February 1, 2006 (Wednesday)
Got my SBS test back today which I was sure I was doomed on. It turned out I did do decent and got a C+. After Western Civ I got to talk to Victoria again and it looks herself and her sister will be helping with the Stations of the Cross and Adoration during the Lenten season. I am really sure that this will bring them closer to Christ and his church. Tonight while I was waitoring I dropped the glass container which was filled with butter. I am happy I only have one more night of doing this!
February 2, 2006 (Thursday)
Happy Presentation of the Lord, Groundhog's Day, and birthday to my sister! I have finally got my philosophy paper done and am ready to turn it in tommorrow morning. Right after Mass I will be out of here and on my way to Nebraska to stay with Tom and Karen for the off campus weekend, so I will not journal again until Sunday night. Today at 8pm I got to go to the conference gave by Father Boadt. Many of us brought our Old Testament textbooks with us, so we could get him to sign them.
Febuary 3, 2006 (Friday)
After turning my paper in for Philosophy it was time to lay back and wait for Mass to come and go, so I could get out of Conception. After Mass I left with Tom and was on my way to Freemont, Nebraska. On the way there we stopped in Omaha and I got to see Saint Cecilia's Cathedral. We went inside and I lit a votive candle for Victoria and Sarah. Espically Victoria because Saint Cecilia is her Confirmation saint. After seeing the cathedral we went to a catholic store and Tom picks up a few items. Karen got home shortly after I got in, and we went to one of their friends 60th Birthday party. After getting back to their home we prayed the rosary and night prayer and then went to bed.
Febuary 4, 2006 (Saturday)
Got up at 6:45am, so we could get to morning Mass at Saint Patricks Church. After Mass we went out together and had some breakfast and then took a look at some of the shops in the downtown area. At 1pm I left with Tom to go to the church, so I could help the high school group make some subs which they presold as a fundraiser. After this was over it was time to attend Mass, and I got to be a Extra Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist. After Mass we went out with a Deacon from the parish and his wife and had some great prime rib. We closed the day off again with the rosary and night prayer.
Febuary 5, 2006 (Super Bowl Sunday)
I start off by saying Happy Birthday to Stephanie Scheumann. I hope your birthday is filled with many blessings. Started the day off by going to the 11am Mass at Saint Patricks and got the by the ExtraOrdinary Minister of the Eucharist again today. There was a baptism at the Mass, and was a great site to see this child brought into the Catholic faith. After Mass we went out to eat some brunch with Karen's mother Ruth. After brunch we were off to Omaha where we stopped to see the Saint John's Bible which is on display in the city. This bible was made by the monks of Saint John's Abby and has been hand written with many beautifull pictures. The bible is still under work, but the Gospels and the book of Acts are finsihed which took seven years to do. When I got back to Conception the Super Bowl was under way and the Steelers won by beating the Seahawks 21-10. I was going for the Seahawks in this one, but as usual I was rooting for the losing team.
Febuary 6, 2006 (Monday)
I picked up a copy of the book called the "Scriptural Rosary" today at the bookstore. This book takes each of the decades of the Rosary and gives a small reflection to say before each Hail Mary. I have not used it yet, but will do so when I pray my Rosary tonight. I want to find a good book to help people reflect better with it and I do think this will be the one to give to people. Tonight we will start a Day of Recollection, so no classes tommorrow. The speaker will be Father John Marconi from Arkansas. This speaker should be interesting because he is a parish priest unlike the usual relegious or important member of the church that is brought in.
Febuary 7, 2006 (Tuesday)
The Day of Recollection with Father John Marconi went very well. He keep things down to thirty minutes for each conference and kept things to the point. He talked to us about weakness and told us many great stories from his priesthood. He told one story of when he got to attend Mass with Pope John Paul the Great and a time when he was worried about giving a homily and a priest he was celebrating with told him before it not to worry, but to put his trust in the Holy Spirit. Later on he asked the priest how he knew that he was worried about giving the homily and he replied God told me to tell you that, so I did. After the retreat was over I got a program on my computer that will turn my DVDs into the format needed for ipod, so I can put them on my ipod.
Febuary 8, 2006 (Wednesday)
I woke up to a small bit of snow on the ground. Dr Bloomingdale called in sick today, so I was free from classes at 10:15. It should have been a very relaxing afternoon seeing how team sports was cancelled due to tommorrow's piano concert being in the gym, but Brother took our free time up with a class meeting to discuss a few issues. After getting back to my room Juan had a surplus that was to large for him and I tried it on and it was a good fit. I decided to buy it from him for $40 and put a order in for a cassick soon.
Febuary 9, 2006 (Thursday)
It was a busy day here at Conception. My afternoon was filled with adoration, Spiritual Direction, and the piano concert by Rosario Andino. She did a great job, but it did seem to go on for a long time espically for it being late on a Thursday night. The good way to look at things is only 13 more days until I will be back in Tennessee! Tonight I will have to work a bit on my SBS presentation that I get to give tommorrow for third period.
Febuary 10, 2006 (Friday)
Finally got to serve a Mass again. This has been my first time since being back home at my home parish for the Christmas break. After all classes where over I have a call to the twins and got a hold of Sarah. We talked for about 15 minutes on everything is still looking to be on for them helping with Stations and Adoration this Lenten Season. After prayer I went to Maryville for some supper and a movie. We ate at Applebees and then went to see the movie Final Destanation 3. The movie was OK, but it should have left out all of the nudity that was shown. Missed Holy Hour, but I did spend some time with the Sacrament after getting back to Conception.
Febuary 11, 2006 (Saturday)
Today we had some snow and we got to got to Apostolics. It was fun to get to see everyone again and to play some Spades even though my team lost. After getting back I did nothing but play some Madden 2006 and sleep. Also, I must pass on the news of the passing of Kay St.Laurent. She died at the age of 100, and lived a life that was very didicated to the church, so lets pray for the repose of her soul and for her 99 year old husband who she has left behind.
Febuary 12, 2006 (Sunday)
Welp today may have been one of the craziest days ever here at Conception. Turns out that Jamie has decided to leave the school sometime this week. For supper a few of us went out with him the A&Gs. When I got back to school I made a few calls about the upcoming ordination that will be in June. Had to call to ask off of work and I also hope to have Victoria and Sarah tag along with me cause it will be good for them to be at this event. Wes said they can probably come, but he will have to check the schedule out to make sure that that will be OK.
Febuary 13, 2005 (Monday)
To add to how crazy things have been on our floor, Doug will also be leaving us. The school would not allow our class to go out and give a farewell, so we went on supper strike and got nothing to eat. After the meal was over we headed off to Applebees. Jamie will be leaving tommorrow after the morning Mass.
Febuary 14, 2006 (Tuesday)
Happy Valentine's Day to all who read this! I got the East Tennessee Catholic, and I can finally say the Diocese of Knoxville has a website.
Click here to go to our website. For lunch a few of us went out with Doug who will be leaving us tommorrow afternoon. Jamie left this morning after Mass. Tommorrow will be the big day of this website because it will be its 1 year birthday.
Febuary 15, 2006 (Wednesday)
Happy Birthday to this website it is now one year old. Today I seemed to be a bit sad over losing two of my fellow classmates, but things turned around when I got to talk with Victoria over the phone. She is a great girl and she with her sister give me a lot of faith. After talking with her I went to team sports where my class stomped the Freshmen at volleyball. Doug left right as we were heading to Evening Prayer. Tonight will be very busy for me because I will have to study for the big Physical Science Exam. Also, I must note that the internet has gone crazy. Tony has put the new Firewall up and now a lot of sites are blocked, things are slow, I cannot access the itunes store, Yahoo Messenger, and MSN Messenger don't work.
Febuary 19, 2006 (Sunday)
Mass today was great because of all the Abbotts being with us. The Abbott Primate was the celebrant for Mass today. After lunch we had a Knights meeting and then I got some time in for Madden. We talked Corey into going into town to pick us up some pizza for supper. Tonight I will have to study for SBS because the test for that class will be tommorrow.
Febuary 18, 2006 (Saturday)
Had apostolics this morning and then I got to eat at the greatest place ever, Chipotle. After getting back I spent my day taking a nap and playing some Madden 06. At 8pm was the Facilty Talent Night where the staff put on a skit for us. It was very funny and they even got our parents to send baby pictures of us, so they could use them in the skit. Mass tommorrow should be great because all the abbotts of North America are here for a conference of Abbotts. They usually have this meeting in Lousiana, but due to the hurricane are having it here at Conception.
Febuary 17, 2006 (Friday)
It is super cold here today and things are only to get worse tommorrow. At 1pm we did the Polar Bear Swim and sure enough I was dumb and did go in inorder to earn my t-shirt for doing the event. It was 12 degrees out, but if you included the wind chill you would end up with -1. In order to get in we had to take a shovel to the ice. After Evening Prayer we ate at the usual Mexican restaurant. The big news is right across the street a new Mexican restaurant will be opening tommorrow. Got to talk to the twins over IM and its official that they will help with adoration, but they will not do the stations. Today also marks the 4 year anniversary of my grandmother's death.
Febuary 16, 2006 (Thursday)
Started my day off by walking outside and about slipping and falling. The paths were all covered with ice and the wind was up to full blast. As I was walking up the stairs to get to prayer I noticed a notice up that said all off campus teachers will not be in today. This ment no New Testament, so I ended up with an extra hour and fifteen minutes to study for my Physical Science test. The test was very hard and I am pretty sure I will end up with a F. After class a few of us tried to get out of here and to Gambinos. It took many attempts, but we did finally get the car out of the parking lot. When I got back in Brother Elias was around showing his arm which is in a sling. He told us that he fell due to the ice and broke his arm. Also, I gave a call to Victoria and Sarah because I got news that their father had some type of presedure being done to him today at the hospital. I got a hold of Victoria and we talked for a bit and she told me that all is well with her father. To think today will be my last Evening Prayer, Supper, and News and Views on a Thursday until after the upcoming off campus weekend. I must also add that tommorrow will be the Polar Bear swim only time will tell if I am dumb enough to do it again.
Febuary 20, 2006 (Monday)
It is the start of the last week I have here until I will be back home for awhile. I had a SBS today and I think I should at least get a B on it. Father Issiac gave us our next assignment which will be due March 10. Today at supper a few of the waitors dressed up as presidents seeing how it is President's Day today. After supper I got back and Ian ended up having his room taped in half. One side for him and the other side for Anton. What great roomates they even put Alejandro and I from last year to shame. Tonight I will read a bit of the New Testament because I have a quiz tommorrow on a few chapters in it.
Febuary 21, 2006 (Tuesday)
Only 1 day and 13 more hours and I will be out of here and on my way to the airport. Today went well with the busy schedule that every Tuesday brings me. A floor meeting was held today so we could talk about the upcoming Mardi Gras party which out party that out class gets to host. Its great to know I have no work to work on right now. Tommorrow I will have to read for Western Civ, but other then that I am done!
Febuary 22, 2006 (Wednesday)
This day has went bye so slow, but it is finally over and my break is right around the corner. I am looking forward to seeing my family, friends, and the twins again. I may update this journal Thursday night and if not I will get around to it on Friday.
Febuary 23, 2006 (Thursday)
Right after science was over I was out of Conception and heading towards the airport. My flight left at 4:45 and I arrived in Johnson City at 10pm. Everything went well with my flights and I got in on the planned time.
Febuary 24, 2006 (Friday)
I spent my day with my mom. We started it off by going to Daily Mass. After Mass we had to head back to the airport because we had to pick up the speaker for a Conference going on in Greeneville. The conference was for all the teachers in the Diocese of Knoxville. While at the airport I ran into a Greek Orthodox priest and got to talk to him for awhile. Later that night we went to the Confrences that where being held and I got to help myself to wine and cheese.
Febuary 25, 2006 (Saturday)
Today had to be the greatest day of my whole break. I started it off by seeing my uncle then my grandmother. After these two visits I went to get my hair cut. After all this was over it was time to get to Mass. Before Mass started I had to show the twins how to serve at adoration. We then served the Mass together and following Mass we went to eat at Fatz. We talked about many things while we were out, and it looks like they will join me to go to Saint Cecilia's in Nashville for my spring break.
Febuary 26, 2006 (Sunday)
All great things must come to a end as they did today at 2pm when I was getting on my plane and heading back to Missouri. I must now look to the next 48 days that separate me from the great state of Tennessee. It will be hard to be so far away from my family and friends, but I know I can make it just a little bit longer.
Febuary 27, 2006 (Monday)
Had to get back into the routine of things today. Did not have to go to SBS because Doc Bloomingdale was out sick. It was a warm day today, so we ended up playing soccer for team sports. Tommorrow will be a busy day for my class because we will have to get everything ready for the Mardi Gras party which we get to put on. As of right now we have much of nothing accomplished and this could be a flop, but hopefully everything will come together by 8pm tommorrow night.
Febuary 28, 2006 (Fat Tuesday)
Lent will be upon us tomorrow, so the Sophomore class closed out Ordinary Time with the Mardi Gras Party. The theme for the night was casino night and we had many games set up for people to lose their money at. We even made our own money with Brother Elias on the one, Abbott Gregory on the five, Pope Benedict XVI on the ten, and the Blessed Virgin Mary on the twenty. At the end of the night we then held a oction where people could bid their winnings for some great prizes. Also, I must note that my trip to Saint Cecilia in Nashville will be off. Hopefully I will get a chance to reschedule sometime during the summer. Instead I hope to take Victoria and Sarah back to Fatz during the Saturday of my Spring Break.