Tower Topics ~ Spring 2005

Back to Table of Contents

Alumnitems

DEATHS

Bishop Lawrence McNamara, Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Island, died unexpectedly Friday, Dec. 17. He was 76 years old.

Aran Daley (C74-78) died Dec. 3 in Washington, D.C. On Jan.12 several alumni, family and friends gathered at the abbey for a memorial service.

Rev. E. J. Fitzpatrick (T54-58) died Oct. 28 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Daniel Heyburn (C40-43) died Oct. 24 in Miami, Okla.

Rev. Thomas Hildebrand (C67-71) died Nov. 3 in Tulsa, Okla.

Rev. Msgr. James K. Lafferty (T50-54) died September 21, in Carroll, Iowa.

Lorene Lager, mother of Eugene Lager (C69-70), died Nov. 19 in Maryville, Mo.

Hector Lopez (C65-69;T69-71) died Sept. 22 in Santa Ana, Calif.

Rev. Sean McArdle (C61-63;T63-67) died Dec. 10, in New Jersey.

Mrs. Gerry Hess, sister of Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB (H53-55;C55-60;T60-64), died June 2 in Hebron, Nebr.

Theresa Pool, wife of Gary Pool (C76-78), died Sept. 28.

Richard J. Probst (C64-68) died Sept. 8, in Louisville, Colo.

Elmer Sander, brother of Fr. Reginald Sander, OSB (H50-54;C55-60;T60-64), died July 28.

Donald Scheibeler (C54-59;T59-60), former monk of the abbey, died Sept. 25.

James J. Sullivan, father of Bro. Thomas Sullivan, OSB (C65-71;T72), died Jan. 22, in Wilmette, Ill.

Regina Tierney, mother of Rev. Michael Tierney (C61-65;T65-69), died Oct. 6 in Kansas City, Mo.

Rev. Albert Wilwerding (C48-52) died Sept. 26.

VARIA

Rev. Thomas Alber (C77-81) has turned inventor. He was featured recently in the Catholic Missourian for his research into alternative fuels. He discovered a variety of ways of fueling a diesel engine, including vegetable oil.

Matthew Benjamin (C96-99) is currently working as a civilian installing communications equipment in Iraq.

Rev. (John) Benedict Croell, O.P. (C89-91), is currently novicemaster for the Dominican Mission in East Africa. He lives and works at St. Martin de Porres House in Kisumu near Lake Victoria in Western Kenya.

Rev. Patrick Dolan (C87-90) was the featured tenor in a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in November at St. Mary Catholic Church in Littleton, Colo.

Jesse Eickholt (PT2002-04) is volunteering for a year at “The Working Boys’ Center – A Family of Families” or El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador. It is a program sponsored by the Jesuits and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He’ll be teaching and working in Quito, Ecuador.

Most Reverend Eugene Gerber (H45-47;C50-52), retired bishop of Wichita, was inducted into the Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School Hall of Fame in November.

Roger Grant (C88-90, 94-95) and his wife Terri welcomed their first child, Hannah Delaney, on July 28. Roger is in his second year as Coordinator of Youth Ministry/OCIA and bulletin editor at St. Odilia parish in Tucson, Ariz.

Rev. Timothy Haberkorn (C85-88) was named an Outstanding Young Religious Leader by the Jaycees of Kansas. Tim is pastor of St. Mary parish, Hartford, Kan. and St. Joseph parish, Olpe, Kan.

Chuck Irons (C93-95), teaches art at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo.

Rev. Ralph Kaiser (C48-50), pastor of the Church of the Santa Fe, Buckner, Mo., has been coaching students in music for 10 years now. Last summer he took eight students to the 48th Annual Mid-America Music Association Festival where four of them received “superior” marks. His work was recently featured in The Catholic Key, newspaper of the Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph. He is a member of the Federated Music Teachers Association and plays piano and organ.

Kevin A. Kast (C68-69) was appointed to the Public Policy Committee which advises the Missouri Catholic Conference. Kevin is President and CEO of SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake St. Louis, and SSM St. Joseph Medical Park in St. Peters.

Rev. Sean McGrath (PT83-85), pastor of Guardian Angels parish in Denver, is part of a team of instructors who help instruct seminarians on preaching at the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. He was recently featured in the Denver Catholic Register, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver.

WEDDINGS

Jeff Casteneda (C2001-02) and Katherine Moreno were married July 10 in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Randal Gorges (C99-2000) and Vera Campos were married Sept. 24. They live in Wichita, Kan.

Paul Helten (C2001-03) and Deanna Delgado were married July 31st.

Christopher Sampson (C92-96) was married last summer. He and his wife Kimberly live in Joplin, Mo.

ASSIGNMENTS

Rev. Michael Knipe (C82-84) was appointed pastor of St. Pius X Church in Tulsa, Okla. He succeeds recently deceased alumnus, Fr. Tom Hildebrand.

Outgoing Judicial Vicar Rev. C. Michael Coleman (C58-62;T62-63) will continue as a tribunal judge, along with his continuing responsibilities as diocesan archivist and historian.

Rev. Joseph Matt (C67-70) was appointed Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. He continues as pastor of St. Joseph the Worker parish, Independence, Mo.

Rev. Timothy Podraza (C89-93) administrator of St. Joseph parish, Wisner, Nebr. and St. Aloysius, Aloys, Nebr.

Rev. Jeffrey Stephan (C93-95), pastor of Our Lady of Peace parish, Kansas City, Mo.

Alumni Reunion • September 22-23, 2005
Mark the dates now to see the newly renovated St. Maur Hall!

We welcome your comments:
communications@conception.edu
www.conceptionabbey.org

Back to Table of Contents

© 2000 by Conception Abbey, Inc. All rights reserved. Site last revised 17 February, 2005.
Conception Abbey, P.O. Box 501, Conception, Missouri 64433  Telephone: 660-944-2821
If you encounter any problems, please contact the webmaster@conception.edu
or if you have other questions or comments, please contact communications@conception.edu