Tower Topics ~ Spring 2004

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The Lord continues to build this ‘house’

Dear Friends,

aith and wisdom come together in Psalm 127:1, where the text reads, “Unless the Lord builds the house, in vain do its builders labor. If the Lord does not guard the city, in vain does the guard keep vigil.” Our forebears in the faith knew well that all depends upon God for a successful outcome of any project or endeavor. There is nothing that stands outside the watchful eye of God. This is our reason for trusting in a divine love that is ever gracious and merciful. Knowing and believing in God’s providential love gives our life a perspective by which we see, perceive, and understand its movement as part of a divine plan. We see God’s plan unfolding before our eyes each day, a reason for deep and abiding gratitude.

We at Conception Abbey and Conception Seminary College have seen “the Lord build our house” in ways that show his divine hand at work among us. The completion of our Abbey Basilica Renewal Project, the growth in the number of seminarians to our current enrollment of 97, an increase of vocations to our monastic community, and the growing success of our present capital campaign, A Living Tradition, all show us that the Lord is building our house, especially through the kindness and generosity of our many benefactors. We see the success of all these works as God’s challenge to keep moving forward in our present apostolic endeavors of priestly formation, hospitality to retreatants and guests, the artful expression of the “good news” at the Printery House, and our service in parishes and chaplaincies.

This issue of Tower Topics shows you the various ways in which the Lord continues “to build our house,” as we strive to respond to the faithful support of our many friends and benefactors. A significant way that God blesses our efforts is through the loyal men and women who work in our seminary college, Abbey Center for Prayer and Ministry, and the Printery House. One department that services all the others is our Office of Development, where we are blessed with a very talented and dedicated staff. In this issue, we happily announce the appointment of our new development director, Mr. Daniel Madden, who has for the past five years worked as our director of communications (see Madden...). Many of you have sent words of commendation about the quality of Tower Topics; much of that comes from the creative minds of Dan and our graphic artist, Ms. Gail Moore. We feel confident that Dan will bring these and other talents to his new position.

Please join us in giving thanks to God for the truly blessed ways in which he continues “to build his house” here among us at Conception Abbey. And know of our gratitude for the ways in which you are God’s providential hand to us, touching our life with divine goodness.

Sincerely in Christ,

Abbot Gregory J. Polan, OSB

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

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