August 1, 2006 (Tuesday)
It was a day filled with a lot of work. Everything started off with serving Morning Mass and Matt Miller joined us at the end and helped me clean the youth house after Mass was over. The twins showed up shortly after we started to work on the youth house and they were followed by Paul and his brother Henery. Stephanie and Amanda joined us right as we were getting ready to leave to do Meals on Wheels. Once they joined us the van became one over on seatting so I stayed at the church while the youth went to delevier the meals. Shortly after they pulled out Kelly came to the church and we ended up cleaning spots off of the floor. Once they got back Paul and Henery had to leave which opened up room for Kelly and I inside the van. From here we stopped at Food City to get some snacks and then were off to work on an elderly woman's yard. We pulled weeds and did other yard work which completly has worn me out. Once we got everything done at her home we went to China Buffet for a really late lunch. Once getting done eating we brought the kids back to the church and once everyone was picked up we dropped Victoria and Sarah off at their house.
August 2, 2006 (Wednesday)
After Morning Mass today Father John held his first study of the upcoming Sunday's readings. There were only six people who stuck around for it, but hopefully word will spread in the upcoming weeks.
August 3, 2006 (Thursday)
Started the day off with Morning Mass where Father John announced that the Morning Mass will return to the chapel for everyday, but Friday. This is because it costs less to cool the small chapel then it does to keep the big church cool. After Mass I helped Bob, my mom, and Father reset up the Chapel to Father John's liking. At 2pm I left for Jonesborough to go on a rage with Cody, BJ, and BC. We ended up just about everywhere and then I returned home at about 9pm. I will not write anything tommorrow because I will be gone on the rafting trip.
August 4, 2006 (Friday)
Everyone going on the rafting trip met up at the church at 7:30am. After getting everything loaded up we attended Daily Mass and then had some breakfast afterwards. The Mass was filled with people besides the high school crowd which put the Daily Mass number to somewhere in the 30s. Thos attending the trip are my mom, Rick Longworth, Sarah, Victoria, Paul, Henery, Meredith, Carrie, Kaylee, my mom, my sister, and my dad. Once we got done eating breakfast we where on the road to North Carolina. We arrived with about a half an hour to spare before getting into the water. Overall I think the trip was a lot of fun. Sure I have done rivers which were better, but the kids did enjoy it espically the twins. I think it is always best to take the duckees instead of the huge rafts. The duckee puts you in control and makes this get a whole lot more bumpy then the big raft could ever offer. Those who took the plunge into the water were my mom and Rick. Once getting out of the water and changed we took off to get some supper and to watch a play called "Unto These Hills."
August 5, 2006 (Saturday)
We pulled out of the campsite at 8am and were on the road towards to Greeneville. Once I got back home I headed off to Wal-Mart to get my school items with out the sales tax added on. After that I got a little bit of down time before headed off to the church for the 5pm Mass. Victoria and Sarah met up with me at 4:30 and I showed them all the changes that Father John has made with the servers. Of course the three of us did an awesome job serving and I was able to talk Sarah into ringing the bells during the consacration. Tommorrow I will be leaving to attend a seminarian retreat so I will not write again until Thursday night.
August 6, 2006 (Sunday)
I attended the 8am Mass and then returned to serve my first 11am Mass in my cassock. I was unable to serve this Mass for the summer due to summer camp. Once Mass was over I finally got to talk with Abby who I have been wanting to talk with for a long time. After getting away from the church I had enough time to get some lunch and pack before having to leave with Chris Reil to go to his home in Morristown. For supper we had some really great fish that Chris got from a parishner at Saint Mary's in Johnson City.
August 7, 2006 (Monday)
Left the Reil household around 10am and met up with Father Tony Dickerson to have some lunch together. Once getting done with the meal we had to head to Crossville where our seminarian retreat was to take place. We got into town a bit early so we stopped by the rectory and hung out with Patrick until it was time to go to the state park to begin the retreat. While at the rectory Father John Orr stopped by supporting his cassock as always. Once the retreat started we ate together and then spent the rest of the day telling stories of how we came to be in the seminary.
August 8, 2006 (Tuesday)
We started the day off with Daily Mass and Morning Prayer which was celebrated by our vocation director, Father Peter Iorio. Once Mass was over we gathered for breakfast and the finsihed telling our vocation stories. Once all this was over we got some free time which ended when we had to head to Chatanooga to meet up with a seminarian who could not make the retreat due to a program called CEP. We ate at a great seafood place which left me filled.
August 9, 2006 (Wednesday)
Our day started off early because we had to drive all the way to Knoxville so we could attend many meetings at the Chancery. The day was scheduled so we could met the many employess of the Diocese. After meeting them all we went to Catholic Charities to see a bit of the inside work that is done there. Once this was over it was back to the Chancery for photos for a possible diocese vocation poster and then Mass with Bishop Kurtz. After the Mass we had a great supper at the rectory and then it was on our way back to Crossville.
August 10, 2006 (Thursday)
The day was started off with 8:30 Daily Mass and then we got together for breakfast and afterwards talked about a few issues. Once this was over we got some free time and then had to head to Lenoir City for the Priest/Seminarian Picnic. My mother and Father John came up for the picnic and I went back home with them once it was over. Today is my mother's birthday and Bishop Kurtz lead everyone in singing her "Happy Birthday." On the way back we ran into a very bad rain which stayed with us on the whole trip back from Knoxville. We were unable to see the road for a good part of the trip.
August 11, 2006 (Friday)
Got to serve for the 8am Morning Mass at Notre Dame again. After Mass I went to Wal-Mart and purchased some more items for school. When I was leaving Wal-Mart I ran into Don Rozar, a guy I worked with at scout camp. After Wal-Mart I went to Johnson City to eat at Red Lobster with my Mom and Dad. The food was good, but I must admit the place I ate at in Chattanooga was way better. After getting back home I got to spend some time at the house and then went to Food City with my mother to get the food needed for Sunday's USA Dinner where all the procedes will go to our church's GIFT campagne.
August 12, 2006 (Saturday)
I got to bed late last night, so I woke up very late in the day. I spent the day at home and was called by Kelly to come with him and his mother to an Optional Reason concert. I told him to go after he spent a lot of time twisting my arm to attend. I attended the 5pm Mass and sat with Victoria and Sarah and their family. They told me they would be at church for the Holy Day, so I will get to say my bye to them then. After Mass I left with Diana and Kelly to go to Johnson City for my first ever Optional Reason concert. The band was awesome live and they played some new songs along with a few old ones such as "A Long Way in the Say of Tommorrow" and "Blinded". They also threw in some great covers of the Beatles and John Lennon. They played "Let it Be", "Hey Jude", "Nowhere Man", "In My Life", and "Imagine".
August 13, 2006 (Sunday)
I attended the 8am Mass and then returned to the church to serve the 11am Mass. Our former pastor Father Jim Harvey was in town for this Mass, so it was great to see him again. At 4:30pm Notre Dame held its USA Dinner where all the money earned from it will go to our GIFT Campagne. We kicked things off with a Flag Ceremony which envolved all members of the Venture Crew who were present. Kelly, Paul, Victoria, Sarah, and I were dressed in our uniforms so we are ones who brought the flags out while the rest of the crew were dressed in their green t-shirt and saluted as we walked passed them. After the ceremony was over it was time to eat and also sit back and enjoy a bluegrass band who played for the event. Father Jim Harvey joined us again for this event and all people of the parish were very happy to see him.
August 14, 2006 (Monday)
Today was my first Daily Mass back in the chapel since Father John moved it to the church once he arrived at Notre Dame. I read for the Mass and once Mass was over I went home to take a nap because I was up real late last night. I made a call to Conception to warn them of my early arrival. I talked with Father Albert in order to make arrangements for my family, and also tried getting in touch with Father Samuel, but I have not had any luck yet. Tommorrow I will be busy helping for the Holy Day of Obligation and getting some last minute things done before I head back to school. The big question will be how many people will realise that a Holy Day of Obligation means come to Mass. Hopefully the church will be packed and not empty like it is on most Holy Days.
August 15, 2006 (Tuesday)
Today I served the 8am Mass and the Holy Day was filled with about 70 people. After the Mass I finally got my hair trimmed up and then I went to Johnson City to spend some time at the mall. When I was leaving the mall I ran into Punky and we talked for awhile. After the mall I went back home and got a call from my good friend Alejandro. The diocese gave him news that he will not return next semester. This is due to how he learns and hopefully if all goes well he will return for the next semester. I returned to church to serve the 7p. For the 7pm I served with Victoria and Sarah and we pulled out the inscence. After Mass I said goodbye to everyone and then headed home.
August 16, 2006 (Wednesday)
Before ehading off to Missouri my family and I attended Daily Mass. I talked to Heather last night on AOL and she also ended up attending so she could tell me bye. Right after Mass we had to hit the road and be on our 16 hour journey.
August 17, 2006 (Thursday)
Last night we stopped 45 minutes away from COnception in a city called Saint Joseph. After waking up we had some breakfast at Denny's and then we were on the road to CSC. Once getting there we started to unload and set my room up only taking time out for Daily Mass. Once Mass was over I got to return to Gambinos for some pizza and then went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few needed items. For supper I finally got to have the great Cipotle again. After eating we returned to the school and got to hang out with a few of the other students who arrived early.
August 18, 2006 (Friday)
I got up for 6am so I could say bye to my parents and then I went back to bed only to wake up for the 11:45am Mass. After Mass I went back up to my room and ended up falling asleep again. All the returning students will be coming in tommorrow, so it will be great to bring some life into Conception because things are very boring here.
August 19, 2006 (Saturday)
Made it to Daily Mass and then went off the eat Mexican with a few of the guys. Once we got back to the school all the returning students were starting to move back in. It is great that some life has finally been brought into this place. I picked up my books for my classes today, and I don't really have to many. I have a good amount of philosophy books, but they are all very thin. The first required thing of the day was 5:50pm Evening prayer which was follwed by a cookout. I really miss everyone back home, but things are getting better with me and being away once again.
August 20, 2006 (Sunday)
I started my day off with Morning Prayer at 8:45am. After prayer we had a conference with Father Benedict about changes in the seminary this year. After this talk we had a little bit of time to prepare for the Mass. After Mass we had lunch and then had the rest of the day off to take it easy. At 5:30 we had to attend Monk Prayer and once that was over I went out to Applebees.
August 21, 2006 (Monday)
I was in my suit and tie for most of the day because today was picture day. At 11:35 we had celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit and then got to take more pics. After lunch I had to regester for this acadmic year. I made one change in my classes. I got rid of Spanish and instead will take Latin with our newest teacher and chaplain, Father McManus. I also got my apostolic placement and will be going all the way up to Saint Joseph to help teach CCD at Ben's home parish of Saint James. I am pretty sure this is one of the few CCD assignments that actually let you do something besides sit there and take it all in. The last thing on my schedule for tonight is the Abbott's welcome which will be at 7:30. I also need to add that I have finally got around to adding the pics from the Catholic Camp. You can see them by clicking on Pictures at the top of the page and then click on the folder called Catholic Camp 06. There are a total of 32 pics that I have online from this event.
August 22, 2006 (Tuesday)
The first day of classes were underway today. My first class was Ecclesiastical Latin which was a lot of fun. This class is going to be very demanding, but I really want to learn the alnguage so I am going to put in a lot of effort. For lunch we got to leave campus, so we made a run to the usual hangout spot of Gambinos. It looks like Tuesday will become the new offical Gambinos day. Next, was Modern Philosophy which is taught by Docter Anadale. This class is going to require a lot of reading! After class we had a long conference on proper internet use. This was a very big waste of the little amount of precious time that we actually get.
August 23, 2006 (Wednesday)
Another busy day here at the seminary has finally came to a close. Today I had four classes, and one of them was taught bye Father Isaac True. And of course he has already given us readings and even a daily paper to email him about what we learned for that day. Tonight's Latin homework is to look over a few words and remember what they mean for a quiz that we will take in class tommorrow. We need to know aqua, cena, culpa, doctrina, ecclesia, familia, gloria, gratia, hora, missa, natura, papa, terra, and vita.
August 24, 2006 (Thursday)
After Morning Prayer I came back to my room and took a much needed nap. Latin went well and it looks like we will be learning to put sentences together starting tommorrow. After supper we had the first News and Views of the year. This one went very long and was filled with the usual start of the year stuff that I have heard many times. After News and Views I had to get to my floor for a meeting. We picked Greg as the Floor Czar and then cleaned the floor following the meeting.
August 25, 2006 (Friday)
The weekend if finally here! The only bad side of this is that I have a load of work to do. Actaully to come to think about it I have work in every class to do this weekend. It is going to be real hard to balance this work into my schedule espically seeing that Father Tony Dickerson is coming down to tommorrow due to Brother Guerric's Solem Profession. Father Tony is going to take Doug and myself out to eat at a steak place called Denver. This place is about an hour away from this school, so I forsee it to be a long night.
August 26, 2006 (Saturday)
I had so much work to do, but all of it ended up getting pushed to the side. I met up with Father Tony Dickerson today at 5pm so we could pray Evening Prayer. Doug and Neil, who is from another Diocese, joined us and the four of us went out to eat at a place in a small town of a population of 40 called Denver. The steak here was simply amazing. Tommorrow at Mass we will have the solem profession of Brother Guerric.
August 27, 2006 (Sunday)
The day started off with the Solemn Profession of Brother Guerric. This is when he agrees to reamin in the monastary for the rest of his life. The new sisters from Kansas City attend this Mass in full habit. The sisters of Clyde also attended the Mass in the usual dress of jeans and tshirt. Once the Mass was over the Clyde sisters where out the door but the new sisters stayed behind to stop in prayer seeing how they just received their Lord. For lunch I sat with Father Tony and with Doug and we decided to go out later in the day for some supper. After eating I stopped to thank the sisters for all that they do. They were the most beautifull women that I have ever layed my eyes upon. They were just radiating holiness. At 5pm the Diocese of Knoxville got together for Evening Prayer and then went off to Maryville to eat at A&G. After getting back to Conception the Ton and I got together and decided to meet up with the Bomb in Saint Joseph, MO. It was great to see him again, and hopefully we will get to catch up with him again sometime in the future.
August 28, 2006 (Monday)
A new week is underway, and so far so good. I gave my What If speech for Presentational Speeking and I think it went well espically seeing that I put no work into the prep of the speech. Father Tony was able to stay for Mass, but left as soon as it ended. I did not get to say bye to him because I stopped after the Mass to pray the Angelus with the guys. Tonight is the start of my week of being a waiter, so I will get to go and do the fun in a little bit.
August 29, 2006 (Tuesday)
Right after Latin was over I was off to Gambinos for some pizza. After getting back I had to put some finishing touches on my Modern Philosophy paper. I picked up a new bible today from the book store. I got a copy of the rather new Ignatious Bible which is a Revised Standard Version. This means that it lacks inclusive language and reads like it was written. Tonight the Knights of Columbus are going to meet in order to get new members. I am going to talk to the comunity why I joined the council.
August 30, 2006 (Wednesday)
Mass in the basiclica was awesome today because Father Regis celebrated the Mass. He got a great gospel which went hand in hand with the great homily he gave last year where the word "hypocrits" was used over and over. When it came time for the sign of peace Father excluded it with much suprise to the monks. I really like having the Mass without the sign of peace. Our Lord is on the alter and here we are moving around, shaking hands, and making noise instead of showing respect to our Lord. Today at 3pm I got to have my first Chaplain meeting of the year with my new Chaplain Father Dan. The meeting went well and lasted about 40 minutes. It will be great to see how things are going in two weeks.
August 31, 2006 (Thursday)
Today in Latin Father discussed with us some information on the Mass fixes which will soon take place in the church. He talked about the English version of the Santus and its origins. It came from the Anglican church following their break with the Catholic Church. It does not speak of angels because that word would be to Catholic for them to use. Why must we borrow other translations. Look at the mess the church is now in. At least the future of the church is looking very bright. Today class elections was held and I was elected as the Junior Class Represenative. Brian Hess got the Sophmore, Neil got the Pre-Theo, Marco got the Senior, and Juaquin got the LCC vote.