Category: Uncategorized

On the Road Again….

ADCC

We arrived at the youth center where we had the conference a short time before dinner. Later that evening, about 10:00 PM, Fr Min Seo came to me and asked if I could take the mass at 7:00 AM the next morning. Fr Michael Chua from Malaysia was scheduled for that but he had fallen after his arrival and was in a Seoul hospital with three broken ribs. There wasn’t much time to prepare but I managed to get myself ready and presided at our group liturgy in the morning.
Because I had been in Asia since 1983, many of the people knew me. Here the group from India–where I started, asked for a photo with them. And a few Koreans joined in.
That evening the 20 national groups introduced themselves. Here was the presentation from the Cambodia group.
Following Cambodia, Macau was introduced. I went there every Sunday for an evening mass for many years.

On the Road Again….

St. Joseph Church

This is the new St. Joseph Church, now in use for the Cambodian community, and the old seminary building. We use the old St. Joseph Church hall for the English Catholic Community.

This is the Saturday night church venue in St. Jude International School which we use on Saturday nights. One of the changes made after I left was to white albs for all the altar servers.

FASCISM

Fascism is marked by hate, nationalism, and repression of dissent.

ELEMENTS THAT DEFINE FASCISM
1. The rejection of democracy in favor of a strongman
2. Stoking rage against cultural elites
3. Nationalism based on superior race and historic bloodlines
4. Extolling brute strength and heroic warriors
5. Disdain of women and LGBTQ people

    Gethsemani Retreat

    The Abbey of Gethsemani is a Trappist monastery about 50 miles from my home in Louisville. It was the home of Fr. Thomas Merton (known as Father Louis by the Trappists), a famous spiritual writer and mystic, and is the mother house of all the Trappist monasteries in the United States.

    This is the cemetery where all the monks who have died in the past 150+ years have been buried.
    Fr. Thomas Merton’s grave is on my right, simple and unremarkable like the graves of the other monks and priests buried there.
    Thomas Merton’s history and legacy brings many people to the abbey, and many of the visitors leave objects on his grave. His most famous work is his spiritual biography, The Seven Storey Mountain.

    National Catholic Office of the Deaf

    Pastoral Week (Thursday)

    Every year the National Catholic Office of the Deaf has a pastoral week to bring together people who minister in religious formation programs for Catholic deaf people. I am attending this year’s gathering in Portland, Oregon, and got this photo on the way here, changing planes in Denver.

    You want me to check the oil, too?

    Christmas Preparation

    Last week the Christmas nativity scene was set up at St. Boniface Church and I was introduced to all the figures for the scene, gathered at that time out of sight in the sacristy. The oral lore is that these figure were ordered from Germany when St. Boniface was established so they are approximately 125+ years old. They are about 3-feet tall and really detailed and with real character.