Julian on the Loose

Still in Switzerland ?

2009-01-28T12:58:00.000-08:00

No ... I'm back in Indy, but with more snow that I saw in either Finland or Switzerland. Over the course of last night and this morning, we got over ten inches of snow ... lovely. It was supposed to continue through midday, but actually let up by late morning. This afternoon, the sun is shining through scattered clouds. Needless to say, the city was pretty well shut down today.

The trip home was uneventful. The flight from Zurich to Chicago wasn't completely full, and I was fortunate enough to have an empty seat beside me. I watched two movies and did some work on an upcoming project. Yesterday I unpacked, did some laundry, went through the mail, and started to get caught up on things. The snow day today provided for another relaxed day to just putz around nad tend to odds 'n ends. One of the things I need to do soon is transfer my photos off the camera and onto a CD, and see which ones I want to print off.

But for now, I've got a big pot of chili on for supper ...

Winding down

2009-01-25T01:58:00.001-08:00

Just got out of Mass for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. The Abbot presided and preached (I actually understood a few words) there was a large mixed choir of men and women (from the surrounding area, I guess) and a brass quintet. It was definitely a High Mass. I didn't even mind my cold nose and ears. On this Feast of St. Paul, I especially prayed for all the folks of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral Parish in Indy.

The sky is a clear blue and the sun is shining brightly.

This afternoon I'm gonna make one more swing through the Monastery Gift Shop, then start to pack.

In the morning, I'll probably attend Lauds "in civvies" so I can head for the train station right after. I want to get to the airport plenty early to request an exit row seat, or maybe even an upgrade ... anything to get a little more leg room. I fly Zurich to Chicago, then Chicago to Indy. If all goes according to plan, I'm supposed to be in Indy around 8:30pm, which will be 1:30am "body time." It will be a long day.

My visit to the Mutterabtei has been everything I wanted and needed it to be ... restful, prayerful and educational. I'm grateful for the opprtunity, the permission and the means to make it happen.

So having drunk deeply of the monastic tradition here, I head back to the parish for a few more months. The plan is that I'll return to Saint Meinrad around the first of July. As for what I'll be doing then ... God knows... the Abbot isn't telling and I'm not asking ... there's plenty for me to do till then.

Saturday evening

2009-01-24T08:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon's rain turned to sleet then to snow, but there wasn't much accumulation overnight. Late in the evening there were fierce winds, but turned out to be all sound and little snow. Cloudy today.

This morning I went exploring some other parts of the village, and found another grocery store, which of course I explored carefully. I was out looking for an Einsiedeln t-shirt, but none werre to be found. The tourist office had one, but it was very plain and I wasn't gonna pay the money.

This afternoon I got a special tour of the church with Father Wolfgang. He's in his 80's now, and was Guestmaster here for over 34 years ... he is well known to any monks of Saint Meinrad who ever passed through Einsiedeln in the last 50 years. I had asked him if he'd walk through the church with me, since I had some questions about things, and he was pleased to oblige. We made an appointment for 3:15, so I made sure to be there by 3:12 ...he was waiting. (StM Monks will understand the significance of that.) His memory is sharp, his English fluent, and he spits out pieces of history with ease. It was a very enjoyable time. He told me the other day that he's been undergoing treatment for bone cancer, but seems to be holding his own for now.

Supper last night was interesting ...at first I thought it was gonna be something like french toast ... not quite. It was toasted slices of bread soaked in warmed, spiced red wine. It was accompanied by a very nice rice pudding. Supper is the light meal here anyway, and Friday is traditionally a pentitential day, but this was ... well ... an interesting take on both. The midday meal was somewhat puttanesca (chunks of tuna with tomatoes, onions and olives) without the pasta ... quite tasty.

They eat alot of bread and cheese here ... brown breads with wodnerful crust, and a variety of hard cheeses. It will be hard to find bread like this at home, and the Cathedral Rectory food budget can't afford the cheeses (at least regularly) so I'm enjoying it while I got it.

Have I mentioned ...

2009-01-23T06:14:00.000-08:00

...that there is no heat in the Abbey Church of Maria Einsiedeln? I don't mean the heat isn't working ... I mean there IS NO HEAT in the church... EVER. One can literally see one's breath when singing or reciting. I saw a thermometer today that said 10 degrees celsius ... so that's what, somewhere in the low 40's? Given my high tolerance for cool and cold temperatures, I haven't found it too bad ... until today. By the end of Mass my feet were getting cold and my nose and ears were quite cold. It puts a new spin on "old world charm." But I'm still loving it.

I'm really enjoying the food here ...with traditional monastic style service at meals, there is a certain portion control in effect, but that's OK. I could get used to this style of meals, and would greatly benefit from the imposed portion control. I lament our loss of the family style meal in the Monastery at home ... with regular buffet service it's much too easy to eat too much, and I do.

The fare here is very simple and very flavorful. I have yet to salt my food ... and those who know me understand the significance of that.

I'm supposed to meet Brother Edward at the stables in a bit. Alas, this afternoon it is raining, but I hear more snow is coming. I hope, I hope, I hope ....

All is bright

2009-01-22T04:41:00.000-08:00

A glorious crisp, sunny day. I was out walking in the village this morning, hitting a couple of grocery stores ... one more like our small city supermarkets, the other not unlike the OLD Modern Store in Saint Meinrad. I picked up a few things to snack on in my room these next days. Got lots of pics as I came back up around the monastery.

One of the monks is gonna take me through the stables tomorrow and show me his favorite horses. He has a broad interest in things hooved, and is a member of the Swiss Mule Society.

I'm inclined not to make any side trips this time ... I'm quite content just to hang out and absorb. And, since I'm on holiday (as they say) take naps.

Elegance

2009-01-21T08:39:00.001-08:00

Saint Meinrad Day at the Mother Abbey has been a grand experience. They do it up right, all with elegant style and nothing is ever overdone. Good church. Good food. Gracious hospitality with "old world charm". Too much to go into here.

For Second Vespers I was an Assistant to Abbot Martin. (We were ordained Deacons together at Saint Meinrad when he was a student with us.) It was an honor to be asked and a BIG thrill. At the end of Vespers, the silver reliquary which contains St. Meinrad's skull was carried in procession through the Church to the Lady Chapel for the Salve Regina. Then the procession with the Relic moves back through the Church to the Altar area. All this processing is done while responding to polyphonic invocations sung by the Schola. Awesome.

When I logged on to check the email a bit ago I found word that Brother Stephen Shidler died this morning at Saint Meinrad. Stevie lived in the Infirmay just below my room in the Monastery. I had helped take care of him when I worked in the Infirmary before my Sabbatical, and would always stop by to see him whenever I was home from Indy. God rest his soul ... Needless to say, I will miss the funeral, but will lift him up before God from here.

There was light snow on and off through the day, but this evening the skies have cleared a bit. I have no idea what the forecast is, and I don't care ... I'm just enjoying what we got as we get it.

Schnee

2009-01-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

I arrived at the Mother Abbey just in time for Abendessen (Supper) yesterday (Monday). It had been a long day of travelling, so I was in bed early and slept very well.

Much to my delight, I found it to be snowing steadily when I arose for Lauds this morning ... and it snowed most of the day. I took lots of pictures when I was out walking this afternoon.

Tomorrow is the Solemnity of Saint Meinrad, which is, of course, a major feast day here. I am looking forward to seeing how they do things up.

This will have to be short ... almost time for Abendessen.

Drum Practice

2009-01-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

Just got back from dinner at a Viking theme restaurant here in Jyvaskyla. Between the appetizer sampler and the entrees, I had a variety of things ... fried goat cheese, smoked reindeer heart, a couple different kinds of fish (smoked and marinated), mead (honey beer), and wild boar. The sides were a nice cheesy potato casserole, roasted rutabaga and carrots, and a fresh rhubarb sauce.

Now we're home and settled in for the evening. Drew is practicing his drums, Steve is watching some TV, Barbara is working on the computer, and I have a batch of laundry in the washer. I need to repack this evening, since we have to leave the house by 7:00 tomorrow morning for the train station.

Mass at St. Olav's was nice... there were about 30 people. Drew served. Afterward, there was coffee and cakes and I visited with people from Finland, Venezuela, India and France. The Pastor is a priest of the Diocese of Rome (Italy) who has been loaned out for mission work in Finland for the past ten years or so. The young man from France remarked that he was surprised when I introduced myself as a monk from the US ... I said we have a saying at home *Join the monastery and see the world.* He laughed.

Tomorrow I take the train to Helsinki, fly to Zurich via Berlin, then get a train to Einsiedeln. If things go according to schedule, I should be in Einsiedeln at 6:12pm (the trains are very precise). It's supposed to start snowing here this evening, so that should make for a scenic trip south to Helsinki.'

Drum practice is over ... in a small house, 15 minutes is a long time.

Finnish Nightlife

2009-01-17T05:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening Steve took me downtown to a couple of his favorite places, and through the course of the evening we met up with a number of his colleagues and friends. Finnish pub food and beers together with WIDE ranging conversations was the evening's fare. Most of the time, English was the language around the table, although there were a couple of times when a non-English speaker joined the group and Finnish prevailed. It was a fun evening, and I was surprised how late it was when we got home. How late you may ask? VERY LATE.

This morning Drew had Religious Ed at church. He's preparing for his First Communion. I slept in (see entry above).

I'm cooking supper today ... braised leg of lamb with root vegetables. I think we're going to crank up the sauna before supper, and then watch a movie after we eat.

The Mass in English is at Noon tomorrow .. I told Barbara I would write the Petitions. She's in charge of music.

Mämmi

2009-01-16T05:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's culinary adventure involved mämmi. Think of Guinness Stout in a pudding consistency and with no alcohol. Finnish lore has it that mämmi goes back to the 17th century, maybe Germany, but probably brought to Finland by Swedish Catholics. Germany and Sweden have let go of it, but Finns have held onto it, and while it can be enjoyed anytime of the year it is especially linked to Lent and Easter. We bought it pre-made, so I looked up the recipe on the web. It's a very long and complicated process, taking many hours ... slowly incorporating rye flour, malt and water in stages allowing it to sit and *sweeten* inbetween stages. Then it's seasoned with grated orange rind and a bit of molasses, whipped and baked. Mämmi is served cold with sugar and whole cream. It's not something I'd want to make a regular diet of, but is good once in a while.

Today was indeed sunny, at least where you could get high enough in the hills to see the sun, since it's very low in the sky this time of year. This afternoon, Barbara dropped me off at Drew's after-school program and the two of us walked home. It's about 20 degrees F, which made for a brisk walk ... about half an hour from school to the house. I got some good photos of the frost-laden trees. I also got some photos of a snowbow ... like a rainbow only different , with the sun reflecting through the frozen fog.

Amerikkalainen*

2009-01-15T01:44:00.000-08:00

* Finnish for American.

Drew wanted to go to Captain Hook's ... so that's what we did. It's an American-kitsch place based on the Disney movie Captain Hook, but with posters of Johnny Depp's pirate movies and others around. They're reputed to have great ribs, but last night were out of them, so I took Drew's suggestion and had the fissherman's platter ... lots of fried shrimp and calamari, with coleslaw and cross-cut fries. I had Finnish beer (amber, very smooth) to wash it all down.

Drum lesson was fun ... Drew's teacher is a young music student who has played with some of the Finnish jazz greats. It was even more interesting to hear/see Drew and his teacher converse and interact in fluent Finnish. Barbara and I just sat over to the side (with headphones to dampen the sound) and watched.

My sleep cycle is still outta whack, and I found myself wide awake at 3am again. So I got up and reviewed German grammar for an hour or so, and read a little bit before dozing off again. Around 7:00, I heard the family stirring so got up to see Drew off for school.

This afternoon, Steve is having two Vietnamese students over to go through some photos he has from when his father was in the Air Force during the Viet Nam war. One or the other of the students is from the area of the Air Force Base, and Steve is curious to see if they can identify some places and maybe even people ... it is kind of a "small world" situation.

It has gotten cold (around Zero, Fahrenheit) but is not supposed to snow again till next week. I'm told we may see some sun today, but it's only Noon and it just got really light a little bit ago, so I'm still waiting.

Finlandia

2009-01-14T00:38:00.000-08:00

Needless to say, yesterday was a sleepy day. It was nice to just lay on the couch and snooze on and off. They don't have Food Channel, but I did find some cooking shows on BBC, and I watched a bit of the news in German. Barbara wanted to have chili for supper, so I pulled that together in the afternoon ... at times having to taste spices on the shelf to make sure what I was getting, since the Finnish names were unrecognizable to me. Drew got home from school around 3:30 (it was already getting dark) then he introduced me to his new wii games. After supper and homework, we made cookies (a Finnish gingerbread type) and had Glögi (a spiced fruit drink served warm with raisins and slivered almonds).

I have the day to myself again ... Drew is at school,. Barb is at work, and Steve is off to meet with a student. This afternoon, we'll pick Drew up from school then go to his drum lesson before going out for supper. Drew gets to pick the restaurant.

Yesterday I started reviewing a bit of German grammar ... I haven't much opportunity to keep up with what I started to learn on my sabbatical, so I planned to use these days on my own to brush up on a few things before getting to Einsiedeln. I brought a concise grammar/dictionary and the Liturgy of the Hours in German with me, and I figured watching the German news might help tune my ear a bit ... maybe ... I hope.

The neighborhood is extremely quiet with very little traffic... no sirens or busses, which is quite the change from my recent living situation in downtown Indy. There were a few flurries this morning, and it's supposed to get really cold again tonight, so maybe I'll get to try out my new gloves soon.

But now I feel a nap coming on ....

Long time no blog ...

2009-01-12T17:49:00.000-08:00

OK, so I fell through on keeping this together. But here's news ... I'm on the loose again. Yes, this is coming to you from Jyvaskyla, Finland. I arrived yesterday (Monday, 12 January) and will be here for a week before moving on to Einisedeln, Switzerland for a week.

The short version of the story is that back in July when I was home for my Jubilee Celebration, I asked the Abbot if I could see Finland and Switzerland in winter. And he said yes. So here I am ... spending time with my Godson, Drew, and his parents Barbara and Steve. Then I will be at the Motherhouse for the Solemnity of Saint Meinrad. I return to Indianapolis on Monday, 26 January.

So there are a few things to catch up on, and I hope to do that while here.

In the meantime, suffice it to say that my trip over this time was far less eventful than the first time >Julian went on the loose ... no long delays of sitting on the tarmac for hours. While the planes were full )PACKED, actually) everything was pretty much on schedule. It was, however, a VERY long trip ... flying Indy to Chicago to Munich to Helsinki, then three hours by train to Jyvaskyla.

Unfortunately, the winter wonderland of Finland is a slushy mess right now, as they have had a solid day of rain with temperatures just above freezing. But it's supposed to get cold again this week, so hopefully there will be snow.

So for now, pass the word that Julian is on the loose again and stay tuned.

Lucious

2008-08-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

That's a person ... Lucious Newsom. He was 95 years old, and died Monday night. As I type this up, he's being waked in the Cathedral, and his Funeral Mass will be here tomorrow at 1pm. This is a BIG deal ... the Governor and the Mayor will both be in attendance and have some words at the beginning of the Funeral.

Lucious was a a champion of the poor, the homeless and the hungry in Indianapolis. He was a Baptist preacher, originally from Memphis, TN. When he can to Indy twenty-some years ago, he quickly got involved with things. And, since the Catholics were the most responsive to him and his work, he joined the Church. He wasn't a parishioner here, and I never met him, but he's very well known in these parts and for one reason or another family and friends decided to have the Rites of Death and Burial here. If you go to Indystar.com and do a recent search, several articles on Lucious should pop up. We just had some news crews filming the wake, and I understand more will be here tomorrow.

I was actually down home on the Hill for some quiet days when I got a call informing me that Lucious had died and the Cathedral was to host his funeral. So I cut my visit short and came home a day early to manage things. I'm in my element with this kind of stuff ...

Going back to the Jubilee weekend ... everything went very well and a good time was had by all. It was weird (the realization of 25 years already) but good. The climax of it all came on Monday morning when what started out as a routine dentist visit turned into a root canal. I didn't even have time to get worked up about it ... he said I needed it and he could do it right then, so I told him to go ahead. Part of my going home this week was to have the prelimary work done for a crown on that tooth ...

Guess I had better go check on things in the Church ... then soon I'll need to get set up for the 7pm Vigil Service.

Lucious was a real piece of work ... even in death ... he's laid out in bib overalls and a Colts cap.

Jubilees

2008-07-27T06:40:00.001-07:00

Today at Saint Meinrad we observe Jubilees of Monastic Profession ... Father Theodore marks 85 Years (he's 107 years old and will most likely be at Mass this morning), Abbot Bonaventure marks 70 Years, Brother Kim and Brother Giles mark 50 years, and I MARK 25 YEARS. Yes, I'm a Jubilarian. When I entered, I thought Jubilarians were old, and now I am one. My Parents, Sister and Brother-in-law, and a few friends are here. It's a typical southern Indiana summer day (hot and very humid) so among the things we give thanks for today is airconditioning in the Abbey Church!

More on all this later ... I hope ... maybe ...

Sister Madeleine Sophie

2008-07-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

Monday morning I received a call that Sister Madeleine Sophie, OP, had died at the Motherhouse in Adrian, Michigan. Sophie was my eighth grade homeroom teacher, and a very significant influence in my life. We've maintained contact over the years ... on and off ... but always reconnecting, no matter how logn tha lapse of communication had been. When Sister Eileen(my other "eighth grade nun")called on Monday, I immediately told her that I would try to attend the funeral ... Adrian isn't all that far from Indianapolis. She called back later in the day inviting me to Preside and Preach for the Funeral Liturgy. So I drove to Adrian on Tuesday after the Noon Mass at the Cathedral, and got there in time for the Reception of the Body and evening Vigil. The Funeral Mass was on Wednesday morning ... a bright, clear, Michigan summer day. Everything was lovely. There are too many "Sophie stories" to go into right now, suffice it to quote one of Sophie's wisdom sayings: "There are no accidents in the Providence of God."

God rest you, my Dear Friend

A yea ago this week ...

2008-06-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

...the sabbatical was about to launch and Julian was going on the loose. It sure sems like a lot longer. I have the pics with me here in Indy, so maybe I'll start vicariously retracing my travels. It would also be good for me to make an attempt to reclaim what German I started to learn.

Meanwhile for life in Indy, there's been no want of things to do. I was home for a few days at the beginning of the month when the Indianapolis Priests held their annual convocation on the Hill ... as Director of Liturgy I coordinated all the common prayer and Masses for the convocation, but stayed in my Monastery cell. It was nice. Last week I had a wedding and a funeral, with another funeral (mortuary service the burial) tomorrow. Betwixt and between, I've been doing some yard work and landscaping around the Cathedral ... last Monday I worked outside for a good five or six hours straight, for which my back has been very slow to forgive. I've also been doing some work with the large potted plants we have in the Church.

On Saturday the 28th, the Archbishop will ordain first class of Permanent Deacons fpor the Archdiocese ... TWENTY-FIVE of them. I keep saying that the hospitality ministers will need to be armed guards, since admission to the Cathedral will be carefully controlled ... NO TICKET, NO GET IN. We only seat 800 in the Nave, and other spaces have to be held for priests and worthies ...

Sunday, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, is our Parish Feast Day, so we're having a picnic in a park not far from the parish. Then on Monday I'm heading out for a week of vacation ... flying to Memphis for a few days, then on to Seagrove Beach, FL, to hang with some friends in a condo on the beach through the 4th of July.

Come June 30th, I will officially have one more year here ... that's the date referenced on my letter of appointment from the Abbot. The Archbishop's letter is less specific, so we'll see how it all shakes down. I imagine there are a few people around here who may start a countdown calendar ....a proverb's paraphrase may apply ... you can please some of the people all the time, and you can please all the people some of the time, but you can't please All the people ALL the time.

There's no place like home ...

2008-05-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

This week I was on the Hill (Saint Meinrad)for several days for Community meetings. I didn't realize how much I missed the locale of Southern Indiana until I drove down into the hills with all the trees and farms and QUIET. When I got out of the car Monday morning, I was immediately struck by the deafening silence on the Hill ... it was wonderful. The days were cool and clear with a nice breeze, and I spent a good bit of time walking around outside.

The meetings themselves went well ... not that we came to any great resolutions or conclusions, but good discussion was had. A number of us "expositi" (those placed outside the Monastery) were home. Unfortunately, a number of people who usually are at home weren't ... go figure.

After the meeting on Tuesday evening, I asked the monk who was assigned to have Mass for the Sisters at Ferdinand on Wednesday if I could take the Mass over there ... he looked somewhat puzzled and asked "Why?" and I said "Because I miss them." The Sisters were quite surprised when I walked out onto the Altar, and I got to visit with a number of themn after Mass. After Breakfast I went up to their Infirmary to check on a few Sisters and had a nice quick visit up there. Several of the Sisters mentioned that they read this blog occasionally ... and I remarked "Probably more like when I occasionally post something." I haven't kept touch with them very well, but I haven't kept touch with alot of people lately ... ask my Family.

These are "high holy days" here in Indy ... this is RACE WEEKEND. As I sit typing, the streets around the Cathedral are blocked off for staging areas and parking for participants in the parade. The parade used to come past the Cathedreal, but now "de-stages" two blocks south. Streets are supposed to be open and cleared in plenty of time for folks to get here for 5pm Mass. A Parishioner invited me to go to the track for Carburation Day with him yesterday (Friday) but I was booked up. No, I'm not going to the race tomorrow, either. I understand I'll be able to hear the roar of the race from here, though ...

No plans for Memorial Day ... if the weather is good, I have more flowers to plant. I also need to get some new stuff to replace the shrubs I cut down. I think I'm gonna go with holly bushes ... I found some at a good price at Home Depot.

When I got in the car on Wednesday to drive back to Indy, there was a big part of me that wanted to stay there. When I mentioned it to one of the staff, she said "Well, then, we just won't let you go home anymore." I have no idea what I'll do when I go back next year (they seem to be needing dishwashers these days) but that's OK. For the next year this is my assignment, and it's good ... but there's no place like home.

20 Years

2008-05-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

Last week I observed my 20th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. Twenty years. I almnost got weepy during the 8:00 Mass ... keenly aware and mindful of all those who were part of getting me to that day, those who have been a part of the years since, those who are a part of my days now, and those who will be part of years yet to be. In years past I would try to go through the pictures of the Ordination and watch a little of the video on or around the Anniversary, but I don't have any of that with me here in Indy. So instead, I took an afternoon drive down to Calvary Cemetery here in Indianapolis (it's on the south side) to visit the tomb of Archbishop O'Meara, the man who ordained me Deacon and Priest. We had a very nice prayerful visit, then I came home and made some supper for a quiet evening here at the house.

I've been doing a bit of yard work here about the grounds in some of my off time ... planting some groundcover, splitting the hostas, and getting ready for our flower planting. Today I took a saw to some dead limbs on the trees in front of the house and cut down some shrubs that had gotten too big and bushy on top but bare and twiggy underneath. Now to figure out what to put in their place .... and then go SHOPPING. I do my research on the net and watch for sales at the home improvement places ...

I had two pots of calla lillies on the back Altar in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and they did quite well these last weeks of Easter ...now I think I'll put them in a big planter outside on the Chapel Porch. I also want to get some tomato plants for a container on the porch off of our kitchenette upstairs...I think there will be enough sun.

I head to the Hill next week for Community Meetings... the topic is monks assigned away from the Monastery, so it would probably be good for me to be there. I haven't been home since January, so this will be a chance to get caught up with people.

As for everything else ... grace provides ... life is good.

Post Papa

2008-05-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

If you were looking for me on TV, you didn't find me .... our seats were in the fourth pew from the BACK of St. Patrick's Cathedral...in the corner by the gift shop. The priests were all seated in the side sections, alphabetical according to Diocese, so Indianapolis put us way to the back of the south side. I sat next to Joliet, in front of Knoxville and Kansas City. And I was behind a pillar ... so I participated in Mass watching the flat-screen monitor mounted on the pillar. BUT, since we were so far in the back, we got a decent view of B16's arrival at the Cathedral. Then, the recessional brought him down our side aisle, so I was about two feet away from him. He's much shorter than I thought. I could have reached out to touch him, but the Secret Service were pushing people away ... some people said the Secret Service guys nearly body-blocked a bunch of little nuns who stepped out into the center aisle when Papa was passing by.

No, I didn't have to crawl into a porta-potty in full Mass vestements.

Getting through the Secutiry was really pretty simple ... much less the hassle than an airport. The two and a half hours we were in the Cathedral BEFORE PAPA EVEN ARRIVED passed rather quickly. Get a bunch of priests together and they gab as much as anyone ... there was lots of "Oh, do you know...?" and "So-and-so was my classmate". I spotted a group of Sisters I knew form Connecticut, so made my way over to them, and bumped into priests I knew from Toledo and Sioux City, Iowa.

I was defintiely in my travelling mode ... Stephen's apartment was on 73rd Street, and the Cathedral was down on 51st Street ...and I walked it several times. The only time I took the taxi was Saturday morning at 6am on the way to the Mass, and that's only so I didn't get sweaty before a long morning in vestments. I walked down and back on Friday afternoon to scope out my seat, then back up to the apartment on Saturday afternoon, then down and back for Sunday Mass at the Cathedral. I also walked another twenty blocks down and back to meet up with friends for dinnder Saturday evening. I pushed my way through the sidewalk tourists like a native ...

Sunday morning I got to concelebrate Mass at the Cathedral with the Rector there. It was fun processing up that long aisle ... and the place was, of course, packed. I enjoyed getting to see up close where Papa had stood the day before, and get a sense of the Cathedral from the Sanctuary.

I didn't even go NEAR Yankee Stadium. Instead, I took an afternoon taxi to Brooklyn for dinner and overnight with Brendan's Parents. Then they took me to the airport on Monday morning.

Since getting back it's pretty much business as usual ...as the Easter Season winds down, we're planning for summer events like Priesthood Ordinations and the Ordination of the first class of Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese ... 25 of them. I'm also on the Executive Committee for the big bash for the Archdiocese's 175th Anniversary on May 3, 2009. That will be Mass with ALL the Confirmations for the year at the new Lucas Oil Stadium (new home of the Colts). We're looking to have 30,000 people, give or take ten thousand. So far, the largest Mass I've planned and orchestrated was for only 3,000 ... so this will be a bit more of a challenge...but fun.

In the meantime, there's ordinary business to attend to.

Off to see Papa

2008-04-17T17:53:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow morning (Friday) I leave right after the 8am Mass to fly out to New York. I'll be staying at a friend's apartment on 73rd Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue (he won't be there) which means I won't have to pay 600 dollars (or some ridiculous amount) for a hotel room in Manhattan. He's alerted the doormen, the Super and a good friend in the building. This morning, he gave me the run-down on restaurants up and down the block, so I'm psyched.

Staying at Stephen's will also be relatively convenient (St. Patrick's Cathedral is on 51st Street) and that's a good thing .... since we are to be at a hotel across from St. Patrick's by 6:30am on Saturday morning to vest and go through security. Mass is at 9:15. The extensive instructions that came with the ticket also noted that port-a-potties will be available outside one of the Cathedral entrances within the secure zone. I do not relish the thought of squeezing into a port-a-potty in full Mass vestments. Note to self: don't drink much coffee Saturday morning.

I hope to do a little poking around the city on Saturdeay afternoon, and then on Sunday I'll head over to Brooklyn to visit with our Father Brendan's parents. I've gotten to know Mary and Ted over the years, and have even stayed at their home on another trip to NYC. So I'll be in Brooklyn for Passover.

I fly out of LaGuardia Monday morning, and should be back here sometime late afternoon. I'm flying Northwest, and to my knowledge they're running OK. We'll see.

Otherwise I'm continuing to have fun here in Indy. Made a big roaster of oxtail soup last weekend. Did some steaks on the grill one night.

I'll try to post a timely report on the NYC trip ... My ticket says I'm in pew 104 on the south chapel aisle in St. Patrick's so it remains to be seen how much I will actually see. No, I'm not taking my camera... ain't gonna mess with that. It would be great to see the Pope up close, but it would REALLY wow me to greet his MC or Secretary. What can I say ...

Where to begin ...

2008-03-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten abaout the blog, it's just been ... well ... busy.

Mom's 70th Birthday was on March 8th, so after Mass on Sunday the 9th I drove up to Toledo to surpise her. Dad didn't know I was coming, either ... only Kathy knew, and I forbad her to even tell Butch. The ruse built up for days with phone calls, the last of which was made as I was within blocks of the house. I had made a big batch of czarnina (duck soup) that weekend and told Mom that maybe I'd swing by and drop some off ... ha, ha, yeah, yeah ... then a few minutes later I pulled in the driveway and got the cooler out of the trunk. Mom greeted me at the door with a kind of "What the hell are you doing here?!" look, and I said "I told you I'd drop off some soup ... Happy Birthday" Both Mom and Dad were very surprised ... mission accomplished.

With the Archbishop's treatment regimen he's pretty much confined to his house so as to avoid germs, and subsequently was unable to preside at the Holy Week Liturgies in the Cathedral ... that means I got to. At the Easter Vigil I Baptized two adult men and received six other adults into Full Communion. Easter Sunday we had First Communion for five of our young people. Of course I had my own suggestions and ideas on how to do things ... and some of them were actually well received (which means others were NOT).

Easter evening (after my nap) I went to supper at a parishioner's home ... it was nice and low key, and no little kids running around.

Dad's 72nd birthday was Holy Saturday ... I told him ahead of time not to expect any surpiose visits, as I was kind of occupied that weekend.

This past few days the NCEA national convetion was here in Indy ...about 8000 people. Since the Office of Education for the Archdiocese was the official host, other Archdiocesan agencies were enlisted to help. The Office of Worship coordinated the major liturgies ... the opening Mass in the convention center had 3000 people, the closing Mass was much more intimate ... only 1500. As Director of Liturgy it fell to me to figure out, among other things, how to distribute Communion (under both forms) to 3000 people in an orderly and timely manner. We did it, and the powers-that-be seemed pleased. Before all these liturgies could happen we had to pack up and haul down to the convention center everything needed for Mass with 3000 people ... Altar, linens, books, vessels, candles, and much more. And, becuase this was the convention center, we had to take stuff that was proportionate to the size of the space ... BIG altar ... BIG cnadlesticks ... LOTS of vessels ... you get the idea.

Tomorrow I have my first wedding here at the Cathedral ... the Bride is from Jasper, and the Groom is Polish (both parents 100%) from Columbus, OH. We're made for each other. They invited me to the Rehearsal Dinner to have the meal prayer, so I started out with the Sign of the Cross in Polish. The Groom's Busia was thrilled. After the 2:00 Wedding, I click into weekend mode with the usual schedule. But inbetween ...

I have to finish planning/coordinating a priest's funeral for Monday morning.

Today I received an email from one of my Monastery classmates who left a few years back. He started out something like "Well, I guess the big news is that I had a heart attack on Palm Sunday then triple bypass surgery on Monday of Holy Week." He's one year older than me ...

So it's been with me ... but I'm having fun and most people are great, and that makes it all very worthwhile.

Alleluia, y'all.

Laetare Sunday

2008-03-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a few days away .... I took off last Sunday after Mass and started making my way to northern Michigan. Yes ... I WANTED to head for the snow. I got as far as South Haven, MI, (just south of Holland) and decided to stop for the night. All was well as I snuggled into my hotel room ... until I awoke around midnight in extreme discomfort and GI distress. That means I was sick as a dog. For the next several hours I was back and forth between bed and bathroom. Come daylight, things had "settled down" a bit, and I was faced with some decisions. I heardly felt like getting back in the car, and I still had three hours to drive to get to my destination. If I wanted to stay another night, I'd have to change rooms because the room in which I was holed up "was already sold" for the night. AND the forecast had a big snowstorm coming through lower Michigan (where I was) later that day. So my options were to plug ahead, get snowed in at a Hampton Inn in South Haven, or turn around and go home. In the end, I medicated what needed medicating, sipped some herbal tea, and decided to push on. All things considered, the day's drive wasn't so bad (with the help of some Vernors and a nap at a rest area) and I amde it to Bear Lake somewhere around midafternoon.

The rest of the week was spent between the bed, the couch and the kitchen ... because that's what I had planned to do, nondisirregardless of my GI distress. That's the way I spend my vacation (I'm a very dull guest). From the couch I looked out over a spruce grove drifted with snow, and could watch the wind swirl about the snowy fields as I snuggled up with the dogs.

But now I'm back ... for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Unfortunately, we don't have a rose vestment, and I haven't had time to whip something up. Maybe for Gaudete.

Have I mentioned that I'm going to New York City in April when the Pope is there? The Archbishop (of Indianapolis) invited me to attend the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral for Priests, Deacons and Religious. It will be me and several thousand others, but not nearly the Yankee Stadium crowd. A friend has an apartment not too far from St. Patrick's, so that will be convenient. I won't be surprised if we have to go through a security check to get OUT of the airport that weekend ....

For now, I have mail and messages to finish going through before looking to the afternoon Confessions and Mass.

Victor

2008-02-21T14:48:00.000-08:00

Since coming to the Cathedral in October, I have had the uncomfortable privilege of putting a face on homelessness and poverty. Every day I encounter those who come to the Church for warmth and shelter, those who come to the Kitchen or Pantry for Food. I’ve gotten to know some of them by name; Victor is one of them. Victor used to “live” in the south vestibule of the Church during the day – he was one of the first people I met back in October. He’d be the last one out when I locked up in the evening, and one of the first to come in when I opened up on weekends. Victor died at Wishard Hospital recently. He was one of us, so we'll bury him from the Cathedral with all the Rites owed a faithful soul. After the funeral, he will be cremated so his ashes can be returned to his family in the West Indies and interred near his parents. I’ll miss Victor. I’m proud of what the Cathedral community did for him in this life - God grant him rest and security in eternity.

Paczki Day

2008-02-08T06:26:00.001-08:00

We had a Parish Mardi Gras super on Tuesday ... Brother Howard (our Sacristan) makes pancakes, with sausage and bacon. I'm told it's a southern custom, linked to French custom, that has pancakes for Mardi Gras. As an added feature, I made paczki (poonch-key - think Polish donut). Last week I went out and got myself a small deep-fryer and two tubs of lard ... yes, lard ... to get ready. These little sweets are traditionally fried in lard, and who am I to argue with tradition? I used a recipe from my Grandmother ... it's in her handwriting on a page from an old steno-pad, so I keep it in a plastic sleeve to protect it. I made one batch on Monday to see how many I'd get out of a single recipe, and it made about five dozen. I sent two dozen over to Choir rehearsal that evening, and most of the rest got "sampled" here in the house, so that meant I needed to do more on Tuesday. Actually, I doubled the recipe, and got about 13 dozen ... plain, prune, apricot and raspberry filled. And they all went.

Uphold me, O Lord ...

2008-01-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Brother Christian's Solemn Profession... I drove home Thursday evening. It's the first time in over ten years that I've "just attended" a Profession Ceremony, as I was always Master of Ceremonies. In fact, this was the first big event I've been present for that I wasn't MC ... definitely a different expereince. Twenty-two years ago I stood in the Archabbey Church with arms extended singing the Suscipe, and I still get teary thinking about it. Christian is a good man, and I'm glad he's cast his lot with us.

I had to drive back to Indy yesterday afternoon so I could be on deck for the 8am Mass today. We have the Sitio de Jerico devotion going on in the Chapel (started last night) so we moved Mass to the "big church". Actually, the devotion goes 24/7 until next Friday night, so both daily Masses will be in the Cathedral this week. It will be a bit odd having Mass with ten people in the big space.

This week it was announced that the Archbishop of Indianapolis has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He'll soon begin a round of chemo. Not knowing just how the treatement will affect him, they've covered some of his liturgical bases for the next several weeks. Now, I will preside and preach in his stead for the World Day of Consecrated Life next Saturday. The Vicar General asked me to take it since I'm Administrator of the Cathedral and especially since I'm a Religious ...

My cousin Tom's wife, Amanda, who is 20wks pregnant, was recently diagnosed with vasa previa ... a very dangerous condition for her and for the baby. I presided at their wedding a year ago October. Remember them before God, please.

I don't have anything particularly fun or funny to relate at this juncture ... as you can tell, it's been a week of serious stuff. (The mother of one of the priests I live with died and was buried this past week, too ... I helped with the funeral.)

We pray so often "Thy will be done..." If we follow that up with a prayer for the grace to accept and abide by His will, then, indeed, all will be well.

Uphold me, O Lord, according to your promise, and I shall live. Do not confound me in my expectation!

Catching up

2008-01-16T17:02:00.000-08:00

I'm posting from the Cathedral Ministry Conference in St. Augustine, FL ... four of us are here from the Indy Cathedral. The conference is held every two years, so this will be my one and only. It's a good group and I'm fining it very worthwhile ... there's an element of a Saint Meinrad Alumni gathering, too, as StM Alumni from various Cathedral and Diocesan Staffs around the Country are here. The conference ends tomorrow (Thursday) but we're staying over till Friday with my Secretary's cousins outside Jacksonville. Then it's back to Indy Friday afternoon for a full weekend.

The Holidays were all very nice. With some very mild weather, the attendance at all the Christmas Masses was the largest it's been in some years ... so I'm told. I spent Christmas Day quietly in my rooms, dozing in the recliner and on the couch. In the days leading up to Christmas several parishioners invited me over, saying "You can't be alone on Christmas...." to which I reponded "Oh yes, I can, and even enjoy it." Actually, that evening I did go over to the home of a priest-friend's family for a bit of supper, which was nice.

By the way, I did do the kiddie homily at the 5pm Christmas Eve Mass, and am told it went well. I was more anxious about that than anything else, but the Holy Spirit came through.

Mom and Dad were going to swing by Indy and pick me up so we could go to the Hill for a couple of days after Christmas, but a good friend of theirs died suddenly on Christmas Eve morning, and they wanted to stay in Toledo for the funeral. So we didn't go. In the end, I wound up driving to Toledo to preside and preach for his funeral ... he made the wine for my Mass of Thanksgiving in Toledo when I was ordained, and we still had a bottle downstairs at Mom and Dad's, so I sampled it ... It was good ... like sherry ... so I used it for the funeral. Becuase of the wine connection, I used the Gospel for the Wedding Feast at Cana ... now John enjoys the finest wine in eternity.

With Lent coming so quickly (February 6th) there is little breathing time following the Holiday season ... but this conference has provided for a little bit of break ... at least change of venue.

I made a quick trip to Saint Meinrad last week to take care of a project, and it was nice to get home for a bit. Next week we have Brother Christian's Solemn Profession, so I'm hoping to get home for that.

One of these days I need to do a Christmas letter for folks who don't read this blog or even know that I've tromped around Eruope before taking up the assignment in Indianapolis.

In the meantime ... all is good.

Christmas at the Cathedral

2008-01-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

A Christmas-New Year-Epiphany post will follow ...

Making Ready

2007-12-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

Was just working on some stuff for the Christmas Masses, and thought I'd take a break for the weekly update.

We indeed got several inches of snow last weekend, with a hefty layer of ice inbetween. It was beautiful to watch the snow falling on Saturday ... I could look out the kitchen window as I made a big pot of hearty bean soup. We had the usual numbers for the Saturday evening Mass, but only about 50 for Sunday morning. It was lovely (albeit a bit dangerous) while it lasted. Now it's warm and rainy. Ugh.

Been cooking and baking quite a bit this week. I made Polish Coffeecakes Wednesday evening to give as personal gifts for my Staff and some others. Thursday evening I made a pan of Baklava for our Staff Lunch yesterday ... a few weeks ago I had suggested we waive the weekly meeting for a holiday lunch, and no one objected. I found out that they all LOVE shrimp and seafood, so I went up to my international grocery and got three kinds of fresh shrimp ... some with the heads on for presentation effect ... and boiled those up. I also did a soup/stew with a seafood mix I found at the store ... mussels, small shrimp, scallops, squid and octopus. It was kind of a cross between a gumbo and cioppino. I wanted to have a nice crusty bread to go with the soup/stew, but my yeast died in the early stages, so ... And of course, there was the baklava. Needless to say, the priests of the house are enjoying the leftovers.

Many BIG pointsettias were being delivered to the Cathedral this morning as I began the 8am Mass. The decorating detail descends on the Cathedral tomorrow after Mass, and then we'll do the Chapel on Monday after the morning Mass.

Christmas Eve I'm told that I'm supposed to invite all the little kids up to the Altar steps for the beginning of the Homily ... it's a big thing around here, and am told by several people that I MUST do it. The Holy Spirit may have to do a little overtime on that one. I preside over the Service of Lessons and Carols at 11:15, then the Archbishop presides and preaches at Midnight... I'll concelebrate. I don't have any specific plans for Christmas Day ... I preside and preach at the 10:30am Mass as usual, then I'm open. I've received one invitation so far, but really not sure what I want to do.

As for the days after, the plan is for Mom and Dad to drive down on the 27th, then we'll go to Saint Meinrad together. They want to make a Christmas visit to the Hill to deliver the Christmas kielbasa to the Monks, and there are Community meetings scheuled. For years I've groused "Why aren't more of the guys from our parishes here for these meetings?" so now I need to put my mileage where my mouth is. We'll make our way back to Indy Friday afternoon or Saturday morning so I can be here for the weekend.

One of these days I need to do a Christmas Letter to send out to let people who don't read this blog know where I am. Abbot Bonaventure takes care of forwarding monks' mail from the Hill, so I see his penmanship alot these days... if I had been thinking, I would have left him labels... sorry, +B.

I had best get back to the matters at hand ... no soup on the stove today, as I have more pressing thing to take care of. Yes ... I realize there ARE more pressing matters than food... a few.

The grace and peace of the Silent and Holy Night be with all who find these greetings ...

In the bleak mid-Advent

2007-12-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

Lots going on these days ... especially with the winter social season kicking up. Last weekend I had three Holiday-related gatherings to be present for, from an intimate dinner of four to a gala with several hundred. By Sunday evening I was whipped, and took refuge in the enclosure of my rooms well into Monday ... that means I hid from the world on my day off.

WEATHER ALERT ... just got word that we have a winter storm warning for this weekend, with a possibility of 5-9 inches of snow. There's to be rain and ice and different times, too.

After lunch today I ran out and got a live tree for the Common Room upstairs... a nice slender Fraser Fir, already 50% off. When I got back, I walked up to Walgreens and got a new stand. Tree-trimming is slated for Sunday, and I'm making dinner for the Residents.

Wasn't planning on going out this evening, but now maybe I'll run over to the grocery and pick up a few things.

I may never make beef barley soup again

2007-12-04T05:42:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit behind ....

Last week I was in Toledo for three days ... surpised my Sister and Brother-in-law on their 25th Wedding Anniversary. I cooked ... had dinner ready at Mom and Dad's when they got there. I brought the rib roast with me from Indy (it was on sale) so I could do a rub ahead of time. It was a very nice evening. Then I stayed over until Wednesday for Mom and Dad's 48th Anniversary. Got back here Wednesday evening.

While out bumming around with Mom and Dad on Tuesday, we stopped at an architectural salvage/antiques place in old downtown. I mentioned to the guy that I'm always looking for "church stuff" and he asked me if I had seen the statues of Sts. Peter and Paul... I hadn't, so he showed me. To my pleasant surpruse he led me to two life-size white Corinthian marble statues in excellent condition ... done in the early 1900's. THEN I explained that I just so happen to be Interim Pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. He said he negotiate the price ... I said I'd keep this in mind. Hmmmm ... seems like the finger of God stirring things. Now if God really wants us to have them, $46,000 will come my way. In the meantime, they're on my wish-list.

Saturday I was expecting friends from the Saint Meinrad area to be visiting, so I made a big batch of beef barley soup on Friday. It was tasty, and all was well UNTIL one of my friends suddenly "didn't feel so good." It appears she may be allergic to the spices in curry ... I had used a spice mix that included curry and she had never had curry before, so we deduced that was the problem. We didn't have to call 911 or haul her to the ER, but it was close. As it happens, she is a nurse and knows the course of her other allergic reations, so we just monitored things very closely. It did pass, and the rest of pour visit was nice, but ...

Other pieces of the weekend included meeting with two couples for Marriage Prep, the Rite of Welcoming for our Catechumens and Candidates, the Parish Council meeting, and sung Vespers on Sunday evening. Tis the season to be busy ...

Comings and Goings

2007-11-25T14:48:00.003-08:00

Yesterday (Saturday) turned out to be an extremely full day, and I really didn't have much free time until after the evening Mass. So now here's the update.

Thanksgiving was nice and quiet ... we had about 30 people at the 9am Mass. For dinner, I went to the home of a friend from college days ... my dressing was well received. I had decided to leave the church open during the day, so I came home around 5pm to lock up before dark. Everyone else that lives here was out into the evening, so I had the house to myself.

Friday morning I opened the church, had the 8am Mass then a 9:30 appointment. Between Thursday and Friday, the Cathedral Gremlins had moved into two of the furnaces here in the house, so sections of the house have been without heat since Thursday afternoon. Different sections of the house have different furnaces .... the affected parts have been the first floor parlor and Music Director's Office, and my rooms on the second floor. Since I like it cool anyway, I havene't noticed the heat-less-ness, but the first floor has been a little chilly for some.

One of the confreres arrived Friday afternoon for an overnight on his way to a preaching gig up north. It was good to have the company and get caught up on what's happening at home (StM), in his life and mine. I had a rosary at 7:30 at a funeral home up on the north side that evening, so we did a late dinner when I got back.

Yesterday's busy-ness started with opening the church at 6:45 and Mass at 8:00. The funeral was at 11:00, so it was after 1:00 by time I got back from the cemetery. After a quick lunch, I got ready for the Baptism to be held during the 5pm Mass, then Confessions at 3:30. The Baptism was great ... he (the baby) was really good ... even smiling through parts of the ceremonies ... and didn't start fussing until picture-taking after Mass.

When I got everything locked up and made my way to the TV, I found "White Christmnas" on a movie channel, so that made for a very pleasant close to a full day. I was only interrupted once when the church alarm went off ... apparently we missed someone in the sweep before locking up ... I suspect one of the Neighborhood Guests was sleeping in the elevator or in a dark corner... so when he finally made his way out, it set things a beeping. Canceling the alarm means calling the company to verify everything is OK, otherwise it costs us 50 bucks if they send someone out.

Today was typical Sunday, except that it's the Solemnity of Christ the King and we had BIG music (with trumnpets) and candles and incense. Then I had a committee meeting after Mass to discuss the restoration of our Nativity Set after Christmas.

The weekend, and yesterday in particular, was high energy , but full of meaning .... Thanksgiving, troubled souls,commending Marge to God and welcoming Simon into the Community. Comings and goings ... the circle of life ... the unfolding of mystery.

Gremlins

2007-11-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

Yes ... gremlins ... we've got 'em here at the Cathedral. They've been in the light system and now they're in the locks. Sometimes lights work fine, other times they flicker through Mass. Some peoples' keys won't work in a particular lock, but others will. Gotta be gremlins.

Made a big pot of oxtail soup yesterday ... got some fresh pole beans and napa cabbage at my international market to throw in. Tasty.

For Thanksgiving I'm going to the home of an old friend from college days ... I'm taking the dressing. His folks are coming into town, and I haven't seen them in a number of years, so it should be a fun day.

Met with my first wedding couple the other day ... she's originally from Jasper, IN. The groom is of Polish extraction from Columbus, OH,, and said his grandmother has been asking "Who's gonna be your priest?" I told him to tell her it's a Polish boy from Toledo who can make pierogi an pazcki with the best of 'em.

Sunday Morning

2007-11-11T06:14:00.000-08:00

OK, so I missed my first target ... but not by much.

Yes, I got my roaster AND free turkey AND free kitchen knife the other day. The knife is Farberware (10.00 value) and I got a BIG turkey. I'll probably save the turkey for our Parish Epiphany Dinner ...

Yesterday I was rent-a-priest for a funeral service up on the north side. The funeral home had asked me (when I was at yet another funeral on Friday) if I'd be available to do a simple service for this family. The gentleman was from Indy, raised Catholic, but not attached to a church, and will be buried in Pennsylvania. In the words of Abbot Lambert, "I like funerals" so of course I made myself available. I gave mny card to the funeral home and told them to call whenever they need a priest, and if I can, I will help. I told them (the funeral home people) that some priests are great with kids or youth ... my "thing" is tending to the dying, the dead and the mourning.

GREAT BIG lightning and thunder early this morning ... rattled the windows.

Things are gearing up around here ... I already have four weddings on my books for 2008. I'm getting my irons into different fires, and dabbling with some projects. I am not bored nor wanting for things to do, and I'm having fun.

The one emerging problem concerns the mint chocolate chip ice cream which has been on sale 2 for 1 in recent weeks ... I gotta start walking ... or something.

This ain't been workin'

2007-11-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

I had good intentions to keep the blog up ... really... I did ... but then, y'know ...

The suggestion was made that I focus on posting consistently on the same day each week ... I'm told that's the way some of the "famous" bloggers do it. So, after four weeks here and with the beginnings of routines, it looks like MAYBE Saturday would be a good day for me to do that. While I do have occasional appointments or meetings on Saturday, it's been the day when I putz in the kitchen, putting on a big pot of soup or cleaning out cupboards. And since I don't like to wander far from the kitchen with something on the stove, that would be a good time to work on a posting. So ... let's try that. Saturday. I won't commit to a time, just sometime Saturday.

I would start to catch up a bit, but I want to get out of here so I can head to the south of the city before afternoon rush hour. Meier's is having a great sale ... an 18qt electric roaster for 29.99 (normally 49.99) AND a free frozen turkey (up to 25.00 value) AND a free carving knife. Supplies are limited, so I'm hoping the limit hasn't run out yet.

The First 500

2007-10-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I survived my first week. Diana (the Exec. Assistant at the Cathedral) was right ... all kinds of people wanted a piece of me from the get-go. I've learned quickly to fall back on "When I get settled in, I'll get back to you..."

I made a big pot of beef vegetable soup on Saturday, had my first emergency call to the hospital early Sunday morning, and have my first funeral tomorrow (Wednesday). In between I've cleaned out cupboards, signed checks and found out where the closest shopping centers are. Sunday afternoon, I discovered a fantastic international grocery store not far from here ... every imagineable animal part fresh or frozen, dry goods labeled in languages I can't begin to pronounce and fruits & vegetables that look very intriguing.

Sunday at my welcome reception some people asked me "Do you think you'll like it here?" I replied that I didn't THINK so, I already KNEW so. In short, we're clicking.

Settling In

2007-10-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

I arrived here in Indy Saturday afternoon in time to get things unloaded before 3:30 Confessions and 5:00 Mass. Saturday was the first time I've presided in the Cathedral, so I was a bit distracted trying to get a sense of space, lighting, soundand such. I think things went well ... except for the homily, which I felt did not make a good first impression (actually, I thought it sucked) so I completely revamped it for Sunday morning.

I felt Sunday Mass went very well ... this time, the homily included. The Choir is awesome. After Mass we had a baby shower in the Rectory parlor ... apparently, there aren't many young couples in the Parish, so the anticipated birth of a new member is celebrated by all. It was a simple pitch-in, and was alot of fun. After everything was cleaned up I went in search of Big Lots to pick up a few things for my new digs.

Today the transition tsunami came ashore with the first of many "brought up to speed meetings", and there will be more over the next few days. Where the meetings leave off, there's a hefty stack of documents and newsletters to be read, as well as names to be learned and routines to be established. Since I split time between two offices across the street from each other, the Archdiocese is providing me with a new laptop, and the Director of computer stuff just finished getting me set up with that.

So here we go ...

47577

2007-09-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

I arrived back at Saint Meinrad around 6pm on Friday, and set about the task of unpacking and bringing order to my cell to that I can start packing and making chaos for the move to Indianapolis. It was soooo good to be back to my personal space, bed and pillow and shower .... in the immortal words of Dorothy "There's no place like home."

During the stop in Indy on Friday, there was some discussion about the coverage for this coming weekend, so I offered to come ahead on Saturday and be there for the weekend schedule. I had planned on driving up on Sunday afternoon or first thing Monday morning, so this isn't too much ahead of schedule. This little modification of plans will be advantageous in lots of ways for a number of people ... besides, I'm kinda itchin' to get settled in and started.

Sugegstion has been made to continue the blog from Indy ... I won't exactly be on the loose anymore, but it's an up and running vehicle for keeping in touch. I used to think that blogs were only by/for psychological exhibitionists keeping a public diary, but I have to admit my mind has changed on that ... at least it's easier to say than admitting I've become a psychological exhibitionist. So ... while entries may not be daily, there will be postings coming from the heart of the largest American capitol city not on a navigable body of water.

BTW, my new contact info, effective Saturday, 29 September, is:

Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral
1347 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Phone: 317.634.4519
FAX: 317.630.9621

In the meantime, I'm making rounds by offices here on the Hill saying hello and goodbye, taking care of stuff with the Business Office, and starting to pull things together for the move. It will be a busy but exciting week ... making ready for the next adventure.

Corporal Work of Mercy

2007-09-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

These days I am in Memphis, TN, for the funeral of my best friend's mother. She died Sunday morning, so I flew to Memphis yesterday (Monday), presided/preached for the funeral this morning (Tuesday) and fly back to Detroit/Toledo tomorrow (Wednesday). The original plan was to return to Saint Meinrad on Thursday, but since I won't be getting back to Mom and Dad's until Wednesday evening, we (M&D are driving me home) are deferring the Indiana trip till Friday. We'll stop in Indianapolis on the way down, so I can show the Folks the new digs, introduce them to a few people, and take a bit of inventory to see what exactly I need to bring with me on October 1st.

This Memphis trip has actually been a wonderful way to conclude the sabbatical. I always find presiding over the the Rites of Death and Burial to be some of the most powerful moments of Priesthood ... committing one's body to the earth while commending their soul to God ... standing at the threshold of eternity ... "Go forth good Christian soul ... Saints of God, come to his/her aid, Come to meet her/him angels of the Lord ... Receive his/her soul and present her/him to God the most High..."

Now it's time to go home and get back to work ...and I'm ready.

Comfort Food

2007-09-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

Haven't been doing much these last days except indulging in comfort foods of yesteryear and watching Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. I am, however, getting round to downloading pics from the camera onto a CD, which will finally make it possible (that means simpler) for me to post some here.

Stay tuned ... it ain't over yet!

1978 Revisited

2007-09-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening I went to the wedding of the daughter of my Senior Prom date. I haven't seen either of them (mother or daughter) in almost twenty years (my Ordination celebration in Toledo) but have kept in touch over the years with Birthday/Christmas correspondence, and more recently, some email. The Bride and Groom met while undergrads at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and their relationship grew while they did their Masters there, so that's where the wedding was. It was lovely, and I'm really glad I went. It was wonderful to visit with these old friends, and I got some good pics with Cindy (the Bride's Mother) ... only this time I'm not wearing a lime green tux.

Jet-lagged Backlog

2007-09-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know ... it's been a while. Among other things (details below) I didn't have computer access in England ...nor is it readily available here at my Parents' place (they don't even have an answering machine!) So, now, finally .....

The days in Finland were beautiful for sure, and came to good conclusion. Steve and Drew left for their Father-Son campout on Friday afternoon, and Barbara took me to the Jyvaskyla train station for my jaunt to Tampere. The train was a Pendolino, which means it was clean and fast and smooth. Once I got to Tampere, I took a taxi to the airport, to the Ryanair shack ... I mean, terminal.

Ryanir is definitely a no-frills budget airline geared to commuters and short vacation travellers. While the basic airfares may be cheap, they have VERY specific baggage weight allowances and surcharges ... in the end, I paid more in baggage surcharge than I paid for my ticket. It was a looooooong two-hours in a crowded plane ... complete with screaming child across the aisle from me ... but it got me to England.

We got in to Stansted about 11:30pm, and then had to make our way through immigration. While we were in line at Passport Control, one of the passengers took it upon himself to begin loudly exhorting the immigration people to efficiency. That of course brought several (armed)guards into closer proximity while one of the officials tried to get the guy to calm down ... the rest of us just wanted to get out of there. Finally, things settled and moved along. I had been led to believe that Stanbsted was a smaller, quieter airport ... not so. At midnight the place was a madhouse. Even getting a taxi was complicated by construction outside the terminal, so nothing about this part of the trip was easy. I got to the hotel (a small place near the airport where I had made a reservation for overnight) around 1am. Checkout time wasn't until Noon, so I knew I could at least get some good sleep.

Saturday I set out for Gravetye Manor, where I would hook up with friends from Canada. Stantsted is on the far north-east of London, and Gravetye is out in the countryside, way south of London, so the transfer took a bit ... three hours, actually ... by a variety of trains and taxis.

Gravetye is an old manor house built some hundreds of years ago, turned into a hotel of about 20 rooms. It's elegant, finely appointed, very quiet, with marvellous gardens. When my friend offered to have me as his guest there, I had no idea I would be stepping into an episode of Brideshead Revisited.

We planned to go into London on Monday so I could do some sightseeing, but by the time we finished breakfast and got on the way, it was nearly Noon. Once we got into the city, I headed for Westminister Abbey. From there, I set out to see Westminister Cathedral, stopping for fish 'n chips along the way. By then, the afternoon was quickly spent, so I made way to our meeting point at Harrod's.

Meanwhile, the tube (subway)strike began ... and it was the evening rush hour. When we came out of Harrod's it was obvious that any further movement about the city, even on foot, was going to be complicated and crowded, so my friends decided it best to head back for the Manor. We managed to get a taxi to the train station, and headed for home. So much for seeing much of London.

On Sunday I had some occasional sneezes, and attributed them to something blooming on the grounds. Monday, it became increasingly apparent it wasn't a pollen problem, and by time I woke on Tuesday it was definite that I had gotten myself a very bad cold. Subsequently, I spent much of the day Tuesday in bed ... venturing out only briefly to let my friends know I was still alive, and to order the taxi for my Wednesday morning departure. Despite the good friends and fine food and drink available, it seemed prudent to lay low, so I ordered a sandwich(egg salad and watercress... it was England, afterall)sent up to the room for lunch, and a mixed green salad for dinner.

The European segment of the sabbatical may have started out with a bang (thunderstorms that kept us on the Philly runway for five hours) but it ended with a whimper (the headcold that put me in bed). That's OK ... everything inbetween made up for it.

So I headed homeward ... this time there were no storms or significant delays, and my Sister met at the Detroit airport as scheduled. Now I'm nestled in at Mom and Dad's, reclaiming bits of summer I missed while in Europe ... things like sweet corn and fresh tomatoes.

But the sabbatical isn't over yet, so there will still be things to post ... after my nap, that is.

Uiminen

2007-08-30T06:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Barbara and I picked Drew up from school and went to the indoor pool and water park. While B swam laps, I played with Drew in the jacuzzi and wave pools, even going down the big slide. After the pool, we did the sauna before showering and getting dressed. Since I was along, Drew came with me to the mens' lockerroom, rather than going with Mom like he usually has to. It's a good thing he was along, too, because not only did I not know my way around but I can't see a thing without my glasses ... so it was often a case of HIM watching over ME. By the time we got home for dinner (it was Steve's night to cook) I was very relaxed, feeling somewhat like an overcooked noodle.

Speaking of noodles, for supper Steve grilled brats he got from the German store, made noodles with mushroom sauce and salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing. Very nice.

Today has been a lazy day about the house, till this afternoon when B and I went downtown for a couple of errands. In a litle bit, we're all going out for supper. Tomorrow will be laundry and packing, before getting a late afternoon train to Tampere for my 10:55pm flight to London. When I clicked on the website to check my flight info, I found that Ryanair, being a budget commuter airline, has very specific baggage allowances (including backpacks) ... in other words, they're not geared for heavy packing sabbaticants like me. So it looks like I may wind up paying more in surcharge (per kilo over 15kg) for my luggage than I payed for the ticket. That being the case, I shipped a box of heavier stuff that I won't be needing anymore to myself at home ... if I was gonna have to pay for it one way or the other, I might as well pay someone else to handle it.

Rudolph

2007-08-28T00:35:00.000-07:00

When I went to post yesterday's entry, it appeared that Google had the cyber- hiccups again and nothing was happening. I kept checking, but nothing was going through, so as we left for dinner I was afraid all was lost. Much to my relief this morning, I see that the post did go through, complete with the many typos I didn't catch. Oh well ...

For Grownups' Night Out, we went to a lovely little restaurant up on one of the highest hills in Jyväskylä ... the view was spectacular, and the food was outstanding. I had the snails in parmesan garlic butter sauce for appetizer (always a favorite of mine) and the fillet of reindeer for entree. Reindeer is farm raised (free range) here in Finland and is a very popular red meat. This was delicious ... medium rare, fork tender ... with a ligonberry sauce. For dessert I had a wedge of frozen rhubard parfait very artfully plated with fresh rhubard sauce, a dollop of creme fraiche with chocolate wafer. I had a chilled vodka (Finlandia, of course!) before dinner and then Steve and I had a six-grape Port before dessert. Very, very nice.

I'm cooking again today ... lamb. We got a nice piece of boneless leg roast yesterday at the supermarket (think Walmart Superstore only with entire aisles of fish products ... fresh, frozen, pickled). We have some potato casserole leftover from the other night, and B has a fresh rutabaga in the fridge, so I'm pretty well covered.

And it's raining today, which means a good day to stay in the house and cook.

Humming the Hymns

2007-08-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

Barbara, Steve and Andrew have been very conscientious about introducing me to people, places and all things Finnish.

Thursday evening we went bike riding around the lake, and had dessert at a little place by the harbor. For Friday's supper, Barbara made a Finnish soup with fresh salmon (kind of a cream-chowder thing, only different). Then, after supper, Steve and I met some of his friends at a pub in town, where I snacked on moikku, a popular bar food, which are these little fish lightly breaded and fried ... heads, fins, tails and all... with a light dip on the side. Very tasty.

For Saturday evening Barbara and Steve had invited some friends over for a grilli (cookout) so Barbara and I spent much of the day in the kitchen. She made cornbread, coleslaw and fruit salad, I made spongecakes to go with fresh berries. Steve grilled hamburgers and makkara (sausages). One of the guests brought wonderful homemade Finnish cinnamon rolls. It was a fun evening, and as it is said, a good time was had by all.

Yesterday (Sunday) I went to Mass with Barbara and Drew to the local parish. Roman Catholics are a defintie minority in Finland ... the entire country makes up one Diocese, and there are only seven parishes in the whole Diocese, Jyväskylä being one. The Bishop and most of the priests are Missionaries of the Sacred Heart from Poland. This was Confirmation Sunday here, so the Bishop presided and preached ... four young women were confirmed. Drew was one of the servers, and I was very proud of him. Everything was, of course, in Finnish, but English translation fo the Readings was published in the bulletin. The words were beyond me, but I could hum the hymns ... Holy, Holy, Holy, the Veni Creator for the Confirmation, Holy God We Praise Thy Name. At the reception afterwards, I greeted the Bishop in Polish (Praised be Jesus Christ...) which I think caught him a bit off guard. After I introduced myself (I was wearing the habit) he invited me to come work in Finland.

After we got home from Church we changed clothes and all drove an hour or so north to a lake cabin belonging to woman who was a Fulbright Scholar in the US back in 1962-63. We took stuff to grille, but she had prepared a wonderful soup and a berry cobbler. I also did the full Finnish sauna bit ... sweltering in the wood stove heat and jumping in the cold lake complete with two rounds of rinse and repeat. By the third time, it wasn't so bad, and I actually stayed in the water for a little bit. Steve and Drew did a little fishing, and I just enjoyed being around a lake again with the childhood memories it stirred up.

We headed for home just as it was getting dark, and since it was Drew's bedtime (after a very active day) he quickly fell asleep. When we got home he didn't even stir, so I carried him up to bed. I liked that.

After a very leisurely morning, Barbara and I did a little shopping this afternoon before picking Drew up from school. This is Grownups' Night Out, so a neighbor is going to stay with Drew while B, S, and I go out for dinner.

The preliminary Finnish chocolate research is yielding quite accpetable results, but more indepth study is needed. Stay tuned.

Suomi, Sun and Sauna

2007-08-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

Life in Finland (Suomi) is good, with sunny clear days and cool quiet nights.

Yesterday evening I was introduced to the Finnish Sauna ... many Finns' homes have saunas, and my Hosts' is no exception. It takes about an hour to get the wood stove going, then when everything is heated up one rinses under the shower and steps into the heat. At first, I had a hard time breathing, but once I settled into it it was fine ... until Steve threw a couple of ladels of cold water on the rocks, creating surges of heat and steam. After some minutes of sweltering, one steps out of the sauna and immediately under a cold (or at least cool)) shower. Rinse ... repeat. We were in and out of the sauna two or three times. They say that when you're at someone's lake house you run from the sauna and jump into the cold lake, but here in town the shower suffices. It is also customary to have a cold drink in hand in the sauna ... but needless to say if you don't drink it quick, it ain't cold for every long.

Earlier in the day I had picked tomatoes and green & wax beans in their garden. After the sauna, Steve grilled some sausages to go with a batch of gazpacho I made with tomatoes, and the beans that he had cleaned and cooked up. And I finally tried Drew's herring ... not something I'll be revisiting.

I fixed supper the other night and did my usual pork roast and saurkraut, this time adding some fresh mushrooms (chantarelles) that we got at the market in Helsinki. Barbara was happy to have leftovers to take to work yesterday for lunch.

This morning I made a cobbler with fresh peaches and blueberries, sitting in the sun on the backyard swing while that was in the oven. Very nice.

I hear Finnish chocolate is very good ... seems to me some research is in order.

Hei

2007-08-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Finland. I arrived at the Port of Helsinki yesterday (Monday) morning about 5:20, and met up with Steve at the hotel around 6:30. I had to wait 20 minutes or so for a taxi to get to his hotel, but it was a bright clear morning so standing on the streecorner at the terminal in the very early hours of morning wasn't so bad. After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a walking tour of Helsinki. But first, about the ferry ...

It's a good thing I headed for Rostock early, because getting from the train station to the harbor turned out to be a bit of a workout ... I got to where I needed to be, but wouldn't want to have done it in the dark. I checked in, and then just had to sit around and wait (3-4 hours) till boarding.

The ferry trip was great. It was quiet and smooth. There were three decks of garage for vehicles (ranging from semi trailers to family cars) and three decks of passenger cabins. My cabin was on Deck 8 ... clean and comfortable, with my own bathroom (I had a smaller shower in the hotel in Krakow). The main restaurant was reasonably priced buffet service, and selections were extensive ... lots of fish options at every meal in different raw, cooked, and pickled states. I always say I'll try anything once, but couldn't quite bring myself to do herring for breakfast. I didn't do the lunch buffet (got a salad from the quick-serve) but did go to supper .. entrees included beef, pork, chicken, lamb, rabbit, venison and more fish ... and desserts!

Getting the private cabin with a window proved a prudent and worthwhile choice ... I shudder to think what it would have been like to be assigned to a cabin with one (or two or three) of the Russian truck drivers who sat in the bar whenever it was open greatly enjoying theit vodka and beer and everything else.

Around 5:00 yesterday morning there was an announcement that we would be coming into port in about half an hour, which was the polite prompt to get up and get out. Come 5:20, we were docked.

Among the sights of Helsinki were the open-air produce market with lots of craft booths, the immense Lutheran Cathedral (Lutheranism is the State Religion of Finland) and the equally immese Orthodox Cathedral dating from when Finland was a Russian Grand Duchy under the Czar. The Cathedrals sit up on crests of different hills overlooking the city and the harbor. We met a friend of Steve's for lunch at a place with typical Finnish fare ... I had the pan-fried pike perch with a garnish of cooked/buttered horseraddish (very mild, actually) which was excellent. After another hour or two of walking ... with a stop for coffee and patry ... we swung by the market again to pick up some fruits and vegetables and headed home.

The drive to Jyväskylä (I think I spelled it right) took about three hours up nice highway through lots of wooded small hills and lakes.

Barbara and Steve have a lovely home in a quiet neighborhood. Drew just turned eight, and is all excited about my visit ... he has his own list of things Finnish that I must be introduced to. I heard Drew getting ready for school this morning so I went ahead and got up ... he wanted to start my Finnish introductions right away with some tasty, spicy fish he pulled from the fridg, but I deferred it until later... at least until after my coffee.

So now Drew is at school, Barbara is at work (she's an editor for an online journal or something of the sort) and Steve is working here at home in his office preparing the courses he'll teach at the University this term. There's no agenda for today, other than maybe a trip to the store ... I said I'd be happy to cook ... so I'm just taking it as it comes.

BTW: "Hei" is one of the colloquial Finnish greetings ... pronounced like "hey".

Auf Wiedersehen, Deutschland

2007-08-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

The Zoo yesterday was fantastic ... one of the best parts was that it was a good hour before parents with strollers and wagons and gaggles of children descended on the place. I especially loved the bird exhibits and the aquarium. I saw Knute, the famous baby polar bear who isn't much of a baby anymore, and the Panda. All together I spent about five hours at the Zoo, and could have spent more were I not growing weary ... so I came back to the pension and took a long nap.

Had supper last night at a little old restaurant across the street and up the block ... reccommended by the guy at the desk here. It was very good, very German ... roast pork in a wine-mushroom sauce (fresh marjoram was the herb of distinction - really nice) and spätzle (little dumplings) ... and a beer (Pilsner) of course. Then I walked around some before taking to my quiet little room and comfortable bed.

Since I had to check out of the room at 11 this morning, I brought the luggage down to stash in a corner and spent a good part of the day riding the train around the city. Now I'm here to check the email, post this, pick up the luggage and head back to the train.

The trip is two hours to Rostock, then I find my way to the harbor. I can check in for the ferry at 10:30, but I don't think we actually board till around midnight. Departure time is somwhere around 4:30am, then it's 24 hours up the Baltic to Helsinki.

Ich bin ein Berliner

2007-08-16T23:24:00.000-07:00

Well, not really ... but the memorable JFK quote comes to mind.

Got here yesterday morning. The night train from Krakow was more familiar if not more comfortable ... met a New York law student on the train, and yesterday morning he just kept saying "I can't believe you did this twice..."

Made my way here to the Pension Peters (the desk people get a kick of me, with the Family name Peters, staying here.) The room wasn't available yet, but the desk guy said I could stow the luggage and invited me to have some breakfast. Then I went out walking for a couple of hours, till the room was ready. Did some bakery research as I made my way around, with very pleasing results.

My room is small, but very clean and very quiet...it opens into an inner courtyard ... and I have my own bathroom and shower. There's also cable TV, so I could see some CNN and BBC in English last night ... and watched a little of the Cosby Show dubbed in German. I slept very well.

Last night I wound up at an Italian restaurant in an alley (of sorts) called the 12 Apostles. I chose the place mainly because of the name ... there's a place I remember in Rome called the 12 Apostles that's known for Carbonara. This one didn't have Carbonara, so I got a pizza, which was great ... about 14 inches diameter, VERY thin crust, with light tomato and cheese, big pieces of fresh hot peppers, spicy pepperoni and paprika. It was called "Pizza Judas." That with a glass of the house red wine, made for a great supper. Once I got inside, I discovered many of the waiters to be Italian, and there were lots of reserved tables (which were filling as I left ... I ate early, about 7pm) so that affirmed it to be a good, popular place.

Today I'm doing the zoo, and then I'll see what else.

Dzien Dobry

2007-08-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

A good day in Kakow. After a good night's sleep, I came down for breakfast (a buffet of meats and cheeses and salads and breads and jams and...) and decided to see if I could extend my room. Check-out time would be Noon, and my train doesn't leave till 9pm, which means I would have to find a place for the steamer trunk or haul it around. The room was available, so all was taken care of, and I could launch into a leisurely day.

I went to the Marian Shrine Church in the center of the Old City for the 10am Mass. This being a Holy Day, it is therefore a holiday here in Krakow and lots of places are closed. The place was packed. At the end of the Mass there was Exposition and Procession with the Blessed Sacrament around the Church (I fell in with the people who followed in procession) and concluded with Benediction. Most of the Mass was in Polish, but some parts were in Latin. It was quite the religious experience ... I loved it. It was a wonderful way to mark the 22nd Anniversary of my Solemn Profession.

After Mass (which went about an hour a half) I walked to Wawel Castle and the Cathedral. I had to stand in line in the sun for about 20 minutes for a ticket, but it was worth it. Unfortunately, the Cathedral Museum was closed for the Holy Day. From the Cathedral, I went to the Archdiocesan Museum which is basically a John Paul II Museum, located in a house where he lived for about 20 years as Priest then Bishop. There were lots of JP2's personal effects from throughout his life ... very nicely done.

I came back through Szczepanski Place for another visit to the Pierogi Festival, then stopped off at another little shop for nalesniki ... Polish crepes with jam ... for dessert.

Now I'm back to the hotel to shower, rest a bit and pack up for the train. These have been two days (and money) well spent ... I'm glad I decided to make this trip.

The Old Country

2007-08-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

The night train experience was interesting. The cabin was indeed all my own, which is good because there was barely room for me to change my mind. The bed was OK, and once we got moving the open window cooled it down quickly. I was the end cabin, so the WC (toilet) was next to me on one side (the vacuum flush was noticeable at first, but not a problem. On the other side was a young family with a cute but loud little girl. (Encountering children while travelling is becoming a sub-theme, it seems.) The worst part was probably the noise of the train itself, especially with the open window (but locked door). Note: this was a Polish train ... older ... not like the sleek new trains of Germany. If I think of it tomorrow, I may get some ear plugs. It wasn't so bad that I couldn't sleep, but coupled with the fact I couldn't use my CPAP, the night wasn't as restful as it might otherwise have been.

So we arrived in Krakow about 9:30 this morning ... about half an hour later than scheduled, not that it made any difference to me. I came to the hotel and asked politely if it was possible for me to check in, or at least store my steamer trunk so that I didn't have to haul it around till 2pm (the official check-in time). A room was ready so I got in, and was able to take a nice long shower before hitting the streets.

One of the first things I discovered was a pierogi festival in Szczepanski Place ... a sign from God that was I was to be here ... the Szczepanski family name and booths set up all around the little square with folks selling pierogi of all kinds. I tried several different fillings from several different booths ... the deep-fried meat-filled were my least favorite.

Then I took the tram out to the Shrine of Divine Mercy ... Saint Faustina's place. I pretty much spent the afternoon there wandering around the chapels and the huge basilica (dedicated by Pope John Paul II). There was Mass in the basilica at 3:30 (in Polish, of course) so I stayed for that. It was a lovely, peaceful afternoon.

I made my way back to the hotel here and just had supper in the hotel restaurant ... I'm kinda pooped, and didn't really want to go out walking anymore.

Oh, I forgot to mention there's a huge mall across the street from the hotel ... four floors ... just looking at the place you'd think you were in Chicago or someplace in the States ... many American stores.

OK, I'm heading up to my room ... there is a computer here in the lobby for guest use, and it was conveniently available when I came out of the restaurant. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep in a real bed with my CPAP, because I'm back with Gladys Knight and the Pips tomorrow.

Gladys Knight & the Pips

2007-08-13T01:46:00.000-07:00

It's quiet and cool and lovely here in northern Germany. Yesterday I presided at Vespers and Benediction ... thankfully my only speaking parts were in Latin! Afterward, I had supper with the Chaplain (a monk for Gerleve Abbey ... very gracious) and then we went to recreation with the Nuns. Recreation meant sitting in a circle for half an hour or so, with me telling about my travels and answering questions. When my faltering German really faltered, Sister Monica would translate. It was fun. One of the Nuns assured me that the thievery on the trains between Germany and Poland isn't so much a problem any more (somebody please pass that along to Mom!).

Later this afternoon, I head for the Hildesheim train station to make my way to Berlin where I get the midnight train to Poland.

Clarifaction: weissbier is beer made with wheat ... it's more yeasty and kinda cloudy, so it has its own flavor quality. I think it's typically Bavarian.

Yesterday afternoon I had washed out some socks and a couple of t-shirts, and hung them to dry on the rack in the utility room across from my room. I was later informed by one of the Nuns that I hadn't wrung things out sufficiently, and there was water dripping on the floor (I did the best my carpal tunnel would allow!) so she was going to take them over to the Monastery and run them through the trockner (dryer). I apologized and thanked her profusely.

Up North

2007-08-11T01:33:00.000-07:00

Back in Germany ... at Marienrode just outside of Hildesheim. The train ride yesterday was nice ... until the car was invaded by a young family with two small children who chose to sit across the aisle from me. So much for my nap. But they got off the train at Fulda, and the last leg of the trip was quiet and peaceful again.

Marienrode was an old Cistercian monastery (men) that was supressed in the Secularization. Some years ago it was refounded as a Benedictine House by the Nuns of Eibingen (I think that's how it's spelled). It's a small community, with lovely quaint buildings. My room in their guest quarters is quite comfortable, and I have my own bath.

Yesterday on the way to the train station in Einsiedeln, I stopped at the little grocery to pick up some things to eat on the train. I got a couple of bottles of Einsiedeln beer ... there's a brewery in town, but is not associated with the Monastery in any way. Einsiedler beer is made with 30% corn ... gives it an interesting taste ... a little sweeter. I like it.

Speaking of Bavarian beer, I got to really like Radler ... a mix of beer and lemonade ... and Rus ... a mix of weissbier and lemonade. At least they say lemonade, but from what I saw in the biergartens, it looked more like a good shot of Sprite/7-up.

It's a rainy day here, so I may just take a ltitle nap ...

Ovaltine

2007-08-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

In my chocolate research (as you know by now, an important aspect of this sabbatical) I have discovered a chocolate bar made with the Swiss equivalent to Ovaltine. It even has the nutritional information (amounts of vitamins and minerals) on the back of the label. And, it does have a certain Ovaltine-esque taste ... which is a good thing for me, because I'm very fond of Ovaltine.

Today Prior Basil took me (by car) to Mount Etzel, which is where St. Meinrad had his first hermitage ... it's across the valley and up the next mountain. Then we made our way down the other side of the mountain to Pfäffikon, which is on Lake Zurich. The monks used to have a schloss (vacation house) there, but now it is rented to the town for their municipal offices. On the next hill over is the Abbey Vineyard, which seems to go on for ever. It's interesting to see the rows of vines running up and down the hills, rather than across them.

It's been cloudy all day with some drizzle of rain on and off ... and a little on the cool side ... but even then, the views were spectacular as we drove around. There isn't as much fog as there was yesterday, so the distant visibility is much better.

Side note: Switzerland is lovely, but it's expensive ... at least in Swiss Francs.

Tomorrow I take leave of the Mutterabtei and head for northern Germany. I'll get the 9:30 train out of Einsiedeln, make the connections to Zurich, then over to Basel (Switzerland) then on up to Hildesheim. I should be at Marienrode (my next destination) by around 6pm or so.

Family Ties

2007-08-08T10:16:00.001-07:00

Just got back from Engelberg. Yesterday evening before Compline, the Abbot of Einsielden reminded me that Engelberg is a grandaughter of Einsiedeln, being founded from Muri Gries in 1120 ... so they're more in the family than I thought. It was a wonderful visit, and would have been a wonderful scenic trip all the way around if it weren't raining all day. But even though I couldn't see mountains, the valleys and such are vibrant shades of green. Since the train never fails to lull me to sleep, I could nap today and not miss anything. I did manage to wake, though, for the climb up the mountain, so I could look out my window and see the straight drop down into the woods.

Father Thomas was my guide ... he knows a number of our monks from when he was a student in Rome, and he had studied for some time at Georgetown in Washington, DC. Needless to say, his English is perfect. He gave me quite a complete tour, with a break for Midday Prayer and Meal with the Community. Among other things, I saw a book in their Library that was scortched in the great fire of 17-somethingorother. It was a day well spent.

Here "at home" yesterday I got a more extended tour of the House, and then after Vespers I was given a private tour of the Sacristy and treasury. The really old, really valuable stuff is in a basement vault, in an amazing system of collapsible shelves. There is a vestment that is over 1000 years old, and vessels set with precious stones that were sent to Austria for safe keeing during the French Revolution.

So much history in these two Houses ... and all of it is, in a way, my own.

Oh yeah, the raspberry torte from the bakery in Engleberg this morning was quite tasty.

Wouldn't ya know it ...

2007-08-07T04:28:00.000-07:00

Last night I went out for dinner and had ossobuco ... today we get to dinner in the Monastery, and it's ossobuco ... and every bit as good as what I had last night in the restaurant, so I'm not complaining.

This morning Brother Edward gave me a tour of their wine cellar ... it's quite the operation. They sell their wines here in the gift shop but also commercially, and have a great variety including some fortified wines (like Port) and a krauterwein, which is wine with an herbal extract infusion. After our tour, we had a tasting of several different kinds ... they are all good, but I especially like the krauterwein.

This afternoon I have a tour of the Monastery proper ... I asked to particularly see the Infirmary and area where the Seniors live. After Vespers I have a tour of the Sacristy.

Tomorrow I go to Engelberg, which is the Mother of the other half of our Swiss American Congregation. It takes about two and a half hours to get there by train, but is said to be a beautiful trip up into the mountains. I hear it's supposed to be "colder" and at that elebvation, there may be snow ... I'd like that. The Prior here called ahead for me, so I'll have someone to show me around and then take the midday meal with the Community. The only thing is the train leaves Einsiedeln at 7am, so it will be another early morning.

Yesterday at Kloster Fahr I bought some cookies and merengues in their gift shop. The cookies are good, but the merengues are awesome.

From the Mutterabtei

2007-08-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Today, I went to visit Kloster Fahr, the monastery of nuns near Zurich that is closely tied with Einsiedeln. After a tour, they served a lovely lunch for me and the Monk from Einsideln that I was travelling with. I had a nice visit with the Prioress and a long walk about the countryside with Brother Daniel (the monk I travelled with) before the Prioress took me back to the train station (Brother Daniel is staying on there for some "holiday".)

Being that this is the 24th Anniversary of my First Profession, and since I wasn't going to be here for the Community Mass, I concelebrated with one of the monks in the Lady Chapel at 6:15. Then to further mark the occasion, after Vespers I excused myself from supper in the Monastery and went into the town for supper. I sat outside and had a lovely ossobuco with homemade noodles and a glass of chianti. I was too full for chocolate or ice cream. Next year may be the actual Jubilee, but this will certainly be memorable.

I booked my hotel room in Krakow yesterday ... as usual, I checked out reviews on several websites before locking into anything. It's right across from the main train station, and 10-15 minutes' walk to the old city.

It occurs to me to start making a list of things I want to particularly remember (food-wise) for when I get to Indianapolis and start cooking again. I'm not sure the pineapple ring thing will be on the list though ...

Julie Andrews

2007-08-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, I took the hike up into the hills yesterday ... No, I didn't run around, twirling and singing about the hills being alive with the sound of music ... but I could have. It was really beautiful ... and very much like the opening scenes of the movie. Going up the hill I was in the sun, but then the path along the ridge was in the shade of the forrest, with a gentle breeze all along the way. After an hour and a half of tromping around, up and down, I had no problem sleeping last night!

The main meal here is at Midday, so supper is light. Well, last night after the soup, when the "entree" came round, I was intrigued. It was a slice of white bread with a pineapple ring on it, topped by a slice of cheese, then toasted in the oven till the cheese melted and slightly browned. It was interesting ... good ... but interesting. There were two per person. Try it sometime ...

Today's Midday Meal was a nice porkchop with risotto and braised fennel. I especially liked the braised fennel.

I think a Sunday nap is in order, but first I may do a web search for hotels in Krakow.

Tomorrow I'm going to visit Kloster Fahr, a monastery of nuns near Zurich, for the day. The Prioress from there spent a month with us at Saint Meinrad last Fall.

And as for those who want me to bring back Swiss chocolate ... I have one thing to say/ask: Do you REALLY think I'd be able to carry a stash of chcolate bars in my suitcase for another month, without eating them all myself?

The Mother Abbey

2007-08-04T04:26:00.000-07:00

It is Saturday afternoon, and I am in Einsiedeln. I arrived yesterday evening just in time for supper. It was a long travel day (a total of six train segments) but well worth the time and effort. (Note to self: just because the airline allows you 50 pounds per suitcase doesn't mean you have to make it 50 pounds.)

The days in Eichstätt were lovely, and and I only wish I had allotted more time there. Abbess Franziska saw me off, sticking several holy cards in my hand as I headed out the door.

As for Einsiedeln ... it's amazing. The monks have been very gracious and welcoming, and I feel very much at home here. I have a room over in a section of what used to be residence for coworkers but is now used for guests, which means I have my own bathroom and shower. I have briefly explored part of the town, but have not wandered back to the stables yet (Einsiedeln has a famous breed of horses). After I finish this, I may hike up into the hills ... there's a path that goes up and around the ridge behind the Monastery.

So here I am ... where it all began. I'll have internet access here in the Monastery, so regular reports should follow. Stay tuned.

Oh yeah ... the Swiss chocolate is gooooooooood.

Update (two in one day!)

2007-08-01T06:07:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the train station ...

All set to move on to Eisiedeln on Friday the 3rd arriving there aroun 6pm.

Then on Friday morning the 10th, I go to Marienrode (near Hildesheim) in northern Germany.

Then on Monday the 13th, I go from Hildesheim to Berlin, where I get a night train to KRAKOW, POLAND, arriving Tuesday morning. On Wednesday evening, I get a night train back to Berlin, arriving Thursday morning, where I already have arrangements to stay until Saturday the 18th. (Pension Peters, remember?!).

Ever since being in class with Marcin, I've been thinking about going to Poland ... so after a little investigating I found good prices for the train tickets and PRIVATE cabins on the trains, and decided to go for it.

It's been an afternoon well spent here in Munich.

Takin' care of business

2007-08-01T04:13:00.000-07:00

This post comes to you from Munich, where I am for the afternoon to tend to a variety of things.

As noted on Monday, Eichstätt is lovely, but the only place where I've found internet access is that bar where it's 1€ for ten minutes ... or 6.00 an hour. And then the computer is stuck in a dark little booth in the corner, reeking of cigarette ashes and smoke. I got the impression that it's not usually used by people to check email or post to their blogs ... I could barely see the keyboard. Access to the Monastery computers isn't possible (for alot of reasons) and since they're so kind to me otherwise, I don't want to push it. So coming to Munich puts me back at the i-net cafe where I know the works and the price is right ... or at least much better.

Other business which brings me to Munich is to take care of reservations for the next several train trips. While the fares are covered by my Rail Pass, the longer stretches require actual seat reservations, each for a fee. So, since I have the Rail Pass, and it's a lovely day, I figured I'd jump on the train, come to Munich and do what I need to do with the nice English-speaking travel service in the train station, then hop back on the train and be back to the Moanstery by dark. The little local train I take in Eichstätt proper to get to the connection for Munich is just two cars ... think of a modern Cannonball running between Hooterville and Pixley ... only in the hills of Bavaria.

When I saw the Abbess this morning after my meeting with Sister Angela (German tutor) she let me know that she was not pleased that I was running off to the city today... she said I should say in the enclosure, where I can be quiet and rest. I assured her that Sister Angela had given me some material I could read/study on the train and that I was indeed coming back and wouldn't be out late. So she said OK.

Dinner at St. B's on Saturday afforded me the opportuniy to sample another Bavarian specialty ... pancake soup. Thin pancakes (more like crepes) are cut into very thin strips and served in a clear (beef?) broth. Very tasty. Then we had a very nice schweinschnitzel (breaded pork cutlet). Yummy ... or as they say here ... lecker.

Yesterday I had lunch at a restaurant in Eichstätt with the cousins of one of the Sisters from Ferdinand (long story). I had a wonderful apfel strudel for dessert.

And yes, there is ice cream in Eichstätt ... and it's good ... and it's cheap.

So it goes. Now to head back across the street to the train station and take care of stuff there. Some of the itinerary tweaking has me going directly on to Einsiedeln on Friday the 3rd, rather than stopping back here in Munich for the weekend. I'll be there till Friday the 10th, when I head north to Marienrode (near Hildesheim).

But speaking of ice cream ...

If this is Monday it must be Eichstätt

2007-07-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

Arrived here yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. What a beautiful place... both the City and the Monastery. My room in the Guest House is very comfortable, with a great view out over the city, and a private bath! I sit with the Nuns in Choir and take meals in a special Guest Dining Room.

Mother Abbess Franziska has arranged for me to have a German tutor ... an American who entered here about ten years ago. She's alot of fun (we met this morning) and will be great to work with ... she has the experience of having done an intensive course, but then REALLY learning the language by living it.

The itinerary is still in flux, a bit ... I think ... maybe.

Gonna go in search of cheaper i-net possibilities ... this is 1€ for TEN MINUTES ... then back up the hill for Midday.

Somber

2007-07-27T23:59:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the trip to Dachau ... the first concentration camp built in the 30's, about 20 minutes from Munich. Dachau became the "model" for all the other camps. Now, it's preserved and maintained by an International Organization as a memorial. There is no admittance fee. I rented one of the personal audio guides for 3€ which was really a great thing ... you punch in the number of the explanation you want to hear, with several levels of detail to choose from. You can go back and revisit or skip over ... it was very user friendly. I was there about three hours, maybe a little more, and didn't read HALF of the descriptions on the exhibits. Everything is multi-lingual.

It started out (appropriately, I felt) as cloudy and overcast ... as the day went on it cleared, and the sun came out. That's how I experienced the visit ... at first cloudy, grim and even overwhelming. But toward the end, as I made my way through the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious memorials/chapels, there was a sense of peace breaking through ... it's hard to describe. Everything held in memory, commended to the Mercy of God.

It just didn't feel right to take lots of pictures, so I just have a few outside shots.

At the far end of the camp is a Monastery of Carmelite Nuns ... as soon as aI walked into the Chapel it felt familiar. I did take a few pics there.

When I left the Camp, I went directly to the train station and headed home. I didn't want lunch.

I'll leave it there for this post ... there was more to the day, but I'll cover that another time.

When I clicked to check the posting, I noted that the day/date header has this being posted on Friday ... but it's Saturday morning here, as I write this from the i-net cafe.

It SEEMED like a good idea

2007-07-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Freising ... about 40 minutes north by train. It's and old city, and has lots of Catholic history ... this is the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising. My first stop was the "Co-Cathedral", which unfortunately had great scaffolding set up around the High Altar, so I couldn't see much. As I was poking around in other areas I spotted, above a door into a small hallway, "OO". So I looked, and yes, it was ... for the unknowing "OO" is monastic jargon for a bathroom.

Freising also has the Diocesan Museum, which is promoted as the largest single collection of ecclesiastical art in Germany. It's lovely ... everything from ancient coins to vestments and vessels. The current temporary exhibit is of new Churches and renovations in the Archdiocese since 1997, with big pictures and models. VERY interesting. While I can appreciate it all, I can't say I like it all. I was there for a couple of hours.

After walking around the old city for a while, I stopped for lunch ... after all, it was my feeding time. Very nice, sitting outside on the platz. I had the basic roast pork (If you haven't gotten the idea, pork is very big in these parts.) and, of course, a beer. The ice cream came later as I made my way back to the train station.

Then last evening ...

Since the ticket/pass I had gotten for the train to Freising was good on all the city transport for the whole day, I thought I'd just ride the trams around town for a while. So, after Compline, I came over to the platz in front of the train station and got on the first tram that came by. It was really fun ... took me through a part of the city where I hadn't been, nor would I have reason to go. Then we got to the last stop indicated on my handy-dandy-pocket map, so I got off, crossed the street to the stop on the other side thinking I'd hop on the next tram back to the city center. There was a young woman who had gotten off the tram there, too, who asked me in German if I knew where we were ... but after seeing the look on my face, she switched to English (she is actually French). She was doing the same thing I was ... riding around the city for a while. When the next tram came by, it wasn't the number we were expecting, but we got on. It soon became apparent we were on a route different from the one shown on my afore mentioned handy-dandy-pocket map . Next thing we knew, the tram was pulling into the central tram station, and there's a man strongly directing my new companion and me to get off the tram. This was the end of the line ... really ... stopped for the night. She asked in her faltering German (which was better than mine) about how we were to get back to the main train station. The man directed us to the nearest bus stop with some directions ... so, we made our way out of the tram yard to the bus stop. As we walked and talked, we agreed that if you have to be lost, it's better to be lost WITH someone. Yes, this was evening ... but no, it wasn't dark yet ... so we had that in our favor. Anway ... we got on a buss which took us to the east side train station (we were clear on the other side of the river from the city center) where we got our train back to where we wanted to go. I was home and in bed by a little after 10.

Note to self ... check and double check the schedules before going out joy-riding in the evening... or anytime for that matter.

Now today, I'm off to Dachau, and then hopefully to hit the famous delicatessen/gourmet food store here in Munich when I get back later this afternoon.

School's out

2007-07-25T04:54:00.000-07:00

All done with the formal Deutschkurs now. I did OK on the exam ... got a 2 ... bascially a B.

The bunch of us went to the Hofbrauhaus last evening ... THE Hofbrauhaus ... one of the biggest tourist places in Munich... a HUGE beer hall. There was plenty of food and drink, and a good time was had by all. A couple of people were going to an Irish Karaoke Pub (!) afterwards, but I came home to bed. And yes, I was up for Morning Office today.

The days have been sunny and a little bit cooler, so it's quite pleasant to be out and about.

The plan for the next two days is to get around a bit and see a few more things. I need to get myself a Munich t-shirt, which means hitting the tourist areas. And there's a famous delicatessen gourmet food store that I've heard about ...

Fireworks

2007-07-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

They say that the only good plan is one that can be changed ... so I'm looking into a tweak of my itinerary. No, I'm not going to say what it is ... I'm still investigating possibilities. Stay tuned ... as if you can do anything else!

There have been frequent evening events in the Platz behind the Monastery over the course of the past week. Can't tell exactly what, but sometimes it's music, othertimes it sounds like a movie. I did walk over there one evening to try and see what's happening, but the whole Platz is fenced off and you have to pay for admission. Well, one thing that one doesn't have to pay to see or hear is the FIREWORKS. Yes, at about 10pm there's a barrage of rockets and such ... only a few minutes' worth, but a bit of a display. That would be fine with me except on the nights (like last night) when I'm already in bed... then the wwwwwhhhhhhhoooooooooooooosssshhhhh, WWWWHHHHHHHIIIIIZZZZZZZ, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM is a bit startling.

Since tomorrow is the last day, a bunch of us from class are going out this evening.

And yes, I had Vietnamese last night for supper.

Weekend Adventures

2007-07-23T04:55:00.000-07:00

The Deutsches Museum is a huge place that's built on an island in the Isar River. It's a museum of technology in the broadest sense, and has exhibits of everything from the history of coal mining to computers. Marcin and I had a good time, but my feet hurt after three hours of making our way through the place. We stopped at an outdoor cafe for a coffee before going our separate ways.

Yesterday, the Abbot of St. B's had a ceremony to go to at Plankstetten ... a Monastery about an hour and a half drive north of Munich ... so he asked Luigi (the other summer student) and me to go along. It turned out to be a big fest for St. Christopher's Day. The Abbot of Plankstetten was recently named a Bishop and the Community there chose to elect a Prior Administrator for three years to have time to do the discernment thing. But they wanted a miter and crozier to dress up the fest, so the Prior Administrator invited his friend, Abbot Johannes. After Mass the Abbot had to stand outside and bless all the vehicles that passed by ... everything from kids on bikes to motorcycles, cars, vans and trucks... I think he was at it for almost an hour. While he was doing that, we got a tour. When the Abbot finished his blessings, we sat down to a very nice dinner. Plankstetten is an old place that has a very large organic farming operation ... even their beer is "Bio" (I tried the dark, and it was very good). On the way home we stopped at Scheyern, another very old Monastery in the region. The monk who was giving us the tour made a point to say that they have been eating in the same room for 800 years. Both places were lovely.

It was raining in Munich when we left (about 8:30am) but cleared as we headed north into the hills. The weather was beautiful for the rest of the day, including when we got back into the city around 4:30.

For lunch today, I wandered up the street and around the corner to someplace where I could sit outside. I had the special ... a whole roasted Schwein hock with a big dumpling. It was good.

We have an exam tomorrow for the latter part of the morning ... part written, part oral. In one way it's kind of odd to have an exam for a course that isn't graded, but I suppose they do have to have some kind of assessment tool. Wednesday, we'll go over the exam and wrap things up.

The Monks at St. B's are all on a summer outing to Freising, so there aren't any meals served in the House today. I guess I'll just HAVE to go back to the Vietnamese place I found last week ...

Lions and Tigers and Bears ...

2007-07-20T23:53:00.000-07:00

It's saturday morning, almost 9:00. I wandered over to the Internet Cafe for a while, and it's nearly deserted...too early for all the kids who usually hang out here. I'm meeting Marcin (my Polish classmate) at the Deutsches Museum at 12:30, so have the morning free. Besides, I was in bed at 8:30 last night and had a good looooong night's sleep...especially since Morning Office wasn't until 7:00 today.

Spent a couple of hours at the zoo yesterday ... the animals are arranged by continent, with big natural areas for some, while others are in more protected enclosures. I wouldn't say it's a huge collection of animals, but the park itself is sizeable. Of course, I was there in the late afternoon so it was naptime and there wasn't alot of activity.

I have been trying to post pictures, but these public machines don't seem to want to recognize my card reader. I thought the i-net cafe would, since they have usb extensions on a couple of the machines, but so far no luck. And this being early, there's no "network administrator" around to help ... only the lady at the coffee counter.

Found out the other day that our course will end on Wednesday. This is not necessarily happy news ... as several of us observed, we've paid good money for four weeks of instruction and aren't getting it. And lately, we've been covering quite a bit of material in one 4-hour session. Oh well, I guess that will give me some extra sightseeing time before I move on.

While it's quiet in here, I'm gonna look into some train schedules online, then go across the street to the Station and get my Rail Pass validated.

On the go ...

2007-07-20T04:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (Thursday) the Computer Lab was closed for the afternoon.

In a few minutes, I am off to the Zoo.

Tomorrow it's the Deutsches Museum.

We had BIG lightning and thunder storms all night long, but today is gorgeous.

OK ... maybe I AM eating my way through Munich. But there are SOOO many bakeries.

Conscientious Shopper

2007-07-18T05:50:00.000-07:00

Didn't get to the email or blog yesterday, as the GI offered an excursion to the Olympic Park in the afternoon, and a couple of us from my class went. It dawned on me after we got there that most of the people in the group weren't even born yet (1972), so the references to the terrorist activity were lost on them. The tour was all in German, and served to show me how much I HAVEN'T learned. But it was a beautiful day ... if a little warm ... and was a nice time walking around.

As I am in increasing need of a haircut, I asked the Guest Master about where one can get such... he told me they're cheap over by the train station. So, as I was coming back from the Olympic Park excursion, I came through the main train station to investigate further. The shops I found ranged 8-10 dollars (euro). Today after lunch I went through one of the department stores and found electric clippers for 7.99. I bought the clippers ... after this first haircut they will have paid for themselves. I hope our Business Office takes note that I am spending wisely.

With only one more week to go here in Munich, I need to start looking toward the next phase of the adventure. That will start with validating the Eurail pass and investigating the timetable for travel to Eichstätt, then confirming my arrival with the Abbess there.

In the meantime, I have irregular verbs ...

Now, where was I ...

2007-07-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah ... the cemetery. It was really cool ... literally ... with all the shade. Most monuments I stopped to read were from the early to mid 1800's ... no telling how old the momuments are that had the inscriptions worn away by weather.

I didn't realize the computer lab closed up at 4:00 on Saturday until the desk attendant came in and very abruptly announced it was closing time. Besides, all the signage reads 1600, which, to part of my brain at least, suggests something much later.

Yesterday I spent part of the afternoon exploring an historic area of the city. I had no more gotten back to the Monastery and Father Ephrem stopped by, so we went back out and walked all the way to the English Garden. That name is somewhat misleading ... it's more like NYC's Central Park, only here in Munich and over on the upper east side of the city. Thousands of people flock there on the weekends, especially, and are splayed out all over the lawns sunning, playing, sleeping. There's a fast moving stream that flows through the park, so people are in the water, too... and there's a section where kids actually surf the current. I came away with a sun-burnt nose.

And contrary to what some people think, I AM doing more than eating and drinking my way around Munich. I just write about the food and drink because that's one of my main interests ... I don't think most people would be interested in hearing about past participles of irregular verbs.

Given that today is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Einsiedeln at home, and being that it's beautifully sunny and warm here, ice cream seems to be in order...

Saturday Afternoon

2007-07-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

The Sommerfest last night was nice ... there were several of us from the class, and we wound up sitting at a table with an Italian Franciscan. At different times, the conversation bounced around German, Spanish, English and Polish. We are all beginner German students, the Pole understands no Spanish and little English, the Italian has some English and can basically understand Spanish, the Spaniard has good English with her Spanish, but unfortunately isn't doing so well with the German. So it was interesting ... but we communicated, and that's what mattered.

Spent this morning putzing around my room at StB ... This week we learned that "putzen" in German is to clean ... I wasn't German putzing, I was American putzing.

This afternoon I went out exploring a different section of the city... away from major tourist traffic. Found all kinds of interesting shops, and best of all an old cemetery. The cemetery had big overgrown trees, lots of shade, and gravel walking paths among the huge old monuments and markers. It was lovely.

OK ... computer lab is closing ... gotta go ... to be continued.

Friday the 13th

2007-07-13T05:20:00.000-07:00

In spite F13, it's a good day ... no rain and the sun is shining. I hear it is indeed supposed to be nice through the weekend, but then more thunderstorms on Monday. Oh well ...

I went out for lunch and sat outside ... had käsespätzel and a bier ... think of it as really good mac 'n cheese.

Tonight the Institute is having Sommerfest here on the terrace, so I'm going to come over. It looks to be basically a drinks and munchies mixer for all the students ...they specifically mention fassbier (keg) on the flyer. Everything over here revolves around the beer ... and I'm not complaining.

Went to look at posting pics, but will have to look up some words so I can figure out the prompts.

Day after report

2007-07-12T04:57:00.000-07:00

The ice cream was OK ...very rich but not much on flavor. But hey, at 80 cents for a big scoop in a waffle cone, I won't complain. I understand most of the ice cream here (at least sold in shops and on the street) is from Italy, so for those who know, the flavors are what one finds at gellato stands in Rome.

After I finished my cone, I went to the big bookstore on the Karlsplatz and bought a book of German verb tables .... WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! Actually, the bookstore is great ... kinda like a Borders ... three floors ... and it even has a sizeable English language section. I considered buying a season of MASH on DVD, but figured I'm not quite up to humor idioms in German.

The Basilica Chorale sang the Mozart Missa Brevis in C last night. It was actually guite nice, and, well ...brevis. They deferred singing the Agnus Dei until during Communion, and it went longer than the distribution of Communion. There were probably a couple hundred people there. The Chorale was accompanied by the Basilica organ (very nice) and a string ensemble (also very nice). The Abbot's homily sounded like it might have been pretty good, but by that time of the day, my brain was shutting down.

Yes it's raining again today. When we get to class in the morning, we usually start out whining in our own languages, but then switch over to German... practice is practice. But I hear that it's supposed to be clearing sometime tomorrow and be nice for the weekend. We'll see...

Hochfest

2007-07-11T04:56:00.000-07:00

Today is the Solemnity of Unser Heilige Vater Sankt Bendikt here, so there's a variety of things going on.

Last night we had Vigils at 7:30 in the Basilica with a community of OSB Sisters from here in Munich. There were about 15 of them ... including a Postulant and 3 Novices. They came first in STATIO, then us ... everyone in cuculla except Luigi and me. Vigils went for an hour ... three Nocturnes with two LONG readings and the Gospel. Psalms sung in German, of course, but the Responsories were lovely Latin chant pieces. Cantors from the respective Communities led different parts ... the Monks imported three laymen for their Schola ... the nuns had gorgeous tone.

After Vigils there was a symposium which looked like it could have been kind of interesting, but there was no way I would be able to comprehend what was going on, let alone sit there and politely look interested for hours, so I went back to my room to listen to the radio. Well, I tried to listen to the radio ... but there was a concert in the Platz behind us (where some of the museums are) so it wasn't easy to concentrate on anything. Oh yeah ... did I menion it was a ROCK concert?! (Imagine having a rock concert down by the Community Center ...) Thankfully it was pretty much over by 9:00 ... THEN I could listen to the radio for a bit before bed.

Lauds was at 6:00 am as usual. After the Midday Meal they were having Coffee and schnapps. I also saw wine glasses on the tables this morning (normally there's only beer/water glasses) so I missed out on a couple of things.

Vespers and supper will be early (I forgot what time, and need to check when I get home) then Mass (Pontifical) is at 7:00 ... I think the Parish Choir is singing a Motzart Mass, so we're liable to be at it a while. Maybe I better get a nap this afternoon.

It started out sunny this morning, so I made a leisurely walk to school. Then by the middle of the morning, it was pouring again. Now it's dry, but heavily clouded. I asked someone if it's always like this in Bavaria in the summer ....

Stopped at a grocery yesterday on my way home and did a little shopping for some snacks. (If you don't provide your own bag, you have to pay 15 cents for one.) So even tho' I have chocolate back in my room, I'm gonna stop for a little something... maybe ice cream. After all, it's a Hochfest ... and I'm on sabbatical.

Once is enuf

2007-07-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

I see that yesterday got posted twice ... must have been a glitsch in the network... so I deleted the duplicate as best I could for now.

I decided not to sign up for the Prague excursion this weekend ... found out that one shares a room with three others. NEIN ... NICHT ... NO WAY. I think the last time I slept in the same room with that many people was out at Camp Benedict in Troy, and then I at least knew all of them.

Last night after supper I asked the Guest Master if I could borrow a radio. (One of the tips in our course book is to listen to the radio, especially talk-radio, alot, and I found that helpful in Peru.) No ... there weren't any radios to be had ... OK, fine. Then this morning as I came out of my room for Morning Office a big boom-box was sitting on the floor by my door. I hope this well help ... I'm getting the grammar, and do OK with reading and writing, but have a hard time with the listening and understanding ... especially when they talk fast.

I grabbed a quick schweinschnitzel sandwich for lunch, but definitely feel the need for chocolate on the way home.

2007-07-09T05:21:00.000-07:00

Liver

2007-07-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

After the Community Mass yesterday, I went to the Mass "for English speaking friends" which meets in the crypt chapel. THAT was an interesting experience ...in English yes, but definitely multicultural. The music was all contemporary American, but I think I was the only American present. They were very welcoming ...had me sign the Guest Book and all...but I'm not sure I'll repeat the experience.

After lunch I went out to the museums. Turns out they're not free on Sundays, but only cost one euro. The two sculpture museums were OK ... I moved pretty quickly, especially since all the identification tags were in German and reading those got to be a bit taxing. Then I found my way to one of the galleries ... the Altepinothek (or something like that). It's huge, so I decided to target just a section or so, starting with the El Greco. Before I knew it, an hour had passed and it looked to be getting very cloudy outside, so I thought I better head home ... especially since I didn't bring an umbrella. I got back to the Monastery just before the downpour.

Those who know me know that I'll eat (or at least try) anything, except liver ... and coconut. Yesterday at Midday, as the soup came 'round, I found large dumplings (size of tennis balls) in clear broth. But they were an unusual color...kinda grey. So I played safe and took just one, with lots of broth. As soon as I bit into it, I knew ... leberknodel ... liver dunplings. I asked if that's indeed what these were, and received a very enthusiastic response. My simple question then started a bit of discussion among several of the monks around me of whether leberknodel was a German Bavarian specialty or Austrian thing. I gave up trying to follow the discussion, and just ate my dumpling ...with lots of broth. It wasn't sooooooo bad....but I don't think I'll repeat that expereince, either.

As for my schedule .... Morning Office is at 6:00, then, after a brief break, Mass is at 6:50am. I get a quick breakfast then head off to school. I miss the Midday Office and meal, which is at 12:15ff, because class goes till 12:45. Vespers is at 6:15, followed by supper, and then Compline at 7:30. On Saturday and Sunday, Morning Office isn't till 7:00, with Mass at 9:00 ... otherwise the schedule is the same. By time I do computer stuff and get soemthing to eat, it's sometimes 3:00 or later when I get home, so I do some review work and maybe get a little nap before Vespers. I'm most often in bed by 10:00.

Looks like the rain has let up a bit, so I'm gonna head out.

Weekend Update

2007-07-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

I spent the morning studying, so after lunch I wandered over here to the Institute to get some computer time.

Thanks to those who post comments ... except that I'm not always sure who is posting. I can't always tell by screen names who is who, and I haven't figured out how to reply to a comment directly ... mostly because all the cues and prompts are in German, even for my obviously English-based blog. Also, I've decided not to do "Shout outs" ... too easy to get into a "Hmpf, he mentioned THEM but didn't say anything about ME..." So ain't gonna go there. Except to say hello to Mom and Dad and Kathy and Butch and Memo and Esther and ... no ... I better stop ... that's starting to sound like the ending to Romper Room (which I was on some 40 years ago, but I digress).

I've actually had a few "Aha!" moments as some things start to come together. I ventured to ask one of the monks a question (auf Deutsch) last night after Compline, only to find myself awash in a fast-paced response. I got most of it ... I think.

According to my tourbook, museums are free on Sunday, so I think that may be tomorrow's agenda. Several of the museums are literally out the back door of the Monastery. One of the sculpture museums actually adjoins the back of the Monastery ...King Ludwig's plan, relflecting the connection between religion and culture.

The sun has poked through the clouds, so I'm going to poke about the city a bit before heading home for Vespers.

First Week

2007-07-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

To mark the completion of my first week I went out for lunch ... a little cafe/bistro on a sidestreet that I spotted the other day. I had schinkennodel ... what might be thought of as a German version of carbonara ... only different ... and a bier, of course. Since it's still cold and very windy today, I sat inside.

After I finish this, I need to swing by the department store again and pick up another plug adapter ... I brought one with me, but having another will be good so I can charge the phone at night and still have my CPAP running.

Haven't given much thought to the weekend, yet. Will go out exploring something, somewhere, no doubt.

Turns out the young Pole sitting next to me in class is a priest, too ... diocesan. He speaks little more English than I do Polish, so needless to say we practice our German.

Donnerstag

2007-07-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

In commemoration of the Holiday (at home) yesterday, I stopped for two choclate bars on the way back to the Monastery. One of the shortcuts between school and StB's is an undergound mall ... which has been very convenient these rainy days ... so I stopped to explore the candy aisle in the Target-like place.

Today, after lunch, I went into the big department store to pick up a few supplies ....one of which being a larger dictionary. I had brought one of those little pocket dictionaries (about the size of a pack of cigarettes) but that's proving to be more and more difficult to use ... not because of the German, but because of MY EYES. So this one is about the size of a paperback ... more user-friendly, for sure.

Got some laundry done yesterday without boiling the socks or roasting the shirts.

The expereince of living in a small urban community is, needless to say, very different from that of the large rural midwestern monastery. The other day there were five (yes, 5) of us at Vespers. Through it all, the lessons we received in "monastic etiquette" during the Novitiate are serving me well (Vielen dank, Pater Aelred).

The class time really flies by, and we haven't had lots of homework, which means it's not overly taxing. The challenge is sufficient without it becoming a burden ... so far.

More Rain

2007-07-04T04:42:00.000-07:00

Need to slosh my way home and do some laundry.

First Day of Class

2007-07-03T05:04:00.000-07:00

Came up to the computer lab after class, but there was a waiting line so I went out for a bite to eat first. After the morning session there's a flood of people wanting to get on line ... and I see at least three machines that are out of service. Much better now that I've had a feeding, too.

We're quite a mix in the class ... I'm the only American ... and also the oldest...I'm even older than the Instructor. We have one from Poland, two from Hungary, one from Canada, one from Mainland China, one from Taiwan, one from Moldavia (just where IS Moldavia?!), one from Scotland, one from Thailand, two from Spain, one from Argentina and one from Mexico. Most speak at least a little English, and a couple of them are quite accomplished multilinguals. It's interesting to hear German terms being explained in fluent Spanish, and the optional activites talked about in Russian (a common language for the Pole and the Moldavian). At the break, I got into a bit of conversation with one of the Spaniards ... in Spanish. More for our money, I guess.

As for the beer, I'm very much liking the weissebier and the dunkelweisse.

I really should log onto CNN, Whispers and the BLADE to see what's happening beyond sabbatical-land... that is, before I head back to StB for a nap.

Monday in Munich

2007-07-02T01:24:00.000-07:00

And it's raining. In fact, we had big thunderstorms last night. Now a steady drizzle continues, so no pictures today.

Have been through registration (such as it is) at the Goethe Institut this morning. My interviewer was intrigued with me being a Benedictine Monk ... she said she didn't know there were monasteries in the US. She just kept saying "How interesting." Whatever... But they had nice snacks out! Had to wait until 10am for the computer lab to open, but it's worth it. This will be nice.

As expected, I'm placed in the most elementary of the elementary courses ... morning classes for four hours each day, five days a week.

There is a monk from Praglia (Italy) who is also doing a German course this summer who is in the room next to me at St. Bonifaz. He's already had some German so is in a different course. But he also speaks some English (pretty good, too) so at least we can communicate with each other. Last night the Guest Master showed us where we can do our laundry ... I had to go back and copy down the directions etc. so I could look words up in my dictionary, lest I boil my black socks.

One of the trips sponsored by the GI is a weekend trip to Prague ... That's not someplace I had planned to see, but it looks interesting (and a good price) so I'm gonna get more info.

About time to head back to the Monastery for Midday ... need to stop at the Woolworths (yes, there really is a Woolworths here) and pick up a few things.

Sunday morning

2007-07-01T02:00:00.000-07:00

Found myself with some time between Mass and Midday Prayer, so I came out for a walk to the i-net cafe.

Spent yesterday afternoon with our Father Ephrem, who is here in Munich working in a parish for the summer. (During the year he teaches at Sant' Anselmo in Rome). He showed me around the old city before we went over to his parish for the evening Mass and a light supper. Among other things, he introduced me to the subway system, and gave me some general pointers about getting around. The Monastery is very well located with regard to getting around (there's a subway station at the end of the block) and the city center is a short walk.

The weather here is beautiful ... we had a few clouds yesterday, but with a nice breeze. I have yet to get the camera out, but will begin taking pictures soon.

Looking forward to starting school tomorrow, and finding out precisely what my schedule will be.

Shifting gears from a life-pace of multiple responsibilities and activities to one of no real responsibilites and little activity except the basic Monastery schedule does not come easy for me, but I'm working (reflex choice of word) on it. So, perhaps a nice nap this afternoon...

I'm Here

2007-06-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

If I knew how to title this "It was the trip from hell" in German, I would. After a three hour delay in L'ville because of weather, a literal run through the Philly airport to get on board a little after 8pm for the 8:20 flight, ONLY to get out on the runway and sit there for FIVE HOURS through the storms, I made it to Munich ... even with my luggage.

So I took the train into the city (a 45 minute ride) and a cab to the Monastery (wound up being just a few blocks) I was recevied by the Guest Master, met the Abbot, and shown to my room. I was able to unpack a little and get a shower before Mass and Vespers. After dinner and Compline, I excused myself to finish unpacking and get to bed early.

This morning I ventured out, found my way to the language school (20 minute walk from the Monastery) and spotted this internet cafe. I also explored the train station in greater detail, where I was sorely tempted to eat my way through the shops and bakeries ... but I didn't. Instead I went back to St. Bonifaz for Midday Praer and dinner. Now I've made my way back to this cafe to post this and check some email.

So other than the actual travel, I'm off to a good start. My room in the Monastery if comfortable, right next to the bathroom and showers. The food is good, and there is beer with meals and in the frig for the taking (They have their own brewery ... Andechs). The dark wheat beer is very good.

This will be it for the first word ... this screen is at a bad angle for my bifoculs, so I won't be at this very long. Next week, I should have access to computers at the school ... and maybe at the Moanstery before then. (I was warned about the keyboard differences, and have tried to be careful, but if there are any weird typos, you'll know why.

The adventure begins!

Outta Here

2007-06-27T06:38:00.000-07:00

Next stop ... Munich.

P.S. Do you think this outfit makes me look fat?!

Pictures

2007-06-26T20:15:00.001-07:00

Here's a pic I took of the Abbey Church this morning ... it's not the best, but it worked.

It's now after 10pm ... have been finishing up a few things, including a project that I thought was going to be left undone. So having a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction (the proof-reading project and the picture-posting) I can head for bed. The real question is whether I'll be able to sleep.

Tomorrow

2007-06-26T07:18:00.001-07:00

Have been wanting to update this, but not having my own web access anymore has made it difficult...I've been gyrovaguing around computers of the Monastery just to check email. So, finally, this morning, I took the camera outside to get a new pic of the church, gathered up the card reader and made my way down here to the computer room in the Novitiate. Now, to get it all to work.

I'm just about packed ... I need to get things arranged in the suitcase and weigh it again. The other day I quickly threw stuff in and weighed it and was only at 37 pounds, but that was without shoes and a few other things.

I need to pull out of here between 9 and 10 in the morning. There's construction on the interstate between here and the airport, so I need to allow for some slowed traffic. The flight leaves L'ville for Philly around 3:30. Then I have three hours or so in Philly before the 8:30pm flight to Munich. I'm scheduled to land in Munich around 10:30 Thursday morning, local time.

OK, here goes ... insert the photo and post ... ... ... ... ...or maybe not ... can't seem to get the "insert image" icon to do it's thing, so I'll post this now and come back later to try again.

Soon and Very Soon

2007-06-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

Things are coming along ... I moved the aquarium out on Saturday, and the birds are going to their summer home tomorrow or the next day. Homes are arranged for the plants, but I'm going to hold onto those for a while yet ... I need something to take care of. This morning I made duplicates of all the paperwork (documents, travel insurance, reservation acknowledgements, etc.) to leave here. The clearance table at Staples had some blank books in different sizes, so I picked up a couple to use for making blog and budget notes.

Got an email from my friend at Marienrode and she said it was very hot today - unseasonably so. I zapped a line back and asked her what makes for very hot in northern Germany and she responded it was 29 degrees celsius ... then for my benefit, she said it felt like it was in the 90's. I guess I'm going to have to print out a temperature table. I can guestimate other metric equivalents, but the temperature scale loses me.

When at Staples, I picked up a 1G memory card for the camera and a card reader, so now all I have to do is have someone show me how to use it so I can post photos here.

How long, O Lord, is a little while? 16 Days!

Strategic Planning

2007-05-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

With 30 days to go, I've begun more carefully scheduling things to do. Order 90 days of prescription refills. Schedule the last of the Hep A&B shots. Compile address and phone list. Get new socks. Arrange for moving birds and fish to their new homes. Make copies of documents, pin numbers and passwords.

And today I had someone stop by my office to say goodbye and wish me "happy sabbatical" ... already. He's off on some business tomorrow then directly to a summer program, and won't be back before the 27th.

So the anxiety levels are rising, and the impending full moon doesn't help. There are things I MUST get done, stuff I'd LIKE to get done, and, honestly, some that simply WON'T get done.

So be it ...

Lent

2007-05-18T07:38:00.001-07:00

As in 40 days from today. Arriving at this significant marker prompts me to post a few lines at least. The concerns and business of the present have kept me from venturing too far off into the future, but I have managed to tend to a few details.

One of the things I accomplished recently was booking the ferry from Rostock, Germany, to Helsinki, Finland. I splurged a bit and reserved a private cabin with a window, as opposed to a considerably cheaper option of sharing an inside, windowless cabin with three strangers.

The global roaming SIM chip for the phone is supposed to be here today. When I received notice last week that they were back in stock, I ordered one right away, along with a universal plug adapter. The packaged arrived Monday with the plug adapter, but no SIM chip, so I called their help line. I thought I would have to explain and verify things to no end, but the customer service rep was quite easy going - "Oh, OK... sounds like a mixup in shipping; we'll get one out to you today."

When I was online looking for a place to stay in Berlin (there are no monasteries in Berlin) I happened to click the B&B tab on Tripadvisor. The second entry was Pension Peters. I took it as a sign from God, as it were, and emailed right away to check on it. Turns out it's in the area I wanted (near the zoo), was a good price and had an availability for the dates I wanted. Reservation made.

Lots to do in the next 39 out of those 40 days, especially in handing over jobs and responsibilities. There are also a couple of projects that have been hanging for a while that I said I'd get wrapped up ... we'll see if that good intention gets realized in practice.

Now I can say "Next month..."

2007-05-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

We're at 57 days, and I need to stop deferring things with "I can get to that later." When I take note of the things that need to be accomplished and/or put in order before I leave, betwixt and between the matters at hand and concerns of the day that need to be tended to, that's not a whole lot of time.

Other than starting a packing list last night, I haven't done much specifically for the sabbatical in recent days. I need to go ahead and book the ferry trip from Rostock, Germany to Helsinki. I'm also considering adding a stopover in Cologne, on my way from Einsiedeln to Marienrode. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for notification that the global roaming chip for the phone is back in stock.

So it goes.

The Itinerary

2007-04-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

June 27: Louisville-Philadelphia-Munich

July 2-26: Intensive German Language Program at the Goethe Institut, living at St. Bonifaz Abbey in Munich

July 29-August 3: St. Walburga Abbey, Eichstaett, Germany

August 5-11: Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland

August 12-15: Kloster Mariendrode, Germany

August 16-18: Berlin, Germany

August 19-31: Jyvaskyla, Finland

September 1-4: London, England

September 5: London-Charlotte-Detroit

September 6-19: Toledo, Ohio

September 20: Return to Saint Meinrad

62 Days

2007-04-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

Herein begins the sabbatical blog, counting down 62 days till departure. It's the barest beginning, but enough to get it up and running. Stay tuned ...