Seminarian enters into eternal life.

Thursday, January 22, one of our seminarians, Alan Brown, passed to eternal life rather suddenly and unexpectedly. During prayer that morning in the student chapel he left and went over to the infirmary. He was having chest pains and pain in his arms. The nurse on duty called for the ambulance and he was taken to the hospital at Maryville. After being evaluated there it was decided he needed to be transferred to the hospital at St. Joseph where they have a team of cardiologists available. He was taken there but suffered a major heart attack and died about 3:45 PM. Alan was a senior studying for the diocese of Jefferson City. He was looking forward to graduating in May and then going on for theology studies in preparation for ordination. His death was a shock to the seminary community and to all of us who knew him. He was a very friendly and thoughtful person. His picture is posted below.Alan's funeral will be at Moberly, Missouri on Monday, January 26. Classes have been canceled here and the students will go to the funeral. Two chartered buses have been ordered to take them as well as some of the faculty/staff. Keep Alan and his family, as well as the seminarians, in your prayers.

Some of the seminarians went to Washington, DC this week to take part in the "March for Life." They went by chartered bus so that is a long trip and I'm sure they were all very tired when they returned.

Father Anthony, a member of our community, received word this week that his brother, Brother Stephen, died at St. Meinrad Archabbey. Father Anthony had two brothers who were members of St. Meinrad's and both are now deceased. Father Anthony is one of our older monks, but still very active.

We have had some warmer weather this week but this morning it is again down to zero so winter is definitely still with us.

Father Albert Bruecken, O.S.B., had colon surgery a little over a week ago at Heartland Hospital in St. Joseph. He returned home to our infirmary on Wednesday of this week and will spend some time there recuperating. Brother Mark has also been in the infirmary this past week so we have just about had a full house there.

Peace to all of you who read this blog.
Fr. Kenneth, O.S.B.