Fourth of July

Just want to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July!

Back to my real life

Although I have been home for three weeks now, I have had ministry commitments that have had me away from the Paris for quite a bit of that time (a visit ti see the college seminarians in Minnesota and the annual K of C Convention  on Mackinac Island).  I am finally settling in for an extended stay in my comfortable rectory and ready to stay put!

I have renamed my blog so that I could continue to share my thoughts and adventures with my readers.

As I said, I was at the Michigan K of C Convention this week...it was great to see all of my K if C family once again and hear about the good work Knights and their families are doing throughout our great State and especially in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Home again...Home again...

Tomorrow morning I arrive back in Grand Rapids to pick up where I left off in January. The weather should be different than when I left and in some ways so am I. I'm not sure I can verbalize all the changes, but prayer and time with my spiritual director will open the doors to understanding. Looking forward to my return and resuming my responsibilities. See you soon!

Leavin' on a jet plane...

Today is my final day in Rome. Tomorrow I fly to Florida for a short time before I arrive back in Jenison to begin my ministry. It has been a fabulous experience. Walks in beautiful piazzas, visits to ancient and beautiful churches, a new pope, wonderful Italian food and wine, as well as the camaraderie of the other priests on sabbatical. However, as good as everything was, like Dorothy said when she returned from Oz, there is no place like home!

While taking a walk. . .

I have been out walking the last few days and would like to share some of what I have seen. I hope you enjoy these photos.

...and on the seventh day God rested.

After concelebrating Mass at Sant Spirito in Sassia, I stopped for a cappuccino at Caffe Sant Anna and now I am waiting for my laundry to dry while lounge on my patio in the shade. I even think I will take a nap before we head out for our evening meal. Bouna Domenica a tutti!

Home Sweet Roman Home

Yesterday we arrived back in Rome after our eight day trip in Greece during which we followed the footsteps of St. Paul's first missionary journey in Greece. We visited Thessaloniki, Phillipi, Corinth, and Athens. Boy did he cover a lot of ground for someone who was walking! It was a great experience to read St. Paul's words and see the places he visited, even if they were ruins.

We also visited a place called Meteora....it is the site of Greek Orthodox Monasteries which are located at the top of mountains....it was incredible!

All in all it was a great trip. Now only a little over a week left before I spend a week resting at an undisclosed site before my arrival back in Jenison, Michigan.

Greece is the word...

I know I have been quiet for a few days, but after all the craziness of the last month I needed a break. Thursday morning we leave for an eight day pilgrimage in Greece. We are going to follow the "St. Paul trail"...well at least that is what I am calling it. We will go to Corinth, Delphi, Athens, Thessolonica, etc. it is going to be wonderful opportunity which is going to make St. Paul's letters come alive!

Parte di Pasqua due...Easter Part Two

Here it is, Easter Sunday in Rome. The weather last night was miserable. We left St. Peter's Basilica in the pouring rain and had thunderstorms all night. This morning was a glorious day. The sun was shone brightly and it as nice and warm. It feels like Spring and Easter Sunday.

I went to the Venerable English College for Mass this morning. I just needed to hear the English language. I love the sound of Italian, but I only catch a word or two now and then. It was a nice liturgy and the homily was very good.

I am sharing some photos I found online from last night...I wasn't able to take photos because I was distributing the Eucharist at the Vigil. However, from the Offertory until the Our Father I was situated on the side of the altar so that my ciborium of hosts could be consecrated. I was within feet of the Pope...it was great!

Bouna Pasqua...Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! Went to the Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica. It was fabulous! I ran into Justin Wiltse and Michael Steffes two of our seminarians who are studying abroad this semester in Rome...what a surprise to run into them. So here is our Easter portrait. I will share more tomorrow. It is very late because this is the daylight savings time weekend...spring ahead and lose an hour...yuck!

Holy Saturday...we wait.

Good Friday in Rome

Once again I was in St. Peter's Basilica to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful. Unfortunately that meant no photos to share that I took. Besides where we were seated wouldn't have made good photos possible anyway. Here are some images from the World Wide Web.