On August 27, 2022, the Faith Formation Conference was held at the Renaissance Hotel. All adults, especially catechists of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma were invited to this year's Conference focused on the "Sacraments: Mysterious Encounters with Christ."

One of the keynote speakers was Father Simeon Spitz.

Father Simeon made his first profession of vows on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, January 6, 2010, and Solemn Vows in 2013. Fr. Simeon completed his theological studies at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 2014. 

Fr. Simeon was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, and spent most of his youth in the western Oklahoma town of Canute.  He holds bachelors’ degrees in philosophy and political science from St. Gregory’s University.  He completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA.  Fr. Simeon has completed all of the coursework for a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.) at the prestigious Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and is working on his thesis to complete the degree.

Since his ordination, Fr. Simeon has provided pastoral assistance at parishes around Oklahoma on the weekends, and has been a popular speaker at the Archdiocesan Catholic Summer Youth Camp at Our Lady of Guadalupe Camp and at parish youth groups. He served for two years as Vice President for Mission and Chaplain for St. Gregory’s University. 

Fr. Simeon serves as the Abbey Vocation Director.  In addition to these duties, he is the director of Abbey enterprises and manager of the St. Joseph Workshops at the Abbey.  He directs and is the primary worker in the Abbey bee-keeping and honey harvest operation, and in raising blackberries and the production of jam and jelly for sale to the public.