6/25/2023

Though Fr. Karl is scheduled to arrive this Monday, it may take some time to make the transition from the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese to ours and to get settled here. We want to welcome him, and will do so officially at our Parish Picnic on July 30. This coming week is also the last week of Camp Savio. Our youth will be there in attendance this week, and I am scheduled to hear confessions there this coming Thursday evening. It all makes for a busy week.
The priests of the Kansas City – St. Joseph Diocese were at Conception this past week on retreat. I was not able to be with them much, since I was in Lincoln, NE for a NST (New Staff Training) workshop for FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) until Tuesday evening in preparation for my new assignment to the NWMSU Newman Center. FOCUS is based in Denver, and has over 1,000 “missionaries” – young people (college graduates, but twentysomethings) who volunteer to work in Catholic college campus centers like the Newman Center at NWMSU. They are usually sent in groups of four to campus centers. Our group at NWMSU has two couples and two single “missionaries.” They work with and for the chaplain and other ministers to bring more students to the Newman Center. They are called “missionaries” because they have been immersed in training on how to share their faith with others, by improving their own relationship with Christ through good prayer habits, by befriending students on campus as they accompany them then invite them to Bible studies, RCIA, Mass, adoration, and other events that Newman provides. It is a well-thought-out program with effective training. It is also encouraging to see youth who are stepping up in the midst of all the other negativity which get so much publicity – woke movement, gender dysphoria issues, etc. I hope that the desire to share our faith rubs off on all our parishioners. Amidst the headlines about Catholics leaving the Church, others who are apathetic or cynical, complaints about scandals and the like, these positive, ambitious, energetic young people are dedicating two or three years of their lives to focus on Christ’s message, the depth of spirituality, the sacraments, the historical continuity, the truth, goodness, and beauty of Catholicism. They are a breath of fresh air and part of a solution to the challenges we are facing. They are also being trained to be productive and influential parishioners in future parishes. It was great to be around these people for a couple of days, great to know that we have a team here at the Newman Center. I hope that we can attract some more of young couples with their training and attitude. With the increase of small groups studying the Bible or videos, we are attempting to provide our own solutions to the challenges we are facing. Let us keep up the good work!
It is a joy to be your pastor.

Father Albert, O.S.B.