My New Assignment

By now I think most of you know that I have received a new assignment, beginning on June 1, 2013.  I will become chaplain for the Missionary Benedictine Sisters at Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk, Nebraska.  While it is difficult for me to leave Conception, I am still looking forward to this new assignment.  This summer I will be 80 years old in July.  So it makes me feel good that I can still begin a new assignment at this age and hopefully do a good job in serving these Sisters.  

I came here to Conception in September, 1948, as a sophomore in high school.  I entered the community as a novice in 1953 and made my first vows in September, 1954.  Being ordained a priest in 1959, I have since held many different jobs.  God has certainly blessed me in many different ways in the 65 years I have been at Conception.  

Abbot Gregory first spoke to me about the possibility of this job back before Lent.  He wanted to me to think about it and pray about it.  Well, I have tried to always do what the Abbot asked me to do so, I told him, I don't want to change that now.  Just last week the assignment the officially published.  

This spring I have been having to deal with arthritis.  I have had some arthritis in my back and knees for some time, but suddenly it really got bad in one knee.  I went to the orthopedic surgeon at Maryville and he gave me a cortisone shot and then started me on five shots of Hyalgan.  You get a shot a week in the knee for five weeks.  I have now completed these and it is surprising how well it now feels.  They say the shots will last six months or more and then they can repeat them.

Now you may not believe this but today it has been snowing most of the day. The date is May 2, 2013, and the snow has been coming down quite heavy.  Most of it is melting when it hits the ground but at this late date it has been quite a snowfall.

Once I get moved in and settled at Norfolk I hope to continue to write something on this blog as I have an opportunity.

Keep me in prayer and know you will be in mine everyday.
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List of events and work I have been assigned to as a monk.  This is posted, not in anyway to brag.  I well recognize that if I have done any good in life, it is due to the grace of God much more than to me.

FATHER KENNETH REICHERT, O.S.B.  

Monastic events and work assignments in my life as a monk up to June,, 2013

Born: July 7, 1933 to Joseph and Alice (Gladbach) Reichert, the 4th of five boys -- Raymond, Harold, Jim, Maurice (Fr. Kenneth) and Edward
Baptized: July 12, 1933 by Fr. Basil Odermatt, OSB
School: St. Boniface Grade school, then one year at Brunswick High School. September, 1948 entered Conception Seminary High School.
Entered Novitiate: September 7, 1953
First profession of vows: September 8, 1954
Master of Ceremonies II: 1954-1959
Solemn profession: September 8, 1957
Ordained to priesthood: May 30, 1959

Ottawa, Canada, St. Paul University: 1959-60
Secretary to Abbot Stephen: 1960-62 and then to Abbot Anselm for one year.
Master of Ceremonies I: 1960-66, 1970, 1972-99
Assistant Abbey Vocation Director: 1961-63
Prefect, St. Maur Hall: 1962-66 then in February, 1966 moved to Marian Hall.
Prefect: Latin summer school: 1963 and 1964
Director of Abbey Vocations: 1963-65
Director of Oblates: 1963-69

Loyola University, Chicago: summer, 1966
Instructor of Brothers: 1966-67
Counselor, St. Benedict Hall: 1967-68
Counselor, Marian Hall: 1968-69
Counselor, St. Joseph Hall: 1969-70
Clinical Pastoral Education, Tulsa, OK: Summer 1969

McLaughlin, S.D., Indian Missions: 1970-72
Spiritual Director of Seminary: 1972-85
River Forest, IL, Institute of Spirtuality: summer of 1976-77-78
Manager of Book and Supply Store: 1972-76, 1977-85
Subprior: 1975-79
Director of Postulants: 1976-77
Sabbatical, St. Louis University: 1985-86
Director of Apostolic Program: 1986-87
Special Programs and Guestmaster: 1987-90
Director of Recruitment (seminary): 1990-93
Director of Alumni: 1990-99
Chaplain, St. Joseph Hall: 1991-93

Prior: July 22, 1993-May, 2007

Associate Oblate Director: 2001-2003
Director of Oblates: April, 2003-June, 2013

Director of Infirmary:  February, 2007-May, 2013

Chaplain, Immaculata Monastery, Norfolk, NE

June, 2013-