Abbot James celebrates 85th birthday

Abbot James Jones, O.S.B., who was Abbot of Conception Abbey from 1987-93, celebrated his 85th birthday on Monday, March 30. The picture below was taken on the day of his birthday. He is still able to do some walking with the help of a walker and a nurse, but otherwise moves about in a wheel chair. The day before, on Sunday, March 29, he celebrated his 61st anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. An interesting note is that he was ordained in March, 1948. In September, 1948, I first came to school at Conception as a sophomore in high school. Father James taught me Latin that first year I was here. So that means in September it will be 61 years since I first came to Conception. Time keeps moving doesn't it and the years keep counting up.

Abbot James March 30, 2009 in the lounge of
St. Stephen infirmary

The picture below is of Sister Bernadine from the Clyde Sisters and myself just before celebrating Mass for the older Sisters at Our Lady of Rickenbach at Clyde. I am holding a "flat Stanley" photo of one of her grand nieces who sent it to her to help her with a school assignment. Sister Bernadine is almost 90 years old and is still quite active, loves to play cards (10 point pitch) and visit with people.

Sister Bernadine and Fr. Kenneth in March, 2009

This past weekend the seminary sponsored an Encounter With God's Call Weekend. It was well attended by young men from various dioceses who are interested in looking at the seminary. I believe they had about 120 registered but due to the very heavy snow in parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, I believe there were about 80 able to attend. They arrived on Saturday and stayed until noon on Monday, March 30.

Brother Macario arrived home from St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana last Saturday and will be here through Easter. He is studying theology at St. Meinrad. I believe Brother Guerri, who is also in school at St. Meinrad, is also coming soon for these days. Brother Pachomius, who is a deacon and in his last year of theology at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon, will also arrive later this week. He will serve as deacon for all the Holy Week and Triduum ceremonies.

There are many penance services being held in the local parishes at this time of the year. Last evening, Father Prior Daniel, Father Joel, Father Timothy and myself went to Maryville to help with confessions. Father Peter, Father Xavier and Father Patrick went to Savannah, MO for confessions. There are more services tomorrow evening and later in the week.

Next week is Holy Week and the Triduum. I will probably be kind of busy so may not get a blog written. So if not, have a blessed Holy Week and a blessed and Happy Easter.