Tower Topics ~ Summer 2002

Tower Topics Archive

As this issue of Tower Topics was being printed a gunman entered the monastery, killing two of our monks and seriously injuring two others before taking his own life.

This special cover is in memory of Father Philip Schuster and Brother Damian Larson, and in honor of Father Kenneth Reichert and Father Norbert Schappler.

More on this tragedy and the healing of the monastic community of Conception Abbey will appear in the next issue of Tower Topics. Memorials can be sent to Conception Abbey, PO Box 501, Conception, MO 64433.

Special Cover Images

Father Philip Schuster, OSB

Brother Damian Larson, OSB

All of us at Conception Abbey appreciate your continued prayers for the healing of our community and for the souls of those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith.

Table of Contents

Healthy celibacy: seeking answers to important questions
Father Benedict Neenan addresses sexual formation of seminarians.

Editorial
Outside looking in.

A message from Abbot Gregory
A time of renewal for the Church.

Minister with courage, speaker tells graduates
Father David Belt urged CSC graduates not to be imprisoned by fear.

Jefferson City fundraiser earns over $220,000 for vocations
This year's "An Evening With the Bishop" drew more than 1,000 enthusiastic people showing their support for priestly and religious vocations.

Seminary closing a 'great, great loss'
St. Thomas Aquinas Minor Seminary in Hannibal, Mo. closes.

Faculty footnotes

Father Walter Heeney, 84, dies peacefully
Our confrere passed from this world to eternal life.

Abbey notes

Upcoming Retreats

Alumnitems
Ordinations, Deaths and Varia.

May Day 2002

Shutterbug seminarian
A graduate's photos from his senior year.

From the house of fear to the house of love
Rev. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI provides weekly spiritual articles.

Alumni Reunion set for September 20-21
Dr. Luvern Gubbels of Des Moines, Iowa, and Msgr. James Hake of the Diocese of Salina will receive the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service.

Grandfather starts anew as a diocesan priest
Deacon Ron Elliott becomes priest after wife's death.

Priest fraternity 'answers prayers'
Jesus Caritas consists of a worldwide network of small fraternities, each consisting of five or six priests.

Abbey Trails 5K run/2-mile walk raises $4,200 for seminary Wellness Program
7th Annual Abbey Trails drew 150 runners and walkers.

Transept windows of the Abbey Basilica
Both transept windows present a Benedictine cross dividing the window into four segments, each containing symbols from the lives of Saints Benedict and Scholastica.

A Tradition of Philanthropy
Conception Abbey's partnership with the local community has been friendly and fruitful.

Send your blessings
Abbey unveils new honor/memorial program.

Tower Topics Archive