Posts by Conception Abbey
Inside Scoop: Welcome to Conception!
Seeing as the work and play of the summer months is threatening to wind down for many of us, it’s high time we returnees sent out a welcome to all new seminarians coming to join us at Conception Seminary College! Those of us who will be coming back for a second, third, or fourth (or…
Read MoreMary: Our Hope and Our Comfort
For today the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people. (Preface for the Assumption, Roman Missal, Third Edition) Mary is our hope and our comfort! As we celebrate the Solemnity of…
Read MoreSunday Reflection: Harden Not Your Hearts
In today’s First Reading we are presented with this question: “For what profit comes to a man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun?” Qooheleth, the protagonist of the book, Ecclesiastes, has had the thought many of us have had. What is the point to life?…
Read MoreBeyond Conception: Building Bridges
This July has been an incredible experience of fun, leadership, service, and prayer. I was accepted as one of four counselors for the Ulster Project in McPherson, KS. The Ulster Project began in 1975 in the country of Northern Ireland as a peacemaking effort to help heal the religious, cultural, and political tensions known as…
Read MoreBeyond Conception: A Pilgrimage Close to Home
Like all other seminarians at Conception Seminary College, I am “home” for the summer. And by home, I mean in the Diocese of Davenport, IA. I am currently not at my real home, but sitting on this Sunday afternoon in a former convent turned retreat house in West Point, Iowa waiting for the rest of…
Read MoreBeyond Conception: Prayer and Action
Prayer and Action was created in the summer of 2006 to provide a “backyard mission experience” for the youth of the Diocese of Salina. Each week, a group of roughly 40-60 high school students show up and actively live out their faith by serving those in need around the community. While the bulk of our…
Read MoreAvoiding Book Answers
Jesus has a knack for avoiding “book” answers. When the scholar of the law in today’s Gospel asks Jesus about gaining eternal life, Jesus responds with a question: “What is written in the law?” The scholar gives a good answer, a “book” answer, but Jesus sees that the man doesn’t hold the law in his…
Read MoreSunday Reflection: Holy Joy
Take a moment to think of something that brings you joy. Maybe it’s a family member or a friend whose constant presence in your life makes you happy. Maybe it’s a recent advancement in work or school. Maybe it’s a simple, pleasant conversation you had today. In each of our lives, I’m sure that if…
Read MoreBeyond Conception: Cruz at Camp Tekakwitha
This summer I was assigned to Camp Tekakwitha in Williamsburg, KS. It is operated by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and run by Deacon Dana Nearmyer and his wife Debbie Nearmyer. Deacon Nearmyer and his wife bring an intense energy to the camp that I once described as “it’s so crazy, it just…
Read MoreCompanion Camp – An Important Experience
A Benedictine monastery and a seminary college is an important place for high school boys to visit. A positive experience at such an impressionable age, even if only for the weekend, lends the opportunity to strengthen a young person’s faith and help cultivate and sustain their relationship with God. I know this because I have…
Read MoreThe Heart of the Cross is Love
If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 There once was a man who lamented often in prayer about the weight and size of the cross he was asked to bear in this life. H would cry out to the Lord and…
Read MoreBeyond Conception: Summer Formation at IPF
This summer, myself and six other Conception Seminary College seminarians (five alumni) are attending the 9-week program known as the Institute for Priestly Formation. So far, this experience has been amazing! Held at the campus of Creighton University in Omaha, NE. The program for diocesan seminarians focuses on enriching and deepening our relationship with the most important…
Read MoreA Reflection on Hearts
In the last few days the liturgical calendar has been focused on hearts. Friday was the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saturday was the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and today the readings at Mass present us with a window into the Heart of Jesus in the Gospels and the heart of…
Read MoreCorpus Christi – May Our Adoration Never Cease
Every day, upon altars of the Catholic Church throughout the world, Our Lord is made incarnate in the Most Holy Eucharist. We have heard this many times. “Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist,” “Jesus is in the tabernacle.” Reflect for a moment on how often we let this great gift pass us by and…
Read MoreBeyond Conception: Andrew G. Prepares for Prayer in Action
During the summer months, many seminarians are given assignments in their home dioceses that are tailored to be enriching experiences to continue their formation outside the walls of Conception Seminary College. Beyond Conception will be a weekly series of articles checking in on the seminarians of CSC during their summer break. After departing from Conception…
Read MoreBr. Etienne Ordained to the Diaconate
On Thursday May 19, 2016, Br. Etienne Huard, OSB, was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop James V. Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph. Witnessed by his brother monks, family, and friends, it was a truly joyful occasion for all as Br. Etienne takes the final step before his priestly…
Read MoreConception Seminary College Holds Commencement
Conception, Mo – May 16, 2016 – On Saturday May 14, 2016, Conception Seminary College concluded its academic year with a commencement ceremony in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Thirteen men received their Bachelor of Arts degree. They are: Keith Chadwick, Hayden Charles, Bradley Distler, Jonathan Fox, Jon Hynek II, Kevin Lenius, Nicholas Newton,…
Read MoreA Reflection on Graduation
May Day 2016: Fun and Fraternity
When I first came to Conception, I hadn’t participated in a Field Day (a day typically dedicated to playing as many sports as possible for as long as possible) since I was in 8th grade. So when the end of the academic year rolled around and I had the opportunity to compete in my first…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Jon Hynek
Diocese? Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin Home Parish? St. Francis of Assisi Future plans after graduation? Continuing my formation at St. Francis de Sales Seminary, St. Francis, Wisconsin. Favorite memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Going to a Chiefs Game with a 1/4 of the school Favorite course you took at CSC? Church…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Joseph Hurdle
Diocese? Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming Home Parish? St. Mary’s Cathedral Future plans after graduation? Attend St. Meinrad School of Theology Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Walking around Lake Placid with the guys. Favorite course you took at CSC? Theological Anthropology What will you miss the most CSC? The people. What did…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: James Flattery
Diocese? Diocese of Davenport, Iowa Home Parish? Immaculate Conception Future plans after graduation? Go on to theology at Mundelein Seminary Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Spending time around the table with Fr Pat and the guys. Favorite course you took at CSC? Death and Dying with Dr. McGrath What will you…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduate: Phil Novotny
Diocese? Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska Home Parish? Mary Our Queen Catholic Church Future plans after graduation? Continuing on to theological studies at Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis. Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Church chat in Brad Berhost’s room. Star gazing and faith sharing with my sister Rachel and Johnny Blauw. Batman’s bratwurst under the pines. Dr.…
Read MoreAbbey Basilica Anniversary
Today we celebrate 125 years of the Dedication of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Our historic basilica church was dedicated on May 10, 1891. It has served as the place of worship and encounter with God.It is a space of beauty and grandeur. With gratitude we celebrate this special anniversary in our history. In…
Read MoreRunning the Race: Abbey Trails 2016
I’ve got the shoes. I’ve got the race number across my chest. But I am not a runner. Conception Abbey’s annual 5k Run, Abbey Trails, was a chance for me to try. I have never been a runner, but always into making sure I was fit and in shape. This year in preparation for the…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Tomas Sandoval
Diocese? Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Home Parish? St. Monica’s Catholic Church Future plans after graduation? Continuing on to theological studies at St. John Vianney in Denver, Colorado. Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? It is impossible to narrow it down to just one memory… It’s all a beautiful blur! Favorite course…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Br. Damian, CMC
Religious Order / Diocese? Congregation of Mary Co-Redemptrix / Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Home Parish? Saint Adalbert Future plans after graduation? Stay at The Congregation of The Mother Co-Redemptrix for discernment, formation, and work in the community for 2 years until I receive my Final Vows, (if God wills) to prepare for theology studies at Notre…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Mauricio Tovar
Diocese? Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska Home Parish? Divine Mercy Future plans after graduation? I am looking forward to continue discerning priesthood and purse theological studies. Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? My favorite memory was during my first week doing an obstacle course as a freshmen class. Favorite course you took at…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Nicholas Newton
Diocese? Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Home Parish? Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Future plans after graduation? Continue on to theology at Saint Meinrad School of Theology Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Talking in the hallway with my brothers. Favorite course you took at CSC? Shakespeare with Brother Jude What will you miss…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Jonathan Fox
Diocese? Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas Home Parish? Saint John the Evangelist in Lawrence, Kansas Future plans after graduation? Attend Kenrick Seminary Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Chilling at Gaudeamus Favorite course you took at CSC? Modern Philosophy with Dr. McGrath What will you miss the most CSC? The people Favorite…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Brad Distler
Diocese? Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri Home Parish? St. Martin’s Catholic Church Future plans after graduation? Go to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary for theology studies. Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Playing card games with Martin Parizek, Nick Newton, my family, and a couple of friends after the play my junior year. Favorite course…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Keith Chadwick
Diocese? Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas Home Parish? Sacred Heart Future plans after graduation? Attend Kenrick Seminary in Saint Louis Favorite course you took at CSC? The Faith in Literature with Brother Jude What will you miss the most CSC? The fraternity of the students. Favorite Sacred Scripture passage? Although you have not seen him…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Ty Taylor
Diocese? Diocese of Wichita Home Parish? Saint Michael the Archangel Mulvane, Kansas Future plans after graduation? To attend Kenrick Theological Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri Favorite Memory from your time at Conception Seminary College? Laughing and joking with my friends, planning things for May Day. (I can neither confirm nor deny my involvement in any…
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Kevin Lenius
Find out and look at pictures from Kevin Lenius’s time at CSC! He graduates in just two weeks!
Read MoreCSC 2016 Graduates: Hayden Charles
Find out about soon to be CSC graduate Hayden Charles from the Diocese of Wichita! PHOTOS!
Read MoreInternational Day
Freshmen Class Outing — Listen, my Son
Fr. Paul, Freshmen Chaplain, wrote this for the monastic blog, “Listen, my Son” – Check out what the freshmen of Conception Seminary College were up to last weekend! Every year the different classes in the seminary college will organize a class outing. Usually these occur in the spring semester, particularly when the weather is nicer.…
Read MoreBishop Mark Seitz of El Paso Makes First Visit
Conception, Mo. – Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso visited his seminarians studying at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo. on the weekend of April 2-3. Currently, the diocese has three men preparing for the priesthood at CSC, Cesar Garcia, Sergio Legarreta-Carrasco, and Peter Venegas. “It was such a blessing seeing…
Read MoreArchbishop Coakley Visits CSC
Conception, Mo. – Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City visited Conception Abbey and Seminary College April 3-5, 2016. The archdiocese has five men pursuing priestly studies at Conception Seminary College. On Monday’s Solemnity of the Annunciation, Archbishop Coakely celebrated Mass in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for the seminary and…
Read MoreHumans of Conception: Dr. Liz McGrath
The “Humans of Conception” series will feature a variety of seminarians, faculty and staff, monks, and others who help make Conception Seminary College a place where our motto is lived out: “Caritas christi urget nos – The love of Christ compels us.” Check back for future posts featuring other “Humans of Conception.” From the distinguished Loyola…
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