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.