Archive for February, 2010
A Defined Goal
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Yesterday was a tremendous feast day, the Chair of St. Peter. It was a day to honor the authority of Christ entrusted to the Church, especially in the Office of St. Peter. It’s an authority unlike the pagans in that its focus is self-donation and cheerful service. That’s our goal as Christians, and especially the task of the shepherds of the Church. The Altar of the Chair was magnificently decorated:
The bronze statue of St. Peter, with his right foot worn down by the caresses of pilgrims through the centuries, was also pretty ornate for the feast day:
I was able to offer Mass in the basilica yesterday morning, and just spend a little quiet time in prayer and reflection.
Yesterday was a long day of classes. I’m enjoying them all, and find the technoethics course especially interesting.
This week is marked by a special goal to finish Chapter II of the thesis. My goal is to be done with the chapter by Friday. I’ve been putting some things on the side until the chapter is finished. It’s full speed ahead on this goal. It’s time for Chapter II to be done!
Some of the priests here are going to take a hiking trip this weekend – that trip is my incentive to finish. If I get it done, I’ll go. If not, well, let’s not talk about that! 
So, please say a prayer for this goal.
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Monday Church Jeopardy
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
So, many of you got last week’s jeopardy question. The church was St. Sabina on the Aventine Hill. Congratulations! The church of Santa Sabina is very important because that is where the Pope always celebrates the Ash Wednesday Mass. The Pope has a procession from St. Anselm to St. Sabina. Here’s the Pope in the procession:
After the procession, the Holy Father celebrates the Mass with many different Cardinals and Bishops, along with many members of the lay faithful. The Pope receives ashes just like everyone else. The Cardinal of Santa Sabina, that means the Cardinal who has St. Sabina as a “titular” church, gives the Holy Father the ashes. The current Cardinal of St. Sabina is Cardinal Josef Tomko. Here’s a picture:
St. Sabina is the first of what are called the “station churches” of Rome during Lent. This is an ancient custom that was retrieved by Pope Leo XIII in the nineteenth century. Every day of Lent an ancient church is designated as the “station” church of that day. The church brings out all its relics and has a small feast day for its Lenten observance. The faithful throughout Rome are called to attend Mass, or visit and pray in the station church on its day. The practice can now remind all of us that Lent, and our Christian discipleship, is a journey.
With all of that said, here’s our new jeopardy question:
What is this church? Some hints: it’s in the ancient part of Rome known as Trastevere, and is named after the patron saint of music. The challenge: identify the church, and mention one thing about its patron saint. Have fun!
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Guest Blogger: Mrs. Peggy Wertz
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Greenville Book Presentation and Signing
Friday, February 19 brought a range of emotions to the "Becoming Father Bob" world tour travelers, illustrator Alice Judd, Signo Press representative Colleen, and me, co-author.
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The travels to Greer, in upstate South Carolina, provided opportunities for us to use and strengthen our gifts of patience, kindness, and gentleness as we took five hours to arrive at our destination--which is twice the time it ususally takes.
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The first sign of trouble occured when I, the driver, was finishing my hastily prepared sandwich at the same time the suburban was cruising past an old, closed, very rurul bait store that had bones and carcases strewn all over its roof. I made a quick u-turn to provide an opportunity for our group to make a closer observation of this freaky establishment!.
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Though a sign displayed "Store Closed," there were two other vehicles pulled up in front. Whether the men in those SUVs were "sightseers," like us, or "carcas providers," we decided not to inquire and made a quick decision to move on. Little did we know that the directions provided to us would take us on a 100 mile detour that drew us back to Woodruff and Gray Court multiple times, but praise God, did not take us back to the bait store.
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Finally, still an hour away, and late for the scheduled recording of an episode of "Pathways to Rome," we called producer Michael, who joined us, via cell phone, for the remainder of our journey.
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Everyone at Mediatrix Radio celebrated our arrival and gave us time to visit their small chapel prior to Alice and me participating in the recording of "Pathways to Rome" with hosts, Gus and Kathy, and co-author Fr. Kirby.
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After recording the show, which promoted vocations and how the new children's book, "Becoming Father Bob," might assist catechists, parents, and youngsters in recognizing and being open to God's call, Gus personally escorted us to Thornblade Country Club, just in time for the fourth book presentation and signing.
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Nancy, our host, provided a warm atmosphere and delicious refreshments to the guests from Greenville, Greer, Easley, and Spartanburg. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to talk to others who share their faith and relaxed on comfy sofas and chairs when the formal book presentation began.
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Nancy welcomed Fr. Kirby, via Skype, to the Thornblade Club. Fr. Kirby began by saying, "This book is filled with a spirit of faith: in God and in the young people of our Church; it's filled with hope: there's a new springtime happening in our Church--I see it here in Rome and I see it in South Carolina; and it's filled with love for the Lord Jesus and for our young people."
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Amen!
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Fr. Kirby's visit had to end (It was 1:15 am in Rome!) and it did so with applause, prayers, and congratulations from the guests.
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Alice's beautiful illustrations were complimented, especially the pictues of young Bobby's First Communion, older Bob's Confirmation, and finally his Ordination.
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Many thanks to Michael, Gus, Kathy, Nancy, RJ, and guests, especially my personal friends Debbie, Patti, and Sr. Catherine, and finally to our youngest guest, Bryan, who will make his First Holy Communion in May.
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Here are some pictures from the evening. The next stop on the tour...Columbia, South Carolina!
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Service and Joy
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
After a long day of studying, last night was a welcomed opportunity to share the Gospel and to present some of the truths of our Faith.
Along with co-hosts Gus and Kathy, the three of us recorded two more episodes of “Pathways to Rome,” which is a radio show that talks about activities in the Church and what they mean to us as Christian believers. The second show was on the book Becoming Father Bob, and so co-author Peggy Wertz and Illustrator Alice Judd were guests on the show.
After the recordings, I spoke with a friend back home, and then made a Skype appearance at the Greenville-area book presentation and signing of Becoming Father Bob. It’s always a joy to see friends back home, and to talk about something that I strongly believe in: the discernment and response to God’s will. Is there anything more exciting than this in our world?!
This morning, I was up early to offer Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. A priest-friend and I were hoping to get the Altar of Mary’s Presentation (where Pius X is buried), but the altar was occupied. Instead, we offered Mass at St. Jerome’s Altar (where John XXIII is buried). Many of you might remember my affection for good Pope John (pictured below) and so it was a blessing to start the day with his memory and prayers at Mass.
During the Mass, the main celebrant witnessed the devotional renewal of vows of a couple who was celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! It was a powerful witness to love and fidelity.
After Mass and breakfast, well, what can I say? It was time for a grand nap! A late night and an early morning only spell out the signs for a great, solemn nap.
Now, it’s almost time for lunch and then it’s back to the books and Chapter II of the thesis!
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Catholic Radio in South Carolina
Friday, February 19th, 2010
This evening, the episode of “Pathways to Rome” on Catholic-Jewish relations ran on Catholic Radio. If you’re interested, check it out.
Also, this evening, the co-author and illustrator of ”Becoming Father Bob” recorded an episode of “Pathways to Rome” about the book and promoting vocations. Principal Peggy Wertz and Illustrator Alice Judd (shown above) answered several questions from the different hosts of the show. The episode will air in a few weeks. I’ll announce the date as time gets closer.
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Forty Days in the Desert
Friday, February 19th, 2010
This past Wednesday, blessed ashes marked the beginning of Lent. It has begun! We each enter the desert with the Lord for forty solemn days of purification and conversion. Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!
The Pope’s homily for Ash Wednesday is definitely worth a read.
Here’s the Pope’s Lenten Message for 2010.
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Second Semester
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
On Monday morning, I headed to St. Peter’s Basilica to offer Mass. There was a lot of activity in the sacristy, and later I realized that it was the Irish Bishops who were in town for meetings with the Pope. I ended up concelebrating Mass at the Altar of St. Gregory the Great. Here’s a unique shot of the altar:
After Mass and a quick breakfast, I headed to class. Monday started the second semester of classes. On Monday, I have classes on technoethics (the role of ethics in technological developments), and then some classes on the theology of work. Both professors are really strong in their fields, and I sense that I’ll be learning a lot from both of them.
After classes, I headed back to the priest house. Being away for several days, I had a lot of e-mails and errands to catch up on, as well as some further research for Chapter II of the thesis.
Yesterday, I was up early and concelebrated Mass at a local residence for Religious Sisters called the Domus Guadalupe. The house is for American Sisters who work in the Vatican or who are in studies here in Rome. I was able to briefly visit with Sr. Anna Grace, OP, the former principal of St. Mary’s in Greenville, SC. After the Mass and breakfast, I headed back to my desk. For the second semester, I have no classes on Tuesdays. This is prime time for research and writing.
Last night, I met up with a small group of friends from the Upstate in South Carolina. They’re on a tour of Italy and are in Rome for a few days. It’s always a blessing to see familiar faces!
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Monday Church Jeopardy
Monday, February 15th, 2010
All right, so last week’s church was Sts Cosmas and Damian. Bravo to all the young people who got it right! Here’s this week’s jeopardy question:
The church above is where the pope always celebrates the Ash Wednesday Mass. Please identify the church and tell me one thing about Lent (please note that the second part of the question is different). Have fun!
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Pilgrimage Retreat
Monday, February 15th, 2010
How’s everyone doing? I’ve been away the past few days and made the resolution that I wouldn’t look at a computer, check e-mail, or do any work. Surprisingly, I did pretty good with the resolution! It was time for a retreat and a pilgrimage. The goal was Ars in France, the home of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. It was time to get away, and to pray for my priesthood and my new responsibilities.
On Wednesday morning, I headed to the Rome train station with another priest. We caught the “Red Arrow” to Milan in northern Italy. This particular train can cover most of the Italian peninsula in less than three hours – that’s amazing:
I slept most of the train ride. Milan has a beautiful train station:
Once we were in front of the station:
We decided to visit the very famous cathedral in Milan. The Duomo is a masterpiece in architecture:
The body of St. Charles Borromeo, the great Church reformer of the Counter-Reformation, is buried in the cathedral. Some of you might remember that St. Charles’ heart is in the Church of Sts. Ambrose and Charles on the Corso in Rome. It was a grace to pray at the tomb of such a reformer. His zeal and conviction is much needed again in our age.
After the visit to the Duomo, we went back to the train station and rented a car. Check out this beast of a vehicle:
I wasn’t sure if this was a snowball or a marshmellow?! But, hey, it had four wheels and an engine, so we were off. But, can you imagine two priests cruising and speeding their way through the Alps in this awesome Fiat?! Oh, yeah, get out of our way!
We did travel through the Alps:
Do you recognize this guy?
All right, by nightfall on Wednesday, we arrived at Annecy in northeast France. This city is called “the Catholic Geneva” because the Catholic bishop was expelled from Geneva in the Protestant Reformation, and so he had to set up his center across the border here in Annecy. The great Bishop of Geneva-Annecy, St. Francis de Sales is buried in Annecy, as well as St. Jane Frances Chantel.
Here’s the city:
The city is marked with small, curving streets:
In the morning the other priest and I did some touring of the city. We were able to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral in Annecy, thanks to the goodness of an elderly deacon. He was such a model of kindness.
After the Cathedral, we saw some more of the city and its churches. We ended up at the local basilica. Some of you may know of my great esteem for St. Francis de Sales. As a high school kid, I was first introduced to his monumental work, The Introduction to the Devout Life. I’ve recommended it to a few folks. It’s a great guide to begin a serious spiritual life. Here’s the resting place of St. Francis de Sales in the local basilica:
Here’s a picture of an awesome Sister who helped us with seeing St. Francis. She was just filled with so much joy. I had to take a picture:
From Annecy, we hopped in our awesome car and headed to Lyon. This is where the great early Father and Doctor of the Church, St. Irenaeus, is buried. We were looking very forward to praying at his tomb. We arrived in the city late, and had some problems getting to a hotel. The hotel ended up being one of those disco, New Age kind of places. It was weird. In the morning, we left early and were really looking forward to seeing St. Irenaeus, hoping to perhaps even celebrate Mass at his tomb.
St. Irenaeus was sent by the early Church in the Middle East to Lyon because of the growing Christian community in its region. Irenaeus knew St. John the Apostle and many early followers of the Lord Jesus. His presence in Lyon is a sign of the early Church’s rapid growth and the success of the Gospel in Europe.
The city is beautiful:
But, it was just one disappointment after another. Come to find out, the parish church where St. Ireneaus is resting is owned by an association and it only opens the church on certain days and at certain times. Our visit was not welcome. It was Friday, and the church is not open on Friday. We did everything but try to bribe the parish secretary, but we weren’t going to get into the church. So, like good Catholics, we just prayed at the church doors. We offered the Creed and asked St. Irenaeus for his intercession.
After this whole fiasco, we went to the basilica, where the sacristy was closed and the celebration of Mass was not possible. I couldn’t believe it – things were just getting weirder and weirder. It was turning into a long and exhausting day.
After saying some prayers at the basilica, we decided to leave Lyon.
Friday evening, we arrived in Ars and were immediately welcomed by a great Sister who was filled with smiles and affirmations. Ars is still a small town. It hasn’t been built up as a shrine. It’s still very peaceful and prayerful. Sister showed us a video on St. John Vianney and arranged for us to say Mass at the altar where his body rests. I offered my Mass here for the seminarians of the Diocese of Charleston.
It was such a blessing to receive such Christian hospitality. After Mass, we went to our hotel, had supper, and called it an early evening.
In the morning, we celebrated Mass again at St. John Vianney’s altar, and then walked out of the city of Ars to the place where St. John Vianney met one of his first parishioners. St. John was walking to his parish after receiving his assignment, but wasn’t sure where things were. The fog was heavy, and so he asked a shepherd boy where the church was, and the boy showed him the way. St. John told the boy: “You have showed me the way to Ars, and now I will show you the way to heaven.” Here’s the statue marking the encounter:
After the walk to the monument, we toured the city, made a Holy Hour, and just rested. It’s such a quiet place. Here’s a picture of the church:
In the evening, we offered an Anticipated Sunday Mass, had a great supper, and called it another early evening. In the morning, we were up early and heading back to Milan, and from Milan by train to Rome. We got back last night, and this morning the second semester of classes began! Got to love it!
It was a relaxing time away. It was my first trip away from Rome and its region since I got here in September. I enjoyed the opportunity to rest and pray, especially for the seminarians of the Diocese of Charleston, for some mentor priests, and for the efforts at helping young men to discern and respond to God’s call.
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Guest Blogger: Mrs. Peggy Wertz
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Book Signing in Charleston:
Monday evening, February 8, Liesl Westbrook and friends hosted a reception, presentation, and "Becoming Father Bob" book signing in Charleston. The reception was held at the Brickyard Plantation clubhouse and was attended by friends, family, parishioners, students, and teachers from the Charleston area.
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Divine Redeemer was well represented with a group of third grade boys who were intersted in the book and happy to be together. All who attended were enthusiastic about "Becoming Father Bob."
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Though Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, co-author, could not be present in person or via Skype, he sent a message which was read to everyone by Jason Vaughan, a friend of Fr. Kirby's and fellow teacher during their Bishop England teaching days.
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Illustrator Alice Judd supplied a few more details about the dog, Mickey, and his parallel story as shown in the book through "page-turner" mini-illustrations. Alice also spoke to several people who have great interest in the upcoming sequel, "Becoming Sister ____" which is expected to be released in 2011.
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I was thrilled to see a former student from my days as principal at Busbee Elementary in Wagener, South Carolina. Rosita now teaches Spanish at Divine Redeemer and Christ Our King/Stella Maris.
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The next stop on the tour is Columbus, Georgia. In addition to making "Becoming Father Bob" available to the teachers and administrators in the Savannah Diocese, I will do a presentation on "Building Vocations Awareness in the Schools."
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Here are some pictures from the evening:
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