open house
Graduate Pilgrimage: 2016
4 Days. 30 Men. 1 Priest. We recently returned to Conception Seminary College from the Rector’s Pilgrimage and thus, its time for a little blog update. The Rector’s Pilgrimage is a chance for soon to be graduates of CSC to spend time with each other and Fr. Brendan, our Rector, to visit a couple of theology…
Humans of Conception: Mark Famuliner
Anyone at Conception Seminary College can see from a mile away (if Conception were a mile long) that Mark Famuliner is a country boy. From boots to Carhartt jacket to cowboy hat, you know that Mark comes from country roots. Although recognized around seminary for his country quirks, he is known more so for his…
Inside Scoop: Letting go of “Plan B”
This obstacle is typically tough for most seminarians to overcome. In some ways, it is nearly impossible to let go of the idea of a Plan B entirely altogether, but there are things a seminarian can do to not let this temptation hinder growth within the formation process. We all come to seminary from different…
Inside Scoop: People will treat you differently
Quitting the job, applying to seminary, purchasing my new four-volume breviary set, breaking the news to family and friends was exciting. In my mind, it was only my simple response to God’s call. I prayed God spoke, and I answered his call to enter. Done. And then I noticed various relationships began to change. In…
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…
Mary: 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…
Sunday 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?…
Beyond 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…
Beyond 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…
Beyond 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…