: "Keep death daily before your eyes." His conferences were well received by all attending the retreat. The photo here is taken during one of the conferences which were held in St. Maur Hall, room A109. For more photos of the weekend go to: htttp://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/2711291
The retreat began on Friday evening with vespers with the monastic community at 5:15 PM and then supper. After compline with the monastic community at 7:15 PM there was a preliminary meeting. Then on Saturday there were three conferences at 9:00 AM, 3:00 PM and 7:45 PM. On Sunday there was a conference at 9:15 AM and then Mass with the monastic community, lunch and conclusion of the retreat. One couple were received into the oblate novitiate on Saturday afternoon: George and Barbara Appleby from Clive, Iowa. The oblate coming the greatest distance for the retreat was Betty Vela from Las Cruces, New Mexico. The oldest oblate here for the retreat was Elizabeth Wiederholt from Maryville, MO at age 90.

The next oblate retreat is scheduled for April 11-13 and will be directed by Brother Thomas and entitled: "The Patriarchs from the Genesis narratives: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph."

Continuing Education for Monastic Community

Fall is here and, as you can see, the trees are turning to various shades of red and yellow. This particular tree is located down close to Maria Laach. This week we have had a lot of rain. It has been cloudy and rainy almost everyday but it is supposed to start clearing off so hopefully it will be nice for the oblate retreat which is this weekend.

This afternoon and evening we have a couple of talks to be given by Father Michael Casey, O.C.S.O. from Australia. He is the author of the book Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina which is a rather popular book, at least in monastic circles. He is from Australia and has been in this country for talks at various places. We are happy that he is able to come here from Atchison, Kansas, for a couple of lectures. Some of the Sisters from Clyde will come over and join us for these lectures this evening. We try to have someone every year come in for some lectures as part of our continuing education.

This coming weekend is an off campus weekend for the seminarians so many of them will be leaving. About once a month they have such a weekend when they are allowed to leave on Friday after their last class and return on Sunday evening. On other weekends they are frequently involved in apostolic work.

The infirmary dog.

Today I thought I would introduce you to the infirmary dog, a mixed Black Lab named Brianna. She stays in the infirmary but runs all over campus, especially enjoying chasing after squirrels and rabbits. She gets a lot of attention and enjoys it all.

This afternoon I was in St. Joseph doing some shopping for the infirmary. We purchased some new window air conditioners. They are not needed any more this season but will be needed when the heat returns next spring and summer. Sometimes it is cheaper to purchase them in the fall. Yesterday I was in Maryville, also shopping for the infirmary.

This weekend the Seminary Board of Regents is meeting here. They start their meetings on Friday afternoon, celebrate Mass at 5:00 PM and then enjoy a banquet with the seminarians. Celebrant for the Mass today was Archbishop Joseph Naumann, from Kansas City, Kansas. Tomorrow morning the celebrant will be Bishop David Ricken from Cheyenne, Wyoming. The meetings usually conclude by noon on Saturday.

The weather is cool and crisp these days and the leaves are starting to turn various colors. As someone said the other days: "This is a beautiful time of the year, except that it is followed by winter." But then that too can be a beautiful time of the year.

Oblates: remember next weekend, October 19-21, is the oblate retreat. If you are planning to come but have not yet registered, be sure to do so very soon.

The oldest and the youngest

Last Wednesday we had the funeral of Father Gilbert who died at the age of 94. A number of his nephews and nieces and their families were here for the funeral. Father Gilbert was originally from Kansas City. With Father Gilbert's death, Father Malachy is now the oldest member of our community. He is 93 years old today, October 5. Pictured up above is Father Malachy, and with him, the youngest member of our community, Postulant Adam, who is 20 years old. The picture was taken in the Basilica just before the funeral of Father Gilbert.

Today I go to Clyde to celebrate Mass in their retirement home, Our Lady of Rickenbach. One of the Sisters there, Sister Monica, is celebrating her 50th anniversary of religious profession.

The weather is again quite warm here. Today and through the weekend it is supposed to get up into the upper 80's or even up to 90 degrees. Of course next week it will make a turn around and get quite cool or at least to a more normal temperature for this time of the year.

Until the next time.

Return from Arizona and Grand Canyon

I returned from Arizona yesterday (Monday) evening. What a wonderful time I had. My good friends Rick and Sandy Darnell were great hosts and made me feel very much at home. The picture at the left is one of many taken at the Grand Canyon. That is indeed a site to see and wonder at. We spent all day on Saturday at the Canyon, after spending time on Friday at Sidona, Arizona and other places on the way north. If you would like to see other pictures of my trip and especially of the Grand Canyon go to: http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/3578023

While I was away our Father Gilbert Stack died on Sunday morning. He was 94 years old just this past August. For many years he led tours and pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other places. His wake service will be this evening and his funeral tomorrow morning.

Once again, for oblates who read this blog, I want to remind you to send in your reservation for the up coming oblate retreat unless you have already done so. The dates are October 19-21. Send your reservation directly to the guest department.

In Arizona I got used to warm and very dry air. Today it is raining so the humidity is high and I can tell the difference. It was cool at the Canyon, especially as evening came and we waited to see the sunset.

Alumni Reunion 2007

The picture at the left was taken at the alumni reunion held on Friday and Saturday, September 21-22. This picture was taken at the social hour which followed Mass. I'm not sure how many alumni were here but it was a good number. There was as usual a lot of reminiscing and visiting during the day on Friday as the alumni arrived. Actually about 22 members of the college class of 1967 arrived already on Thursday and had a special dinner on Thursday evening. I was the prefect for many of these men in the first two years of college so I was invited to join them for a social hour and dinner. On Friday there was a lecture for the alumni, students and monks given by Dr. John Borelli and entitled: "Islam and Christian Relations." After the lecture there was Mass celebrated by Abbot Gregory and the homily was given by alumnus Father John Kappe from the Archdiocese of Houston, Texas. At the conclusion of Mass the "Distinguished Alumnus Award" for this year was given to Father Donald Grabner, O.S.B., who has taught in the seminary for fifty years, beginning in 1957. After Mass there was a social hour. In the evening there were fireworks and more visiting.
For more photos of the alumni reunion go to my photo web site:
http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/231360

This coming Thursday, September 27, I leave for a few days to visit some good friends in Phoenix, Arizona, Rick and Sandy Darnell. They will take me to the Grand Canyon which I have never seen and have long had a desire to see.

God grant you all many blessings.

News Update

Last spring the local community did a lot of work on the little park out along highway 136 as you turn to come to Conception Abbey. They named it "Abbey Park" in remembrance of Father Philip and Brother Damian. On the left (the 2nd picture) is a picture of the sign erected along the road. The park has a walking track and a picnic shelter.

Work is also continuing on the "Wind Energy Farm" in our area. I believe it will have 25 or 26 windmills. One of the windmills will be on our property. Also, the substation where the electricity generated will go into the electric lines is on our property. They have been hauling in the huge blades for the propeller. Up above (the 1st picture) is a picture of one of the props lying on the ground at the spot where a windmill will be located. This was taken at quite a distance away but you get some idea as to how large these props are. Three of them are on each windmill.

Work is also progressing on putting a new copper roof on St. Michael Hall. They have been working on the trim and also putting some of the roof on.

I have spent a lot of time this week driving monks to the doctor and to town for other business. It seems almost everyday I have been on the road.

This weekend is an off campus weekend for the students so many of them will be away until Sunday evening.

Autumn is not far off

When I was out walking last weekend I took the picture to the right. The lake was reflecting the church towers and everything is green after the good rains we have had this fall. Cool nights and cooler days are in the offering so we know autumn is not far off.

Another week has gone by and life at Conception continues on. This weekend we have a couple of groups here. Deacon candidates from the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and the diocese of Des Moines are here for part of their formation and classes. There is also another small group here from the parish at Perry, Iowa. This coming week we will have about seventy five Episcopalian priests here for a workshop. They will be from the diocese of West Missouri. Also, from Wednesday until Friday the first group of Rockhurst High School students from Kansas City will be here for retreat. There will be a number of groups from this Catholic High school here in the coming months.

Father Joe Cisetti, an alumnus and priest of the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese has been here all week on retreat.

For the Oblates of Conception, just a reminder of the fall retreat coming up on the weekend of October 19-21. It will be given by Father Frowin Reed, O.S.B. on the topic of "Keeping death daily before our eyes," as St. Benedict admonishes us to do in his Rule. Please be sure to send in your reservations to the guest department either by mail or by e-mail guests@conception.edu
or by phone: 660-944-2809.

One of our oblates, Pam Evans, is now working in the housekeeping department of our guest house. She lives in St. Joseph but spends most of the week here at Conception. Oblates continue to come on weekends to serve as "Oblate on Call." This is much appreciated and serves a real need.

Some beautiful cool weather

The picture on the left is taken in the tree grove to the north of St. Michael Hall. The Stations of the Cross were made by Brother Damian and the trees were planted by Brother Damian.

After so much hot and humid weather the last few days have been great with the temperature in the upper 70's and low to mid 80's. Early this morning it was almost too cool but it is much enjoyed after the hot weather. It is supposed to get up to about 90 again the first part of next week but then cooler again.

This afternoon I went out for a long walk and took some pictures. I need to walk and enjoy so much more walking outside rather than on a treadmill.

This is Labor Day weekend. Monday the students do not have classes but they do have a day of recollection. This is like a one day retreat, beginning Sunday evening and concluding Monday evening. Then Monday evening the monks and the students traditionally have a picnic.

They have started work putting a new copper roof on St. Michael Hall. The roof has been leaking so we decided it was time to put a roof on the building like we already have on the monastery, church, St. Maur Hall, St. Raphael Hall and the infirmary. They have taken the old shingles off and have started the trim work with the copper.

Some new photos added on smugmug: http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/2352186

Monks from other monasteries

This year we have three monks here from other Abbeys, one for the novitiate and two for studies in the seminary. On the left is Novice Damian who is from Christ the King Priory, Schuyler, Nebraska. He will make his canonical novitiate here with our own two novices. In the center is Brother Gerard from Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico. On the right is Brother Gabriel from Worth Abbey in England.

Also visiting here this past week has been Abbot Cuthbert Madden from Ampleforth Abbey in England.

After a couple of good rains this past week the weather has broken for a while anyway. The last two days have been comfortable and the nights quite cool. Yesterday and today I went for a good walk around the lake and other places rather than use the treadmill in the infirmary.

Father Gilbert continues to be a patient at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville. He fell a week or so ago and broke a bone in his leg. He will be 93 years old this week on Tuesday, August 28.

Solemn Profession of vows

In the upper photo are Brothers Macario and Anselm along with their parents. In the bottom photo are Brothers Macario and Anselm. Both photos were taken shortly after the Mass and solemn profession ceremony. Brother Macario is originally from Garden City, Kansas. Brother Anselm is originally from Houston, Texas. The church was filled for the Mass and profession on Sunday, August 19. For more photos of the profession go to my smugmug site:
http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/3349129#186694978

On Wednesday, August 22, Brothers Guerric and Macario left for St. Meinrad Archabbey where they will begin theological studies. Brother Anselm also left on Wednesday for Washington, DC where he will begin graduate studies at the Catholic University of America.

All the students have now returned (I believe about 95-96 students) for the new school year. The weather is still hot and humid but all are surviving. The classrooms are air-conditioned but not the dormitories.

That about it for now.................

New novices

Yesterday, August 14, we accepted two new novices into the novitiate. Novice Isaac Dale from Salem, MO and Novice William Dotsel from St. Peter, MO. They are pictured here along with Brother Bernard who is the novice and junior master.

Today the new students are arriving and many of the returning students are also here. I understand there should be about 96-98 students enrolled in our seminary college this year. That is up from last year.

Next Sunday we are looking forward to having two of our junior monks, Brother Macario and Brother Anselm, make solemn profession.

Today, being the Solemnity of the Assumption, and a Holyday of Obligation, we are following the Sunday schedule. Our lay employees are also given off on these Holydays. Of course some of them have to work, especially in places like the kitchen and the infirmary.

Some good rain

After going through part of June and all of July without much rain at all we finally received a good rain on Wednesday, August 8. The total amount was just about five inches which is much appreciated. A storm moved through on Wednesday evening and blew down a large tree in front of the monastery. Pictured on the left is part of tree stump where it broke off. It fell across the front entrance to the monastery and broke out one window in the monastery. In the picture the tree has already been cleaned up and hauled away. The next day the stump was cut off down next to the ground.

I myself returned on Tuesday from about a 10-12 day vacation. I was gone for two weekends and on both weekends I celebrated four Masses at Marceline and Brookfield, Missouri. Both of these parishes formerly had pastors but now they are served by one priest with a religious Sister serving as pastoral administrator at the Brookfield parish. I spent most of my time on the farm owned by my brother at Brunswick. He lives in Kansas City but lets me use the trailer home on the farm when I am down there. I always enjoy this very much. I still have many relatives and friends in that area.

The weather has been very hot during August with heat indexes expected to be well over one hundred degrees all of this weekend and part of next week. Next week our students also start returning and their dorms are not air-conditioned. Fortunately the classrooms and church are air-conditioned.

Last Monday I understand Archbishop Burke from St. Louis was here with about seventy seminarians studying for the St. Louis archdiocese. They were on a pilgrimage trip and spent the night here and the Archbishop was celebrant for the conventual Mass on Monday.

That's about it for now.

Very hot and dry

We continue to have very hot weather and it continues to be very dry. The lawns are all pretty well turning brown and the temperature gets up into the 90's everyday it seems.

I continue to go to Maryville three times a week for cardiac rehab at the hospital there. I am doing well and building up my strength but going to rehab does make you exercise and that is important.

A number of you who are oblates of St. Benedict, affiliated with Conception Abbey, have asked me for a suggestion of a commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict. The one I usually recommend is written by an oblate from England, Esther deWaal. It is called A Life Giving Way, A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict. There are of course many other good books on the Rule and on St. Benedict also available, but the one above is generally the one I recommend to our oblates.

Thank you to those of you who have sent comments concerning the blog. It is always good to know that people are reading it.

Until the next time may God bless each of you.

Oblate Pray and Work weekend

This weekend of July 6-7 was our annual Pray and Work weekend for the oblates. We had about twenty five oblates here who spent most of the day on Saturday working. They painted in St. Benedict and in Marian Hall and they put together notebooks for each room in the guest house with information that is needed by the guests. We appreciate all they do for us and enjoyed having them here for the weekend. Some pictures of the weekend will soon be available on my Smugmug photo site. Photos are courtesy of Karen Ceckowski. Above is a picture of those who attended the weekend.

It is very hot and dry here. The temperature has been up in the 90's and it is windy and we need rain badly. While they have had plenty of rain south of here even in Kansas City, we have not had rain for some weeks now. The grass is drying up.

Yesterday I celebrated my 74th birthday. The years just keep counting up as we go through this life. Last night the oblates had a little party for me. It was very nice.

Many of the community are gone right now. It seems to be a busy time for vacations. Some come home but then others leave.

This week I have Mass for the Sisters at Clyde everyday. That is enjoyable but does mean preparing a little homily every day.

Released by the surgeon.

Hello to the readers of this blog.

I am attaching this old picture of our church or basilica. This picture was taken about 1898, shortly after the murals had been painted on the walls. For those of you who know the church today, you can see that it has changed a bit since that time

This past week I saw my heart surgeon on Wednesday and he has released me. I do not need to see him anymore. Says I am doing fine. A couple weeks ago I saw my cardiologist and he too said I am doing fine and do not need to see him again until the latter part of November. So that is all good news. I am pretty well back to normal except for not being able to lift anything heavy.

I had some visitors the last couple of days. Rick and Sandy Darnell who now live in Phoenix, Arizona were here to visit from Thursday evening until this morning. Earlier in the week I spent the night in Kansas City with my brother and his wife, Harold and Dee. So it has been a busy but good week.

The weather has been unusually cool here for this time of year. I even woke up last night and was cold so had to get up and close the window.

Solemnity of St. John the Baptist

Here it is Sunday again. The weeks fly by. Today Bishop Raymond Boland, the retired bishop of this diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, is celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Abbot Gregory went down to be present for this celebration.

For myself I am continuing to do well and continue to go to cardiac rehab at the Maryville hospital two or three times a week. I am back to normal life except for lifting. That takes some time to heal the chest bone they cut through to work on the heart. Even on days when I don't go to Maryville for rehab I try to spend twenty minutes or so on the treadmill.

This afternoon I spent some time scanning some older pictures of the Abbey and Basilica. You can find them at this web address: http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/3050112#17637606
Or if you go to my "smugmug" home page and then click on "Conception Abbey" you can also find them.

You who are oblates I again remind you that if you are planning to come for the "Pray and Work" weekend on July 6-8, be sure you send in your reservation soon. I look forward to seeing many of you here.

Catching up with news

Summer is a time of much coming and going even in a monastery. Each final professed monk is allowed to take two weeks of vacation to visit family or others. The junior monks are allowed one week of vacation together and then one week with their family. Others are attending summer workshops or giving retreats or attending the ordinations of alumni. Today the junior monks return from their week together. This year they spent this in Florida, the guests of the parents of one of the junior monks. I am hoping to take some time to visit family and friends toward the end of July and first part of August. By that time I am hoping to be healed enough to do this and I think I will.

This has been a rainy summer so far. It seems that just about every day we get a shower or two. We have not had any bad storms but plenty of moisture.

For any of you who read this blog and may not know, I have many photos on a web site, some of which may interest you. Go to: http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/

Back in monastery

Thought I would let you know that just today I moved back into the monastery from our infirmary. I am doing well. Still a little sore from the surgery but seem to be recovering according to plan. I go to some of the prayer now with the monks but sit most of the time. Have been going to Mass and then lunch and then to vespers and supper with the community. Thank you to all of you who sent cards and messages and especially who kept me in prayer.
I am attaching a picture just taken yesterday, Tuesday, May 29, so you can see I am not looking too much worse for the surgery. The surgeon who did my surgery from North Kansas City Hospital certainly seems to know what he is doing. I admire doctors who can do so much with the human body and bring us through in good shape.

Back from hospital

Well, I am now back from the hospital and healing as well as regaining my strenght. I went into surgery on Tuesday, May 15 about 10:00 AM. They completed the surgery about 12:15 PM and took me immediately into Cardiac Intensive Care. This is the normal procedure. On Wednesday they moved me out of Intensive Care and put me in a private room. I made good progress and so was dismissed on Saturday, May 19. I spent a couple days with my brother and sister in law who live in the north part of Kansas City. On Monday they brought me back to Conception. I am presently living in the infirmary, resting a lot but also doing some smaller tasks. Above all I am not allowed to lift, push or pull much of anything.
I am very grateful for all the prayers that came my way. I ended up needing quadruple by pass but had an excellent surgeon and good doctors and nurses.
Hope this bring you up to date a bit. Just today Father Daniel took over as Prior so I am now the ex-prior.

Let us continue to pray for one another.

To the hospital

Last Monday, May 7, I had a heart catheterization at North Kansas City Hospital. Well they found a lot of blockage so now I am scheduled for open heart surgery this Tuesday, May 15. I don't look forward to that but it seems the best we can do considering the circumstances.

This past week has also seen a lot of flooding. We had days of rain and then all the rivers went out of their banks. We only have small rivers in our immediate vicinity but the Missouri river is also flooding.

I am just getting this blog started but now ti will be a while before I will be able to write in it since I will be in the hospital for some days and then spend many more days recuperating.