Friday, August 17, 2012

IT''S BEEN A WHILE

Here we are past the middle of August and it has been a long time since I have written a new blog.  So here goes as I try to catch up with some of the things going on at the Abbey and in my own life.

First of all, while we had planned to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of my brother Harold and his wife, Dee, in June, we had to delay it since my brother was admitted to the hospital just the day before the celebration was planned.  They were married on June 21, 1952.  So the celebration was re-scheduled for August 11, last Saturday.   I celebrated the 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday at St. Charles Parish in Kansas City.  They have been members of that parish for about 56 or 57 years of their married life.  My brother was a pharmacist and owned a drug store not far from the parish so many of the parishioners have known them for some years.  After Mass the family and a few friends (about 32 people in all) went to Cascone's Italian restaurant for dinner and party time.  It was a grand evening.  Even though the picture below was taken some years ago, I am posting it here on the blog.
Harold and Dolores (Dee) Reichert

I have also had a couple relatives pass away into eternal life recently.  A first cousin, Rose Marie Enyeart, died out in Oregon, but was brought back to Brookfield, MO, to be buried next to her husband, Bill.  They lived all their married life in the Brookfield area.  Rose Marie's mother and my Dad were brother/sister.  My mother, who was a Gladbach, was a cousin of her Dad, Tony Gladbach.  I was able to go to Brookfield to celebrate this funeral.  

Then just a week ago or so another cousin, the 42 year old son of my first cousin, Lillian and Bob Widmer, died in Wyoming.  Evidently he had a massive heart attack and collapsed and died suddenly.  I was not able to go to this funeral which was held at Salisbury, MO.

A priest from the country of Lebanon spent most of the month of July with us here at Conception.  He was learning English or at least trying to improve his English.  He is a priest of Maronite Rite which is of course in union with Rome.  Here is his picture along with your truly.
Father Toni Eid and Fr. Kenneth

On August 1 I had an opportunity to go to Kansas City with some local friends and attend a Royals ball game.  Baseball has always been my favorite sport and this game was very enjoyable with the Royals winning 5-3.  There was some excellent base running and defense.  They were playing the Cleveland Indians.

Here at Conception the students are returning this week.  It is my understanding that the enrollment will be about 110 students.  Thank God the weather has turned somewhat cooler in recent days so we hope it stays that way.  A lot of projects were done around campus this summer and a few are still being worked on at this time.  It is also still very dry in this area.  There is a ban in most counties around here forbidding any outside burning because of the danger of grass fires.

On Tuesday, August 14, two young men entered the novitiate.  It is always encouraging to see young men come into the novitiate.  
On the left, Novice Stephen, and on the right Novice Jonathan

This coming Sunday, August 19, Brother Placid and Brother Maximilian will make their solemn profession of vows for life.  That also will be an important day for them and all of us.
Brother Maximilian and Brother Placid
on the day of their solemn profession.

The oblates already have this link to a web site.by three from some of our oblates.  It is a very helpful site and I think many of you will enjoy taking a look at it.  It is by Jennifer Phelps, Tami Paladino and Matthew Phelps.  It has many helps with understanding scripture, the rosary and much more.  Here is the site.
http://www.turningtogodsword.com/

Some of you probably noticed the little article on Mary Walter in the last issue of Tower Topics.  She was up here at Conception for the Derks reunion in July and the picture below was taken.  Thought some might enjoy seeing it.


St Gabriel guest house is being well used
and much appreciated.  

So until the next time God bless you all.

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