Roma - Day 1

Monday, March 19, 2018 - continued - Rome

We started right away with our first stop, one of the 4 major bascilicas in Rome:  Basilica San Paolo or the Bascilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.  I had forgotten some of the details and learned a few more.  For example, there are images of every Pope along the top of the ceiling.  It was very powerful to realize how many successors to St. Peter there have been.  There is a special area to pray in front of the tomb of St. Paul, and we happened to be there when a cardinal was celebrating Mass, so we heard beautiful music from a choir as we prayed. 

This was also where we were able to celebrate Mass in a side chapel.  Due to construction and/or other  groups, we used the altar in the baptistery of the church for our Mass.  It was an incredibly intimate space and it was powerful to contemplate the beginning of our pilgrimage on the Feast of St. Joseph.  The reflection for the day in our prayer booklets reminded us that St. Joseph is a great example of submission to the Will of God.  St. Joseph had a plan to wed Mary, but after she was pregnant, his plans changed as he intended to separate from her, though doing it quietly.  God took  St. Joseph's plans and revealed an even greater plan for his life - foster-father to the Son of God.  We can learn from St. Joseph how to submit ourselves to God's Will, which goes beyond our wildest imaginings.

After that, we bussed to our hotel, checked in and started exploring Rome.  Grabbed some pizza (potato pizza is a new one for me!) and did some shopping.  Then we trekked to St. Philip Neri (Santa Maria or Chiesa Nuova) and St. Ignatius of Loyla (Santa Ignazio) Churches.  Both churches are incredibly beautiful with lots of decoration, side altars, and amazing art.  

We walked back to our hotel, across the Tiber River, past the Castel San Angelo, through St. Peter's Square.  Dinner was a wonderful affair with several delicious courses and lots of laughs.  The foccacia was especially delicious :-).  Delirium began to set in (at least for me) and it was back to the hotel, shower and bed.  What a day!

More pictures will be added after they have been somewhat curated!

Another adventure

**Date discrepancy explanation below.

Sunday, March 18, 2018 - Omaha, Chicago, Philadelphia

It's the fifth Sunday of Lent.  We are entering the final stretch, the downhill slope, the end game . . . you get the picture.  Maybe your Lent has been a wonderful experience, or perhaps it's been less than stellar.  Either way, it's not too late to end well.

For me, I get a major boost in the form of a pilgrimage to Rome.  I am grateful that I have the opportunity to return to such a wonderful place, especially during Lent.

Whether you will spend this week at home or abroad, make a choice to live intentionally and finish the race.

"I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."  ~2 Timothy 4:7

**this was originally created on March 18, 2018, but wi-fi issues prevented me from uploading in a timely fashion.

So, Sunday was basically a long day in the airport or in a plane.  3 legs later . . . 

Monday, March 19, 2018 - Rome

Wow - I don't remember my previous international flights being so sleepless.  We flew out of Philadelphia around 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening, and arrived in Rome around 7:30 a.m. Monday morning.  No, the flight wasn't 11 hours, but with the time change, we start our day feeling 6 hours behind.  So, we arrived with the mindset of beginning our first, very full, day in Rome, yet our bodies were still craving sleep since it was only about 2 a.m.  Sunshine is our friend, except it was in short supply when we arrived.  Rain, rain, rain.  And when it rains in Rome, things get a little crazy, especially traffic.  No big deal - we arrived with no issues, luggage in hand, and we were ready for the adventure.

You might be wondering who all journeyed on this pilgrimage; it was a collaboration between UNK & UNO Newman Centers for a pilgrimage over spring break.  I was lucky enough to tag along!  We had 2 priests and 16 pilgrims.  

The arrival process was similar to my previous trip, but it was interesting to recognize a few changes or modifications.  My last trip we took the train from the airport; this time we were driven in on a bus.  Again, it was awesome to just sit and enjoy the scenery; after all, we were in Rome!!!

And so it goes . . .

Church of the Transfiguration - Israel

Life has been rather surprising the past 6 weeks.  When I started writing my Christmas letter for 2015, my focus was on my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as most everything else in my life was the same . . . At least at that moment in time.

Advent 2015 began much the same as previous years - focus on preparation, worrying about getting things done, and trying to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  There were Christmas parties to plan, and reconciliation service to attend.  It was especially memorable to think that I was preparing for my pilgrimage to the Holy Land just one short year ago.  I felt a new connection to Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem.  

The week of Christmas was when life took an unexpected turn.  A casual inquiry about a job quickly became an interesting dilemma.  I wasn't looking, and it showed up.  Lots of prayer and thinking happened over the next days.  It quickly became obvious that this could be a huge opportunity for me, which was both scary and exciting.  Despite the fear of change, I felt called to this move.  This was the opportunity to focus on my passion and dream - a full-time job with a basis in my Catholic faith.

Looking back

This time last year I was preparing for a trip of a lifetime - a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  How do you top that?  Looking back on this year it's been amazing and ordinary, challenging and blah.  Apparently I don't do the middle ground.  So my prayer this Advent is for a continued awakening.  One day, one person, one moment at a time.  Join me, won't you?

". . . Therefore, it says:  'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.'"  ~Ephesians 5:14

Unexpected adventures and tangled car parts

Today did not go the way I planned.  I fully appreciate the adage, "If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans."  I always figured that applied to momentous decisions and important choices, not running errands and being productive.  My morning was good, I was getting things done around my house, making preparations for Christmas, and tying up various loose ends on projects and my to-do list.  In the afternoon I drove to the gym, which was apparently my first mistake.  See, my muffler has recently gone on strike, and I needed to get it in to be fixed.  The strike turned into a full-on mutiny when I returned home and re-entered my garage, by way of a two-inch height difference which makes my car bounce as I drive into the garage.  I am now the proud owner of a car with pieces in places they do not belong.  Lucky me!  So, that changed my plans to run errands, go to the post office, and get groceries.

A new adventure

Good morning! Welcome to a new day! What do you have planned for your adventure today?

Recently, I've been pondering the 'everyday' mentality. All too often, it seems as though I spend more time in anticipation of something rather than in participating in the 'right-now'.  Why can't today be an adventure of its own? Maybe it's not grand or spectacular, but it has just as much potential to be amazing and noteworthy.  Each day brings with it many opportunities.

Which opportunity will you seize today?

"From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised."  ~Psalm 113:3