Ash Wednesday and Monastic Lenten Practices

Abbot Gregory presides over Ash Wednesday Mass and the distribution of ashes. As ashes were distributed, each person was marked with the sign of the cross and heard the formula:  “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” There are several different practices that the monks observe for the Lenten season. Ash Wednesday is a Day of Recollection…

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Mardi Gras

The seminarians hosted their annual Mardi Gras Party this evening.  The theme was “Casino Night.”  The junior class was responsible for organizing the event.  It was a lot of fun and seemed to be a big success.  There was good food, games, and the chance to relax and catch up before Lent begins. Pray for…

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Vocation Trip

On Friday I headed out to attend a couple of vocation events. First, I traveled to Manhattan, Kansas for the Kansas Catholic College Student Convention. There were close to 300 students at the event and I set up a display promoting the monks of Conception Abbey. It was good to see so many Catholic college…

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TET Celebration

As the sign indicates below, “TET” is the Vietnamese New Year.  We had a fun celebration on Wednesday afternoon.  The celebration kicked off with a bunch of loud fireworks that were strung up in front of St. Maur Hall.  Afterwards, everyone enjoyed some delicious Vietnamese food.  There was plenty to go around!  This event was…

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Seminary Basketball

Conception Seminary College’s basketball team played in the annual seminary basketball tournament at Mundelein (near Chicago).  Last year they finished 3rd overall, but they lost some key players who had graduated. This year the team won one game and lost two.  The more important part was the quality time they enjoyed together and growing in friendship. Dangerous winter…

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February Welcomed with Lots of Snow

The snow continues to fall.  It started Saturday afternoon, and the heavy and damp snow now coats the trees and covers campus.  The snow plows are out working in full force to clear our parking lots. I’m hoping to make it safely to my pastoral assignments!

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Support Our Seminarians Dinner

It was a successful evening in Kansas City, at the 22nd Annual Support Our Seminarians (SOS) event.  The proceeds from the dinner and auction benefit Conception Seminary College and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and Kansas City-St. Joseph. Conception Abbey’s baked good (“Abbey Oven”) were on sale during the event- bread, cookies, and…

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Monk’s Hobby Part II

Fr. Pachomius is our in-house iconographer.  He does a lot of different art work in terms from pen and ink to painting.  In this video he explains his passion for art and making beautiful creations to give glory to God.  More appropriately, he views what he does with art as a calling more than a…

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Moving Right Along

After the extensive demolition of the monastery, the renovation seems to be going smoothly.  The contractor says that we should still be ready for a July 1, 2015 move in date.  Within the next month, the monks will pick out their rooms based on seniority.  I am still in favor of having some kind of…

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March for Life

Fr. Samuel and I, along with 10 seminarians from Conception Seminary flew to Washington D.C. for March for Life. It was a day of many blessings as we prayed and witnessed for the dignity of life. I was grateful to cross paths with seminary classmates and good friends from Sts. John and Paul parish in…

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