August 31, 2005 (Wednesday)
I woke up at the usual 7am, but felt like I needed a whole lot more sleep. After Realism it was straight to bed for about 2 hours because I had to go to Mass. In Team Sports we played soccer like always, but Vince did say next time we will get to play some Ultimate. Right now I am working on Biology work. The class seems like it will be easy, but it does have a lot of easy busy work.
August 30, 2005 (Tuesday)
I have made it threw the most feared part of seminary life, the Skip Test. The test is set up to see in what kind of shape you are in. At the end of the year you take another test with the hopes of outdoing your results from the start of the year. I sent Stephanie the rosary and made for her and got blessed by Pope Benedict XVI today. It only costed about $4.19 to sent all the way to Germany.
August 29, 2005 (Monday)
The weekend is over and it is back to classes. Also, today was the offical start of team sports. Team sports is something that all Freshmen and Sophmores have to do. Today we played soccer which was a lot of fun even though it was so hot outside. Today was also the kick off for my week of being a waiter.
August 28, 2005 (Sunday)
Was up at 8am to get ready for picture day. After my pictures where taken I headed off to the bacilica to pray my rosary and prepare for Mass. This Mass today was for the Solemn Profession of Monastic Vows for Brother Pachomius. During this Mass he was covered with a funeral vale which symoblized dying of your old self and when it was removed it symbolized the rising into new life. After Mass we had lunch and then we gathered at the front of the bacilica for diocesan photos. After photos I spent the rest of the day doing nothing.
August 27, 2005 (Saturday)
Nothing has really happed today. Seeing how classes have just started I have no homework to do. Also, Apostolics will start next week so that cleared up about 3 hours and a half of my time. I will probably go to the Union tonight and hang out for awhile and then return to my room, and find something fun to do.
August 26, 2005 (Friday)
After Evening Prayer today I headed off with some classmates to eat at Applebees and then returned to the school for awhile before leaving again to make my first trip to the Hangar since being back to see Brothers Grim. The movie was a little weird, but overall it was worth seeing.
August 25, 2005 (Thursday)
After classes for the morning where over our Sophmore class had to make their weekly trip to the local pizza place ,Gambino's, that is 10 minutes down the road. Here we where joined by many students and a few local I was worried about them keeping the pizza bar filled, but they did a great job of keeping the pizza coming. After eating it was back to school for my first Biology Lab which was simple seeing how it was the first one. All we had to do in this lab was measure body parts of fellow classmates and graph the results. Father Daniel did Mass today, and afterwards I asked him if he would be my new Spiritual Director which he said yes too. I liked Father Koller a lot, but I want someone who is a monk as well as having a lot of expericance under his belt. The Grand Opening of the Union was tonight; it sure will be boring withour Causus down there doing his usual ritual with what he called the ritual salt. And o' yes how could I forget to mention that Stephanie emailed me today saying that my camera has been found and will be sent to me.
August 24, 2005 (Wednesday)
Today I had three classes to attend: Realism, Abnormal Behaviors, and Western Civilizations. All three of these classes seem like they will be rather easy, so I don't think I will have any problems this year with my classes. I got ahold of Stephanie today, and we talked awhile about my time spent at World Youth Day, and then we got down to business about my camera. She made a call for me to the family in Germany I staid with, but he says he cannot find the camera anywhere. Hopefully it will turn up, but if not thats okay today. By losing it it did give me a chance to talk to Stephanie again. I owe all to her for calling him and taking time out of her day in order to help me out.
August 23, 2005 (Tuesday)
Classes started today and I only had two to attend. Old Testament and Biology both of which seem like they will be a lot of fun. Mass today was held in our new Oritory for the first time. Bishop Finn was here to bless the alter and the building. After Evening Prayer some of us on the floor took off to go bowling where I had a great battle for last place with Sam. Time for a camera update: Stephanie said she will make the call for me which should go threw sometime tommorrow, so I hope I the camera will be safe in my hands again shortly.
August 22, 2005 (Monday)
Back into the life of being a seminarian and o' how great it is to be here again. Back to a life of prayer with my fellow seminarians and the monks of Conception Abbey. I also finally got to see inside the newly renevated St. Maur's Hall and wow is it great. Espically the new Oritory where we will gather for prayer, adration of the Blessed Eucharist, and most Holy Mass.
August 14-21, 2005 (Sunday-Sunday)
Finally back from World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany. I was away for so long I will ust write one long entry to cover all that I did in Germany. We left on the 14th from Knoxville airport in what would be a long day of traveling by air. The flight brought us to Detroit which brought us to Amsterdam which finally reached Cologne. It was real easy to get out of the country, but it was hard to return to the United States. They really put a lot of work into making sure everthing is safe in the United States. World Youth Day was just amazing because it was packed with people from all over the world who all joined togerher despite language barriers to show their love for God and their church. The largest attendeing country had to be Italy which everywhere you went an Italian had to be close by. Monday brought us all over the city of Colonge only to end up not being allowed in the arena for Holy Mass. On Thursday the pope came to the city and gave his address to cheers of Benedicto. Also, on Thursday I got to go inside the amazing Cathedral which stood in the middle of the city. This Cathedral had to be the largest church I have ever seen. On Saturday we again got to see Pope Bendict which was held in Marianfield which was about a 2 hour walk from the train. After things where finished we headed off for a little bit of sleep before having to leave the city of Cologne and World Youth Day behind. On Sunday we flew back home and I relized I left my camera with all my pictures at the home of a family who only spoke German. As of right now I am trying to search this guy's number down so I can speak to him about getting my camera back to me. Some good news is that Brother Elias will be our chaplain again.
August 13, 2005 (Saturday)
My days at home are coming to an end. I spent the day packing my things which at this time I still have a little bit to do before I am finished. Went and made some visits to my grandmother and then one to my grandfather. After making my last visits I headed to the church where I served with Sarah and Victoria for one last time. After Mass we had an alter servers workshop which I helped give. When the workshop was over it was poring outside very hard, so it was a dash to the vehicle. I ran Sarah and Victoria home where I said my goodbyes to them in the rain. When I got home it was time for my cookout with my family. Due to the rain we had to cook on the stove, but the food was still good. This will probably be the last time I journalizr or do anything to this site until I return from Germany on the 22nd.
August 12, 2005 (Friday)
The chapel was packed today for Daily Mass. After Mass I went out to brab a bite to eat and then went to Wal-Mart where I got my hair cut to about my chin, and bought some things that I still needed for my trip to Germany. Later in the day I went to Johnson City with my family to eat at Red Lobster. The food and the service was awesome. My plate had everything on it and I cannot get enuff of there rolls.
August 11, 2005 (Thursday)
Its 1:34am Friday and I just got in the door. I have been gone with Father Jim, Tom, Karin, Sandy, and Chuck. We headed into Johnson City to grab a bite to eat and watch Batman Begins. The movie was awesome, and it really made up for the last Batman movies which where horrible. I did get ahold of the twins last night, and all is well with them.
August 10, 2005 (Wednesday)
I spent today working on packing my things up for my return to Conception. It looks like I should have worried about this earlier because I am running out of time and I have so many things left to do. Today is my mother's 47th birthday and she got a birthday cookie with some ice cream at the high school meeting that was held today. We had an amazing turnout and I hope everyone continues to come that was there today. I beleive we are at record numbers in our high school youth group right now. I was suprised that Sarah and Victoria did not make it. They are usually always there and they did tell Meredith that they would attend. I have been trying to call them in 15minute blocks, but have not got ahold of them. I really hope everything is OK with their family. Also, what a sad birthday present for my mother's birthday. My lizard Louie died today after not eating for about a month.
August 9, 2005(Tuesday)
Today was the first weekday Mass at my parish in a little over a week. It had a great turnout and we luckly had some communion bread put the side because the key that unlooks the cabints where we keep the bread disapeared yesterday after the Funeral Mass. Father Jim found a key that would fit the lock later when he was digging threw extra keys. Went to Wal-Mart and picked up a few items for school and my trip to Germany.
August 8, 2005 (Monday)
The schools in the area are starting back today, so I went with my mom to drop my sister off at school. Then it was off to put a sign on the chapel door saying no Communion Service due to the funeral for Dr. Stumm that would be taking place at 10:30am. Starting at 9am Dr Stumm was in the church for visitation and then the Mass of the Ressurection was held at 10:30am. Dr Stumm was only 47 and died suddenly, so this is a reminder that life can end at any age; you are never to young. Life can end when you do not think a person is going to die or it can end as you sit with them a know their death will soon come.
August 7, 2005 (Sunday)
Today we where joined by three other churches from the deneary and we got to do the ropes course. In the morning we did a few games and then we got to do some of the elements from the COPE tower. The rock climb and a climb where you had to go up a ladder which connected to a cargo tent in mid-air. Father Christian showed up at 11am to do Mass with us. After Mass we got to eat lunch and then we had a process called Dicernment where 5 people are chosen to represent the deneary on a council called DYMAC. After dicernment was over it was back to the COPE course where the rapel, zip line, and berma bridge where open. I beleive all in attendance had a great time and it looks like Wes has talked a lot of them into coming to work at camp this summer.
August 6, 2005 (Saturday)
Today I left the church at 4pm to attend a ropes course at the scout camp. Victoria, Sarah, Heather, Paul, my mother, Mike, and 2 youth from St Dominic's Church in Kingsport camped the night. When we first arrived we fixed supper, and then we got to go swimming, after swimming we roasted some marshmellows over the fire to make smores.
August 5, 2005 (Friday)
Today was the First Friday of the month, so my Communion Service was packed with people. Today we remembered the dedication of St. Mary Basilica in Rome. This basilica was the first in the West to bear the name of Mary. A job opportunity has come my way for next summer, but I need to pray about taking the job. I will get to work at the Boy Scout Camp as Chaplain and get to do a Non-Denomanationl Service and work with the kids on a badge that will specilize in learning their relegion better. This job will tie me up 6 days of the week for 6 weeks during this time I would be unable to do anything with the Diocese. I have contacted my Vocations Director to see if taking this job will be OK with him. The hardest part of accepting it is having to be away from the High School Youth Group for that large amount of time. I really enjoyed being back with them this summer and working with them on the Summer Service Project. I will not post an entry tommorrow night because I will be gone on a trip with the High School Deanery Youth.
August 4, 2005 (Thursday)
Not much going on today. All I had to do was my Communion Service on the feast day of St. John Vianney. While I was in the church office the secretary got a call from Father Casey saying that Dr. Stumm passed away. So, keep him and his wife in your prayers.
August 3, 2005 (Wednesday)
High School Summer Service is finally over! I am going to miss it though because it gave me a chance to spend time with my friends over the summer and also a chance to serve my community and church in service. Today Heather, Sarah, Victoria, and James showed up and we ran our usual Meal On Wheels route and then headed to Holtston Home where we worked on clearing brances, leafs, grass, and roots for a prayer garden that they will be building in the near future. We left after we where done eating pizza, and returned everyone to their home. Next it was off to Wal-Mart where I found a copy of Ernest Goes to Africa.
August 2, 2005 (Tuesday)
Did a Communion Service to kick off my day, and then went back home to take it easy. I spent the morninig finishing uploading all the VBS pictures which are now finished and on my pictures page. Also, last night I found out about a former priest of my parish Father Funk who know has cancer really bad. Father Funk is with the Diocese of Nashville and was a priest at my parish before we became the Diocese of Knoxville. I will pray for him in these ruff times ahead. My Liturgy of the Hours Book IV also came in today, so I can get back to praying the Office of Readings which I could not do with the one volume.
August 1, 2005 (Monday)
I had a great attendance today for my Communion Service, so hopefully the rest of the week will do just as well. I am getting a little tired of how unorganized people are when it comes to the high school group and what they say they are going to do. This Wednesday we have a big service project scheduled, but everyone who said they where going to help have made up an excuse not to attend. Of course if my mother did not call them tonight their would have been no notification of them not coming. Also this weekend we have a COPE trip scheduled, and I know there is an interest to go with them, but only four people went to the trouble of filling out their papers and turning them in on August 1st as requested. Do they not think of anyone else and all we have to go threw in order to make things happen for them. Can they not have a little curtisy and give a call if something happens and they cannot make it, or does this have to be a guessing game of will they come or not?