50 years of Priesthood

        During Memorial Day weekend, family, friends, parishioners and monks joined together for several celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of Rt. Rev. Raphael Walsh O.S.B.

          Abbot Raphael was ordained in 1952 at Conception Abbey in Missouri where he was a monk and served the community faithfully. In the early 1960's when Mount Michael was approaching independence from Conception, the Abbot of Conception Abbey appointed Abbot Raphael superior of Mount Michael. The Blessing of Abbot Raphael was a liturgical first for the Omaha Diocese in that it was the first concelebrated Mass in Omaha to occur as a result of Vatican II.

          Abbot Raphael as Mount Michael's first Abbot led the community through 25 years of change, growth and adaptation to the many challenges of today's monastic life and vocations. Since his retirement as Abbot he has served as a senior associate at St. James parish in Omaha.

          A mass and celebratory reception was held on Saturday May 25th at St. James. Sunday evening a dinner at Mount Michael was held in his honor for family, friends, and monks.