Arreviderci!

Well I'm off to Rome for sabbatical! I leave Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport on September 7, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. on British Airways flight #194. I arrive London Heathrow Airport at 7:30 a.m. on September 8. A brief two hour lay over and then arrival at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 12:40 p.m. on British Airways flight #548.

I will be joining 24 other English-speaking priests at the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the North American College (the American bishops' seminary in Rome). Cards and letters can be sent to:

Institute for Continuing Theological Education
North Amercan College
00120 Vatican City State
EUROPE

Some people have asked me what a "sabbatical" is? From the Institute's website: The Institute seeks to assist bishops and religious superiors to provide programs for the ongoing formation of their priests. The Institute assists priests in fulfilling their own responsibility for their continuing formation. Over the years our sabbatical program has proven effective as one means of renewing priests, revitalizing them and equipping them for more effective pastoral ministry. Living in Rome close to our Holy Father gives priests a deeper appreciation for the community and unity of the Church.

May God grant that it is so!

Chiming in on Notre Shame

Let me share with you a quotation recently found in the Washington Post that was emailed to me by a priest friend:

"In the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, there is a wonderful photograph of Father Ted Hesburgh -- then Notre Dame president -- linking hands with Martin Luther King Jr. at a 1964 civil-rights rally at Chicago's Soldier Field. Today, nearly four decades and 50 million abortions after Roe v. Wade, there is no photograph of similar prominence of any Notre Dame president taking a lead at any of the annual marches for life. Father Jenkins is right: That's not ambiguity. That's a statement."

What a sad state of affairs when priorities are so confused.

A Humble Beginning

There are times when homilies, announcements, bulletins, etc. do not allow sufficient time/space to deal with all that our world seems to be throwing at us these days. So, today, I humbly launch this blog to be able to expand on thoughts, ideas, ruminations. These may be of little to no value to most who may read it but it seems that a pastor of souls needs to utilize all means available to evangelize and catechize. After all, today's Feast of the Ascension of our Lord reminds us of Jesus' last words to His disciples: "Go into the world, and proclaim the good news to the whole of creation." (Mark 16:15) I'm sure that even means the internet world! And, so, here we go.