Congratulations to all the students who answered correctly to last week’s question! The answer was Santa Susanna. Here’s this week’s question: What is the church above? Hint: it’s named after the fourth pope. The second part of the question: tell me something about the fourth pope. Have fun!

Becoming Father Bob was a hit in Columbia, South Carolina.  SIGNO Press played a large role in the Diocese of Charleston Teachers Education Conference.  SIGNO, a conference sponsor, had a constant flow of visitors in the exhibit hall on Thursday, March 4.

Friday morning, March 5, SIGNO provided coffee and pastries to the 700 Diocese of Charleston teachers and administrators as they arrived at St. John Neumann Catholic School for the conference closing prayer service and keynote address by The Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone, D.D., Thirteenth Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina.

Bishop Guglielmone arrived early and joined Becoming Father Bob illustrator, Alice Judd, and me at the SIGNO table.  The Bishop graciously signed books on the page providing the “Forward,” which was written by the Bishop.  Of course, as conference participants saw Bishop Guglielmone at the SIGNO table, book sales quickly picked up for this unique opportunity to obtain the Bishop’s autograph!

Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, Alice Judd, and I appreciate the wonderful support that Bishop Guglielmone has shown towards Becoming Father Bob.   Not only did the Bishop share with us details about his own childhood and young adult years, he also shared information about his dog, Mickey.  These facts and likenesses were instrumental in the development of Becoming Father Bob.

The Inn at USC on the evening of Friday, March 5 provided the setting for Becoming Father Bob to be introduced in the Columbia area.  Friends who gathered enjoyed the hospitality and delicious food provided by Fr. Kirby’s family, especially his mother, Frances Kirby.

Fr. Kirby appeared at the book signing via Skype and was introduced by hostess Frances Kirby.  Fr. Kirby welcomed guests and family members and emphasized to those gathered the primary purpose of the book: “to help young people know that God loves them and that he has a loving plan for them.” The Columbia friends were so very generous in their support of this statement.  After the brief presentation by Fr. Kirby, Alice, and myself, several guests purchased additional copies of the book to share with young people, through their church, school, and public libraries.  Thank you!

I am so grateful to the Christians I have met during the rollout of Becoming Father Bob.  In the four weeks since the February 1 inaugural event in Aiken, South Carolina, I have been uplifted by the prayers, support, and generosity of the people of South Carolina.  As the Bishop said to me, “This book needs to be in every Catholic school in the United States!”  My faith and my confidence in the followers of Jesus Christ helps me believe that this will happen and that every day we will see one or two more books sent to schools across this country.

Next stop…the National Catholic Education Association in Minneapolis, Minnesota in April, 2010!

The American Southern writer, Dr. Walker Percy, makes several pertinent points in a self-interview entitled, Questions They Never Asked Me:

I don’t understand. Would you exclude, for example, scientific humanism as a rational and honorable alternative [to religious belief]?

Yes.

Why?

This life is much too much trouble, far too strange, to arrive at the end of it and then be asked what you make of it and have to answer, “Scientific humanism.” That won’t do. A poor show. Life is a mystery, love is a delight. Therefore, I take it as axiomatic that one should settle for nothing less than the infinite mystery and the infinite delight, i.e., God. In fact, I demand it. I refuse to settle for anything less. I don’t see why anyone should settle for less than Jacob, who actually grabbed aholt of God and wouldn’t let go until God identified himself and blessed him.

On Wednesday, I took a day away from my desk and spent a lot of time with my alma mater, Franciscan University. Go, Barons! The students were on pilgrimage from the Austrian campus of the school. It’s always a blessing to spend time with them. They are very zealous about the Faith, and ask such good questions. In the morning, I concelebrated Mass with the university at the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian (which some of you might remember from Church Jeopardy). Afterwards, I gave a tour of the Roman Forum (pictured above), and then later in the day, I gave them a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. Again, it’s such a blessing to be with this group of students!

I was pretty hard on myself about taking a day away from my desk, especially since Chapter Two of the thesis is moving along so slowly, but I figured the fresh air and time away was greatly needed!

On Thursday and Friday, I attended a conference on priestly celibacy hosted by the University of the Holy Cross. They suspended classes so that the graduate theology students could attend. It was very informative, especially in the multiplicity of ways that the subject was approached: emotionally, spiritually, socially, psychologically, etc., etc. They were long days, but the conference was very helpful in better understanding such an essential aspect of the priesthood in the West.

Later this evening, I’ll be making a Skype visit to the Columbia book signing for Becoming Father Bob. If you’re in the area, I hope to see you there!

This weekend, it’s back to Chapter Two of the thesis. I was able to do a little work on it yesterday and today. Now, I just need a few concentrated hours at my desk. Come, Holy Spirit!

All right, this week:

Every cultural group has a “home church” in Rome. This week’s church (shown below) is the “American parish in Rome.” It offers Mass and Confessions in English. Have fun!

Today was full of classes, a study group, and some writing on Chapter Two.

But, for this evening, I went and celebrated Mass for my alma mater, Franciscan University of Steubenville. The university has a campus in Austria, and they come to Rome every semester on a student pilgrimage. It’s always encouraging to see so many young people committed and excited for the Faith.

The Mass this evening was at St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls. Some of you might remember this church from our jeopardy questions. Here are some pictures:

Somebody is saying something:

And here we go:

Check out the holy water font at the door. Now, this demon knows what he shouldn’t mess with:

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.

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!

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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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!