December 1, 2006 (Friday)
Took a Latin quiz today and I did an OK job on it. After Eveing Prayer I took off with a few of the guys to eat at A&Gs and then went off to see the Nativity. I overall found the movie to be OK, but I did find the movie to have a few questionable scenes. This biggest of them was the birth of Jesus which showed Mary in birth pains. According to many of the saints and mistics Mary did not have pain at her birth because she was free of original sin. After the movie was a Wal-Mart stop and then it was back to Conception for my free beers.
December 2, 2006 (Saturday)
With Father McManus being gone I attended the 11:15am Mass which was celebrated by Father Regis. After Mass I ended up going to Wal-Mart with Adam and Ben in order to pick up a few items for Tuesday's class party in the Union. While at Wal-Mart I picked up the I Dream of Jeanie Season 2 DVD. Once getting back to Conception I ended up taking a long nap and then woke up in time for the third annual Dodgeball tournament. My team was the United Nations because we were well represented by the USA, Africa, Mexico, and Belevia. After the Dodgeball tournament which my team did horrible at I ended up making a Perkins run.
December 3, 2006 (Sunday)
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, but it is also the first day of all of the liturgy changes here at Conception. From now on the MC will kneel during the concecration and the thurifer will now inscense at the two elevations. Maybe Conception is actually making an attempt to be Catholic for once. The Titans won their third straight game this time by beating the Colts thanks to a 60 yard fieldgoal. Tonight I must spend time making an attempt at finishing my last Ancient Philosophy paper.
December 4, 2006 (Monday)
Today was a nice day because I did not have to go to Latin class. Not much to report, but me taking it easy and hoping that this week will fly by quickly.
December 5, 2006 (Tuesday)
With no Latin on the schedule I got to sleep in after Mass until it was time for Gambinos. After Gambinos was Modern Philosophy which then lead up to getting ready for the class outing held on campus. Once evening prayer was over the Junior class headed down and feasted upon a great feast. We had everything from Italian, German, to Mexican. Today was also a Formation Conference where we were told of the method we will use for Evening Prayer next week. We were told we will start with the psalms like usual, but once those are over we will line up and starts the walk that Mary and Joseph took that night before Christmas. We will go door to door until we are accepted in. We will then have our meal, but the thing is does this count as praying Evening Prayer? We are not saying the reading and we sure are not praying the Canticle of Mary. I guess I will have to pray Evening Prayer before prayer on that day if I want it to count.
December 6, 2006 (Wednesday)
Had to return to Latin today for a 100 question vocab quiz. Later in the day I finally got to make my return to apostolics. Made the usual Chipotle stop followed by Best Buy were I purchased I Dream of Jeannie Season 1. We had so much time on our hands we also stopped at Borders and I purchased a great book on the saints which has many amazing pictures. Class went well today, and Sam and I hope to return next week. If we do attend next week we will have to get Father Dan's permission because apostolics have been canceled for that day.
December 7, 2006 (Thursday)
Today was filled with meetings. I finally got to meet with my Spiritual Director again and then I later had a meeting with the community council. After the meeting we had Evening Prayer with the monks and then it was time for supper with News & Views. The elections were held and our new president is Lorenzo Hatch and our new Vice President is Eric Hurrard.
December 8, 2006 (Friday)
Today was the Holy Day of the Immaculate Conception. It is on this day that the church remembers Mary in being conceived. Seeing how today is a Holy Day we are off school and are on a Sunday schedule. A Sunday schedule meaning we have Mass at 10:30am, so I get to sleep in for once. After Mass and lunch was over I ended up catching up on sleep and then taking off later in the day with Cory to see the Bomb in Saint Joes. We started off the night with supper, and then saw Mel Gibson's new movie "Apocalypto" which was simply just amazing and a must see, and then a Perkins run.
December 9, 2006 (Saturday)
I had some day today. It all revolved around sleep and watching DVDs until 8pm. At 8pm the Entertainment Committee held a Casino Night which kept me in the Union for two hours playing some Blackjack. Once the Casino Night was over I went to Perkins for a late night run to see the Bomb.
December 10, 2006 (Sunday)
The Titans are keeping the winning up by beating the Texans in a close one. We held a short Knights of Columbus Meeting today and all looks good for our council when it comes to getting Star Council for this year. I worked on and off throughout the day on my Flanney O'Connor jounrnal and I can now say that I have another class down. I just wish I could say I was caught up with Ancient Philosophy, but I don't think I will ever get this last paper done.
December 11, 2006 (Monday)
Turned in my Flannery Journal during second period which means I am one close closer to being done for the semester. After this class we took a Latin Quiz and it was easy for the most part. The period was filled with disturbances. 1st we had a guy wheeling around in a loud chair and then Father Adam coming in grabbing a Greek book and talking outload right in front of us about it to another student. This quiz that we took today will be the same one that I take on Thursday. When I got into speech I was handed my grade for the course and received an A.
December 12, 2006 (Tuesday)
Today is the celebration of Our Lady of Gaudalope which means Mass in Spanish in the Bacilica. This year was much like last year, but at least I got to run out while they were singing to the photo of Our Lady. For Evening Prayer/prayer we just prayed the psalms and the lined up for the Los Posadas. This of course does not count as Evening Prayer, so I prayed before hand. One getting to the refectory we had great Mexican food. After getting out of supper I had to study for Ancient Philosophy, and I beleive that I have most of the information down well.
December 13, 2006 (Wednesday)
Started the day off taking the Ancient Philosophy essay final which ended up not being to bad. Following second period I asked Father Donald if I could miss his class on Friday and he gave me the OK. Towards the end of the day I left for apostolics and ended up looking over the kids as they made cards for Mrs Anne. Mrs Anne is still not back, but is out of the hospital. She is now in assisted living, so she needs our prayers that she will be out soon. I hope to visit her on Friday before going to the KC Airport. Once getting back to Conception I got some pizza from the Union and then studied some Latin. After taking tommorrow;s Latin quiz all I will have to do is put the finishing touches on my Modern Philosophy paper.
December 14, 2006 (Thursday)
After Morning Prayer I took my Latin test and then moved on to working on my Modern Philosphy paper. After the philosophy paper was turned in it was finally a huge lifting from my stomach due to all being done. After Mass and supper I went out with a few of the guys to give a final farewell to Danny Dostert. After Applesbees we ended up at Wal-Mart getting random stuff for Father Dan to give to him as a Christmas present. I will be flying home tommorrow, and I do hope to make a journal entry once I get home.
December 15, 2006 (Friday)
Mass was at the start of the day and at the end up Mass Father Benedict blessed those leaving the school. This year we have four who are leaving: Danny, Lucas, Adam, and Tyler. After Mass I Anton took me to the aiport and I ran into Father McManus while I was there waiting to take off. After Kansas City I ended up in Chicago, and after this trip I hope to never have to take this route again. This airport was over crowded and everyone leaving it was delayed or had a cancelled flight. I finally got in Knoxville at 8pm and was greeted by the Notre Dame High School youth group.
December 16, 2006 (Saturday)
After waking up I went off to Johnson City to look around all the stores. This weekend was very mad when it comes to shopping. Parking lots were filled and it took a lot of time to be able to find a parking place. At 6:30pm I had Christmas party to attend at the scout office with those I worked with over the summer. It was great to see everyone again, and was also great to finally get to see the twins again. After the party I ended up eating McDonalds because the party served ham. Since going to Conception I will never eat ham again.
December 17, 2006 (Sunday)
Served for both the 8am and the 11am Mass. After the Masses I returned home and watched the Titans play the Jags. The Titans did win the game, so they are now 7-7 and may possibly be able to make the Wild Card. At 4pm I retuned to the church for our parish Christmas dinner and Christmas play. The kids in the play did a very good job I only wish the church was not the location they used for the play. It is so sad to see the Holy place of the church being used in such a disrestable way. At this Christmas dinner we had more ham, so yet again I did not eat.
December 18, 2006 (Monday)
Went to 8am Mass, and then returned home to go to bed. Once I woke up it was close to supper time, and I received a call from Father saying to come to Fatz because all the priests helping out with the penience service were eating there. The service started at 7pm and the church actually had a half way decent crowd.
December 19, 2006 (Tuesday)
I did not make it to Morning Mass thanks to my alarm clock not going off. Once I did rise which was pretty late in the day I did much of nothing. Ny sleeping so much I think I am finally over my cold. The only bad thing is that mom has caught it now, and is doing a whole lot worse then I did.
December 20, 2006 (Wednesday)
Made it to Morning Mass and then went to the assisted living to assist the Middle school group with playing Bingo. Later in the day the high school youth group got together pretty much just to hand out. Those showing up were Paul, Henery, Victoria, Sarah, Zack, James, and one of the hispanics. Towards the end of the night I showed the Fishers of Men video which yet again seemed to receive a great response.
December 21, 2006 (Thursday)
Attended Morning Mass and then spent the rest of the day finishing up my Christmas shopping. This brought me to Wal-Mart, K Mart, and Big Lots. While out I ran into Travis who was in high school with me. The meal for the night was finally spagetti.
December 22, 2006 (Friday)
There was no Morning Mass this morning because father had to go to Chatanooga. This gave me time to sleep in and not have to wake up early. Once getting up I spent the day putting up Christmas decorations. My grades came in today and I made the Dean's list. My grades are as follows: Speech-A, Latin-A, Ancient Philosophy-B, Modern Philosophy-B, and Flannery O'Connor-B.
December 23, 2006 (Saturday)
First thing on the schedule for today was a Christmas party for my dad's side of the family. Once getting out of there it was off to church to lead the rosary before Mass. After the rosary I ended up reading the first reading and I talked Lesley into reading the second reading. Once Mass was over I gave a small present to Blake and Lesley and then went back home. Soon after getting in we decided to go and see "Rocky Bowboa" which was a very good movie for a retirement home Rocky. Also while I was out today I ran into my old French teacher Mrs. George. It was great to see her again because of all my teachers at Crockett she was the best by far.
December 24, 2006 (Sunday)
Today was a very busy day for me which all started out by serving for the 8am and the 11am Mass. At the 11am Mass I had to talk Sarah Longworth into reading, and she did a very good job. After getting back from Mass I watched the Titans play the Bills in a must win situation. This game was close and kept me on the edge of my seat, but in the end the Titans won and they still have a very small chance at the Wild Card. A little after 4pm I returned to the church to help set everything up for the Christmas season. I stuck around the church, so I could serve with Lesley Jones for the 6pm Christmas Mass. Once this Mass was over it was back home to wait for the start of the Midnight Mass.
December 25, 2006 (Monday)
The day started off with the Midnight Mass which I did nothing to assist with. After Mass was over I wished a Merry Christmas to the people espically those who are my close friends and then returned home. I slept intil 9am and then had to get going so I could serve for the 10am Mass. During this Mass I got the urge to take Communion to Henry St. Laurant so after the Mass was over I brought Communion to him. This was the first time that I have seen him in awhile, and as always he has not lost a step even if he is a little over 100 years old now. Once getting done bringing him Commuion I returned home to open presents and then eat the Christmas meal with my family.
December 26, 2006 (Tuesday)
Started the day off with Morning Mass and then returned home to take a short nap. Once getting up I took off to Jonesborough in order to cash my checks that I received for Christmas. After getting done at the bank I did a bit of running in Johnson City. Everywhere I went my mind was continually opend to how crazy much of what we do is. Why must we desire so much, why can we not instead put all our trust in God, why must we chase after possesions in order to make us happy? Once getting done in Johnson City I returned home to stay for the rest of the day. Towards the end of the day I watched House on Fox and after that was over I could not find anything worth watching on.
December 27, 2006 (Wednesday)
Went to Morning Mass today and the chapel was actually packed with people for once. After Mass I went back home and later returned to the church to do a few things. At 6pm the high school youth group met and its attendence was down from last week. Those who attended were Kelly, Victoria, and the hispanic from last week. We ended up cooking some hamburgers and the grill and then set around talking about different things.
December 28, 2006 (Thursday)
Attended Daily Mass where a couple renewed their wedding vows. After Mass I did a bit of running with my mother and then ended up back home to take things easy. I finally got to talk with Blaine and Aaron and we will be getting together to have lunch this Tuesday.
December 29, 2006 (Friday)
Today was a very busy day which started with Daily Mass. After Mass I returned home to help my mother gets some soups ready, so we could bring them to the assisted living. The high school youth group met up with them and we brought the elderly food. Those attending were Lesley, Ashley, Stephanie, and Amanda. After this was done I took Lesley home and then returned to the church to pick up Blake. Blake and I then traveled to Morristown to meet up with Father Garrity and Nick. The four of us then headed to Knoxville for the Bishop's Christmas party. This year we had a very good attendence and the food was very good. After the party I returned home and ran over an already dog on my way. Thankfully nothing got messed up and I was able to keep going.
December 30, 2006 (Saturday)
Nothing went on today except for serving with the twins at the 5pm Mass. Of course all went well as usual. Depending on what Mass they attend next week this could be the last time that I see them until Easter break.
December 31, 2006 (Sunday)
Today is the last day of 2006 and it of course kept me busy around the church. I served at the 8am Mass with Lesley and her brother and then returned to attend the 11am Mass. After Mass I returned home and was glued to the Titans game. This week we played the New England Patriots and had our playoff hopes on the line. In the end the Pats won which means the Titans will miss the playoffs again. After the game my family headed off to Johnson City and we ate at the Outback. After eating we returned home and awaited the dropping of the ball and the coming of 2007.