The Conquest boys and the retired priests of the Regina Cleri Residence.

January 7, 2010. St Louis, MO. On December 5, a group of 13 sixth-grade boys descended on the Regina Cleri Residence for Retired Priests, bearing gifts of Christmas cards, cookies, and eggnog. The visit was an apostolic project they had been planning for some time as a way to honor priests during the Year for Priests.

“It was a moment of holiday company and cheer,” said Michael Gannon, a consecrated man who accompanied the boys, along with four dads and one mom. “We sat around and chatted with the priests about anything and everything.”

The boys were especially captivated by Monsignor Jerome Sommer’s war stories. After serving for years as a military chaplain in the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, the elderly priest had a rich store of experiences to share. This was the Conquest club’s second visit to the Regina Cleri Residence, and the boys had been looking forward to Monsignor Sommer’s stories as a highlight of the trip.

It was not only the boys who enjoyed the visit; the priests were also pleased to welcome their young faces.

“The priests asked us to come back next year, and we will plan on it,” said Gannon.

To learn more about Conquest and its activities, visit the web site at www.conquestclubs.com.