Update on a few things at Conception Abbey

I'm sorry that it has been a rather long time since I have written on this blog.  It seems that time goes so fast and I guess the recent weeks have been very busy.  On Sunday, May 6, we blessed and dedicated the new guest house -- St. Gabriel Guesthouse.  We have not started putting guests in the building yet but plan to do so soon. As you know I have taken pictures of the building as construction began and all the through to it's completion.  It turned out very beautiful and should be comfortable place for guests to stay.  Here is one last photo I will put on this blog:

Taken May 12, 2012.  

And one taken on the day of the dedication of the building:

Some of those present for the dedication.

You can see all the pictures taken during construction by clicking on this link--

https://plus.google.com/photos/111035822686820527328/albums/5656741789992506177

The students graduated and left for home on Sunday, May 13.  Then on Monday evening we began our retreat, after a chapter meeting in the afternoon.  At the chapter meeting we accepted Brother Placid Dale and Brother Maximilian Burkhart for solemn perpetual vows.  They will profess these vows in August.  

During our retreat on Wednesday evening we had the ordination to the diaconate of Brother Victor Schinstock and Brother Paul Sheller.  Both are continuing their education and look forward to being ordained to the priesthood in a year.  Ordaining the two deacons was Bishop Edward Rice, auxiliary bishop of St. Louis.  Bishop Finn, bishop of our own diocese, was busy at a confirmation and Bishop Boland, the retired bishop of our diocese was scheduled to do it, but lost his voice.

 Ordination of  Brother Paul to diaconate

 Brother Victor and Brother Paul preparing the altar for the celebratioon of the 

Eucharist after their ordination.

Brother Victor, Abbot Gregory, Bishop Rice and Brother Paul

 Ordination to priesthood of Brother Guerric

 Father Guerric kneels before the bishop 

as Bishop Finn prays over him

After the ordination Mass Bishop Finn

and Father Guerric

Now things should settle down a bit for the summer, although we do have a lot of projects in line to be done this summer.  Roofers are still replacing roofs that were damaged by the bad hail storm last August.  New windows need to be put in both St. Michael Hall and St. Joseph Hall.  And other projects are in line to be done this summer.

I did want to point out to all readers of this blog that you can find many photos of recent events on our web site.  Simply click   here and then at the top of the page, click on "picture gallery."


God bless you all.