Rejoice and Give Thanks

The past few days have been filled with many activities:  Community meetings, celebrations, and a festive meal.  The monks of Conception Abbey have many things for which we are thankful. Below:  Abbot Gregory leads the community in a series of meetings and discussions. Below:  Fr. Macario keeps his head warm with an interesting looking hat…

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Blog: 1 Year Anniversary

The blog started on this day in 2013. And, here we are, one year later. These days are ideal for a blog about the monastery and monastic life, because there are certainly plenty of activities going on.  The seminarians leave for Thanksgiving vacation after their last morning class.  I’m certain they are excited to get…

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Freshman Talent Night

Last night’s Freshman Talent Night was very entertaining.  The Freshman class of Conception Seminary worked hard to put together a show that featured songs, skits, dance, impersonations, and several videos.  This year’s theme was “Saturday Night Live.”  Seminarians, monks, and faculty attended the event which lasted just over one hour.  The event offers the opportunity…

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Morning Ministry

I had Mass at 7:30am for the Benedictine Sisters of Clyde all week long.  Just about every day I had to scrape ice off of the car in the morning.  It was a cold week!   Below:  The best thing about being out and about in the morning–Sunrise! Below:  Clyde still has one of the…

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Camino Presentation

My 200th Blog Post! Yesterday evening, Novice Joseph gave a presentation on his experience hiking the Way of St. James Pilgrimage across Spain (Camino de Santiago), which he walked with his brother in the fall of 2012.  He provided a slideshow, shared his stories, offered spiritual insights, and answer our questions about the Camino. It was an…

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Snow Again

While the temperatures fell on Tuesday of last week, the snow fell on Saturday morning.  There is something magically and nostalgic about the first substantial snow, but the fairytale feelings quickly went away when I was brushing snow off of the car Sunday morning before Mass. I am assigned this week to have Mass for…

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The Chill

The best way to stay warm these days is to stay busy.  Everyone is still getting used to the cold weather, it came on rather quickly. Yesterday evening we had another beautiful sunset.  I took the picture out of my window on the 5th floor of St. Joseph Hall. The other day I had finished…

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First Snow?

Yesterday at 2:45pm it was 70 degrees outside.  Later that night it was 31 degrees. No thank you.  I was not ready for that. Knowing that it was going to get colder today, I went out yesterday for what might be my last bike ride outside for the season.  It was comfortable, but a bit…

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Encounter Weekend

This past weekend was our Encounter with God’s Call weekend.  Conception Seminary College invited a record-breaking 115 young men to “come and see” the seminary, visit with the seminarians, and hear a series of talks.  Never before have we had over 100 young men for an Encounter, which are held once in the fall and once in…

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Fall Production

Every Fall semester, Br. Cyprian and the seminarians of Conception Seminary put on a play in St. Michael’s Gymnasium.  This year Conception Seminary College presents, “Murder at the Goon Show,” by Douglas Winters.  A most hilarious comedy-spoof-murder mystery in two acts.  They work long hours in order for the show to come together.  I watched…

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