FALL IS HERE, WINTER TO FOLLOW

Brief video of fall colors at Conception.

I am writing this blog on Thursday afternoon, October 22, and it is quite a day. We have had close to two inches of rain, the wind is blowing and it is getting colder. It is still raining right now so it will again be a while before farmers can get back in the field. I myself grew up on a farm near Brunswick, MO, so I guess I still have a little bit of the farmer in me. I had one brother who farmed, and although he is deceased, his son Kenny still farms. Last weekend it was nice with the sun shining and on Monday the sun was shining and it got up to 70 degrees or so. This week I'm attaching some pictures of the leaves turning so I guess fall is definitely here. Unfortunately we know that winter will follow. But, then there is beauty about the winter also. I always say I like the winter as long as I don't have to drive.

We had an electrical outage last night. It was not any of the new work we have had done but an older cable that was put underground some years ago already and was thought to be in good shape but it shorted out and so there was no electricity in St. Michael Hall. The electricians came immediately and got the lights back on in St. Michael's about 12:30 AM. They will in the next few days or so have to replace that underground cable.

Last weekend I was at St. Mary's Parish in St. Joseph for the Sunday Masses. Then I came back home and left soon after for Des Moines. Karen Ceckowski and I went up to meet with the oblates in that area on Sunday evening. We returned to Conception about noon on Monday.

God bless all of you and take care.

To go to Father Kenneth's photo site click here.
To go to Conception Abbey's web site and then to the oblate site click here.

CONCEPTION GOES UNDERGROUND

---with electric lines now underground on campus ---

Tuesday, October 6, 2009, was they day they began transferring all our buildings over to the underground cables. Yesterday the electricians changed to the new lines for the monastery, basilica, St. Joseph Hall, St. Michael Hall, St. Maur Hall and St. Raphael Hall. The other buildings will be changed over within the next couple of weeks. And then all the above ground lines on campus will be removed. They have been working on this project for the past couple of months. The work was done by RS Electric from St. Joseph. They are also doing the electrical work on the renovated infirmary. During the bad ice storm in December, 2007, two or three electric poles on our own property broke off so we will at least not have that happening anymore. Of course we hope we do not get anymore ice storms like that one.

Taking out the old transformers near St. Michael Hall

Preparing to install the new transformer
(click on pictures to enlarge them)

Workers are also preparing to change our water system. Our water which comes from the Maryville and Nodaway County rural water district, was coming to our propery and buildings from the south part of campus. With new pumps etc. the new system will come through St. Michael Hall and then to the other buildings.

Work on the infirmary continues to make good progress. We are hoping to be able to move in sometime shortly after Thanksgiving.

Heat is now on in the buildings. While I don't think we have as yet had our first frost the temperature has been getting down into the 30's at night. Frost and snow will come soon.

That's about it for this week.

To read the oblate blog or other oblate information click here.

Alumni Reunion and other news

The annual Conception alumni reunion was held this past Friday and Saturday. My understanding is that about 90 alumni attended. The college class of forty years ago in 1969 had a very good turnout for their reunion. I had been the prefect for most of them at some time while they were here. It was good to see them again. I always refer to those 1960's as turbulent years in the Church and also in our society. I always say that during those years everyone seemed to want something different, everyone wanted change, but not many of us knew exactly what we wanted. A number left the monastery in those years and the same thing happened in most religious communities and in the diocesan priesthood.

The Eucharist was celebrated at 4:30 PM on Friday with Bishop Anthony Milone, an alumnus and retired bishop of Great Falls-Billings in Montana as celebrant and homilist. He now lives in Omaha which is where he served as priest before being appointed bishop. At the conclusion of Mass Mr. Fred Meyer was given the alumni award for distinguished service. Fred went to school here from 1934-36. He lives in the state of Washington and was not able to be here because of his age and health. His younger brother, who lives in Iowa, accepted the award in his name.

Last weekend when I was filling in for the pastor at Brunswick, MO where I was born and raised, I got to see my great great nephew and nieces who were born on my birthday on July 7. There were originally quadruplets but one of the boys died the second day after they were born. The other three just recently were released from the hospital and are now at home. Each of them now weighs 5-6 pounds. I am putting a photo of them here on my blog with their great-great uncle. I have to admit I was a little nervous holding three babies at once but very proud of them.

Brody, the boy, is in the center with
his sisters Emery and Gracie on the
left and right.

Next weekend, October 2-4, we have an oblate retreat here. It is being given by Karen Ceckowski, pastoral associate for our Prayer and Ministry Center.

Especially if you are an oblate be sure to always check out our web site and oblate site located on our Conception Abbey web site. Click here

Progress on Renovation of Infirmary

Renovation on the 2nd floor of the infirmary.
On the left side is the nurses station.

2nd floor renovation

This very brief movie shows the renovation of
the sun porch. Primarily larger windows.

The infirmary renovation continues to go forward. We still hope to be able to move back there before Christmas. It will be a big change. The entire building will be central air-conditioned and heated. Each room with have available computer connection, antenna for T.V. and telephone availability. Maybe I will be able to move in when it is completed. I doubt that time has come yet.

This very brief movie shows the new main
entrance on the south side of the infirmary

We have continued to have very nice weather for this time of the year. Nights have been cool and daytime highs about 80 degrees. Farmers have not been harvesting yet as the crops were planted late and they are just not dry enough yet to havest.

We have this summer and fall almost completed putting all our electrical lines on campus under ground. An electrical company from St. Joseph has been doing that and I think they are planning on the switch over now in early October. It will be great to get all those overhead lines down and not have poles breaking on campus when there is a wind or ice storm.

Want to get this on line. God bless each of you and enjoy the nice fall weather.

Don't forget to check out the Conception Abbey web site -- click here and for the oblate blog, then click on "oblates' on the left side of your screen.

NEW MEMBERS IN COMMUNITY

Brother Paul signs his profession document on the Gospel book
after he made solemn vows on August 23, 2009

Brother Maximilan with Abbot Gregory and Brother Bernard
after taking simple vows on August 15, 2009

Abbot Gregory and Brother Bernard with the
four new novices who entered the novitiate
on August 14, 2009. Left to right: Novice
Craig Thomas, Novice Eric Huard, Br. Bernard,
Abbot Gregory, Novice John Bosco and Novice Samuel Backus/

The past couple of weeks have been a time of special blessings for the Conception Abbey community. Four new novices entered the novitiate and one made simple vows and one made solemn vows. Continue to pray for vocations and for the perseverance of those who have been sent to us by God. For more about vocations at Conception Abbey click here.

School has started and we have an enrollment of 116 diocesan students. This is up again from last year so that is encouraging. They too of course need your prayers so they will persevere.

Work on our renovation of the infirmary continues to make good progress. We hope to be back there by about Christmas time. A company is also working to put all our electric lines on campus underground. At least the ice storms won't be able to break the lines on campus when this work is completed.

Oblates reminder: The next oblate retreat is the weekend of October 2-4, 2009. It is on the spirituality of icons and will be given by Karen Ceckowski. Be sure to make your reservation.

Many blessings to each of you.