Information regarding coronavirus, COVID-19

*Revised 03/23/2020 at 11:47:26 AM 

In light of the rapid spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, Conception Abbey and Seminary College will be taking further precautions to minimize the spread of the virus and protect the health of our seminarians, guests, faculty, employees, and monastic community.

• The Conception campus is now a single quarantine zone. We ask that all visitors and non-essential employees not visit the Conception campus.
• Only employees performing essential services will be allowed on campus and they will be tested for symptoms of the virus each time.
• In-person classes at Conception Seminary College will not resume this semester. We will continue our priestly formation through distance learning options: online courses, spiritual direction, and counseling over the phone; human formation meetings, and conferences by phone or shared digitally.
• All group meetings and individual and group retreats at the Abbey Guest Center are canceled until further notice.
• The St. John Paul II Recreation Center on campus is closed until further notice.
• The 2020 Abbey Trails 5K run and 2-mile walk set for Saturday, May 2, 2020 has been cancelled.
• Under the direction of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the public will not be admitted to liturgies in the Abbey Basilica.

There are many ways in which the monastic community and the mission of Conception Abbey and Seminary College will continue through these uncertain times. The monks will still gather for their primary vocation of prayer six times a day in the Abbey Basilica. Daily Mass, Lauds, and Vespers will be streamed online at https://www.conceptionabbey.org/live. Formation of our seminarians will continue through digital means as their formation is vital for their ministry as future priests. We will continue to share the Christian faith through the creation and distribution of Christian greeting cards, and Catholic gifts from The Printery House at Conception through online orders, which can be made by visiting https://www.printeryhouse.org/ or over the phone at 1-800-322-2737.

Abbot Benedict Neenan, in an address to the entire Conception community, spoke of this time as not only a moment of danger but also one of grace and opportunity. “It is precisely in times like this that the importance of the support of a community is revealed and the purpose of a monastery – namely prayer for the world – is revealed as society’s greatest treasure. We are taking these precautions to ensure the future of monastic life at Conception and the continuation of our ministries.”

Our prayers are with all those affected by this pandemic and with the communities and businesses around the world taking extreme measures to slow the spread of the virus. We want to thank all of our friends and benefactors whose prayers and support allow the continuation of our work.

The most up-to-date information regarding Conception’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic can always be found at https://www.conceptionabbey.org/information-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19/