Day 2 Continued:

After reaching the Shrine property, we passed the home of the Bishop of Lourdes-Tarbes. Arrived at the priets' residence, picked up the keys to my room. Im on the 3rd floor, right NO elevator. Room #53. INside the room there is a bed, night table, small desk, one chair (which I rarely used since it was straight back and not comfortable, and a sectioned off area with a shower, and sink. Toilets at the end of the hall... ugh! The room was actually nice, very simple, but what else did I really need. Also, a great window (no screen) which looked out on a tree! (good for shade).
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Here is a pic of the building I roomed in. My room iis on the 3rd floor directly behind the the tree. You can't tell from this side of the building but my room is actually 3 flights up (did I say NO elevators????).

Dinner was at 7:30, walked to the dining area which was in a separate building.
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A closer view of the building which held the dining room, the Business office, and other rooms for priests who were ministering here (did I say no elevators!)

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Here is a view of the waiting area , just outside the dining room. We (the English speaking priests)would gather here before meals (lunch and dinner) and chat about how the day was going. We had a terrific time with each other.

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Two other views of the same room:

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And this is our dining room:

Each of the different language groups of priests had their own table for meals.
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Dinner was served at 7:30pm. For my first meal, dinner, we had: beef, potatoes, mixed vegetables, bread, lettuce leaves, water and wine. After dinner an espresso type coffee (nope no liquor inside).
At our dinner table there were 7 of us the first night, One of the priests, Father Michael from England was leaving in the morning. What a great guy, I would miss getting to know him. Others at our table were: Father Brian (Ireland) and Father Paul (South Africa)- (both were assigned here full time by their Order); Father Michael from England, Father Angelo from England, Father Michael from Nigeria and me (they called me "The American!").
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What an exceptional group. And what fun and serious love of Lourdes.
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After dinner, Father Michael, from Nigeria, offered to show me around: the Shrine, the building in which we celebrated Mass and the building where we would hear Confessions, etc etc. We spent a good while together.
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This is Father Michael:

Father Michael went on to his room, I walked to the Shrine where the 9:30pm Marian Processions was about to begin. This was so awesome it's difficult to explain the beauty, the joy and even the sadness of it all. During the procession, thousands participate and the Rosary is recited in about 6 different languages.
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OK, back to my room. I'm dead tired. It's Day 2, Tuesday night at 10:30pm and I have been up since Monday morning at 4:30am. It's time to sleep don't you think.
Night prayers.
Lights out.
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Day 2 Continued

Jean Marie rode the Parish subway just about all over the city of Paris. It certainly felt like it, anyway.
In out final ride, we headed to Orly airport, the other airport in Paris. Orly is for local flights to throughout France.
We stopped off at a few different ticket counters for directions, etc. After receiving what we needed, we looked for a place to grab a bite to eat (lunch). Found an airport restaurant where we could sit and enjoy company and food, finally. Terrific French waiter who became quite attentive and entertaining when Jean Marie told him in French (he knew no English)that I was a priest. The look on his face! (Candid Camera moment). We enjoyed lunch: salad and soda for me, sandwich and beer for Jean Marie.
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After landing in Paris at 5:00am (still awake from yesterday at 4:30am in Pcola), it's about time to head to my departure gate.
Leave time is 4:15pm to Lourdes.
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..... Jean Marie took this pic of me as I was walking to ticketing-baggage inspection.....
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...my flight from Orly (Paris)to Lourdes.
Flight was at 4:15pm. I kept nodding off but no good sleep. Last seat in the rear of the plane and no one nearby. Quiet!
We landed 10 minutes early at 5:25 pm Lourdes time.
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Depart plane and head to baggage claim (although I had no baggage to pick up). The priest from the Shrine who would be my Director would pick me up. By the time I arrived at baggage, Father Brian (Irish priest who was a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, pronounces his name Breean)was heading in. At first he walked up to another man asking if he were me. NOT! When I saw him, I introduced myself to him and off we went.
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Tiny car, really. But zipped along. 30 minute drive to the Shine in Lourdes. We had a great chat driving to the Shrine, etc etc. Keys, room... and dinner would be at 7:30pm.
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You can guess, right?

Day 2 Continued:

Next we visited Sacre Coeur: Sacred Heart
... no pictures or talking allowed inside (strictly observed). Sacre Coeur is built on the steepest hill in Paris. Easiest was to reach the Church is by a tram which is located between a set of steeps stairs (the tram really helps, esp when you have a carry on and a back pack with you). Building started in 1875 and completed in 1914.
Some pics of Sacre Coeur:



Now to the Arc de Triomphe, built in 1806:

This is my "tour guide": Jean Marie Broutin, some of you may recognize from Sunday, 11:00am Mass (and, of course, Patty Broutin's husband):

Some pictures of Notre Dame

This Cathedral was built in the year 1168 and this year is celebrating its 850th anniversary. There is usually an expansive field in front of the Cathedral but with the celebrations this year it is congested with all types of bleachers to sit and watch presentations, wait for visitors inside the Cathedral and there is a huge tent for young children to experience a bread-making process.

Lourdes Experience: Day 2

I am calling this day 2 since it is now Tuesday in Paris.
I went through Passport check, a breeze. All I have with me is a carry on and a backpack. Makes travelling simple, let me tell ya!
Followed the exit signs (Sortie) till I made it to the train station (Gare). The train station actually goes into Charles DeGaulle Airport, on lower level. I waited there to meet Jean Marie Broutin, a parishiioner from St Joseph's who also lives in France but not in the city. His train was a little late, maybe 20 minutes. The is when we began an unusual but full tour of some terrific sights in Paris (I was only in Paris for about 5 hours).
First we purchased our train tickets, boarded the train (full), made many, many stops, and after a slow ride arrived in center of Paris.
We headed to Notre Dame Cathedral:

Lourdes Experience: Day 1

Monday, May 13
Picked up at the rectory at 7am by Sunnie.
Arrived at the airport @ 7:25 for a 9:15 flight from Pcola to ATL.
This is my plane leaving Pcola:




Arrived in ATL 11:03am Eastern Time and went to F Terminal, Gate 8. Phone conversation with Patty re meeting her husband in Paris.
The plane for Paris left ATL at 3:10pm. on time and I was in seat 19E. Aisle seat. Great seat actually. I read, listened to the album "Angels and Saints at Ephesus" by cloisterd Benedictine Sisters which I had downloaded onto my iPad (great music), a remixed version of a song by Peter Frampton (a favorite of mine), watched 3 movies (cant remember the names but one was about the young man with the tiger on the ocean). Had a glass of red wine before dinner (tortellini, salad, roll, cheese, brownie for dessert). Did I have a second glass of wine? (hey, it was free!) Stood, walked abit. A great flight. We arrived in Paris, 5:00am local time... we were early).

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Tip for Your Marriage:

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“Everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine.” (John 17:9) Although Jesus was addressing his Father with these words, they also apply to married couples. Are there any possessions that you are reluctant to share with your beloved?

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A Marriage Tip for today:

What’s the difference between constructive criticism and nagging? Repetition. Unless your spouse is hard of hearing, trust that saying your criticism once (or at most twice) is enough.

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Video 3 ... final in series)

Video 2: Second in a series

Do yourself a favor: watch this ... (Video 1)

it's a little over 22 minutes long but worth every second...
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btw: This young man died on May 20, 2013.


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Pope Francis' Holy Hour Today, Sunday:

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The Holy Father's TWO intentions for this Holy Hour today:

1.For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.

2.For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labor. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.

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Lourdes France

Flight for Paris leaves soon. Will be in Lourdes, France for few weeks to offer priestly ministry, the celebration of Mass and Penance, for those visiting the Shrine.


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Tip for our Marriage:

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Great! Treat your own mother if she is still alive. For husbands: Help your children decide how to honor their mother, but don’t do it for them. Your wife is your best friend, not your mother.

 
 
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May he rest in Peace:

Father Scott Carroll, who was ordained last Wednesday, died early this morning, Friday, May 10, 2013.


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Tip for YOur Marriage:

Christ ascended into heaven of his own power; the rest of us need a little help from our friends. What lifts your beloved up – a sunny day? a warm bath? a massage? an offer to do one of his/her chores? Jump up and lift up your beloved today.

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Seminarian battling cancer ordained to priesthood

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Late in the morning, Wednesday, May 8, 2013, Bishop Leonard Blair ordained Deacon Scott Carroll to the priesthood at a Mass celebrated at Father Carroll’s home in Maumee, Ohio.

Concelebrating the Ritual Mass of Ordination were the Reverends Keith Stripe and Kishore Kottana, Pastor and Associate Pastor respectively of Father Carroll’s home parish of Saint Joseph, and the Reverend Monsignor Charles Singler, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Toledo.

Father Carroll’s family were present for the concelebrated Mass.

At the end of the Mass, Bishop Blair announced to those gathered that Father Carroll is assigned Associate Pastor of his home parish, Saint Joseph Parish, Maumee.


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Tip for Your Marriage:

Your spouse is not your competitor. Too often couples keep score on who cleaned more, took care of the kids last, or has the hardest job. You’re both on the same team. If somebody wins an argument, that means the other lost. The marriage loses.

Tip for Your Marriage:

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Sometimes couples get lucky and their personalities and families of origin mesh seamlessly. That’s rare. The blessing of having difficulties is that it forces the virtues of conflict resolution skills and dying to self. It can hurt but it’s a spiritual purification.

10 yr old Teaches college guys how to be polite:

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Caution: She says some called her the World's Ugliest Woman

(About 20 minutes. Worth every one)

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Recognize this guy? (right of center)

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He became Pope John Paul II

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Tip for your Marriage:

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Love the whole person, especially their weaknesses.

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New Swiss Guards sworn in....

Personal protectors of the Pope:
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Speaking to 35 new members of the Swiss Guards, Pope Francis encouraged them to live “the time you spend in the 'Eternal City' in a spirit of genuine brotherhood, helping one another to live a good Christian life.”

The Swiss Guards traditionally enroll new members on May 6, the date when 147 members of the force died in a successful defense of the Pope during the sack of Rome in 1527. Speaking to the new recruits and their families before their swearing-in ceremony, the Pope said: “Today you are not called to this heroic gesture but to another form of sacrifice, which is also challenging: to put your youthful energies at the service of the Church and the Pope.” He encouraged them to carry out their new responsibilities with joy and courtesy.


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Bishop's Purpose: to get people to pray for Vocations

Nebraska's Bishop Conley completed the 26.2 mile Lincoln Marathon over the weekend, offering his prayers and sacrifices for vocations. Thank you Bishop! May God answer your prayers.
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A Vocation Story: Father Augustine, OP (Dominican)

I'm sharing this becasue Father Augustine is an aquaintance of mine:

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Thank you ... Publix

Publix celebrates the days leading to Mother's Day.

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Tip for Your Marriage:

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid…I am going away and I will come back to you.” (John 14: 27-29) Separations like business trips or military deployments can strain a marriage. Plan a daily way to reconnect even if it is simply to pick a common time to pray for each other.

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Twitter:

@FrPatrickFoley

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Tip For Your Marriage:

Sometime we stress ourselves (and therefore our spouse and children) by worrying about things that don’t really matter in the long run, such as compulsive neatness, wealth, or fame. Are you guilty of giving undue attention to things that will pass?

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Latest Video from: Catholics Come Home

Tip for Your marriage:

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A good argument can be a labor of love. Have something sensitive or difficult to talk about with your spouse?
Try holding hands and maintaining direct eye contact when you are having a discussion about a disagreement.

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Assisi ...

The Basilica of St. Francis:

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Font where St. Francis and St. Clare were both baptized:

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The tomb of St. Francis (I have had the honor of celebrating Mass on this altar in front of his tomb):

My great-niece makes a home-made gift for her Mom for Mother's Day:

Adrianne --
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Tip for your marriage:

What’s the most dangerous part of your body? In marriage, it’s your tongue. It can discourage, wound, embarrass, and humiliate your beloved. You may try to conceal this weapon but it’ll sneak out in snarky remarks if you don’t tame it. Say enough but know when to stop.
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Typical new priest: 32-year-old cradle Catholic who prays Rosary, takes part in Eucharistic adoration:

Some interesting reading....

The typical member of the priestly ordination class of 2013 is a 32-year-old cradle Catholic who has three or more siblings and prayed the Rosary regularly before entering seminary, according to a survey of 366 of the 497 men slated to be ordained to the priesthood in the United States this year. The survey was conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

31% of the ordinands are foreign born, with the most typical foreign countries of birth being Mexico (5%), Vietnam (3%), Colombia (3%), Poland (2%), the Philippines (2%), and Nigeria (2%). On average, these foreign-born seminarians have lived in the United States for 14 years and arrived in the US at age 24.

A disproportionately high percentage of ordinands attended a Catholic elementary school (42%), Catholic high school (42%), or Catholic college (44%). In addition, a disproportionately high percentage were home schooled: 4% were home schooled, typically for seven years, at a time when less than 2% of US children were educated at home. If one assumes that all the homeschooled seminarians came from the United States, then 6% of US-born ordinands were home schooled.

Among the survey’s findings:


• the median age of ordinands is 32; the mean age, 35.5

• the typical diocesan ordinand lived in his diocese for 18 years before entering seminary, though 15% had lived in their diocese for less than a year before entering seminary

•67% of ordinands are white, 15% are Latino, 10% are Asian, and 5% are black

•9% are converts, with the average age of reception into the Church being 24

•34% have a relative who was a priest or religious

• in 81% of cases, both parents were Catholic

•4% have served in the US Armed Forces; 13% had a parent who spent his career in the military

•68% regularly prayed the Rosary, and 62% regularly participated in Eucharistic adoration, before entering the seminary

•ordinands typically first began to consider the priesthood at 16

•67% were encouraged by their parish priest to consider a vocation; 46% were encouraged by a friend, 38% by a parishioner, 34% by their mother, and 22% by their father

•19% were discouraged by a priest from considering a vocation; 30% were discouraged by their fathers, 28% by their mothers, 43% by other family members

•20% have five or more siblings, 10% have four siblings, 22% have three siblings, 24% have two siblings, 21% have one sibling, and 3% have no siblings

•40% are the oldest children in their families

•63% had earned their undergraduate degree before entering seminary, and 23% had earned a graduate degree

•62% worked full time before entering seminary

•47% took part in a parish youth group, and 35% took part in Boy Scouts

•20% took part in a World Youth Day, and 11% took part in a Franciscan University of Steubenville summer conference

•67% had served as altar servers, 55% as readers, and 46% as extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion before entering seminary


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Have fun.....

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Today's Tip for Your Marriage:

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Store clerks are taught to say “Have a nice day” to each customer. The marriage version is “How was your day?” Such a simple question but it says “I care about you and how you spend the time when we’re apart.” Listen carefully to the answer

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Today from Pope Francis:

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Dear young friends, learn from Saint Joseph. He went through difficult times, but he always trusted, and he knew how to overcome adversity.

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on this feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.

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You can't teach heart!

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May 1, 2013

MAY DAY!  MAY DAY!  MAY DAY!  MAY DAY!

Today is International Labor Day (World Labor Day)

Pope Francis prays for an end to slave trade around the world.

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Today is also the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker.


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Speaks for itself:

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Wringing out a wet towel ..... in Space

Little Girl breaks thru Security to see Pope Francis:

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17th Ave Bridge:

Pray for Boston ...............

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You Are More Beautiful Than You Think:

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Boston !

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Martin Richard was standing near the finish line, waiting for his father to complete the grueling Boston Marathon on Monday, when an explosion took his life.
He was 8 years old and in the third grade.
Martin's mother, Denise, was hospitalized with "grievous injuries," The Times of London reported. She reportedly underwent surgery late Monday for an injury to her brain.
His 6-year-old sister, a first grader whose name was not made public, lost her leg in the blast, WHDH reported.
The status of his father, William, has not been released. A third child was reportedly unharmed in the explosion.

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"Some people are so poor, all they have is money."
Mother Teresa


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On Thursday Night:

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Aren't you Catholic?

A Wedding in San Antonio, Texas

My Niece: Kirsten Donica - bridesmaid ....

Easter Vigil: our new Catholics

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Stanley and Paulette Walker


with their children:



with their Sponsors: Brenda Long and Sunnie Gates



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An evening in Gulf Breeze:

Patty Broutin ... Bob and Gisele Charron
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also joining us for dinner were Jean Marie Broutin and Earl Lett (sax guy - formerly played back up for Tina Turner)

What a Dad will do for his child:

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Served for me: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and for the Easter Vigil:
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Our youngest parishioner:

Infant, 21 weeks, Lucas Taylor King, to be buried from St. Joseph's this Friday morning at 10:00. Our deepest sympathy to his parents, Emily and Bobby, and to his brother, Atticus.
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May Lucas rest in peace.
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May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr murdered 45 years ago today:

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Isaiah Saying Mass:

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Snowbirds Meet at St Joseph's for Easter Mass

After Easter Sunday Mass