January 1, 2007 (Monday)
Today is the first day of a new year and is also the deast of Mary Mother of God which in my mind should be a Holy Day. We had a very good attendence for the 9am Mass and I ended up serving at it. After Mass I went home and ended up watching a lot of movies. For supper the family went to Backyard Burger to check it out for the first time. The food was OK, but is not something I will desire.
January 2, 2007 (Tuesday)
I met up with members of my old scout troop today at noon. We met up at Fatz in Greeneville and Blaine, Aaron, Bryan, and Jason all showed up. We ended up talking for a very long time and ended up leaving at 2:30pm. Once I got out of Fatz I had to bring a few checks to Jonesborough, so I ended up doing that along with going into Johnson City to check out a few stores. At 7pm I taught RCIA and this week we covered Baptism. I think I did a good job at covering the subject that was given to me.
January 3, 2007 (Wednesday)
Today at 5:30pm the youth night started and this time it was a movie night. There were two feature presentations: "The Fox and the Hound 2" and "Ice Age 2." Overall I think attendence was good. After everything was over I returned the videos to the rental store and then returned home to take it easy.
January 4, 2007 (Thursday)
We finally had Morning Mass again, so I ended up attending. After Mass I took off to Johnson City to do some shopping and ended up picking up a new coat at JC Pennys. Once I got back home I ended up eating supper with my family and then had to run off to meet Kelly and Heather at the movies so we could see "Eragon." I have never read the book, but from what they say this movie has nothing to do with the book.
January 5, 2007 (Friday)
After Morning Mass I ended up going to Johnson City with Bob and my mother, so we could see Wes Wayson in the hospitol. After visiting with him we also visited with Nancy who has been in for some time. Once getting back home I ended up getting my hair trimmed and then had to help mom get everything ready for the lock in at the YMCA. The attendence was down this year, but we still had a good time. I made it through the night with out getting any sleep. Once getting home at 7:30am I finally got to sleep.
January 6, 2007 (Saturday)
After waking up after a nice long sleep it was time to head off for the 5pm Mass. I was the Rosary leader for the Mass, but did not do any of the ministries for the Mass due to everything being covered for once. Once getting back to the house I had a great last supper with my family consisting of crab and fish. I will be heading back to Missouri tomorrow and will be leaving at 11am.
January 7, 2007 (Sunday)
Got up and attended the 8am Mass. Paul served this Mass and I told him my goodbye before I left for home so I could finally get around to packing my bags. Once everything was packed I returned to the church to catch the ending of CCD. Once CCD was over I hung out at the door to the church and gave my goodbye to people as they came to 11am Mass. I was able to catch Victoria, Sarah, and Meredith, but did not get to see Abby and Kelly. Once Mass started my family headed to the Knoxville airport. We stopped on the way to eat at Wendy�s and then made it to the airport just in time for me to make my 1:44pm flight. This flight brought me into Chicago and about two hours later brought me to Kansas City. In Kansas City many people had problems with finding their luggage, and I also could not find mine at first. I got into line to file the report, but ended up seeing it on the side. Once grabbing my luggage I had to go to another terminal to meet Robert who brought me back to Conception.
January 8, 2007 (Monday)
Today we returned to our classes. Father McManus is in Washington DC, so I did not have Latin today. My first class of the day was the Sermons of Saint John Chrysostom�s Sermons and then my final class for the day was Contemporary Philosophy. I am taking the sermons class in pass/fail and how Brother Justin has set his philosophy class out all looks to be easy. I was the reader for Evening Prayer and then once prayer was over it was to the Refectory for a Conception welcoming meal of meat loaf. After the meal I made arrangements with the Bomb and met him for a Perkins run.
January 9, 2007 (Tuesday)
With Tuesday comes the great return of the Gambinos experience. The only class I had today was medieval philosophy which seems like it will be harder then last semester�s ancient philosophy class. On a normal basis I would have had Latin today, but Father McManus is still gone. From looking at BC�s journal entries it looks like he will be here at Conception sometime soon to visit. Once he gets here I know there will be many great stories to tell on here.
January 10, 2007 (Wednesday)
Happy 21st to the Ton and happy 17th to the twins! Went to Saint Joseph today because of apostolics. They were canceled this week, but I got permission to go seeing that I teach a class and need to be there. Next week the day of recollection will be starting, so I would have felt just horrible to of missed so many classes. While out we ate at Chipotle and did a bit of shopping which included me picking up seasons 1 and 2 of House at Best Buy. Once we got to Saint James I finally got to teach my class again and this week we started the New Testament with an introduction to what a Gospel is and the story of Christ�s birth.
January 11, 2007 (Thursday)
I actually had Latin class today, and afterwards Ton decided he wanted to go out to eat. We then decided to ask our chaplain if this would be fine, but first I checked my messages to see if anyone called me. The only message I had was from BC who needed picking up in Maryville. Ton and I asked permission and it was granted, so off we went to pick up the legendary BC. Once getting him we made a stop by La Bonita and then returned to Conception. That night for supper with News and Views we were joined by BC and I got the chance to sit with him.
January 12, 2007 (Friday)
With BC coming in Sam and I decided it would be great to go to Denver, MO to get some steak at a wonderful steakhouse. This steakhouse it just amazing and is by far the greatest stake that I have ever had in my life. The weather for the day was bad and for most of the day it showered down ice. After prayer we still made the attempt to go to Denver and made it just fine. The risk was well worth it because the food was simply amazing. BC was a first timer, so he was given a rock which looks much like a potato. It was funny to see him make an attempt at cutting through it. Once we got back to Conception it was time for free beer in the Union and then it was off to bed.
January 13, 2007 (Saturday)
Today I woke up early to leave with the Ton. We headed off to Atchison, Kansas to hang out with the Bomb. The roads had snow and ice on them, but we got into town OK. Once getting there we met up with the Bomb and then rushed off to attend Mass at Saint Benedict�s Church which was located down the road. Once the Mass was over which I must add was a rush job we stopped at Wal-Mart and did a bit of shopping for lunch that day. When we returned to Bomb�s house we watched House and drank some beer. For lunch we had hamburgers and fries and ended up getting through 4 episodes of House. The snow and ice was coming down once we left the Bomb�s house, but we got back to school OK.
January 14, 2007 (Sunday)
BC was able to join us for the formal lunch, and then once that was over I had a bit of time to spare before attending a Knights of Columbus meeting concerning the Star Council award. That meeting brought me to a bit after 2:30 which I find myself going back to my room to take a long nap once all was done. After waking up it was time to attend the Pre-Theo party which included a magician who is very close with my former pastor Father Jim Harvey. Once the party was over a few of us went off to Applebees even though the roads were covered with snow.
January 15, 2007 (Monday)
Today I had much of nothing going on. After supper I gathered with the community council and we met over committee positions. After voting on the new committee chairs I headed to the Union and ended up running into BC.
January 16, 2007 (Tuesday)
I had Medieval Philosophy and Latin today. After classes a group of us went to Gambinos and of course we brought BC along with us. After eating we stopped at the Dollar General to get a few school items and then returned to the school. The night was quiet and I spent it watching House.
January 17, 2007 (Wednesday)
I had classes today, and Father McManus told us he will not have class on Friday. This means the rest of this week will be off due to the upcoming day of recollection. Following supper I met with those going to Washington DC this weekend for the March for Life. After the meeting the retreat started and it was given by the vocation director of the Diocese of Omaha, Father Ralph. He did a pretty good job in his opening conference and left us to reflect upon the story of Jesus and the rich man.
January 18, 2007 (Thursday)
No classes due to the Day of Recollection. Instead of classes I only had to attend two conferences along with the usual requirements of prayer. This retreat was well needed by not only myself, but by the whole community. It is so hard to return from break and then go straight into classes and the routine again. For supper with News & Views we were joined by BC who will be leaving to return to Colorado this Saturday.
January 19, 2007 (Friday)
After some time off I had to return to classes today. Thanks to Father McManus being gone I will not have Latin. Once prayer was over I took off with Sam, Cory, and BC to head to Saint Joseph to met up with the Bomb. We ate at a Cajun place called Budros. As usual the food was good and this meeting allowed me to get my Manual of Prayers and phone charger back from the Bomb. After eating we went to get some ice cream and then looked around at Border's for awhile before returning to Conception. Tommorrow at 7:45am I will be leaving to head to Washington DC, so this will be my last post until I return on late Monday night. Please pray for our travels, but also pray for the end of the evil of abortion.
January 20, 2007 (Saturday)
I woke up early for a Saturday morning, so I could make it to Mass before the Conception group left for Washington DC. Most groups that I know of are taking buses, but thankfully Conception started to take planes two years ago. After Mass was over we headed to the airport and got there very early, so I had enough time to grab some coffee at Starbucks and have a nice breakfast before having to enter the gate. Once on the plane all was comfortable and before I knew it I was in Washington DC. Once getting in the group of us headed to the friary where we will be staying for the weekend, and then we went to the Basilica to take a tour from former classmate Tony Childers. When we got inside the Basilica we also ran into Dillon Schrader and Ivan Harkins who were seniors last year at Conception. It was good to see the two of them again especially in their roman collars. Once the tour of the beautiful church was over we headed off to the Union Station to get some supper together. Tony, Dillon, and Ivan also joined us for this meal. Once we were done eating we all got to go our own ways and check out whatever we wanted in the city. I walked around with Anton and Chris and we started off just checking out all the stores in the Union Station, later that night the three of us along with one of Chris� friends walked to all the monuments. When you are looking from the capitol down to the Washington Monument things look very close, but once you start to walk you begin to see how far away everything really is. Once this walk was over we were left very tired, so we ended up going to a local bar and grill to take a break and also get some drinks. Once getting done here we ended up getting back on the train, and headed back to the friary. Along the way I was introduced to the violence of Washington DC. A group of black kids got on the train and at the next stop a man was propelled forward into them, words were discussed, and then before I know it fifteen black kids are beating a guy up with chain wrapped around their hands. I was truly ready to turn in once I returned to the friary.
January 21, 2007 (Sunday)
A group of us started the day off with Mass. We headed out of the friary bright and early dressed in our cassocks with our surplus in our hands for we were headed to the Tridentine Mass at a parish called Mary, Mother of God. It was easy for us to get there thanks to Tony bringing us there. Once we got to the parish we knocked on the door of the sacristy and asked if we could sit in choir for the Mass. The pastor allowed us to, so we ended up processing in and then sitting around the altar for the Mass. It was a great filling when the door was closed to the communion rail which separated the people from were we were. For we were in the Holy of Holies and at this moment this idea hit home with me. Once Mass was over I took of with Anton and we checked a few of the museums in the area along with doing the whole monument thing again. When we get to the Lincoln Memorial we dressed back into our cassocks and then got a great picture taken in front of the president. Once this was over we headed to Chinatown for supper and then got on the train to head back to the area where we were staying. Right across the road from the friary is the John Paul II cultural center, and it was great to be able to get a chance to see it. It is just too bad that the center may have to close its doors due to lack of funding. After checking all of this out we headed to the friary to put back on our cassocks for the 8pm Mass in the Basilica. We got to the Basilica about two hours early and over time more and more seminarians and priests showed up so they could process in. It was great to be able to see seminarians who I knew from their time at Conception. At 8pm we finally started to move, and wow was all this amazing. When I walked up the stairs and entered the main part of the church I was taken aback by all the people especially those who were Missionaries of Charity. Then I began to see the people and the great faith and love for the church which was on their faces. After seeing all of this I know for a fact that the church is alive and well. Then I got to the altar and bowed and then went to stand in the apse. Back here in the apse all the seminarians were shoved together and it was here that I began to fill a great sense of brotherhood with the universal church thanks to this great bonding of fellow brothers in Christ. This was by far the highlight of my whole trip to Washington DC, and I must stress for all seminarians who attend this event to bring along their cassock and surplus so they can also take part in this amazing Mass.
January 22, 2007 (Monday)
Today I wanted to get up at 5:30am, but thanks to my alarm clock not going off as planned I got to sleep until 6:30. It was good to get the extra sleep, but due to this I was unable to shower before taking off in the morning. The reason for leaving the friary so early was due to the Mass which took place at the Verizon Center. This Mass was filled with great pep up music before Mass which had all the teens present moving. I guess having fun is great and all, but I do believe one should prepare themselves for the Mass. Once Mass started things settled a bit, but the music was still a bit jumpy. The Mass parts done by Steve Agrosono were just wretched and were a disgrace to the Liturgy of the Mass. The homily had many good points, but was done in a silly fashion which yet again took away from the reverence that should be kept in the Mass. When the priests processed out everyone seemed to be caught up in being the first to leave and a few of the priests found this time to be a good time to dance. It was great to get out of this building and I hope to never have to attend this Mass again in the future. After Mass we lined up for the march which was actually over with before I knew it. I did not see any Pro-Choice supporters on the way only schismatic catholic groups who were attempting to evangelize Catholics on the evils of Vatican II. This seemed silly to me because instead of evangelization we should all be joining together in the march unified, so the evil of abortion may one day come to an end. After the march ended we headed off to the airport and waited quite sometime before our plane took off to head back to Kansas City.
January 23, 2007 (Tuesday)
After all the walking and the busyness of Washington DC I woke up very tired. That morning was 7:45 Mass and then Medieval philosophy with Father Isaac True. Of course Father Isaac did not let up and ended up putting me into a light sleep. At least Father McManus took it lightly on those who were gone for the weekend. After class I did not do the usual Gambinos because of how tired I was. It was great to take a nap all the way up to the conference and be refreshed in some way from all that went on over the weekend. It also is my week to be a waiter, so once the conference was over that is what I had to head off to do.
January 24, 2007 (Wednesday)
I woke up rested a little, but I think the coming of this weekend will be the only thing which can save me from how tired I am. After my last period of the day I headed off with Sam to apostolics. Of course we made the usual stops to Chipotle and Best Buy. It was at Best Buy that I was able to purchase Saw III and also take a look at the new Windows Vista computers. I was not impressed with this program because it is a bad rip off of Macintosh. For class that night I taught about the Wedding at Cana and the Baptism of our Lord. Once getting back to school I had to start a philosophy paper for medieval philosophy.
January 25, 2007 (Thursday)
Another busy day was at hand today thanks to the Community Council meeting and another philosophy paper that is due in Contemporary philosophy tomorrow. My philosophy paper was on the differences between the words �want� and �desire� and the paper had to be three pages long. This was a very hard task to do because I ended up getting everything I wanted said on paper long before I hit the three page mark.
January 26, 2007 (Friday)
More meeting today, but at least its the weekend. At 1pm I met with my spiritual director and then had a meeting with my chaplain at 3:30pm. I then read for Evening Prayer because of Ben being gone to the SOS. With the SOS taking place and the baskitball tournament in Chicago things are very quiet around here, and I ended up taking a nice long nap instead of going out to grab something to eat in town. Well I better be off because I have to awake early to attend the Father McManus Mass because I have to set up lunch tommorrow.
January 27, 2007 (Saturday)
Due to having waiter duties for lunch I had to wake up early and attend the Mass in the Oratory with Father McManus. After Mass was over I returned to bed, and then woke up when it was time to put the food out for lunch. After getting the food out I went up to my room for awhile to pass time before having to put the food back up. As usual the food at Conception was horrible, so I ended up taking off for supper with Lorenzo. We ended up getting a nice healthy burger at McDonalds.
January 28, 2007 (Sunday)
I had to waiter lunch today and once that was over my duties were over. Around the middle of the meal we caught that the rolls had mold growing on the bottoms. This is a great way to show our love for our Knights of Columbus guests. After the meal we held the 2nd and 3rd degree ceremonies, and it was good to be able to sit in on those for the first time. Once the degree ceremonies were over I returned to my room to take it easy for the rest of the day. Towards the end of the day the basketball team returned and we ended up being 1-2 at the tournament in Chicago.
January 29, 2007 (Monday)
This should be a rather easy week seeing that I don�t have Latin until Thursday. Contemporary philosophy had a quiz today and I ended up doing horrible on it even though I read the assigned readings. After all required things were over I ended up going making a Perkins run, but this time the Bomb did not attend because I was unable to get a hold of him.
January 30, 2007 (Tuesday)
After Medieval philosophy and a good nap I took off to Gambinos. This week they did a very good job at keeping a nice selection of pizza coming. Today was weird because I had nothing going on in the afternoon, so I ended up spending the day fighting myself over if I am really free or if I am actually missing something I should be at. Father Xavier gave the formation conference and spoke on the up coming Lenten season.
January 31, 2007 (Wednesday)
I had another long day of classes, but did enjoy having my last day of Latin off. I went to apostolics today and did the usual stop at Chipotle followed by Best Buy. Today at Chipotle we got a free t-shirt with the purchase of our burrito. At Best Buy I returned my House Season 1 due to the back being messed up on disc 2. For class today I did not have any of my two kids, so I helped out with sister who was giving instruction on first confession. We ended up going into the church and the kids got to do a mock run at confession, and I got to play the part of the priest. After everything was over I returned to Conception where I had to work on a paper for Father Isaac.