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