HOME
What's New at Conception Abbey?
Conception Abbey
Conception Seminary
College
Location
Giving Gateway
Abbey Guest Center
Printery House
Events
Prayer Schedule
Oblates
Spiritual Reading
Links
|
Back to Table of Contents
Seminary hires new admissions director/recruiter
by Dan Madden
The job of introducing Conception Seminary College to prospective
students has changed hands. Alex Murray, 22, a soon-to-be graduate of
Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., will succeed Keith Jiron as
director of admissions and recruitment. Jiron has been appointed
vocation coordinator for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
Murray, who in December will receive a bachelor’s degree in mass
communications with minors in business and religious studies, says he
was drawn to Conception by childhood memories of family visits and a
fascination with the mysterious ways in which God’s will is revealed.
“Conception Seminary College helps people discover their vocation,”
Murray said. “I want to be a part of helping other people follow God’s
will for themselves, whether it be marriage, single life, or a calling
to the priesthood or religious life.”
Father Benedict Neenan, president-rector, said the hiring committee was
drawn to Murray’s “enthusiasm, his grounding in his faith and his
alertness to the movements of God in his own life.” That alertness, he
says, “makes me think he will be alert to similar movements in others.”
Noting Murray’s education at Benedictine College, Dr. Elizabeth McGrath,
academic dean, said Murray brings an inside knowledge of Benedictine
character. “Alex’s age and recent college work will allow him to relate
well to the prospective seminary students,” she said, “and he will bring
his own energy to our activities for younger students in the grade schools
and high schools.”
Jiron, a former Conception seminarian, leaves Conception after six
years, during which seminary enrollment increased by 75 percent to a
30-year high. The move will also allow him to work closer to his
Shawnee, Kan., home. He and his wife are expecting their first child
soon.
“I am heartbroken to leave a place that has meant so much in my life,”
said Jiron, who maintains his two years attending the seminary were the
best of his life. “Many of the monks have been my mentors, modeling the
Christian life and helping me lay a foundation upon which I can build a
new life as a husband and father.” Jiron promised he won’t be a
stranger. “Conception is a second home to me,” he said.
“Keith represented us well,” Father Benedict said. “I always felt
comfortable that the people he talked with would find out what they
needed to know about Conception, but would also be eager to learn more.”
Father Benedict said Jiron proved a layperson can do the job of seminary
recruitment well, which made it easier to hire Murray.
“I’ve always believed the work of recruiting seminarians is really that
of the laity, which has a greater stake in future priests," Father Benedict
said.
Murray will work part-time while finishing his studies at Benedictine
and will take over full-time in January.
Back to Table of Contents
|
