Posts by Kaity Holtman
Br. Mark professes simple vows within monastic community
The monks of Conception Abbey welcomed Br. Mark Nelson, OSB, in his ceremony of simple profession on Thursday, October 7, 2021, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. For a religious community, receiving a new member is a sign of joy and vitality and a vivid reminder of God’s grace and mercy working among…
Read MoreMsgr. Louis McCorkle enters eternal rest
On the afternoon of Sunday, 13 June 2021, The Rev. Monsignor Louis W. McCorkle, priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, MO, was called from this life to enter the company of saints in heaven. A native of St. Louis, and having been ordained for the old Diocese of St. Joseph in 1953, Msgr. McCorkle…
Read MoreConception Seminary College breaks ground on new student dormitory
Brothers Living in Unity campaign efforts begin taking shape Photo, left to right: Eric Moore, President, and Wade Harms, Vice-President and project manager, and Bob Herring, on-site superintendent, all of E.L. Crawford Construction, Inc.; Jeff Ellison and Jeremy Proctor, Ellison-Auxier Architects, Inc.; Jim Kopp, alumni association president, regent, campaign volunteer; Tony Cordaro, alumni association; Br.…
Read MoreConception Abbey to livestream Midnight Mass
In serene silence, the gentle glow of candles takes over the darkness, just as Jesus’s birth fills the world with hope. The rhythm of monastic chanting fills the night with a humble simplicity like that of the stable on Christmas Eve. While the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Conception Abbey is closed to…
Read MoreBr. Isidro Ramos, OSB, enters eternal rest
Br. Isidro Ramos, OSB, a monk of Conception Abbey assigned to St. Benedict’s Priory, Benet Lake, Wisconsin, died early Saturday morning, November 28, in Harvey, Illinois. He was 74 years of age and professed as a Benedictine monk for twenty-four years. One of twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. Salvador Ramos, he was born January…
Read MoreThe Archbishop’s Garden
By the Work of Their Hands A Feature on Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB A first-time guest to the Abbey came upon one of the monastery grounds workers with an old baseball cap, wearing a pair of dirty blue jeans and a saturated gray T-shirt. “Excuse me, sir…” the lady uttered. “Yes, ma’am,” replied the man.…
Read MorePriest, Monk, Brother, Father: What does it all mean?
This article was originally published in Tower Topics, Spring 2020 Understanding Religious Roles Sometimes it can be difficult to understand the differences and similarities between the title “Brother” and “Father,” a priest of Conception Abbey and a priest in a parish not associated with the Abbey, or even the monks at Conception and the seminarians studying…
Read MoreBrothers Living in Unity campaign makes significant progress
CONCEPTION, Mo. (June 19, 2020) – Conception leadership is pleased to announce that we have raised just over $1.6 million of the $2.8 million needed for us to receive the $1 million challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation. This leaves $1.2 million to fundraise by January 14 to receive the grant. In February of this…
Read MoreFr. Albert: Formed in Community
Fr. Albert walks into the fourth-grade classroom with his usual grin on his face. The students light up as he enters the room, and he is immediately received by a chorus of greetings. They put down their pencils and direct their attention to their pastor who stands before them in the front of the classroom.…
Read MoreFr. Anthony celebrates 80 years of service and fidelity
There are often firsts in every family, so even in a monastic community, we too have the pleasure of participating in an event happening for the first time. This year, on March 12, our Fr. Anthony Shidler, OSB, celebrated 80 years as a professed Benedictine monk. For the first time in our community’s 147-year history,…
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