Travels, Celebrations and a Bronze Pelican

'Been awfully quiet 'round these parts the last few days!

Explanations are perhaps in order, along with my usual random musings on the events of the past few days.

Thursday and Friday last week saw all the priests in the state of Ohio gather for a convocation. Admittedly, most priests going in were not terribly excited by the prospects. It was a two day gathering on teh upcoming pastoral letter on marriage by the Bishops. (There's a line among priests: rather do 10 funerals to 1 wedding.) Thankfully, our fears were relieved and the presentations and discussions were very good, at least in your humble scribe's opinion.

Perhaps best of all was the opportunity to see preists that I knew from around the state whom I don't get a chance to see all too often, like since I was in seminary. I re-met guys whom I had played basketball against in inner-seminary ball tourneys; guys I was in class with at the Josephinum and had lost touch with, and just other priests from around the state. Truly a gift, and a realization that the presbyterate is bigger than just my diocese.

The Vocation Directors from around the state were able to gather and pow-wow on a number of topics, too. (One priest from the state was noticeably absent.....)


Friday night saw a wedding rehearsal in Minster, Ohio. My sister's youngest sister-in-law was getting married and had asked me to do the wedding, which I was happy to oblige. The wedding was on Saturday afternoon, and a great celebration and pulled in a number of ideas from the previous two days. (I love it when a plan comes together....)


After the dinner at the wedding, I hightailed it back to Cinci (about a two hour drive) for Masses on Sunday morning at the parish. The pastor and Sunday Associate both had been previously assigned at St. William's, which was celebrating 100 years and they both wanted to attend the anniversary gathering, so I gladfully took the later 2 Masses at the parish.

I sat down for bout an hour to watch the Bengals take on the Ravens. Luckily, I caught all the Bengals scoring, which leaves only one thing: WHO DEY!

Bout 1/2 way through the second quarter, I had to depart for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Committee on Scouting Adult Awards Dinner. As chaplain for scouting, it's a mandatory show, which I am glad to do. Archbishop Pilarczyk was on for the Mass, so I got to stand there as so much of a potted plant, which is a-ok with me! He had a nice reflection on the importance of scouting and gratitude for the adults who make scouting possible. He received the St. George Medal at the end of Mass, along with a few other nice gifts.

I wasn't serving just as chaplain, I was also up for the Bronze Pelican (Copper Chicken?) award. It is the highest honor that the diocese can give for recognition of contributions to scouting. I was awarded for my role as chaplain in addition to leading the last two summer retreats. I was honored to receive the award, thanks to all the scout leaders who made it possible.

Finally, my weekend wasn't quite over yet, as I had been coerced into leading a discussion for a Theology of the Body for Teens class on ToB's relation to celibacy. It was great fun, actually, and a good group of young people, bout 18 or so. I love getting in front of groups to talk on all these things and really enjoy the questions and comments that they give in feedback. There is hope among our young people, truly.

With that, my whirlwind tour came to end and I returned to the rectory. Tired, but a good kinda tired. Don't want to be at the office today, though.

So, how was your weekend?

The weekend started off well.

Friday night, we were gathering as a family to celebrate the mutual birthday's of our parents. Mom's b-day was last Wednesday, dad's is this coming. (Only one party gets em both!)

Saturday morning, my three oldest neices were running in the county cross country meet back home, and it was in the home town, to boot, so I had to go. I didn't bring my winter coat, and 35 degrees with a jacket was a bit much, but we managed. The girls all ran well, one setting her PR for the 5K distance, and it was enjoyable. Plus, got to hang for a while with mom and dad, plus these three's younger brother and sister (who is a real jabberjaws!), so the cold was gladly endured.

Saturday afternoon was laundry and an appointment back in Cincinnati (after two hour drive back) and Mass for the Bengals on Saturday evening.

Sunday morning, I had the 10 Mass at Lourdes where I am in residence and then headed down for the game. (tickets instead of an honorarium is just fine with me!) We were sitting in the north end of the stadium, and the first half was good: back and forth football, sun shining on us, good crowd around, etc. Second half, not so good. Crowd started to get more unruly as the number of dropped balls and an absolute inability to stop the Texans (the Texans!) combined with the sun dropping below the upper deck to give a nice chill to the air. Final score: too much to not enough.

Returning to my car, we discovered one less intact window than when we left, minus a GPS nav system which I had left on the dash. Guess he wanted it more than I. grumble grumble grumble. Cleaned up as much glass as i could and headed back to the house and had a friend take me to Mass last night at a neighboring parish. (a reward will be awaiting in heaven!)

Called Safelight, scheduled a replacement for today. They called this morning: part has a blemish, shipping new part, not in till Thursday. WHAT! dangit, gonna be a cold week driving.

prayers of forgiveness being offered. and again. and again. and again. and again.

Weekend Warriors

Well, the move to Our Lady of Lourdes is complete, in that all my stuff is there. (besides the piles that got left behind or are on their way to St. Vincent de Paul.)

One of the comments about priesthood: 'aren't you lonely?' was proved to be very wrong over the weekend. I couldn't have made the move without friends to help, and help they did. Noon Sunday was a descent upon the old residence: desk broken apart, cradenza likewise. File cabinet tossed out the window (it bounced) and all manner of things brought down, stuffed into a caravan of cars and vans and hauled out to the new digs. I am deeply indepted to those who helped, and will offer Mass for each of them.

In moving, I also tried to make it a bit of a spiritual journey as well. I left behind lots, including well over 1/2 of my clothes! Fasting isn't just from eating, I see this as a fasting from things and trying to be 'un-encumbered' by stuff. It certainly feels 'lighter' too.

One last thing, after wrestling that desk down one residence and back up another, I think it has found a permanent home! (Don't tell the pastor we had to take the doorjamb off to get it in the office!)

Anniversaries, Celebrations and a Rogue Cardinal

To start, this morning, as I was sitting at breakfast, I could hear the 8:30 Mass going on, as we have a monitor from the sound system in the kitchen.

Hmm.... who's voice is that?  It wasn't any priest's I recognized.  After Mass, I saw the pastor back upstairs who informed me that Cardinal Keeler was in town to accept an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College, and wanted to say Mass.

Dagnabbit, missed my chance to meet a Cardinal!

(Before Mass, Fr. Bramlage was on the front stoop waiting for the Cardinal to arrive, and the security officer asked him what he was doing: "Waiting for a Cardinal."  "You're waiting for a bird?!?")

Yesterday was my anniversary celebration, five years down already.  It was a great time, about 60 friends and family showed.  I was humbled by the turnout, Mass was great, the party was a fantastic time.  I've got several groups of friends, and it was nice to be able to introduce them to one another.

My father was thoroughly enjoying himself, bragging to all in attendance: "32 years old and I finally get to drink on him!"  Reports were, he said it to at least everyone, at least twice, too.  Here's to ya, dad!  "SON!"  (He brags he's the only one who can call Father: Son.  I don't know what he thinks mom calls me.)

My sister claimed it was her anniversary party, as they were married 17 years ago yesterday.  She was happy to drink on her younger brother as well.

Today, the parties continue.  I just finished a baptism, the first child of a couple whose wedding I celebrated one year ago today.  And the child is 3 months old, perfect timing!  As the father said: those prayers for fertility must have really worked!  It was great to catch up with them again, even for a short time.

I'm off for a graduation party this afternoon, son of friends has graduated from high school.

I've got the 6:00 pm Mass today, after which is another gathering, this one called AfterMass, a gathering for Young Adult Catholics in the downtown area.

I'm going to need a break from all these parties, it's nearly a 'Thank God I have to go to work tomorrow.'  Notice, I said 'nearly,' let's not get too crazy here!

I hope to record and podcast the homily a little later today as well.  (but it might have to wait till tomorrow.)

Ok, I'll drop the birthday post!

Since I am starting to get flack about leaving the birthday post up, I have to add something.

Let's just say it was an absolutely fabulous weekend.

Friday, I spent the day 'Up North' with confessions at Sidney Holy Angels for the grade school kids, a class presentation at Lehman High School, and the afternoon at mom and dad's before dinner with them.

Saturday was a John Vianney day: 8:00 Mass and confessions at Holy Name, Mount Auburn as part of the Helpers of God's Precious Infants; 11:30 Mass and more confessions at the Cathedral; and a confession spot at Our Lady of Victory in the afternoon as well. Went to dinner with a priest from the Cathedral, hit the sack about 9:00; whoo hoo, the party life of a priest!

Sunday involved a drive to Fairborn for Mass at Wright State and then a Bonzai run back to the Cathedral for our little gathering of welcome for Archbishop Schnurr (who has apparently read this site! YIKES!) The reception afterwards was very nice, saw many friends I hadn't seen in quite a while, too. dinner afterwards with a friend and commentator here was good.

Monday, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Originally, I was scheduled for the early shift at the Cathedral, but another priest had to switch with the late Mass; then the pastor approached: 'do you have a Mass elsewhere today?" Yes, Candidacy at the Seminary. "Good, I'm taking the late Mass then." (he said it a bit more diplomatic than that, actually.) So, I ventured through more ice to the seminary for Candidacy Mass with three seminarians (two Toledo guys and one Cincinnati), presided over by Archbishop Schnurr. As is consistent with Masses at the Cathedral and Seminary, beautiful and solemn without being flashy or gaudy. The afternoon saw some shopping (majorly broke now!) and an evening meeting.

Today, back at work, alas.

Just another ho-hum weekend

Sorry for the silence the last three days, especially after all the excitement on Friday.  A run down of an all too typical weekend for me:

Thursday Evening: Evening for Life with the Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati

Friday:

At the computer at 6:00 AM, heard an announcement was coming.

phone calls started at 6:30, with a mix of surfing until about 8:00

8:30 head to the office, tried to work, YEAH, RIGHT!

10:00 back to Cathedral for Press Conference

12:30 back to office, head spinning

2:00 Mass with Franciscan Daughters of Mary

3:30 back to Cathedral

5:30 leave for wedding rehearsal (for the second time, oh to read a calendar right!) '6' = six o'clock, not FIVE!

after wedding rehearsal, funeral home visitation for the wife of a big supported of the vocation office

home, then dinner at Rock Bottom at about 9:00

Saturday

10:30 Funeral, see above

12:30 back at Cathedral

1:30 - 3:00 confessions at Cathedral (three penitents, as there was a wedding in the chapel.  At least I got some reading done!)

5:00 wedding at St. Francis de Sales

post wedding: Banzai run to Target for birthday present for my 3 year old God-Daughter

7:30 Mass, coaches and a player with the Bengals.  (maybe Coach Lewis should insist everyone go?!?!?!)  (He attended the other chapel service.)

9:00 home, hmmm.... dinner; Nicholson's this time; ran into the cousin of a brother priest!

Sunday

8:45 leave for Minster, Ohio

10:45 arrive in Minster for Ashlyn's 3rd birthday party

junk food, coffee, egg casarole, more coffee, and then cake; leaves on feeling rather unwell!  Mix in tossing the football in the back yard, ugh!

2:30 leave Minster, head to funeral home in Cincinnati

4:30 arrive at funeral home in Cincinnati

5:00 (after cutting the line, membership has its privileges!) leave funeral home

Dinner at a friend's house, relax

7:30 Mass at a parish

9:15 home

Monday

8:30 go to office

9:30 leave office, back to Cathedral (why did I even go?!?!), leave for next funeral

10:30 Funeral

noon: back at Cathedral, scarf lunch, return to office

1:30 chat with a supporter/friend about some ideas for the Office and/or seminary

3:00 back in office

4:00 return to Cathedral for confessions and Mass

5:45 head to dinner with a friend

7:30-9:00 Vocation Advisory Board meeting, went very well, thanks!

9:15 emails

9:45 'review of weekend post'

Who's playing Monday Night Football?

Home from Denver

Hobnobbed with Cardinal Foley last night.

Off to Mass on the Radio shortly

Weekend Discernment Retreat.

Sleep Sunday!

Don't Blame me!

for the embarrassingly bad loss by the Bengals to the Lions! All I did was say Mass for the Lions, but there were only a handful there, and only one player. I take no responsibility!

(But I did get a set of tickets to the game [I think my room at the Cathedral was closer to the field than the seats I had], nearly impossible to find someone to go with, tho!)

At least the Reds pulled out a win, and high school football is starting up!

I'm leaving, on a.... urm..... car?

The long planned trip to Exotic Cleveland, well, actully Akron and then Cleveland has finally arrived. The diocese in Northeast Ohio will never be the same!

I've got the camera packed, and will be sure to give a full report on Monday.

Have a safe weekend, all!

Plugged in

Back in action, working on some posts from over the weekend, block out some time, as one is a 3000 word reflection on the Sacramentality of Marriage.

Recovery

The Independence Day Weekend (oxymoron?) is over, and I am once again chained to my desk at the Central Offices.

My family took advantage of the weekend to gather at mom and dad's place on a small lake in Ohio. Since the house can't accomodate 30 persons (and one dog!), we had Tent City out on the lawn as my five sblings each staked out a space. (I claimed the bedroom, much to their chagrine; hey the priesthood has to have some perks!)

Festivities included some water skiing (I don't learn from past mistakes, apparently), tubing (not by your's truly, mainly the grandkids), cooking out, a nightly fire in the pit, our own personal fireworks display and attending the lake's display on Saturday night. (Sadly, I had to miss the big display for a wedding obligation.)

A few of the siblings were berating me, however, as I refused to celebrate Sunday Mass at the house, covering the local parish Masses instead. "What's the point of having a priest in the family if we can't have Mass together?!?!?!?" In revenge, they nearly all attended the SAturday Vigil Mass which I did NOT have instead of the two Sunday morning Masses. They keep me humble, my dear family.

As I drove back to Cinci yesterday evening, I realized that I really do have a pretty good family. I know that there are not too many families of such a size that could be together for the better part of 48 hours straight and only have minor tiffs. For that, we are lucky.

Sorry for the silence over the weekend, as we do not have internet access at the cottage (which helped make the weekend a success, as we spent most of the time outside rather than in), regular posting will resume today.

I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend as well.

What a weekend!

First, for an insight into the experience of a priest as he does the 'firsts,' read a new blogger who's just gone through it.

This weekend was spent up at the Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center for a discernment retreat for young women. Open to those from 15-30, we had 8 attendees, along with 7 sisters, two deacons, a priest (ME!) and the lay director of the Center. From what I could tell, it was a good experience and a great chance for these young ladies to come together in prayer to see if God might be calling them to religious life. The initial reviews were all well received, and that gives us hope for holding the retreat in the future. I have a feeling that this is something that will grow organically as word gets out.

As I am also now on the Board of Trustees for the Center, I was also catching up on a number of things there at the Center as we try to continue to forward the mission of being a center for the New Evangelization.

Tomorrow comes a funeral, which is something I don't do a lot of. Met with the family this afternoon to plan out the details. The mourning is still pretty raw, but hopefully we'll get through it tomorrow.

Tschuss!

It feels like it's already Thursday!

Where did Saturday go?

It was quite the hectic and crazy day, to say the least.

Most of the day was happily consumed by the Discernment Day for High School Men held at Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West, here in Cincinnati. We had 16 attendees from throughout the diocese, even one from my old parish!

The seminarians did a bang-up job in putting it together again this year and all seemed to take away a greater clarity for 'what's next?' Please pray for these young men that God may lead them to where He truly wants them.

While that finished at about 5:30, it wasn't off to home. Rather, the Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center here in town was hosting their second annual 'Rock YOUth Rally.' While the attendence was down a bit from last year (perfect weather on the eve of Mother's Day, with storms predicted for today certainly didn't help!), all the teens seemed to really get into the music, and Michael Walsh threw out a great talk, as always.

Even though 10:30 was quickly approaching, a friend whom I had been meaning to chat with was there with his wife, and it was as good a time as any to go for a celebratory beer.

As we were at the table, I was sitting next to the husband, the wife across from me. Every once in a while, as he was talking and looking at me, I could see her looking at him in with those 'googly eyes' of one who is truly in love. It was nice to see, and they are doing great things to help spread the Kingdom of God.

All in all, a long day, but a great day.

Monday already?

Are you kidding me? Where in the world was the weekend? YIKES!

This is to catch up on things and items I missed over the weekend, running throughout the diocese.

First, if you missed the Sunday Enquirer's Forum section, Peter Bronson had an excellent article on the Holy Father's visit. (He writes with a greater esteem and respect than many Catholic authors!):
I'm not a Catholic. But somewhere during the funerals for two fallen firefighters April 9, I thought: Nobody does this better than the Catholic Church. When an uncertain world cruelly reminds us how fragile life can be, the magic, tradition, ritual and beauty of a mass soothes the aching heart. It speaks of eternal truth.
So does Pope Benedict XVI. His visit to America is packed with eternal truth like an overstuffed suitcase. But it gets distorted by our carnival-mirror culture.
Dozens of media reports called the pope a "rock star." Not quite. "He's a very kind gentleman like somebody's grandfather," said the Rev. Earl Fernandes of Mount St. Mary's Seminary, who knows Benedict from three years in Rome studying moral theology. "By nature he is a quiet and shy man. He's not concerned about being the center of attention. He wants the attention on Christ."

If you missed the talks and addresses that the Holy Father addressed, visit Rocco's site or the USCCB, as they have excellent coverage and the addresses all published.

Another Blogger Extraordinaire joins St. Blog's parish: a frequent commentor here at Called by Name, Miss Meg proudly announces Life in the Abundant Lane. (Don't miss her Cultured Pearl and Cow Patty Awards!)

Adam's Ale is sharing the love as well, and gives props to my esteemed Associate Vocation Director, who is starting up the youth ministry program at his parish. Helping get the word out is the blog he administers. (For those keeping track at home, that's five blogs between the two of us!)

Rich Leonardi had the great priviledge to assist at the Mass at Yankee Stadium, and posts on it here. As a snarky aside to my friend, one would've thought that being on the same side of the altar as the Holy Father would've been acceptable to this Reformer of the Reform. (Just kidding, Rich, looking forward to hearing about it first hand!)

I think that catches me up so far, more thoughts to come later in the day as I get a chance to read over the texts that I missed over the weekend, oh and GO REDS! The hated Dodgers are in town, and I will be assisting them to victory tonight!

I'm still alive!

Made it through the weekend, barely.

Today is a few meetings at the seminary, spiritual direction and taxes.

After all the excitement from the weekend, I needed a light day.

Prelude to a Crazy Weekend

The 'Dance Party Friday' was just a prelude to a crazy weekend. (Aren't they all?!?!)

Tonight begins Cincinnati 2000/Credo: I Believe retreat at Moeller High School here in Cincinnati. The weekend retreat, in the spirit of Youth 2000, should be a great time, but is also exhausting as well. Because of my time constraints, I haven't been as involved with the planning as in past years, but the lineup looks to be pretty solid.

Sunday is crazy as well. I have two early Masses at Holy Redeemer in New Bremen, followed by my niece's birthday party, she turns two or three.... I really need to figure that one out!

Sunday night is our inaugural 'Cast Your Nets' program at Sacred Heart in McCartyville.

Monday morning is the 7 AM Mass and collapse! I'll catch back up with you on Monday, if its quiet around here during the weekend.

Weekend Update

This weekend, with the Cathedral Rector away, I am covering the four Sunday Masses here at the Mother Church for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati: 4:30 Saturday, 8:30 and 11:00 AM, and 6:00 PM Sunday.

I have to admit, even with as grand as this structure is, it is a bit disappointing after celebrating Mass at Sts. Mary Major, John Lateran, and Peter's Basilicas over the last two weeks. Ho hum.

Silence is Broken

A brief stopover during a busy week.

The visit to the Josephinum went well, our four men there are all doing well and studying hard. Please keep them in your prayers.

Theology on Tap's Fall Refresher was a hoot last night. We sampled a number of different beers from Europe and North America. A new beer type for me was a MILD beer, lower alcohol content, strong peaty and hoppy flavor. It's known as a 'session beer,' from the fact that everyone in the group would have to buy a round (up to 8 or 9 pints 'a session') so these are weaker content, but still full of flavor.

I'm off today for a round trip to Franciscan University in Steubenville before heading off to home on Saturday for my grandfather's 90th birthday party. (Now, if he would stop acting like a teenager!)

Sunday, I'm covering the morning Mass in my home parish, before running back to the Nati to see the Bengals thrash on the Steelers.

Have a great weekend, I'll post more when I get the chance.