The Four Seasons right here in Pensacola: well, sorta kinda ... Let's Hang On

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Early, before the show:

The Jersey Boys are here!

Great night, what a view to leave with:

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Add a Spiritual Dimension to the Summer Olympics:

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Last Sunday after 8:30am Mass

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Lucie, Brenda, FP, Jerry and Sunnie (Carolyn took the pic)

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A Survivor

Meet Hugo Jackson Medley:
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This little baby was still in his mother's womb in the thearter in Aurora, CO when shots were fired killeing so many innocent people. Hugo's father was struck by one of the bullets and was lying in a medically-induced coma in the same hospital where, one floor below, his son was born.

God bless all those caught in the violence and their families as well.

Continued prayers for those injured.



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Conference for Diocesan Priests: Louisville, KY ... Sponsored by the Dominican Provence of St. Joseph

St. Louis Bertrand Church in Louisville:


The Priests concelebrating:

One of our Conferences (Father Benedict Groeshel in back on the left):

Here we all are:

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Some highlights of the time around the Conference and a few travels:

Conference: Part 1

St. Mary's College: my home for 4 years

The front entrance to the Seminary. In those days it was called: St. Mary's College. There were over 300 seminarians living here at the time, coming from all over the USA. It was a terrific visit, after 44yrs. It would have been nice to share the visit with someone but it wasn't possible.

By the way, this Seminary is now a Kentucky State Prison facility.

The guard at the gate told me I couldn't park the car and look arond nor take pictures. Oops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The drive into the Seminary (prison now) grounds. Vast farming area. In the days I attneded the Seminary here it was also a huge Milk farm, cows everywhere and a few bulls too! It was a way for the priests there to make money to help with the costs of the Seminary.

We often referred to this area as the "S" Curve. The road turned here, yes, in a sort of "S" shape. This was also the farthest we were able to go on our walks on the grounds.

Heading in the front drive. This was always a beautiful setting.

Here in the area to the right was a beautiful Grotto with a statue of the Blessed Virgin. It was a popular place to visit during the day. Spent many hours here working on the grounds as well.

This are is across from the Grotto setting and was a huge pond where many of us would go ice skating during the feeezing winters.

I took this picture from the car. It's the highway behind the Seminary grounds, but I wanted to capture the Barbed wire all aong the property line.

This was known as Tower Hill when I was there. We were allowed to climb the hill in those days - but we needed permission!

Departing the old Seminary grounds. Kind of sad in a way.

This is the home, of many yrs ago, of a woamn known as Mrs. Bucckler. THis kind woman hand made Cassocks for many of the Seminarians. God bless her.

St. Charles Parish Church nearby the Seminary:

This building outside the front gate of the Seminary was the ONLY grocery store nearby. We needed special permission to even go there. As you can see, it is closed down. This was 48 yrs ago and our only taste of the outside world:

Historical Site along the drive:

Break Time:

OK, who doesn't need a break every once in a while! Just kidding. As you may know, the state of Kentucky is well known for its production of Bourbon. This is one of the local distillaries located throughout the mountains:

Thirsty? ok, I'm kidding!

Conference: Part 2

The is the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemane. While in college some of us would walk the 14 miles to the Abbey just for a break. The men here, priests and brothers, live a life in vows (poverty, chastity, obedience) with two additional vows which others do not take. These two other vows are Stability (they don't leve the Monastery) and Silence (rarely speak). A fascinating, holy place:

OK, time for lunch at a local Irish Pub in Louisville:

Cozy interior:

Delicious lunch:

Conference: Part 4

On Tuesday, early in the morning before our conference began (later in the afternoon), I drove west from Louisville to visit St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary. Years ago when I was the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of St. Augustine, I would travel to St. Meinrad to visit the young men who were studying there from our Diocese in preparation for being ordained Priests.


The Entrance:

The Abbey Church:

The Church on the left and the School of Theology on the right:

The interior of the Abbey Church, etc.

An Aside:

I place this picture separately because it is so unique. This house is quietly nestled in a small neighborhood in Louisville. If you didn't know where you were going, you would not find it. This home is where President Abraham Lincoln stayed while recovering from a serious illness:

Conference: Part 5

Sites in Downtown Louisville, KY. Participants stayed in the Galt House, a local downtown hotel.