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.