2016

Happy New Year and Happy Feast of Mary, Mother of God! These days at the Abbey have been quiet and restful for the most part. Several of the monks had their parents visit around Christmas and the days following. A couple of my classmates from college seminary even dropped by and we had a chance to…

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Christmas in a Monastery

How do the monks prepare and celebrate Christmas? Check out the new video capturing some of the sights and sounds of the past few days. Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Blessings!

Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for a New Year of Happiness! The monks are grateful for so many blessings, especially our family, friends, and benefactors. We celebrated Midnight Mass with a Basilica filled with people from the area. The nice and dry weather was conducive to travel, so we had a good number of guests. I…

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Christmas Tree Trimming 

It’s that time of year when grown men dressed in black robes channel their inner child and gather with great excitement to decorate the Christmas tree. Okay, maybe I’m only referring to Br. Cyprian. The monks had their annual tree trimming party in the monastery recreation room. Several monks contributed ornaments to the trees and…

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Celebrating with our Employees

Each year in the days leading up to Christmas, we have our Employee Christmas Luncheon. It is a time for the close-knit Conception community- monks and employees- to gather and give thanks for many blessings. Specifically, we recognize and honor employees who are celebrating anniversaries of employment with us: 20, 25, 30 and even 40…

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Finals Week

There have been many activities going on these past few days. I’d like to think that the seminarians have spent most of the time preparing for their final examinations. Please keep their academic pursuits in your prayers! The last final exam is this Thursday. The seminarians will have Mass Friday morning and be free to…

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The SEMY Awards

This year’s freshmen class took a different spin on the annual Freshmen Talent Night. As the name suggests, the freshmen class is to put on a talent show for all of the seminarians, chaplains, and those of the monastic community who wish to attend. In an early planning meeting the Freshmen decided to put on…

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Bishop Johnston Visits

It is with great joy that we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception each year. It reminds us of what good things God has worked in Mary’s life and in her role as Mother of God. Similarly, it is a particuarly special day for the monks of Conception Abbey, since it is our patronal…

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Giving Back

Conception Abbey and Seminary College and the local Tri-C area (Conception, Conception Junction, and Clyde) have teamed up to participate in the Giving Tuesday initiative. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is the designated day to give to families in need during this Holiday Season. Seminarians were encouraged to bring canned goods and purchase clothing for families…

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