Weekend Activities

It was a busy, but enjoyable weekend.

Saturday was a beautiful day.  It was sunny and got up to 70 degrees.  I had Mass for the sisters at Our Lady of Rickenbach (Clyde), as the last Mass of the week for my pastoral assignment.  In the afternoon I visited with a group from St. John’s in Clonmel, Kansas, which is near Wichita.  It was a delightful group and I spoke to them about monastic life and answered their questions.  For many of them, it was their first trip to Conception Abbey and first experience meeting monks.  They joined us for Mass and prayer.  Many of them got outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather, as did I as soon as I finished the talk.

I had the 6:00pm Mass at St. Columba’s parish at Conception Junction.  It is only 2 miles down the road.  I really like going to the nearby rural parishes because I am getting to know more and more of the local farmers and community.  They are all very kind and hospitable.  I anticipate that these relationships will endure for many years.

Sunday was a bit of a change.  I woke up to see snow covering the grass.  It was probably only just over 1 inch of snow with some ice, but enough is enough.  Temperatures were in the 20’s and 30’s, quite a drastic change from yesterday’s 70.  I had the 10:00am Mass at St. Columba and had another great experience.

I returned to accept one of the seminarian’s invitations to play some racquetball.  We played four games, so it was good exercise.  I won’t say who won.

Later today, four college students arrive from the Catholc Center at Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa), along with Fr. Jon Seda.  I visited there in January and had Mass with the students.  It is their Spring break, and they are having their own “monastic experience” week.  I will meet with them and organize their schedule for the week.

I have been working hard on Tower Topics, our publication of which I am Editor.  My goal is to print a draft on Monday, then make final changes and send it to the Press by Thursday.  I try to stick to my deadline.  The Spring 2014 issue should reach mailboxes in just over one month, probably around Easter.

So, life is keeping me rather busy, but as a good Benedictine, I try to have a healthy balance of prayer and work.