Another busy week has gone by.....

Last week another blogger from this area published on his blog a picture from the summer, green grass and all. I thought to myself that was a good idea. We have had so much cold weather and snow that sometimes it seems that we will never get to spring. So anyway the pictures above should remind us all of how beautiful God makes this land of ours. We will just appreciate it more after this winter. The snow can be beautiful also but by now we are all ready for spring.

It has been a sort of busy week or two weeks for me. Sometimes I wonder if it just seems busy or simply that as I get older I move a little slower. Last Tuesday I had an appointment with my dentist in Maryville. I go to a rather young dentist who just moved into Maryville about a year ago. He is originally from Idaho but went to dental school at Creighton University in Omaha. After practicing in Columbia, MO for a while, he and his wife decided to move to Maryville. He is a very good dentist .

Tuesday afternoon I went to St. Joseph for a visit to the dermatologist. I have been getting what is called the "blue light treatment." I have had a number of growths removed from my face and my head. First they used this treatment on my face and now on my bald head. You have three treatments about a month apart and then go back after a couple months for a follow up. So far it has worked well for me.

The talks we had by Father Paul Turner just after Ash Wednesday were very interesting and informative. When it is finally published it will take me a while to get used to the changes in the Mass. When I was ordained in 1959 we still used Latin in the Mass and other sacraments. There have been many changes since that time.

Two of our priest monks were out in parishes this week giving parish missions. Father Prior Daniel was at Hitchcock, Texas and Father Patrick was at Nixa, Missouri (close to Springfield). Both returned home on Wednesday or Thursday.

This Saturday I go to Maryville MO for the Saturday evening Mass and confessions. Our Father Martin is pastor at Maryville but he has two funerals on Saturday so needs some help that evening. Next weekend I go to Montrose and Butler, Missouri for the regular Sunday Masses. That is about 180 miles from Conception.

This weekend our guest facilities are filled with meeting groups and retreatants. The largest group is the Mid-America Medieval Association (MAMA). About a hundred or more will be here for their conference. Brother Thomas is a member of this association.

A number of students have been showing up at the St. Stephen Health Care Center not feeling well. Some have the flu and some have colds. A few of the monks have also been in bed with similar symptoms.

If you live in the area remember the OPEN HOUSE IN THE ST. STEPHEN HEALTH CARE CENTER on Sunday, March 14, 2:00-4:00 PM.

A reminder to check out the Conception Abbey web site and the oblate section of that site.

And also my photos on the web.
To view photos that have appeared on my blog click here.