Conception names new dean

The Rev. Patrick York

CONCEPTION, Mo, — Conception Abbey and Conception Seminary College have announced the appointment of the Rev. Patrick York to the position of vice rector-dean of students.

York is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita (Kansas) and will assume his new duties at Conception in August, succeeding the Rev. Donald Gibbs, who will remain at the abbey and college in the post of spiritual director.

A native of Wichita, York graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

He remained at Benedictine as assistant director of development until the following year, when he entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, graduating in 1990 with a master’s degree in divinity.

Since entering the priesthood, York has served in a variety of assignments throughout the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, including stints as an associate pastor, pastor, Newman Center chaplain, associate director of vocations and adjunct professor at Newman University.

As vice rector-dean of students, York will coordinate the seminary’s Character Formation Program, which is designed to assist students training to become Catholic priests.

“We are delighted to welcome Father Patrick York to our formation team at Conception Seminary College,” said the Right Rev. Gregory Polan, abbot of Conception Abbey and chancellor of Conception Seminary College.

“His years as a pastor, his work in vocation ministry, and his experience in development will bring many gifts to our campus.”

Conception Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located in eastern Nodaway County. The college, located on the same campus, offers undergraduate programs in liberal arts and pre-theology tailored to men considering vocations as Catholic priests.