IT'S BEEN COLD AND LOTS OF SNOW

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We have had a cold winter so far and have received more snow than we have had in many years. This past week we again had good size snow, and with the high winds we have been having, it blows into big drifts. It took the highway department a couple days just to get the main roads cleared and many of the minor roads were closed many more days. Today the temperature is up into the upper 30's which feels like spring. For many days we had temperatures staying at zero or barely above zero all day. Some nights the windchill was down to 20 and 25 below zero. But, I'm sure many of you have been experiencing the same kind of weather or maybe even worse. I sent some pictures to some friends who live in Phoenix. They sent some pictures back of flowers blooming in their yard and said the temperature has been in the 70's most days. How to make people feel good??? I remember well winters like this in the past but it has been a long time since we had so much snow and cold weather.

Last Sunday I was at Cameron, MO for the weekend Masses. Two Masses at St. Munchin's in Cameron. St. Munchin was an Irish saint. And then one Mass at St. Aloysius in Maysville, MO. I always enjoy these weekend assignments. I come back tired but I meet so many wonderful people. This coming weekend I go to Plattsburg, MO. I will have two Masses at Plattsburg (one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday) and one Mass at Easton, MO on Sunday morning.

The seminarians returned for the second semester last Sunday also. I think all of them were able to make it but that would probably not have been possible a week ago.

We are gradually getting more and more settled in the renovated St. Stephen Health Care Center. It is very nice. However, we are still waiting for new furniture and some other finishing touches.

Again I want to assure you of my prayers. I encourage you to go to the Conception Abbey web site and look at that. I have a blog for oblates there. Simply click on "oblates" on the left side of the screen and then on "blog." Click here if you would like to view some of my photos on Smugmug.