What's Going On

Over a week has gone by since I last wrote on this blog so I thought I would bring you up to date a bit. The weather continues to be one of the dominating things that people talk about. It has gotten warmer and a lot of the snow has melted and no new snow has come. However, for about the last ten days or so it has been cloudy and foggy everyday. So naturally everyone has been getting a little "cabin fever" wanting to see some sunshine and nice weather. Today the sun did shine for about half a day but then it once again clouded over. Sorry to talk about the weather so much but that has been a topic of much concern this winter.

This weekend I have been home most of the time. However, I did go to the Clyde Monastery for two Masses this morning. On Sundays they have their community Mass at 8:30 AM and then Mass at Our Lady of Rickenbach, their Health Care Center, at 11:00 AM. On Sundays the same priests celebrates both Masses. During the week the community Mass is at 7:30 AM and I will be celebrating that all this week. The Mass at their Health Care Center is at 11:00 AM everyday and on weekdays a second priest goes over for that.

On this past Thursday the Nodaway County Health Nurse came over to give the H1N1 flu shot to those who wanted one. I got one just to be sure. Right now it seems to have pretty well disappeared but some health officials think there will be another outbreak in February or so.
I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.

Every five years in the monastery we read the necrologies of the monks of Conception who have died. We read these on the anniversary date of their death at the evening meal. It is interesting to hear about the monks who have gone before us. As I get older I find I remember so many of them. I came here as a student in 1948 and entered the monastic community in 1953 so many have died during that time. Last Thursday, January 21, was the anniversary of Abbot Kevin's death and today January 24, is the anniversary of Abbot Anselm's death . Abbot Kevin died in 1995 and Abbot Anselm in 1999.


If you would like to read the blog I write for the oblates or see the Conception Abbey web site, click here.

IT'S BEEN COLD AND LOTS OF SNOW

To enlarge photo just click your mouse on it.

We have had a cold winter so far and have received more snow than we have had in many years. This past week we again had good size snow, and with the high winds we have been having, it blows into big drifts. It took the highway department a couple days just to get the main roads cleared and many of the minor roads were closed many more days. Today the temperature is up into the upper 30's which feels like spring. For many days we had temperatures staying at zero or barely above zero all day. Some nights the windchill was down to 20 and 25 below zero. But, I'm sure many of you have been experiencing the same kind of weather or maybe even worse. I sent some pictures to some friends who live in Phoenix. They sent some pictures back of flowers blooming in their yard and said the temperature has been in the 70's most days. How to make people feel good??? I remember well winters like this in the past but it has been a long time since we had so much snow and cold weather.

Last Sunday I was at Cameron, MO for the weekend Masses. Two Masses at St. Munchin's in Cameron. St. Munchin was an Irish saint. And then one Mass at St. Aloysius in Maysville, MO. I always enjoy these weekend assignments. I come back tired but I meet so many wonderful people. This coming weekend I go to Plattsburg, MO. I will have two Masses at Plattsburg (one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday) and one Mass at Easton, MO on Sunday morning.

The seminarians returned for the second semester last Sunday also. I think all of them were able to make it but that would probably not have been possible a week ago.

We are gradually getting more and more settled in the renovated St. Stephen Health Care Center. It is very nice. However, we are still waiting for new furniture and some other finishing touches.

Again I want to assure you of my prayers. I encourage you to go to the Conception Abbey web site and look at that. I have a blog for oblates there. Simply click on "oblates" on the left side of the screen and then on "blog." Click here if you would like to view some of my photos on Smugmug.

BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

I wish everyone who reads this blog many blessings in this year of 2010. The years seem to go by so fast. Did you stay up on New Year's eve to see the new year come in? I personally have not done that for a long, long time. Here in the monastery we have a little New Year's eve party in the evening after vespers. Then from 8:00-9:00 PM we make a Holy Hour for peace. After that I went to bed. I figure the new year will come in without me watching it.

On Christmas eve and Christmas day we had quite a snow storm. High winds and a lot of snow. It was difficult, if not impossible for people go to where they had planned to celebrate Christmas. Our basilica is usually pretty well filled for midnight Mass, but this year we only had about thirty people in church. I had to work in our Health Care Center all night on Christmas eve as we could not get nurses in to work. It has also been very, very cold with temperatures the last couple nights down to zero or below. Last night we had about another inch or two of snow.

We are now pretty well moved into the renovated St. Stephen Health Care Center. It is very nice and all the residents seem to be happy to be there. There are a few little things that will still have to be done but for the most part it is completed.

Below are some pictures of the renovated building.

First floor: kitchen

First floor: dining room

First floor: sun porch

First floor: exercise room

To view my personal photo site go to: http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/

To go to the Conception Abbey web site click here.

A MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL

CHRISTMAS, 2009.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John 3:16

This has long been a favorite passage of mine. It seems to express what Christmas is all about. God sent the Son, Jesus Christ, to bring salvation and eternal life to all the world, to all people. The love God has for us is overwhelming. It is more than we can fully understand. We think we have to earn love from others. God is love. He loves us even as sinners. But, of course we try to return his love by our love for God and our love for our brothers and sisters. As Jesus makes clear what we do to others we do to Him.

With that spirit of love then I wish all readers of this blog a very blessed and happy Christmas. You know you will be in my prayers and remembered in my Masses on Christmas day, as well as in the prayers and Masses of all the monks.

Merry Christmas.

With love and prayers.

Father Kenneth, O.S.B.

St. Stephen Health Care Center

Nurses station on left. Hall leads to monastery................. Lounge and t.v. room

Short video of one of the rooms in renovated
Health Care Center ......................................................................Nurses station up above

Last Friday on December 18, we moved the residents back to the regular Health Care Center (infirmary). They are still doing some work in the building, primarily on the bottom floor. Since the residents live on the 2nd floor we could move back in. It seems to please every one and certainly is more pleasant than the old facility. All the rooms are larger and have full baths in each room. The windows are also larger and all have a good view. Tomorrow we are going to Hannibal, MO to pick up Monsignor Louis McCorkle. He is an alumnus and friend of the Abbey and is now in his 80's. We will take care of him in our Health Care Center.

The students left last Friday also and will be gone for about three weeks for Christmas vacation. Those of our own monks who are away at school are arriving to be home for Christmas. Brother Paul arrived last Thursday, and Brothers Anselm and Victor are due to arrive tomorrow. Father Frowin, who is studying in Rome, will of course not come home for Christmas.

While stores and many public places have had Christmas decorations up for weeks and even months, we so far have no decorations up. They will, however, be put up this coming week and by Christmas it will be well decorated.

I hope you have a blessed last week of Advent. I plan to post a new blog on Thursday to wish each of you a Merry Christmas.

To go to the Conception Abbey web site and the Oblate blog. click here