S P R I N G
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V OL UME
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CONCEPTION, MISSOURI
Contents F E AT U R E S
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Jubilee Year of Mercy Opening the Holy Doors
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A Day in the Life of a Seminarian Conception Seminary College
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Studying the Christian Classics Seminar Courses
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Showcasing Seminarian Talent Birkenstock
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By the Work of Their Hands Br. Etienne Huard, O.S.B
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The Designs of the Lord New Monastery Crucifix
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Our Spiritual Home Oblates, Kevin and Rhonda Heim
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Conception Library The Matney Leaves
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Eternal Rest Fr. Timothy Schoen, O.S.B.
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Planned Giving Building New Relationships
IN EVERY ISSUE
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Alumni Spotlight Fr. Emilio Sosa Alumnitems Footnotes Oblate News Blessings Calendar of Events
EASTER GREETINGS OF PEACE FROM CONCEPTION ABBEY Dear Friends, Wherever I go—in monasteries or parishes, for speaking engagements or financial consultations, at meetings with bishops or with business executives—everyone is talking about the Jubilee Year of Mercy. At a moment in history when our world is staggering—amid wars, public shootings, civil unrest, or global economic upheaval—this firm but heartfelt invitation from Pope Francis to show mercy in all places and at all times has resonated in the hearts of millions. Though the world is broken and battered, perhaps like never before, our Holy Father’s call for mercy has struck a chord that is moving people to believe that this could truly be a way for all of us to move towards a better future. But where do we begin? How do we move forward in our own limited worlds of family, work, neighborhood, and parish community? One way forward urged by Pope Francis manifests a spirit deeply familiar to Benedictines: to listen carefully to one another. In the opening words of his 1500-year-old Rule, our holy founder St. Benedict writes, “Listen with the ear of your heart.” More than ever, these words come to us today as truly sage advice. All too often, we simply assume that we know exactly what someone else thinks about important matters that concern us all. Yes, we “think we know” their thoughts and values, but too often, we cannot really know what has formed those thoughts—what their experience has been, what burdens they have borne, what life has taught them, and how it has shaped their ideas. If we could only offer such persons “the ear of our heart,” and truly “listen” to them, we might be surprised to discover that we can genuinely appreciate their perspective, and even learn something from their experience. To accomplish this, we may have to put our own ideas “on hold” for a time, and listen attentively and with openness, ready to let our own perspectives be altered, perhaps significantly, by someone else. “Listening to one another with the ear of the heart” is a way of showing mercy that can lead to peace among people and even nations.
“Listening to one another with the ear of the heart is a way of showing mercy that can lead to peace among people and even nations.” Such listening calls forth mutual love and respect for one another. Patience is a spiritual tool that fosters such love. Have you noticed that the first quality of love listed by St. Paul in his famous passage on love (1 Corinthians 13) is patience? “Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous…” The Latin patior (from which the English patience derives) means “to endure with, to bear with, to suffer with.” That is what we do when we “listen with the ear of our heart.” For a moment, we forget about ourselves and enter the mind and heart of another person to see from their perspective. Only then do we weigh their beliefs and opinions against our own. Such listening can be personally costly, yet it can bring great rewards, for us and for others. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, may we reap rich fruits as we sow seeds of patient listening in our families, parishes, workplaces, and neighborhoods, trusting the grace of God to lead us forward as ambassadors of mercy wherever our life takes us. Sincerely in Christ,
Abbot Gregory J. Polan, O.S.B.
Tower Topics 3 Spring 2016 | 3
YEAR OF MERCY
Abbot Gregory opens the Holy Doors inaugurating the Year of Mercy.
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n December 8 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Holy Father Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to inaugurate the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016. On the same day, Bishop James V. Johnston presented to Abbot Gregory a letter designating Conception Abbey’s Basilica of the Immaculate Conception an official pilgrimage site for celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. On the Third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, Abbot Gregory reenacted at Conception Abbey the pope’s solemn ritual at Saint Peter’s: the doors of the Basilica at Conception Abbey were solemnly opened and our own celebration of the Jubilee Year inaugurated with all the joy appropriate to Gaudete Sunday, when the Church admonishes all her members to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” The Holy Father has expressed the hope that a “revolution in tenderness” may be achieved through the celebration of the Jubilee Year. He indicates that celebrations are to emphasize the fact that God’s mercy is readily available to all who belong to the Church. “To live the indulgence of the Holy Year means to approach the Father’s mercy with the certainty that his forgiveness extends to the entire life of the believer,” the pope 4 | Tower Topics
said in Misericordiae Vultus, the official apostolic letter announcing the Jubilee Year. Furthermore, the Church has a special role in bringing God’s loving mercy to the whole world. In designating the Basilica at Conception Abbey an official pilgrimage site for the Holy Year, Bishop Johnston noted the importance of the relationship between the diocese and the monastic community. Quoting Pope Francis, the bishop affirmed that “this door of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception ‘will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope’.” Thus the plenary indulgence of the Jubilee Year of Mercy is now available to those who visit Conception Abbey during the Jubilee Year. The ritual opening of the Holy Doors included a sprinkling of the congregation with holy water, recalling the purification from sin achieved by our baptism, and concluded with a prayer that all who pass through the doors might truly experience the mercy of God that is the heart of this jubilee celebration: “Grant that your faithful may pass through this gate, and be welcomed into your presence, so that they may experience, O Father, your abundant mercy.” The monks of Conception Abbey are honored that their ministry of hospitality will thus provide a foundational element for the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy in our diocese. “Our
manner of tenderness and mercy, compassion and generosity should speak to those we meet; so our small part in the Holy Father’s ‘revolution of tenderness’ will speak more in deeds than in words,” Abbot Gregory said in his homily marking the opening of Conception’s Holy Doors. The Conception Abbey Guest Center has planned several programs and events to allow pilgrims to participate in the Holy Year. These include a Holy Hour for Mercy on the following Sundays and feast days during the Jubilee Year: the Feast of Corpus Christi (May 29, 2016); and the Solemnity of Christ the King, concluding the Year of Jubilee (November 20, 2016). The Holy Hour services will be celebrated from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., and will include solemn entrance
through the Holy Door, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, opportunity for confession, Scripture readings and homily, and other prayers. Confessors will be available at each of these observances. Parish groups are welcome to visit the Basilica on weekdays for celebration of the Eucharist at 11:45 a.m. Lunch is also available for such groups in our guest dining room. Programs for pilgrims would provide time for both personal prayer and for the official Prayer of the Jubilee Year. Due to the number of guests we welcome each day, we ask that group visits be arranged at least two weeks in advance of the anticipated date. For further information, or to schedule visits for yourself or your group, call (660) 944-2809, or e-mail us at guests@conception.edu. X
The priests of Conception Abbey hope to extend the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the faithful who seek it during this Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Pope Francis provides these directions regarding the pilgrimage and the plenary indulgence: 1) To obtain the indulgence, the faithful are invited to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Doors as a sign of their deep desire for true conversion. 2) The pilgrimage is to be linked to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and 3) to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, with prayerful reflection on God’s mercy to us, and our call to extend that mercy to others. 4) The pilgrimage is also to include a profession of faith and prayers for the pope and his intentions.
Spring 2016 | 5
Left to Right: Jon Tolberd (Wichita), Dave Sotelo (Wichita), Ziggy Gross (Green Bay), Chad Thurman (Oklahoma City), Hayden Charles (Wichita), Chris Rumback (Wichita), Cruz Gallegos (Kansas City in Kansas), Josh Carroll (Springfield-Cape Girardeau), Mark Famuliner (Kansas City-St. Joseph)
Seminarians John Paul Hartnedy and Matt Glazier share their experiences of seminarian formation and explore the daily life of a seminarian.
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arly one morning, in the later half of August of this past year, I met up with another seminarian from my diocese. We were going to carpool from Little Rock, Arkansas to Conception, Missouri, a place neither of us had heard of before. We packed our small car to its maximum capacity and began the eight and a half hour drive to Conception Seminary College. During the drive, the two of us had plenty of time to think, and we discussed our hopes and apprehensions of seminary, Missouri, classes, and college life in general. Looking back after having spent almost one full year at Conception, I realize that I had quite a few questions about what seminary life would be like. What does a seminarian do all day? What types of classes do seminarians take? What does a seminarian do for fun? Along with these questions, there are many more that one might ask
about seminarians and their daily schedule. What I have come to find is that seminarians are ordinary men who are discerning God’s will for them in a Christ-centered way. In this process of discernment there are four main areas of formation that seminarians focus on to become more balanced young men in an effort to be more like Jesus, the High Priest: Apostolic, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Character. Nathan Carpenter, my roommate, is a seminarian from the Diocese of Wichita, and is in his first year of philosophical studies at Conception. After graduating high school but before entering the seminary, he attended Wichita State for two years to study Music Theory and Composition. As a seminarian, music is still a part of his life. He is a member of a band we formed at seminary, and contributes his musical talents by playing the drums, the guitar, and by singing. Also, every Saturday, as a part of his apostolic placement, Spring 2016 | 7
A DAY IN THE LIFE Nathan goes to visit the elderly at a nearby nursing home. Along with talking and listening to the residents, Nathan enjoys singing for them and playing his guitar. For him, this is a way to share beauty with the residents in a musical way. Also, music is a form of communication that can provide variety in the conversation, and allows Nathan to relate to those he visits in a way that shares his gifts. Nathan’s visits to the elderly in the nursing home are part of his Apostolic Formation. Other apostolic ministries for seminarians include teaching RCIA, leading Confirmation retreats, working with the poor, and visiting a psychiatric ward. These activities are called apostolic because they are performed for the larger community by seminarians sent outside of the seminary. Through working in apostolic groups, a seminarian grows in ministering to others, working in cooperation with a variety of people, and being a witness of Jesus’ love, joy, compassion, and hope to those he meets. In addition to going outside of the community to minister to others, seminarians work on being Christ-like from within the seminary as well. Character Formation emphasizes a continual growth of each person as an individual and as a member of a community. Within Character Formation, a seminarian learns to appreciate different ways of thinking, diverse cultures and traditions, and other unique aspects of living in a community. Essential to character development is an increasing awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, and realizing how those impact one’s self and others in positive or negative ways. Coupled with this awareness is cultivating the desire to strive to improve the weak or underdeveloped areas of one’s character, while continuing to grow and diversify, and build upon the stronger areas. One area where seminarians grow in Character Formation is how they spend their free time. Seminarians are encouraged to spend some of their free time with their brother seminarians, whether going out to eat, playing sports like soccer or ultimate Frisbee, making music, or just hanging out. This fosters the strong sense of community and brotherhood that is a trademark of Conception Seminary College. Another way seminarians at Conception grow in being “men for others” is by waiting tables. Monday through Thursday there is a formal, sit-down meal in the evening. At a table of six, seminarians practice conversation skills, proper table etiquette, and service to one another. On a rotating schedule, 8 | Tower Topics
The evening meal in the seminary dining room.
a group of seminarians is assigned to wait tables for a week at supper. Their responsibilities include setting the tables, filling water glasses, and bringing out the food before the rest of the community arrives. During the meal, waiters practice charity through service as they refill glasses, clear away dishes, interact with each other, and make themselves attentive to the needs of those whom they serve. In Nathan’s experience with these formal meals, he enjoys the community aspect of sharing food and stories with the priests who work in the seminary and with his peers. A significant area in every seminarian’s life, which is familiar to all college students, is the need for continual intellectual growth through the classes they take. Academic Formation includes the classes in which one is enrolled, studying and papers assigned, as well as research and leisurely reading. As college students, seminarians are encouraged not only to learn the material presented in their different classes, but also to commit themselves to becoming lifelong learners. Oftentimes the subject matter covered in various courses should stimulate the seminarian in his search for knowledge. Balancing studies can be difficult for seminarians, because there are many other activities that require time and attention as they prepare them-
Mitch Doernerman (Wichita) relaxes by putting his artistic talents to use.
selves to be future priests. Nathan said, “Because there is a limited time for homework, making the most of the class time itself is critical. I know that in class I must pay attention, engage material, and take notes.” Making sure one’s priorities are arranged with God at the top is a tremendous help when it comes to deciding how to spend one’s time on what can seem to be an overwhelming list of activities. Realizing that every good thing comes from God, including one’s time and intellect, and balancing a full schedule can become a joy. Nathan said, “Each moment we have is a gift and an opportunity. We are stewards of our time, talents, treasure, and our friendships.” Common to each seminarian and every Christian striving for holiness is a steady growth in the spiritual life. Spiritual Formation is one of the most important areas to develop while in the seminary. That is not to say that seminarians spend half the day on their knees in prayer, like I thought when I first imagined a seminarian’s prayer life. One’s spiritual life is important because it connects the other areas of formation together, giving them meaning and purpose, bringing balance and integration to life, and centering seminarians on Christ, in whose priesthood they may one day take part. Centering all areas of life on Jesus, especially in the Eucharist, is how a seminarian gradually learns who he is, who God is, and who God is calling him to be. Mass, adoration, personal prayer, the Liturgy
of the Hours, and time for meditation are all essential ways to relate with God. Beginning the day with the Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, and a quiet reflection period, provides strength and prepares one for the day. Adoration is available throughout the week, which is another great opportunity to encounter God. Nathan enjoys going to adoration, and said, “I love to love God, and let Him love me.” Nathan also spends part of his personal prayer time journaling, whether in adoration or in another quiet environment. Keeping a spiritual journal is more than just a record of what he has done that day. Rather for Nathan, journaling is a dialogue with God, where Nathan comes to understand how God is working in his life. Through the four areas of Seminary Formation—Apostolic, Character, Intellectual, and Spiritual—seminarians strive to become centered on Christ and balanced in all areas of life. By spending time with God in prayer, studying for classes, and serving each other, seminarians work on loving God through loving those around them. Like ordinary men, seminarians work hard, but know how to have fun. They have hopes and fears, but on the journey they seek out what will bring them the most authentic happiness and joy in life. They have the witness of the monastic community and the support of their brother seminarians to help them on the way. X —John Paul Hartnedy, Diocese of Little Rock
After praying the Office of Readings, seminarians have a meditation period for personal prayer.
Spring 2016 | 9
A DAY IN THE LIFE
B
rian is a seminarian for the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas. He spent two years at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas and is now a sophomore at Conception Seminary College. Among many interests, Brian enjoys playing guitar, reading, playing board games such as Settlers of Catan, and watching the Arkansas Razorbacks football team. Perhaps his most prized characteristic is his trendy beard, of which many seminarians would tell you is quite impressive. On a typical weekday, Brian’s alarm clock sounds at 5:45 a.m. He places the alarm all the way across the room from his bed in order to force himself to get up, cross the “arctic tundra” as he calls his bedroom, and turn it off. Otherwise he would shut the alarm off and fall back asleep, potentially causing him to be late to Morning Prayer. By 6:00 a.m. he is ready for the day. He starts his morning off with a hot cup of black coffee and spiritual reading. At 6:30 he walks over to the oratory for communal prayer. Together the seminarians pray the Liturgy of the Hours, which begins with the Office of Reading at 6:45 a.m. From 7:05 to 7:45 there is a period of morning meditation in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. During this time Brian likes to read the writings of the Saints, currently St. Therese of Lisieux’s Story of a Soul. “I occasionally struggle to stay awake during morning meditation if I stayed up too late the night before,” Brian told me. This is a struggle that is common for many of us. At 7:45 the seminarians pray Morning Prayer, which is then followed by breakfast at 8:10 a.m. Brian’s first class is at 8:30, which leaves little time for breakfast. “I scarf down my breakfast in the morning in order to get to class on time,” he laughed. His second class on Monday, Wednesday, and
Elvis Aguilar Ramirez (Kansas City-St. Joseph) practices his English on the computer using the Rosetta Stone program. 10 | Tower Topics
Brian Cundall (Little Rock) spends his evening reading for class.
Friday is Western Civilization II. Brian says he enjoys this class because he loves the way that Dr. Johnson expands on the context of the time period and how it affected art, music, and culture. After his morning classes Brian has spiritual direction on Wednesdays. This is a time where seminarians can get guidance in their spiritual lives from a priest in the community. At 11:45 a.m., the seminarians go to Mass in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception with the monastic community. “The basilica is beautiful and no matter who is the celebrant at Mass, they always celebrate it with great reverence,” Brian explained. Following Mass the seminarians have a lunch period before afternoon classes. Brian stated that the meals at Conception are much more diverse than most cafeterias he has experienced and that he enjoys the food.
Mark Johns (Little Rock) washes dishes after supper.
“I love the routine of the days. Each day is different in the little details, and you find God in those little details.” After lunch, Brian finishes any studying he has left for his afternoon classes. At 1:45 p.m. he has Natural Theology and then Lifetime Wellness at 2:40. When I asked him about his afternoon schedule, he said, “Sometimes afternoon classes can be quite the bear and I often need a pick-me-up after a long day of studying.” In order to fight the afternoon drag he occasionally takes a short nap after lunch before classes start. At 3:30, he is finished with classes and he goes to Team Sports with the other sophomore and freshman seminarians. “It may seem ridiculous for grown men to go to a P.E. type class but it is actually a great way to form brotherhood and also stay in shape. I really like Team Sports.” Afterwards, he runs back to the dorms to shower and get ready for Evening Prayer and Dinner.
Eric Koch (Omaha) tries to keep the soccer ball away from Br. Damian Phung, CMC.
After the seminarians pray in the evening, there is a formal dinner Monday through Thursday. This is one of Brian’s favorite parts of the day. He says, “meals at the dinner table are often where community is built. If you look at the last thing Jesus did with his disciples, they ate a meal together…that is where community happens.” Brian enjoys being with his friends and taking his time at dinner. Afterwards he washes dishes as a work-study job in order to serve the community. This takes about an hour with the help of 4 or 5 other guys. “The time goes fast. We named the dishwashing machine ‘Gertrude’ and she gets the job done,” he told me. He gets back to his dorm room at about 8:00 p.m.
and prepares for class the next day. Around 9:00 he spends his free time reading, online watching YouTube videos, or hanging out with friends. If all goes as planned, he is ready to go to sleep at 10:00 p.m. in order to be refreshed for the next day. Noah Spagnotti (Omaha) Kolbe Peloquin (Wichita)
On the busy and often repetitive schedule Brian says, “I love the routine of the days. Each day is different in the little details, and you find God in those little details. The routine is similar but my interactions with others are different, and that is where Jesus Christ is found…Most days are not filled with big events, but it’s the little interactions where Christ is found. There are never bad days at seminary; every day is a good day.” All in all, Brian has had a positive seminary experience and is excited for his future. He left me with this quote which sums up his personality well; “I am a lot like a donkey, just got to keep moving forward and plow ahead.” X —Matt Glazier, Diocese of Wichita Tomas Sandoval (Oklahoma City) catches up on reading in the library.
Spring 2016 | 11
Studying the Christian Classics
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ith the beginning of the calendar year, Conception Seminary College welcomed a new, vital component into its academic program. For the first time, students have the opportunity to take one or more “Christian Classics” seminar courses. These courses are short in duration; each one-credit unit is designed to be an intense conversation on a single great work in the Christian canon of literature. The program is the brainchild of Conception’s Librarian and Professor of History, Br. Thomas Sullivan, O.S.B., and was developed in response to Conception seminarians, who have asked for a greater exposure to primary texts. In reading original writings—as opposed to summaries or commentaries—students have the ability to come face-to-face with great authors from the past. They are ushered into the mind of a timeless thinker, encouraged to confront the questions that he or she faced, and challenged to apply the thinker’s insights to their own times and situations. The reading of original texts is part of the vast tradition of liberal-arts education. The liberal arts—so named in part because they are seen as worthwhile in themselves (and not as practical tools in service of other goals)—act as a catalyst in a student’s personal development. Through reading and discussing milestone writings of the past, students are invited— even pushed—to formulate and revise their own self-understandings and their outlooks on the world. In an awakened appreciation of the meaning and beauty of their own lives, students begin to discern— 12 | Tower Topics
in a clarity that does not do away with mystery— something of the nature of the divine as well. Indispensable to a liberal education is cultivating the habit of thinking creatively and originally for oneself. This is not possible without asking questions. Because Christian Classics seminars are student-driven, students themselves are required to inquire into great texts. The seminar is not simply a conversation with a given writer, however; for students it is also a dialogue with each other. Searching together in the presence of the truth, to borrow a phrase from St. Augustine, seminar students learn to build on each other’s insights, to strive toward a shared understanding, and even to argue with each other in a spirit of charity. By questioning both classical authors and their peers in a live conversation, Conception seminarians are spurred on to formulate questions relevant to their own lives and to identify answers that will inform their relationships to God and their fellow human beings. In its inaugural year, seminars will be led by Dr. Shalina Stilley, on St. Catherine of Siena’s Dialogue, and by Conception’s new PresidentRector, Fr. Brendan Moss, O.S.B., on The Rule of St. Benedict. Ideas for future seminars include G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy, George Bernanos’s Diary of a Country Priest, and St. Gregory the Great’s Dialogues II. Students who pursue multiple seminar experiences will qualify for special recognition during graduation exercises. X —Dr. William Brownsberger, Academic Dean
I
f you ask a Conception seminarian what a “Birkenstock” is, you will likely get two answers. Of course, there is the classic sandal, which is worn by many seminarians. However, even those who do not wear sandals will tell you that a “Birkenstock” in the Alumni Union is a memorable event that you would not want to miss. Birkenstock is a talent night that features seminarians’ musical, poetic, dramatic talent, and other forms of artistic gifts. This event occurs once or twice each semester, and has evolved from being a casual event with limited participation, to becoming a rite of passage for seminarian musicians. Tomas Sandoval, now in his senior year, said that it all started in 2014, when he would occasionally set up a rug and stool in the Union and invite musicians to share their talents. Sandoval decided to name this musical coffee shop-style event “Birkenstock.” From its humble beginnings, Birkenstock has grown into a well-attended event which showcases the artistic talents found in the seminary community, with musical groups, solo performances, and original poetry being staple fare. Imagine a large, lamp-lit room with sixty to seventy seminarians listening to music or poetry and sharing in wholesome fraternity. Some seminarians will even break out their sandals and beanie hats for this event. You might think you were in a coffee shop. Actually, you are! Conception’s student-run coffee shop, The Hub, opens up to serve Birkenstock-goers a full range of espresso coffee drinks and tea.
At a typical Birkenstock, the repertoire consists mostly of musical acts and poetry. Sometimes, storytelling or dramatic acts are performed. Student body President Chris Davis gets everyone singing along to his original music whenever he performs at Birkenstock. Tomas Sandoval sings and plays his electric guitar, normally sharing his original songs which contain themes with which seminarians can relate. Some of the larger group bands that perform are an all-freshmen band called, “Forgive us, We’re Freshmen,” that performs a mixed repertoire of Christian music, pop and alternative rock, and “The Old Bowling Alley Tapes,” the folk-rock and bluegrass group to which I belong. Every few months, seminarians have this chance to slow down and enjoy two hours of talent and entertainment, put on for them by their brothers in formation. It is a relaxing and entertaining atmosphere, a time to make music together and take a well-deserved break from the rigors of the daily schedule. X —Eric Koch, Archdiocese of Omaha
Matthew Ebberwein (Wichita) plays the guitar and sings at Birkenstock. Spring 2016 | 13
14 | Tower Topics
By the Work of Their Hands: Highlighting the Work and Talents of the Monks of Conception Abbey
D
on’t let the impressive beard scare you off. Behind this substantial amount of facial hair is a monk with many talents. His brother monks could easily name five different hobbies and interests that Br. Etienne has undertaken in the past few years, and in each of them, he has achieved an impressive level competency. While some can joke about his vast and rapidly changing interests, his drive communicates a man who appreciates learning new trades, and he approaches all of his work with an admirable level of enthusiasm. One interest that has been consistent for many years is Br. Etienne’s love of photography. He reflected, “I am known, either for good or bad, for trying just about any creative activity, just to experience it, but it has been photography that has always held my most pointed attention.” The relationship with photography all began on a sunny day in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas when his parents gave him a basic Pentax film camera. With this camera he wanted to capture elements of the world around him. One could say that this hobby developed further when he was hired as a camera salesman for Lawrence Photo in Wichita. There he became familiar with and sold everything from professional camera equipment to cameras suited for the casual photographer. He would also learn tips, tricks, and receive ideas from the professionals who frequented the camera store. It was certainly the ideal job to have for a young man with a budding interest in photography. Of the types and styles of photography which Br. Etienne has tried, he most enjoys “macro photography.” In macro photography he focuses on the tiny elements found in nature—everything ranging from flowers to insects. In paying close attention to the details, he noted, “Looking at the world has shown me how wonderfully made it is—how diverse and unique it really is.” For his macro images, Br. Etienne uses a Canon Rebel XS with its stock lens and a set of electronic extension tubes that act in a way as magnifiers to capture the smallest details. Before the renovation of the monastery, when the monks were cleaning out the old darkroom with its random camera equipment, Br. Etienne acquired a Kodak Speed Graphic 4x5 that dates back to the 1940’s. While most of the monks would not have the patience or interest in learning how to operate such an antique, it was a welcoming challenge for Br. Etienne. Spring 2016 | 15
BY THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS I see Br. Etienne, his beard, and his Kodak camera show up one afternoon in the monastery coffee room. He invites me to come along with him so he can demonstrate how to operate his new (old) toy. He extends the legs on the tripod, mounts the camera, manually adjusts different dials and camera settings—metering the scene for light, setting the aperture, shutter speed, applying filters, and he uses a couple other terms that I do not really understand, but I nod anyway. I laugh when he uses his black scapular as a curtain to block out the light around the camera as he buries his head into the eyepiece. For Br. Etienne, photography allows him to be creative in a way that he can contribute something beautiful to the world. He said, “I think I receive more enjoyment in having people love the beauty of the picture, than I receive in actually taking it.” The end product is certainly important for him, and fortunately he has recently received some more experience in this area as well. Br. Etienne is currently finishing his third year of theological studies at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and during his time away at school, he has had the opportunity to use the darkroom to develop his own photographs. This experience has given him the chance to have even more interaction with the photos he takes, being involved in the process from beginning to end.
This past fall, Br. Etienne was able to share some of his work at an art gallery exhibit at St. Vincent College which featured the artwork of various monks. For a time he had helped organize the art shows in the gallery, but now his work was displayed alongside some other talented artists. Some of his photography included portraits of people whom he encountered in his travels. He expressed his desire to explore portrait photography further in the future where he can “interact with people, and show them that everyone is beautiful.” Photography and other artistic expressions tend to harmonize well with the life of a monk. A monk must always strive to see his talents and abilities as gifts from God. This helps an individual give proper glory to the Giver of all good things. Br. Etienne added, “God created this world good and beautiful, and by actually seeing that and recognizing it, I am more overwhelmed everyday by His goodness. Photography has been one way that God has taught us to appreciate Him and all that he has given us.” St. Benedict encouraged his monks, “Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection” (Prologue). Br. Etienne’s confreres are encouraged by his zeal and desire to communicate the beauty of this world through generously sharing his gifts with others. X —Fr. Paul Sheller, O.S.B.
Br. Etienne uses his old-school Kodak Speed Graphic 4x5 camera.
16 | Tower Topics
The monastery refectory is complete! On Tuesday, February 9th, the eve of Ash Wednesday, Abbot Gregory blessed a new crucifix for the monastic refectory. The nearly life-sized figure of Christ was hand carved in the Philippines by Leandro Baldemor of Paete, Laguna. Leandro, a skilled artist, dedicates himself to the carving of religious statues, a tradition in his family. This magnificent carving presents the monastic community with the example of service par excellence for meditation during the season of Lent and throughout the year: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who… emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.” Philippians 2:5,7. The crucifix is flanked by two new paintings designed with compositional lines that draw the viewer’s eye toward the face of Christ on the cross. The concept for the Beuronese crucifix and murals was the vision of Fr. Pachomius Meade, O.S.B. and was refined and developed by Eugene Nikitin of Evergreene Architectural Arts in New York. Mark Wiederholt (CSC Alumnus ’70-’72) fabricated the oak cross and Fr. Benedict Neenan, O.S.B. carved the inscription. Fr. Pachomius and Br. Michael Marcotte, O.S.B. prepared the final finish of the wood figure. X Spring 2016 | 17
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: FR. EMILIO SOSA
Fr. Emilio Sosa
Alumnus of Conception Seminary College
F
r. Emilio Sosa was born in Pachuca the capital of the state of Hidalgo northeast of Mexico City. Throughout his entire life, priests and religious had a significant impact on him and became an important part of his life. Sadly, when he was only two years old, his parents died in a car accident. His maternal aunt sought to raise him, but his uncle discouraged her because they already had a large family. Fr. Emilio’s aunt took him to an all boys’ orphanage in Pachuca, Hidalgo. At the orphanage, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus raised him. There, he was fortunate to have many people who he considered “brothers.” He was able to participate in the typical activities that young boys enjoy, but more importantly, it was there that he learned the meaning and importance of caring, loving, CSC Alumnus, Fr. Emilio Sosa, of the and serving one another, found in a family or community. Diocese of San Angelo, is currently Additionally, Fr. Emilio also learned the skills for becoming a pastor of St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo. good leader. — Fr. Daniel Petsche, O.S.B., Alumni Director
When did you experience your call to the priesthood? While I was at the orphanage I became an altar server and joined the choir. I loved everything about the liturgy. My desire to become a priest was consistent. I completed high school at the orphanage, and I would tell the sisters that I wanted to become a priest. They did not agree with me. They said I needed to study something else, because if that did not work for me I would have to know how to take care of myself since I had no immediate family. Therefore, I studied accounting. The sisters told me I needed to give them my certificate when I finished my studies, which I did. However, during that time, I secretly went to a seminary nearby to visit and ask for admission. When the time came to accept me, they told me my mother and father had to go with me to give their permission. I then had to tell the truth. I was an orphan under the guidance of the sisters. I went back to the orphanage and told the sisters what I had done, and what I wanted. Four sisters accompanied me to the seminary where they were handed a letter which was supposed to say if I was accepted or not. They did not open the letter in front of me, but on the way back go the orphanage, they told me I had not been accepted. I became very quiet. Thank God, they saw how sad I was, and then told me they were joking. Wow, was I excited! 18 | Tower Topics
I went to the seminary in Tulansingo, Hidalgo and for three years studied humanities because my previous degree was in accounting. Then I studied philosophy for three more years in Tula, Hidalgo. This was followed by four years of theology which I did in Tulansingo.
How did you come to the United States? During my theology studies I had to work as a waiter in a restaurant, a bartender, wash cars or whatever little jobs I could get to pay for my theology schooling. The orphanage was too poor to support me financially. Although there was a parish, and the pastor had told me he would support my financially during my studies, this never happened. This was probably my first disappointment in my formative years. However, Sister Adela Rodríguez Piñon, who raised me in the orphanage, and who knew of my struggles pestered her brother Fr. Gilbert Rodriguez, a priest from Morelia, working in the Diocese of San Angelo to try and help me. He talked to the vocation director Fr. David Espitia to consider accepting me. The diocese interviewed me and when they called me, I was honest with them. I told them I didn’t have any money so I could not pay for my studies. The diocese told me that they would sponsor me, and they accepted me. I joined the Diocese of San Angelo in 1999, and I have been happy ever since.
What was your experience like at Conception Seminary College? My vocation director knew about the LCC (Language, Culture, and Church) program at Conception Seminary because he had sent his international seminarians from the diocese to the seminary in Santa Fe, New Mexico to learn English. Now the program was in Conception under the same director from Santa Fe, Sr. Maria Armijo. Therefore, they sent me to Conception Seminary College to learn English. My teachers: Sr. María Armijo S.F.C.C., Fr. Quentin Kathol, O.S.B and Mrs. Betty Vela worked hard to teach me vocabulary, conversation, and reading and writing skills. They made us work very hard. I came to Conception knowing no English, and I left to go to Assumption Seminary not only speaking English, but able to repeat all the theology courses in English. I have many wonderful memories from my time at Conception.
How is it serving as a priest? I love everything about my priesthood. First it is exciting because I have fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a priest. Everyday is a challenge. Some of what I do is planned, but other events just happen. Of course, my first love is celebrating the Eucharist everyday. Conception Seminary helped me to appreciate this more. We were fortunate to go to liturgy with the monks. They were not only diligent in
their regular work, but they embraced their spiritual life in all its aspects. My classmate would wake me up every morning to go to vigils. It seemed like the middle of the night to me, but we would never miss it. These experiences helped me to grow, love and appreciate the Holy Eucharist and the Divine Office to a greater extent. Because we got to know the monks better by participating in their prayer, Br. Blaise Bonderer, O.S.B. asked us to help in the Basilica by cleaning the floor, dusting the pews and helping in the sacristy. Now I share my love for the Eucharist and prayer not only with my parishioners, but also with some of the students and parishioners at the Newman Center at San Angelo University. I still do my painting of landscapes, gardening and reading. Right now I am studying to become a third order Franciscan.
What advice would you offer to the CSC seminarians? Pray for each other because you are on the same journey, and pray for me too. The obstacles that you encounter during the journey to priesthood will make you stronger in your convictions. I send special blessings to Sr. María, the new generation of LCC students, and the entire community. Don’t give up, continue to search, and realize your calling to become a priest. If it is your vocation to become a priest, you will succeed. X
ALUMNITEMS Conception Seminary College
Alumni Reunion September 23-24, 2016
X
Alumni Deaths Rev. Paul A. Blaes, PhD (C 1948, T 1952) of Sarasota, Florida, died November 29, 2015. Mr. Dennis J. Gaspers (C 1962) of Norfolk, Nebraska, died November 19, 2013. Mr. John M. Howard (C 1961, T 1965), of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, died November 6, 2015.
Mr. John P. Huss (C 1967) of Des Moines, Iowa, died August 22, 2014. Mr. Bertram L. Keys, Jr. (C 1961, T 1965) of Bethesda, Maryland, died December 1, 2015. Mr. Michael Lambert (C 1968) of Lincoln, Nebraska, died April 5, 2015. Rev. Timothy J. Lange (C 1957) of Yankton , South Dakota, died January 7, 2016.
SAVE THE DATE
Rev. John Joseph D. Logan (formerly Jerry Logan) (C 1975) of Moline, Illinois, died February 9, 2016. Rev. James J. Roth (H 1929, C 1943, T 1946) of Bel Aire, Kansas, died November 7, 2015. Rev. Robert J. Smith (H 1947, C 1951) of Omaha, Nebraska, died July 27, 2015.
Spring 2016 | 19
Our Spiritual Home I
visited with Kevin and Rhonda Heim, two loyal and active oblates of Conception Abbey, to find out why they decided to become oblates and what they enjoy most about being part of our oblate community. Kevin is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Des Moines. He and Rhonda came to Conception once a month for three and a half years as part of their deaconate training. To them, seeing the two towers of the basilica from a distance made them feel as if they were coming “to their spiritual home.” Rhonda says that when they come down to the Abbey, she can see the tension lines in her husband’s face disappear the closer they get. It became and remains for them “a place where they can get their spiritual batteries recharged.” It was during these visits that Kevin and Rhonda realized they wanted to help in the “reception of all guests as Christ,” as Rhonda says, paraphrasing the Rule of St. Benedict. At the end of their deaconate training, they decided to continue to be connected to Conception Abbey, and beyond that to “make that connection more formal” by becoming oblates. Since becoming oblates ten years ago, they have continued to volunteer periodically on weekends as Oblate Hosts. Both Kevin and Rhonda have assisted on retreats, in the limelight as presenters, and in the background assisting with various tasks including opening doors for guests who are locked out of their rooms, and helping new guests navigate the campus, and cleaning up after meals. They enjoy meeting new people and have been an invaluable help, providing a hospitable presence for guests. 20 | Tower Topics
One of the benefits of volunteering as an Oblate Host is that Kevin and Rhonda have been able to get to know many of the monks. They watch with interest as new men join, move through novitiate, make simple and then final vows. Some go away to school, some get ordained, and others take on different jobs. They say that knowing the monks helps them when they are praying with the monks – recognizing the personalities of the men in black robes makes their prayer more personal as they join in prayer with the monastic community, praying for one another. Oblates come from different states of life—not all are married, not all are involved in the deaconate, not all are Catholic. Some simply see Conception as a place of refuge to recharge; others find the support of the community of monks and especially of the community of other Oblates to be especially attractive; others find the liturgy, or the beauty of the basilica, to be the main attraction. The oblates are a rather diverse group, yet they have one thing in common—a desire to know God better, pray well, and be united with the prayer of this community. They are a most enthusiastic and welcoming group. Their zeal attracts others to join us as we all make the pilgrimage to our heavenly home. That is why it is somewhat ironic that the last name of Kevin and Rhonda is “Heim,” since Heim is the German word for home, and they have found a spiritual home here as oblates of Conception Abbey. X —Fr. Albert Bruecken, O.S.B., Oblate Director
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Spring 2016 | 21
CONCEPTION LIBRARY The Matney Leaves
Br. Thomas looks through one of the books found in the Library’s Rare Book Room. 22 | Tower Topics
S
oon after the end of World War II, an American soldier, J.B. Matney, and his Austrian bride, Ingeborg, found themselves in Germany. While there, they came into possession of numerous single manuscript leaves, one set of parchment and the other of paper. All the leaves had been used as pastedowns, that is, they were employed to strengthen the binding of printed books. Often formed of fragments of earlier manuscripts, they were used in binding because of their strength. After his career in the army had come to a close, the Matneys returned to J.B.’s hometown of Gower, Missouri. Their granddaughter made a donation of the leaves to Conception Abbey and Seminary Library. Ten of the leaves or folios in the Matney donation are parchment and taken from a thirteenth century missal. Missals contained the text of the Mass and the Matney leaves present texts from the “proper of the Mass,” the parts which varied according to the liturgical season or the day, including chants, prayers, and readings. Looking at the image provided, you can see that the page or folio presents the conclusion of the Gospel and other parts of the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. At the bottom of the first column we see the rubric announcing the Vigil Mass for Christmas. You can also see how the folio was used as a pastedown. In the middle of the page are the creases made in the parchment leaf to fit it to the spine of the book; you can see remnants of the glue binding the leaf to the book. The notches made in the leaf were designed to make the fold over flat when it was glued to the book’s wooden covers. These new items make a welcome addition to Conception Abbey & Seminary Library’s Special Collections holdings. These include about 3,000 volumes sent to Conception by its motherhouse, Engelberg Abbey, before 1880. There are other gifts that have been welcomed to Special Collections including a number of early printed books (incunabula) and a scientific manuscript from Dr. George Humberd, formerly of Barnard, Missouri. Aidan McSorley, O.S.B. serves as Special Collections’ librarian.X —Br. Thomas Sullivan, O.S.B., Head Librarian Conception’s Library is always happy to receive gifts of manuscript leaves such as these or any new or used books people wish to donate. Please contact Christopher Brite at (660) 944-2863 or at cbrite@conception.edu Chris Brite / P.O. Box 501/ Conception, MO 64433
ETERNAL REST
Fr. Timothy Schoen, O.S.B. July 4, 1940 - March 2, 2016
Professed: September 7, 1985 Ordained: December 16, 1964 Frank Anthony Schoen was born in Kansas City, MO, on July 4, 1940, the son of Frank J. and Helen (Immenschuh) Schoen. He was baptized one month later at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Kansas City and placed under the patronage of St. Francis. From his early years, Frank displayed a remarkable aptitude for music; at the age of five he took up the piano, moving on to the organ at age 13. His brief flirtation with childhood sports ended abruptly when he broke two fingers making, as he later described it, a “clumsy catch.” Thereafter, at the insistence of his instructors, both his attention and his devotion were given to music. But music was not the sole object of the young Frank’s attentive devotion. Even as a gradeschooler, he began to recognize the stirrings of an interior inclination to religious devotion as well. The sense of a call to manifest this dedication to God in priestly service gradually emerged, and from that time onward his
purpose never wavered. He attended St. John’s Seminary High School in Kansas City, and from there advanced to Conception Seminary College. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in 1961, Frank was sent to study theology at the North American College in Rome, where his matriculation coincided with the most significant ecclesiastical event of the age: the convention of the Second Vatican Council. As a seminarian in Rome Frank thus had an opportunity to observe first-hand some of the events that would come to shape the Church he was preparing to serve. Having completed his seminary studies with a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, he was ordained to the priesthood on December 16, 1964. However, the young Fr. Frank soon discovered that discernment of his own religious vocation had by no means ended. While a college student at Conception, he had been able to cultivate his personal appreciation for the intimate connection between music and liturgy. His years of work and study among the monks had awakened in him the further recognition that his spiritual life was strongly inclined to contemplation as well as to liturgical prayer. As a pastor, fewer opportunities to engage this facet of his spiritual life were available to him. He eventually found his way to the Shantivanam House of Prayer in Easton, KS, where, under the direction of fellow Conceptionalumnus Fr. Ed Hays, he began a series of monthly contemplative retreats. It was at this time that Fr. Frank determined to return to Conception Abbey, this time as a postulant seeking entry into the monastic community.
Upon completion of his monastic novitiate, Fr. Frank professed first monastic vows on September 7, 1985, receiving the name Timothy. His work in the community was, naturally enough, largely focused on music. He was among the principal organists of the abbey from that time onward, and taught classes in voice, piano and organ in the seminary college. He was given the opportunity for further studies, obtaining a master’s degree in Liturgical Music from St. John’s University, Collegeville MN, in 1996. He was particularly adept at choosing musical pieces perfectly suited to the occasion; few were unmoved by his triumphal performance of CharlesMarie Widor’s famous toccata to accompany the recessional of many an Easter Sunday Vigil Mass, after which spontaneous applause never failed to break forth from his energized hearers. Fr. Timothy’s works and interests were not limited to music and liturgy. He served the community in many other capacities as well, from refectorian to porter to assistant choirmaster. He was an avid gardener, and for many years his carefully cultivated African violets graced many sunlit windowsills and tabletops in our monastery common rooms. He was also a great lover of poetry; his homilies were rendered thoughtful and beautiful by frequent allusions to Eliot, Yeats, and especially Auden, whose meditations on the Church’s liturgical life found singular resonance in Fr. Timothy’s own spiritual pondering. Perhaps more importantly, Fr. Timothy was also a popular spiritual director, both within the monastic and seminary communities and Spring 2016 | 23
(continued from page 23)
beyond. He ultimately found that taking up the mantle of monasticism had only enriched his profound dedication to pastoral service in the care of souls. As both musician and liturgist, Fr. Timothy was an avowed perfectionist. This personal quality had been the occasion of some dissatisfaction as a pastor in his rural Missouri parishes, where practical concerns often necessarily outweighed aesthetic ideals. As a monk, Fr. Timothy had greater occasion to exercise his delight in beauty and precision in performance, but he continued to bear his own perfectionism as something of a burden—a burden which his confreres will admit having shared. Yet it too became an occasion for grace, giving Fr. Timothy an opportunity to cultivate the virtue of patience in a special way. This virtue he was further called upon to exercise in his later years, as diminishing health and mobility took their toll on his ability to live up to his own ideals in the performance of his monastic and priestly duties. His unexpected death, in the heart of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, allows us to reflect on the mercy of God in Fr. Timothy’s life, as he most certainly reflected on it himself. May he now enjoy the true perfection of the Heavenly Liturgy, where among the choirs of angels and saints he sings the praises of the merciful God whom he served with such dedication as both priest and monk. X
FOOTNOTES Fr. Albert Bruecken, O.S.B. and Fr. Pat York, December 2015, attended a celibacy conference at St. Meinrad Seminary. Karen Ceckowski of the Abbey Guest Center, completed her M.A. in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. Br. Placid Dale, O.S.B. and Br. Luke Kral, O.S.B., February 3, gave presentations about monastic life at St. James School, St. Joseph, Missouri, and at the Church of the Ascension, Kearney, Missouri. Fr. Guerric Letter, O.S.B., January 6, gave a presentation to the Northwest Missouri Entrepreneur Leadership at “Cup of Joe”, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Fr. Daniel Petsche, O.S.B., January 18-21, was one of two visitators for the Benedictine monks and sisters located in Waialua, Hawaii. Also, February 15-19, he conducted the community retreat for the monks of St. Benedict’s Priory, Benet Lake, Wisconsin. Abbot Gregory Polan, O.S.B., December 6, 2015, spoke at one of the Healing Services in the diocese, St. Mary Parish, in St. Joseph, Missouri. In early February 2016, Abbot Gregory gave two conferences for the annual retreat of the Benedictine Prior-
esses, held at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana. March 6-10, Abbot Gregory served as the lead visitor for the canonical visitation at the collegio of Sant Anselmo in Rome. Abbot Gregory Polan, O.S.B., Br. Jacob Kubajak, O.S.B. and Fr. Benedict Neenan, O.S.B., January 24-26, attended a workshop in San Antonio on retirement endowment sponsored by the National Religious Retirement Office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Fr. Victor Schinstock O.S.B., March 19, attended the regional meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association in Washington, D.C. Fr. Paul Sheller, O.S.B., February 3, celebrated Mass and gave a series of talks about monastic life to the students of Visitation Church and Visitation School, Kansas City, Missouri. On February 20, he also assisted with the F.I.R.E. Men’s Retreat, Williamsburg, Kansas. Fr. Peter Ullrich, O.S.B., February 12, was appointed pastor of St. Paul’s, Tarkio, Missouri and St. Benedict’s, Burlington Jct., Missouri. Fr. Pat York, January 2016, preached the Quo Vadis Retreat at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita. He also preached a mission to Holy Trinity Parish in Springfield, Missouri in February.
OBLATE NEWS Final Oblation Paul Blotkamp, Lincoln, NE (November 4, 2015) Shannon Van Gerpen, Lincoln, NE (November 4, 2015) Lorie Sage, Kansas City, MO (February 15, 2016) John Ryan, Independence, MO (February 18, 2016) 24 | Tower Topics
Oblate Deaths Rev. Ronald Falotico, Cherry Hill, NJ (December 3, 2015) Charles Kemper, Conception Jct., MO (December 26, 2015)
"Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.” - Rule of St. Benedict 72:11-12
BLESSINGS Donor Knights of Columbus #1171 Mr. John Abolt Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Marilyn Alldredge Mr. Joshua Allee Mr. Joshua Allee Ms. Joan Allen
In Honor Donor or Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred & Gerty Stegeman Miss Elizabeth Ann Dwyer & Family Fr. Reginald Sander, OSB
Ms. Margaret Monahan Rev. Mr. Martin Goedken Mr. & Mrs. Marion & Irene Zaczkiewicz Mr. & Mrs. Larry & Dorothy Kelly Ms. Kimberly Anderson Mr. Charles (Duke) Kemper Ms. Patricia Archer Mick Moffett Mr. John Audleu Mr. & Mrs. Marion Ms. Susan E. Barra & Irene Zaczkiewicz Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Ms. Mary Blue Br. Pius Kientzy, OSB Ms. Geneva Bowles Ms. Alice M. Ryan Mr. Burris Mr. Harold D. Faber Ms. Patti Burris-Jones Mr. George Rovegno Mr. Anthony Chavez Mr. Charles (Duke) Kemper Mr. Douglas Christie Mr. & Mrs. Jim & Judi Coburn Ken & Rachel Coburn Mr. Peter Heckman Mr. William Dent Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Ms. Barbara S. Dhein Mr. & Mrs. Brian & Carol Duffy Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. Theodore F. Foster Mr. Joe Teasdale Mrs. Mary Ellen Goodlin Mr. Matthew W. Goodlin Sr. Ms. Joan Thornburg Ms. Mary Graham Ms. Elaine Mrosh Ms. Mary Graham Mr. Charles (Duke) Kemper Mr. & Mrs. Delores & Richard Heitman Mr. Charles (Duke) Kemper Mrs. Anna Henggeler Mr. Charles (Duke) Kemper Mr. & Mrs. Leroy & Judy Henggeler Mr. Earl Joseph Franke Mr. John Hense Ms. Nancy Hillyard Mr. & Mrs. Scott & Kathy Hillyard Msgr. Robert Hogan Mr. James Hogan Br. Pius Kientzy Mr. & Mrs. Jane & Chet Johnson Bishop James Johnston Mr. Rick Jones Mr. Fred Breier Ms. Patricia A. Jones Mr. John P. & Elizabeth Chloe Ms. Mary E. Kelly Davis Henggeler Paul Steven & Ester Ms. Mary E. Kelly Giovanni Needels Mr. John Peracchino Ms. Mary H. Kersten Mr. & Mrs. Ace & Norma King Mrs. Clara Elman Ms. Katrien Hazelwood Mrs. Verda Kurtz
Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Jody Lager Rev. Edward G. Lambro Rev. Edward G. Lambro Rev. Edward G. Lambro Mr. William Leyser Mrs. Patricia A. Lipkie Mr. & Mrs. Roy D. Loven Ms. Lois Mall Mr. & Mrs. Katherine & Paul Malm Ms. Jane Martinez Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Mickie Masini Mr. John, George & Michael Matus Mr. Stephen McCullough Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Cathy Mester Mr. Donald Miller Ms. Jean M. Mulvihill Ms. Donna Murphy Ms. Janet Neiman Ms. Karen Nold Ms. Paulette Obradovich Mr. Leo Patterson Mrs. Linda Place Mr. & Mrs. Deborah & Joseph Poirier Mr. & Mrs. Janet & Quinn Polsinelli Mrs. Mary Pope & Family Ms. Dorothy Raney Mr. Thomas J. Roberts Mr. Andrew Sanchez Mr. & Mrs. Francis Schwartze Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Janice Soukenik Ms. Betty Steffen Ms. Ann Swarts Ms. Betty Vela Ms. Karen Weaver Mr. & Mrs. Roman & Donna Weiler Ms. Julia Whitsitt Ms. Amelia Wiederholt Ms. Amelia Wiederholt
In Honor or Memory of Mr. Charles (Duke) Kemper Mr. William E. Barfield Rev. John Lojewicz Mr. Charlie Bauer Mr. William B. Rich Mr. Frederick L. Lipkie Mr. Don Wignall Ms. Marie Mead Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Mr. Max Gilbert Martinez Ms. Toni Christine Masini Mr. & Mrs. Marion & Irene Zaczkiewicz Ms. Patti McCullough Mr. & Mrs. Marion & Irene Zaczkiewicz Mrs. Rita H. Miller Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Ms. Connie Bourland Ms. Patricia L. Getty Abbot James Jones OSB Mr. Charles M. Place Fr. Karl Barmann, OSB Deceased members of the Bonderer Family Mr. Robert Pope Mr. Donald Raney Mr. Thomas J. Roberts Mr. Andrew Sanchez Mr. Frederick Kaffenburger Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan Mr. Matt Trembly Ms. Jean Donnelly Mr. Melvin Kudym Fr. Albert Br. Mark Kosiba & Fr. David Clements Mr. & Mrs. Eileen & Raymond Seipel Mr. Charles Wiederholt Mr. Charles (Duke) Kemper
Send Your Blessings
Conception Abbey’s Blessings Program is an opportunity to honor a friend or family member, memorialize a deceased loved one, or commemorate a special occasion, while furthering the work of Conception Abbey and Seminary College. Enclosed is my Memorial/Honor Gift of $___________________ Donor’s name ____________________________________ Address______________________________________ City ____________________________________________ State _____________ Zip _______________ Recipient’s Name Choose one: q In memory of q In honor of q In commemoration Send card to ____________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City ____________________________________________ State _____________ Zip_______________
Mail to: Conception Abbey, c/o Blessings Program, PO Box 501, Conception, MO 64433 Spring 2016 | 25
PLANNED GIVING: BUILDING NEW RELATIONSHIPS
A
year and half ago, St. Benedict Abbey at Benet Lake, Wisconsin, became a dependent monastery of Conception Abbey, and a new relationship began. While continuing their own retreat work with guests, the monks of Benet Lake also wished to assist Conception Abbey and Seminary College through an appeal to their friends. A need was clearly seen in St. Michael Hall, the seminary dorms built in 1929 when Fr. Richard Felix, O.S.B. was Rector. He later became the founding abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey at Benet Lake. Because of the generosity of Benet Lake’s friends, a project to revitalize the student rooms in St. Michael Hall has commenced and will continue throughout the year. New features in the dorm include a new security system, new doors, new arm chairs, desks, beds and a fresh coat of paint. Conception Seminary College is grateful to the monks of Benet Lake and their donors. But it does not end there. To nurture the new relationship, Conception and Benet Lake joined forces to promote their planned giving efforts. Fr. Donald Gibbs, O.S.B. of Benet Lake and Fr. Macario Martinez, O.S.B. of Conception Abbey are working together to help promote estate planning among the friends of the two abbeys. “Ora et Labora,” a bi-annual newsletter is one of the fruits of this new partnership. “Ora et Labora” is a guide with the tools to answer people’s questions when making estate plans. The newsletter also explains Benet Lake and Conception’s new joint planned giving society,
Fr. Donald Gibbs, O.S.B. St.|Benedict’s Abbey, Benet Lake, WI 26 Tower Topics
The Abbot’s Circle. The society is comprised of friends of both abbeys who have included Benet Lake or Conception in their estate plans. Each issue will feature a testimonial from one of our society members, sharing why they have included Benet Lake or Conception in their estate planning. This is only the beginning of our collaboration with our brothers at Benet Lake. We look forward to this growing relationship, blessed to have our friends walking with us on this new path. To help in our refurbishment work in St. Michael Hall, please contact our Development Office at 660944-2824. Or, if you would like more information about our planned giving newsletter, “Ora et Labora,” or our planned giving society, The Abbot’s Circle, contact Fr. Macario at 660-944-2825.
Fr. Macario Martinez, O.S.B. Conception Abbey, Conception, MO
CONCEPTION ABBEY & SEMINARY COLLEGE DONATION Enclosed is a contribution for q Renewing Our Father’s House Capital Campaign q Facilities Endowment q Lenten Appeal q Conception Seminary College Annual Appeal q Other______________________________________________________________________ I would like to donate/pledge: $____________ q one time q monthly q quarterly q semi-monthly q annually for __________ years with the first payment beginning _____________________________ Information (if different from the back of this form) Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_________________State ______Zip____________ Phone (home)_____________(work) _______________ E-mail_________________________________________ Checks may be made out to Conception Abbey. Give securely online by going to: www.conceptionabbey.org
Credit Card Information q Visa q MasterCard q Discover Account Number __________________ Expires ______ Name on Card _________________________________ Signature______________________ Date___________ Electronic Funds Transfer ($10 minimum) Please deduct from my q checking q savings Attach a voided check (not a deposit slip) Signature______________________ Date __________
CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAY 6-8 Diaconate Program 7 Abbey Trails Run/Walk (9:00 a.m.) 8 Feast of the Ascension 10 Dedication of Abbey Basilica (125th Anniversary) 14 CSC Baccalaureate, Honors Assembly 15 Pentecost/Mass of Thanksgiving 19 Transitional Diaconate Ordination: Br. Etienne Huard, OSB 20-22 Retreat: Icon Retreat 21 Abbey Auction 27-29 Gardening Retreat: The Joys of Gardening 27-30 Retreat: Lettering the Word Beginner’s Retreat 29 Holy Hour for Mercy: (2 p.m. - 3 p.m.) Solemnity of the Body & Blood of Christ 30-6/4 Retreat: Bible Scripts: The Carolingian Hand
JUNE 25-26 Retreat: Faith, Fun, and Family Weekend JULY 4-29 Language, Culture, and Church for International Priests Program 8-10 Oblate Work & Pray Weekend 22-24 Retreat: Mother/Daughter Pottery Weekend AUGUST 6 The Transfiguration of the Lord 7-13 Diaconate Program 15 Assumption 15 CSC New Students Arrive 18 CSC Returning Students Arrive 19 CSC Registration 21 CSC Convocation 22 CSC Classes Begin
Spring 2016 | 27
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SPRING 2016, VOL. XXX, NO. 1
St. Meinrad, IN Permit NO. 16
A b b e y Granola O v&eBiscotti n
PUBLISHER Abbot Gregory Polan, O.S.B. EDITOR Fr. Paul Sheller, O.S.B. LAYOUT & DESIGN Fr. Paul Sheller, O.S.B. COVER PHOTO Fr. Paul Sheller, O.S.B. PHOTOGRAPHERS Fr. Paul Sheller, O.S.B. Dave Sotelo
a heavenly indulgence
EDITORIAL BOARD Jenny Huard Daniel Chinn Fr. Benedict Neenan, O.S.B. Fr. Daniel Petsche, O.S.B. Amy Schieber Br. Thomas Sullivan, O.S.B. TowerTopics is published triannually by the Office of Communications Conception Abbey PO Box 501 Conception MO 64433 (660) 944-2823 communications@conception.edu www.conceptionabbey.org copyright © 2016 Conception Abbey
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made by the Benedictine Monks of Conception Abbey.