October 31, 2005 (Monday)
Happy Halloween everyone I hope you all had a blast. Halloween around CSC was awesome as you can see by going to my pictures an clicking on the folder called Halloween. I have stored here 24 pictures from the Halloween party including pictures from the Fear Factor Finals. I did not dress up, but many people did. We seen costumes such as a Kansas City-Saint Joseph Seminarian and a Red Tag from the Psych Ward. Also two rounds of Fear Factor went down. The winner of the whole championship was Craig who had to survive the nights events. First he had to squeeze an orange into a cup using only his armpit until it was filled, then cover the cup with the person to the right's sock, and chug it. In the second round he had to bob for golfballs out of a pool filled with everything from sardines to dog food.
October 30, 2005 (Sunday)
It was great getting to sleep in today and not have to wake up early for Mass. I did much of nothing except for clean my room, so this entry will be really short.
October 29, 2005 (Saturday)
Last night we watched Ghostbusters followed by the Incredibles in the Union. We were going to watch Ghostbusters 2 second, but when we opended up the case the movie was missing. I slept very long that night and barely made it to Mass. At 6pm I left with Anton to go to Mass at Conception Junction, so we could take care of our Sunday obligation early. The Mass was OK, but it did have a fast procession and the Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist came up during the Lamb of God instead of after the priest receives Communion. Also the lector was funny because he could not pronnounce any of the words correctly in the readings. After Mass we headed back to CSC to set of the projector in the Union, so we could watch the Back to the Future Trilogy. Tonight we also get to set out clocks back an hour which means more sleep for me!
October 28, 2005 (Friday)
The peace and quiet of Off Campus Weekend has finally arrived. A good percetage of the school is gone while a few of us have stayed behind. We have the school's projector in our possesion, so in a little bit I will be off to pull an all night movie-a-thon. We went into Maryville today to stock up on supplies of soda and chips. At first we figured we could buy some supplies at the gas station that is near Conception, but upon entering the place I feared for my life. It was like entering something out of a horror movie where you know the killer is lurking close by on his unaspecting victims. All the suplies in this place where over priced and some things I would question to being safe to sell to the public.
October 27, 2005 (Thursday)
We have moved a day closer to Off Campus where I will finally get some quite time and I will attend Mass this Sunday at a local parish in Conception Junction, so I will get away from the Abbey. Classes went OK and I did not have to attend Biology Lab because I have no extra work I need to do on my project.
October 26, 2005 (Wednesday)
Not much to report today except for Off Campus is coming up and I will be staying here for the weekend. It looks like most people will be leaving, so the weekend should be very quiet. Also my mom gave me news about my grandfather who has taken a turn for the worse with his health and will probably not make it threw the night. Its so last minute right now that plaine tickets back home are around $800, so I will be unable to attend the funeral if he dies and it happens this weekend.
October 25, 2005 (Tuesday)
It was a crazy day around CSC. We finally got told off for the events of Saturday night, had the first and second round of the Fear Factor, and I had my first Reflection Group Meeting. At 4pm the whole Sophomore class gathered to be told about the story that has been brought to the atention of the school. The Freshmen aparently where in fear of their life because our class was on the hunt to seek them all out and set them on fire. And of course this story said it was only our class and none of theirs. What a lie we have here: 1) We in no way were seeking the Freshmen out, 2) We only torched one room, 3) There was no attention of setting no one on fire, and 5) The Freshmen class were involved with the events just as much as we were and even came up and encouraged the whole torch idea. It looks like we may be getting off with a simple apology, but Father Samuel will be back tommorrow and the final descision will fall on him. Hopefully someone around this place can get their facts straight and put the blame on both groups of people. After this meeting we started our first Reflection group where we set up some basic rules to abide by and some topics we will talk about in the future. Supper for the night was optional because of the Fear Factor contest. In the first event we had to shave a ballon and if it popped had to pick a bag and eat what was inside. If you shaved the ballon you had to eat nothing. After getting the ballon shaved or the contents of your bag ate you then moved on to putting your frozen t-shirt which was a block of ice. The first 20 of the 42 contestens to finish this moved on to the second round. I was one of the 20 to move on, but was elimanated in the second round. In the second round we had three twinkees laid out on the table and had to eat them without using our hands; the first ten to finish moved on to the third round which will happen Halloween night. The first two twinkees where a breeze, but the second was filled from the bottom with mustard, horseradish, garlic, and the thing that did me in sardines. I should also report what the winner will win: 1) The title of "King" for one day, 2) the privilege of dressing down for one class day, 3) Laundry service for one week by Father Samuel, 4) 1st in line at lunch and dinner for one week, 5) One lunch and one dinner of your choosing on "King's Day, 6) Be pulled to class in a rickshaw by Father Benedict, 7) One week of room cleaning by the Junior Class, 8) A Mass intention for the winner by Father Xavier, and 9) Dinner cooked by Docter McGrath.
October 24, 2005 (Monday)
The heat has finally been turned on, so the buildings are warming up a bit. I did miss morning prayer today because I forgot to set my alarm clock. We played touch football today in team sports and I was on the winning team even though I did much of nothing. Today after supper we turned in shirts that we will use tommorrow night in the Fear Factor contest. I will keep you posted on all the events that happen with this crazy event.
October 23, 2005 (Sunday)
It is so cold here, and the heat has not be tunrned on yet, so my room is freezing. My fingers are so froze it is hard for me to type right now. As a waiter all I had to do was clean up after lunch because the usual sit down meal was cancelled due to so many people being away. At 3pm we had an organ concert done by Dom Andre Laberge of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Benoit-du-Luc in Quebec, Canada. Like usual most of students did not want to attend this, but had to because it was a capitol letter event. After the concert was over I went out with some of the guys and Sam's friend from Texas to go bowling and then eat Mexican. It was Sam's 20th today so we had them come out and sing. Tommorrow should be an interesting day because of all the fun that went on here last night when the chaplains were gone. A few people invaded the Frehman floor and torched over a guy's head while he was sleeping with a lighter and a can of hair spray. Instead of taking this up with us the Freshmen went straight to the top Father Benedict. I am happy I was only an innocent bystander and had nothing to do with the actual spraying.
October 22, 2005 (Saturday)
Last night I found a great new site called Face Book you can access this site by clicking here. This site connects you with people from your college and those old friends from High School you have lost contact with. Our Apostolics trip to the Psych-Ward was a little down up numbers because of everything that is going on this weekend. The seniors are gone because it is Inner City Weekend, the Diocese of Witchta are gone to an ordination, and the Diocese of Kansas City-Kansas are gone to assist with a retreat. After our work at the Psych-Ward was over we stopped and got Chipotle again. Chipotle has to be the greatest place I have ever ate at in my life. I am becoming addicted to its goodness. If I don't make it in the seminary I want to open a Chipotle up in Johnson City, so I can bring its goodness to all those back home.
October 21, 2005 (Friday)
At last the weekend is here! When I checked my mail today I found a BDay card from BC. What a suprise it was to find a card from this legend of Conception. I wish he could still be here this year because we are going to be having a Fear Factor Competition here, and it would have been great to see him pirticipate. After Evening Prayer I went into Maryville to get something to eat and stop by Wal-Mart. We ate at a place that served Italian food. I don't remember the name of the place, but the food was really good.
October 20, 2005 (Thursday)
We had a former CSC student gone Bishop here with us today, so we celebrated Mass with him at 11:30 instead of having our usual student Mass at the end of the day. I got my Old Testament test back today and I passed this one with a B. The Biology test was really hard, so only time will tell on if I did good or not. For Biology Lab I worked on my science project which is on growing mold in different air conditions. My days of waiter are now over because this Sunday will be sit down because most of the guys will be gone the weekend. I have also added a part on my links page for friends that have websites. On this page you will find a link to BC's Journals, Optional Reason, and Thomas' Page of Sliders Wallpaper.
October 19, 2005 (Wednesday)
Deficiency Reports came out today, and I got one in Western Civ like I figured I would. I am not worried about this class, and I know I will be passing out by the end of the semester. At the half way point he did not add any of the bonus points to the grade, but he will by the end of the semester. It was a rainy day here at Conception, so Team Sports was moved into the gym for the fist time this year. I played volleyball while some of the other guys played basketball. I will be spending tonight looking over my Biology because I will have a test in that class tommorrow.
October 18, 2005 (Tuesday)
The Day of Recollection continued today. Overall I think Father Anthony did a good job, but he was a little rediculous because he made us trace our feet and right our strenghts and weaknesses on them. I still think the Apostles of Interior Life are the best to ever give a Day of Recollection because they are so holy you can see it glaring off of them. Around 8:20pm I was walking down the hall to go to the Union and ran into Brother Elias. It was perfect timming to get reminded about an 8:20pm meeting with him.
October 17, 2005 (Monday)
Got my Realism test back today and I made a B on it. After classes where over I worked on getting all my goals finished because they are due to Brother Elias today. I fianlly got a card from the high school group back home. This week I will get to be waiter again which will be my second time this year. The Day of Recollection kicks off tonight with Father Anthony OSB of Saint Meinrade.
October 16, 2005 (Sunday)
I finally beat Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic today before going to Mass. Father Dan was the presider today and he had a great homily. I went out to eat at Applebees today with most of the Sophmore class including Brother Elias. We went out to celebrate Sam, Jamie, Doug, and my Bday. After eating we went to Wal-Mart and I purchased Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II. Also, I encurage everyone to check out the site of a great local band named Optional Reason. Click here to check this band out and even get to listen to one of their songs.
October 15, 2005 (Saturday)
It was an event filled Saturday for me. I had to wake up at 6:30am so I could get cleaned up and be at Morning Prayer at 7:15. The reason why I went to prayer with the monks is because Bishop Kurtz wanted us to eat Breakfast with him. Later in the day I went to my Apostolic Assignment for the first time in about 2 or 3 weeks. The meal the CSC kitchen provided us with was horrible, so we ended up eating at the greatest Mexican place ever Chipotle. I have never been to one of these places, but wow what a huge burrito that they have. I received a total of 17 cards in the mail today from all the classes back at Notre Dame. Also, we had the Freshman Talent Night and they did a great job. Ours from last year was still better, but they had some funny moments. The best part was Cassic Jack who told stories about heretics.
October 14, 2005 (Friday)
Bishop Kurtz arrived today for the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is a group of people who make decissions on the direction that the school will take in education and life here at the seminary. The food was great we had Breaded Shrip and some Alfredo. I will be up bright and early tommorrow morning so I can eat breakfast with the Bishop. Today I put iTunes back on my computer and will be spending the weekend on uploaded all my music to my PC.
October 13, 2005 (Thursday)
Happy 20th to me! Today is my birthday, and yet no one sang me the Happy Birthday song this year. Last year I was called by all my friends in the High School Youth Group back home, and they sang to me. People around campus knew it was my BDay, but they also seemed to forget when it came down to the end up supper. I did get a package from back home which contained a few BDay items. The day in school went well because the Old Testament Exam was not bad at all, and was very fare compated to the last one he gave us. The represenatives of the Knight of Columbus joined us today for prayer, meal, and news & views to present us with our council's charter to the Knights. My name is on the charter along with the legend of CSC BC Anselmo. Liturgy Pratecum became a complete blow up due to the actions of some seminarians towards the Episciplains.
October 12, 2005 (Wednesday)
I finally got the flag back down tonight, and will be passing the keys to the flag pole on to someone else. Right now the floor is quiet because everyone is studing for their Old Testament test. I will be turning my computer off in a little bit, so that I will have no distractions when it come to me studing.
October 11, 2005 (Tuesday)
Dumb flag duity! I tried to take the flag down today after supper like usual , but I cannot get the flag to come down. I guess I will have to leave it for the night and worry about someone taking a look at it tommorrow. I ran into Father Sebastian on my way up to my room, and I brought it up to him. He makes it seem like it is some big deal. Father Sebastian is so difficult to work with. Other than this problem my day has went well. I purchased an Orthodox Prayer rope in out book store. For all those who have never heard of one you should search it online to see what it is. You pray the Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ have Mercy on me a Sinner," on each of the knots. I also had my Spiritual Direction meeting with Father Daniel and I think it went well.
October 10, 2005 (Monday)
It was a great day here at CSC. Realsim and Western Civilizations where both cut short and I made a B on my SBS Exam. Both Vince and Brother Justin where gone today so Skip was in charge of team sports. He made us play a weird new game which combined the sports kickball, soccer, and baseball. I was not a fan of this new game like everyone else. The good news is we will have Vince back for this Wednesday as I hear. He has been gone for sometime because he just recently got married.
October 9, 2005 (Sunday)
The Bascilica was filled with people today for Mass because of it being Family Weekend. After Mass I went down to see what was for lunch, but I decided to skip the meal because it was ham. Last year broke me from ever wanting to eat ham again. We had it pretty close to once a week last year, so I can no longer bring myself to eat it. The halls where quiet because people where spending time with their families. I spent the day taking it easy and playing Star Wars.
October 8, 2005 (Saturday)
No Apostolics this Saturday because of Family Weekend, so I got to attend Mass here at Conception. Many families have arrived today. A new student named Nick has a total of 31 here to visit with him. At 1pm I had to help set up for the banquet, at 5pm I was at Evening Prayer with the monks, anfter that was supper. I was invited to sit with Anton and his mother; Father Dan joined us as well. The meal that was served this year was way better than last year. We had steak, potatoes, and veges. After the meal everone packed into the Union for a night of free food and fun.
October 7, 2005 (Friday)
Started my day off with a Realism Exam where I had to write 2-3 paragraphs for 4 out of 6 topics. I think I knew everything pretty well so I should make a decent grade. After classes where over with I went to Maryville to eat at Subway and make a Wal-Mart stop. Many people are also on campus starting today because it is Family Weekend, so students have their families up. My family came last year, but are unable to come this year. I found a great book called Still Called by Name: Why I Love Being a Priest today, and hope to purchase a copy of it along with putting a quote at the index page of my site once I get it.
October 6, 2005 (Thursday)
The cold weather has returned to Conception, MO today. Seeing how I am a boy scout I have been handed the keys to the flag pole and will have to raise and lower the United States flag for a week. I started today with raising it before Morning Prayer. Tonight I will be spending my time studying for a Realsim Exam which I will take tommorrow during first period.
October 5, 2005 (Wednesday)
The SBS Exam went well today. I think I made a very good score on it which only time will tell. We played soccer today for team sports and the team I was on won 6-3 and I played defense and had some pretty good stops which is a first for me. Tonights supper was also one of the beast meals of the day we had little pizza bites, spagetti, bread, and rice crispy treats with penut butter ontop. I have a little bit of work to do tonight for Biology. All I have to do is work on my notebook and keep it up-to-date just incase she takes mine up.
October 4, 2005 (Tuesday)
Breakfast will be served inside the Union every Tuesday after Mass starting with today's breakfast. The reson why we are doing it in the Union is so people will not have to go to the Refectory to eat and then have to rush to get to their first period class. I think this new idea still needs to be worked on because it attracted more people to breakfast and also took a long time to get threw the line because of only having one serving side instead of two like we had in the Refectory. After my classes where over for the day I went out to eat luch at La Banita in Maryville. When I got back I took a 3 hour nap, went to Evening Prayer, ate supper, and now am studying for my SBS Exam which will take place tommorrow.
October 3, 2005 (Monday)
After having the weekend off it was back to the normal routine today of prayer and classes. Today at Team Sports we played Softball and I was up to bat 4 times in the game and hit the ball every time without getting out. I also made 3 runs during the game, so I am doing a whole lot better than the first time I played about a week ago. Tonight I will be working on getting my Biology notebook together and also making a study guide for the upcoming SBS Exam which will be on Wednesday.
October 2, 2005 (Sunday)
I attended two Masses at Saint Patrick Church today, and was server and Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist for both Masses. The 9am Mass had a rite to mark the start of Confirmation and to my suprise around 70 kids stood up. This is a crazy number seeing how back home at Notre Dame we only have 9. After the 11am Mass I went out with the Silvas and Father Korte to eat a huge breakfast at a cheap price. After only spending the weekend in Fremont I feel part of the parish community and cannot wait to return there at the end of this month. I left Fremont at 4pm and arrived back at Conception at 7pm. I am one of the first guys back from the off-campus weekend.
October 1, 2005 (Saturday)
I got out of Conception very late and arrived in the wee hours of the morning. The town I am staying in is Fremont, Nebraska which just like Conception is souronded by corn fields. I went to Mass at Saint Patricks Church in Fremont. To take a look at this parish click here. For this Mass I was asked to serve and also be an Extra-Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist. This was the first time in the parish, so I had no clue what all the servers did at the liturgy. I do think I did well for it being my fist time and never having any vision of what the servers do. After Mass I went our to eat a wonderfull steak with the Silvas, and that night we prayed the Rosary together before going to sleep.