21 YEARS AGO TODAY

It was on July 22, 1993, that I began my fourteen year term as Prior of Conception Abbey.  Abbot Marcel asked me in May of that year to serve as Prior, replacing Father Benedict, so he could go away for graduate school.  He told me that I would begin as Prior on July 22 of that year.  I remember it so well as this date is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene.  For some reason it struck as unusual to begin on this feast day.  But, it actually was a very good day.  St. Mary Magdalene is frequently called the "apostle to the apostles."  She is the first one to see the Risen Jesus and was the one who carried the news of his resurrection to the other apostles.  She was a devoted disciple of Jesus and stayed at the cross until Jesus died and was taken down and put in the tomb. 

Last week we had a rather cool week in most of the Midwest.  This week has brought a big change.  Monday especially was a very hot day with temperatures in the mid to upper 90's and high humidity.  It was so warm that today I started wearing a clergy shirt and collar for my work in the nursing home instead of my habit.  It is air-conditioned over there but most of the residents do not like it to be too cool and the chapel seems to get so warm when we celebrate Mass over there.

As many of you know I am a big baseball fan and especially follow the Kansas City Royals.  Fortunately they are on TV up here so I can watch the games, but have definitely become a little discouraged with them.  I thought this would be their year but right now they are about eight games out of first place and have lost their last four games.  They have some very good pitchers but just don't seem to be able to hit.  O well, it's only a sport.  When I was a kid I was always a fan of the old St. Louis Browns (Kansas City did not have a major league team yet at that time).  The Browns ended up in about last place year after year, but I stuck with them until they were moved to Baltimore and took on a new name. 

I have been enjoying pictures that have been put on Facebook or other sites as they work on the renovation of the monastery at Conception.  It is quite a big task but will be nice when it is completed. Here are some photos posted by Bro. Maximilian.

And how about this picture taken in my living room of the house where I live in Norfolk.

Skipper my dog.  But don't worry he is not a real dog.

Just something I picked up at the white elephant sale at

the local parish this past week.

ST, BENEDICT -- JULY 11

This past Friday, July 11, was the Solemnity of St. Benedict, at least here at Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk.  Benedictines have the choice of celebrating the solemnity either on March 21 or on July 11.  The other day then is celebrated as a feast.  At Conception we celebrate March 21 as a solemnity, but here at Norfolk the Sisters celebrate the July 11th day as a solemnity.  We had a beautiful liturgy that day, a special meal at noon and then about 3:30 PM we left for Schuyler, NE to celebrate with the monks there.  After praying vespers we had a delightful dinner and some entertainment. I rode down with a couple of the Sisters from here.

This morning on Sunday, July 13, I celebrated three Masses.  Besides my regular two Masses for the Sisters and the St. Joseph Nursing Home, I celebrated a special Mass at the nursing home at 11:00 AM for the Bergstrom family.  Mildred Bergstrom, who resides at the home, is celebrating her 99th birthday.  The family had asked me to do this some months ago.  After the Mass they invited me to a meal at the Knights of Columbus Hall here in Norfolk.  It was all delightful and an enjoyable day.  

I think I have pretty well finished writing "thank you" notes for my 60th anniversary celebration.  If I missed anyone, I am sorry, and you know I did not omit you on purpose.  Since some did give me monetary gifts I did purchase a Samsung Tablet.  I now have, I guess you could say, another toy to play with, although I do enjoy it for many purposes.  

Here is a picture of the famous pecan at Brunswick, MO, my home town.

It used to be out in the country but is now in this little park located in

the town itself.

I went out and experimented this afternoon with my new tablet 

and took this picture with it.  This is the house where I live.

I think that's about it for this time.  It suddenly has gotten very hot and humid here this afternoon.  Had a little rain and that only made it feel worse.  

God bless you all.

Fr. Kenneth

81 years old and 60 years as a monk

I returned to Norfolk last Thursday, July 3, after spending two weeks on vacation in Missouri.  While in Missouri I celebrated sixty years of being in vows as a Benedictine monk in my home parish, St Boniface at Brunswick, Missouri.  The actual date of my profession of vows was September 8, 1954, but since I could not be there at that time we celebrated it while I was home. On Saturday evening, June 21, our family all got together at my nephew's farm -- Kenny and Julie Reichert's farm. It was a great evening of visiting, eating and, yes, some drinking.  

Then on Sunday morning I celebrated the 10:00 AM Mass at the parish.  The church was filled to capacity and Diane Moser played the organ for the music.  Father Rob Fields, the pastor, concelebrated with me.  After the Mass all went to the Knights of Columbus Hall for a fried chicken dinner.  My thanks go to my family for all they did to prepare for this celebration.  It was much appreciated.  And special thanks to the Knights.

Here are some pictures from the celebration:
Saturday evening:    

From Sunday morning Mass and dinner

It was a wonderful celebration in the parish where I was baptized, made my first communion, was confirmed, served many Masses as a young person, attended all eight years of grade school, celebrated my first solemn Mass etc.  

I also spent some days in Kansas City with my brother Harold.  Last July, about one year ago, his wife of over 61 years died.  So he is still trying to adjust to living alone.  He has three living children and a number of grand children.  He will be 88 years old in December.

So now I am back at Norfolk and still enjoying my work here.  God has been good to me for sure. The card I had printed for this occasion includes this prayer:  "O Lord, you have given me so much, please give me one thing more, a grateful heart."

God bless you all and thank you for all you have done for me.

All photos taken by my nephew Mark Reichert.

Fr. Kenneth