Faith
New book answers kids’ questions on God, Bible
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Maryville children’s author Amy Houts’ new book tackles the biggest questions kids can ask, helping parents and children alike answer more than 100 questions about Christianity. Written as a straightforward Q&A for kids ages 6-9, “Christian Q&A Book for Kids: 100+ Questions and Answers about God and the Bible” is meant to…
Read MoreConception blesses new residence hall
CONCEPTION, Mo. — During an open house event on Sunday, the monks and seminary students at Conception Abbey and Seminary College took part in a blessing ceremony for Good Shepherd Hall, the campus’s new seminary residence hall. Around 300 people gathered for the day’s events including Sunday Mass in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception,…
Read MorePart 4: What if we really lived the Beatitudes of Jesus?
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).” As I survey the Beatitudes and see the flow of the blessings that take us into a beautiful attitude, I see that Jesus is asking us to take on a new way of living and a new way of thinking. It…
Read MoreBr. Simeon Johnson professes solemn vows as monk at Conception Abbey
CONCEPTION, Mo. — On Monday, Aug. 15, Br. Simeon Johnson professed solemn vows as a monk of Conception Abbey in the presence of his family, friends, seminarians and monastic confreres, the Abbey announced in a news release. In the ceremony, Johnson made the perpetual commitment to live as a monk of Conception’s monastery, vowing obedience,…
Read MoreCOLUMN: Part 3 – What if we really lived the beatitudes of Jesus?
How would we apply the words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, beginning with the Beatitudes, to our daily life? This week we look at Matthew 5, verse 8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” What does it mean to be pure in heart? Billy Graham said of this, “A…
Read MoreConception Abbey campaign nears fundraising goal
CONCEPTION, Mo. — The Brothers Living in Unity campaign at Conception Abbey has passed the halfway mark on the way to its $2.5 million signature-phase goal that is part of an overall $17 million campaign goal. The campaign is down to the final $900,000 left to raise, a news release from the Abbey said. “We…
Read MoreCOLUMN: Part 2: What if we really lived the beatitudes of Jesus?
Last week I wrote about the Beatitudes (Beautiful Attitudes) coming from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). How would we apply the words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, beginning with the Beatitudes, to our daily life? We might do so by taking on the character of Jesus, or at least taking on the…
Read MoreCOLUMN: Part 1: What if we really lived the beatitudes of Jesus?
Hello, Maryville! Throughout the month of August, I will be sharing some thoughts on the meaning and purpose of the blessings Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5, by asking the question, what if we really lived the beatitudes of Jesus? Matthew 5 kicks off the Sermon on the Mount, which continues through Matthew 7. There…
Read MoreCOLUMN: It matters what you drink
Many years ago I worked on road construction teams. I loved the work until those summer days became brutally hot. (Today, I pray for those whose livelihoods are outdoors in the heat of the summer.) I remember how thirsty I would get for water. I remember the coolness of the water as I drank and…
Read MoreCOLUMN: Don’t worry, it’s not you
The disciples just witnessed Jesus feed a great multitude with only five loaves of bread and two fish. What a miracle! What would you have felt in your spirit if you saw Jesus feed the multitude with a snack? Amazement? Excitement? A new belief that with Christ “anything is possible?” Jesus then instructed them to…
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