Welcome, Pope Benedict!

Pope Benedict XVI has landed in the US for his first apostolic visit to this fine land. Welcome!

It's going to be a hectic few days travelling to DC and then NY for the different events we're going to, but it will be worth it. And then to look forward to seeing him again this summer in Sydney, Australia . . . WOW!

Yeah, there will be the 4-5 hour bus ride to DC, and the 7 hour bus ride to NY . . . but that's where we're supposed to sleep, right?


Enjoy the journey . . .

Brief Update

It's been a busy time here . . . and it's going to become more busy.

Last Friday, we had our annual Bocce tournament. My team didn't win, and we didn't finish until 1:20 AM Saturday morning.

Saturday, we had our semesterly Pastoral Stewardship Conference. This conference's theme was "About Stewardship." Not too bad, just very early in the morning. After that, I headed down to Pittsburgh to play (the piano and organ) for Mass at my home parish. I came back and a few of us just hung around for the rest of the evening.

Sunday morning was a bit of a break . . . no seminary Mass. BUT I did have a paper to finish researching and to write . . . and that's what I did. I finally went to sleep at 10:30 . . .

. . .Monday night.

It was a long 38 hours to be up, and I tried to go to sleep a few times, but couldn't.

Next week will be fun . . . Matt Maher concert on Sunday, Knights of Columbus dinner on Monday, Popefest '08 Part I from Wednesday to Thursday, with Popefest '08 Part II being held from Friday to Saturday. Canon Law exam somtime that week, and normal class & liturgy schedule. Woo hoo!

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.



Enjoy the journey . . .

Nouwen's Influence

I forgot to add in my first post another reason for me calling this blog "Can You Drink the Cup?" It's also named after one of my favorite books (same title) by Henri Nouwen. In the book, the reader journeys into the cup of life: how we hold the cup, lifting the cup, drinking from the cup, and some of the different types of cups our life can be: sorrow, joy, blessing.

I first read this book either towards the end of my college years or in the beginning of my years working in the parish. It taught me a wonderful lesson on approaching life. And now, after about six - eight years, I can go back and re-read the book with further reflection and gaining further insights.

I was first introduced to Nouwen in my college years by some friends of mine (and my parents) who were discussing his writings. After making my Cursillo weekend in 1997, one of those friends gave me a copy of his book, With Open Hands, which is a reflection about prayer and entering into prayer. Since that time, I've read a number of his books, not having completed the list of all of them - and each time being able to reflect deeper into my own life. His book, The Wounded Healer, which is a reflection on ministry in modern society, helped me in my life in my role as pastoral musician and youth minister. It also allowed me to discern further whether or not I could see myself entering the seminary and, God-willing, becoming a priest.

Well, you know the rest of the story . . . here I am . . . a little over two years until priesthood ordination.


Enjoy the journey . . .

Our Wounded Healer

And we celebrate some more!

Happy Feast Day to all the Benedictines out there!

It's been a crazy few days here with special Masses. Yesterday, the transferred Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, we held our Institution to the Ministry of Lector. Five guys (including one of my diocesan brothers) received the ministry, and took a step closer to ordination. And though it was only a little over 13 months since I received the ministry, I was excited for these guys. Most of them I've known for two or more years, and so it was exciting to see them take this step towards the priesthood.

This afternoon, we attended a special Mass in the Basilica for the transferred Solemnity of the Passing of Saint Benedict. It was a good Mass . . . and even better for me since I didn't have to do anything for it.

But now I'm all solemnitied out. After everyday in the Easter Octave being a solemnity, and these two transferred celebrations (one which is local because of the Benedictine community), I'm quite happy to go to "regular" Easter weekdays for a bit.


But I'll celebrate a little . . . one month of classes left!