Grades

Grades Just Came In:

Modern and Contemporary Catholicism: A

Spirituality and Practice: A

Foundations in Moral Theology: A-

Doctrine of God: B+

Synoptic Gospels: B+

El Camino- Day 1

On our first day of the Camino we were filled with great joy and excitement. With the help of a few good friends we were driven in to Boston for Iberia airlines flight to Madrid. After a few scary moments because of traffic jams, we finally arrived at Logan Airport just in time. After getting our stuff checked in and clearing security we were off to the gate to prepare to board the plane.

My two good friends who accompanied me on the journey, Jason and Alan, busied themselves getting food and drinks for the long flight, while I decided to play it conservative and not to bring much of anything. I would later regret this decision.
Once we boarded the plane it was off to Madrid. Iberia airlines deserves credit for good service, although my seat was torturous and should have been replaced twenty years ago.

After a long 7 hour flight, we arrived in Madrid just in time to negotiate our way through the subway to the bus station. After a few moments of confusion we eventually found our way on a 5 hour bus ride north to the city of Ponferrada where our true adventure would begin.

Once we arrived in Ponferrada, a city of about 20,000 people, we quickly began our search for a hotel for the night. After passing a castle, touring the old city we began to realize we were in trouble. What we would later discover was that there was a major Soccer game in the city and people from all over were visiting for the weekend. With little Spanish skills and no idea what to do we wandered the city trying to find something, to no avail. We even tried desperately to find shelter at a convent, but sadly were turned away. After about 90 minutes of wandering we were saved by Hotel Madrid and their friendly staff. We quickly rented a room. Dropped off our stuff, washed up and searched for a Saturday night Mass and a late dinner of Pizza and wine. We succeeded on each front and called it a night, as the first day of hiking would begin early the next day.

Unsure of what was to come, we were filled with excitement, nervousness and a lot of energy!

Truly Blessed Indeed

Last week I returned from Spain and have not taken a break since. Of course the only thing I have taken a break from is updating the blog. Do you ever fall so far behind on something that you put it off even more, which of course only makes it worse? I am not quite sure why we have that human response, but it is in full play for me. My apologies.

There is much to catch up on. I will briefly mention a few things and then begin posting on my experience in Spain, day by day.

This week I began my first ever parish assignment as a seminarian in NH. I have been assigned to Nashua for the summer and am working at St. Louis parish at 48 West Hollis Street. I am excited to be working in NH and to be close to so many wonderful people. The parish is in the heart of Nashua and promises to keep me super busy. This week I have been designing programs, visiting the sick, attending Masses, working with some amazing sisters, stumbling through my Spanish (the parish has a huge Latino community!), and making school visits. I am very lucky to be where I am.
Father Daniel, the pastor, has been very good to me and has been incredibly hospitable. Although, I have started the rumor that he does not feed me, and that he keeps me locked in the basement. So far it has gotten much sympathy and my second dinner invite from a parishioner. If I am not careful I may be locked in the basement before the summer is over.

In life I found that sometimes there are special moments we experience where it is as if all is right in the world. I often think of special moments and trips with my family where everyone is there and happy. I think of bbqs past when dear friends, who are no longer living, were present and sharing in joy. I experienced this feeling twice this week when I attend Trinity's Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation. Thanks to a generous invitation from Mr. Mailloux, Trinity's principal, I was able to serve the Mass and participate in graduation exercises with the current faculty. Words can never express how much this generous gift meant to me and how much of a boost it was to my spirit. Seeing the faces of my students past gave me incredible joy. Serving the Mass and setting the Altar I was moved to tears seeing their faces, and the faces of the families who I have come to know, sitting proudly in the Church. Watching the Class of 2010 process in and file out, I was reminded of the source of my vocation, all of my students!

This past year at the Seminary we spoke a lot of the challenges the Church faces and in particular the need to bring young people back. I am not sure what the answer is, but I do know I wish to give every ounce of my being to making it happen. When I looked out and saw the faces of the Class of 2010 and many students from other classes in attendance, I saw hope for the future of the world and the Church. I can't wait to see how it manifests itself.

As the evening went I fought back tears on many occasions, and most often lost. Some people will say that crying is for wimps, I think it is for real men. For me tears are words from the heart, which are voices cannot say. Crying is nothing more than the voice of the heart, and cry I did when my dear friends Bill Sheehan and Matt Carnevale made a special presentation on behalf of Trinity students, families and area priests. Just before the end of the Baccalaureate Mass I was presented with a check for the entire total of my remaining student loans. When I received it I almost passed out with shock. I am not sure if this will make sense or not but what moved me the most was not the money (although was AMAZING and incredibly GENEROUS!), but the love that accompanied it! The great love and support I have received from Trinity students, teachers, staff, administration and families is truly a miraculous. Every time I think of it I fill with abundant joy. Thank you to all of you who have supported me along the way. I am without question the luckiest man in the world to have such friends and such a caring and supportive community of faith.


This week I was given several amazing gifts for which I will be forever grateful for. First and foremost was an invitation from Trinity's principal, Denis Mailloux, to attend and participate in the Class of 2010's Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation exercises. It was a true honor and gift to be able to see off so many amazing graduates and to share in their special night. I could think of no place in the world I would have rather been than with the class. Especially meaningful to me was the chance to serve the Baccalaureate Mass as a seminarian. Preparing the Altar for Mass I fought back tears looking out at all the faces which mean so much to me, and to the future of the Church. It reminded me off a little project I have been thinking a lot about, more to follow in the future....

Just before the final blessing at the Mass there was a series of wonderful student speakers, including a brilliant speech which moved me beyond words.

Update ·2

Only five minutes to post today. May try later if I can get back on.

So far so good. Amazing views, amazing people, great food

Have hiked with people from around the world.

Including:

¡ a Dutch woman on pilgrimage in memory of her son who died two years ago

- A joyous priest from California and Mexico who is celebrating 75years a priest

- A Korean woman seeking wisdom for a job change

- A Spanish man making the Camino with hand crutches

- A Swiss Catholic man who hiked over 2,000 km from his home.


Since we left there has not been a cloud in the ski. Which is great, but also hard as it heats up and the hike begins to feel like a death march. Drinking plenty of water, resting and doing about 20 miles a day.

Out of time!

Happy Pêntecost.

El Camino

After arriving safely in Spain and enduring a long six hour bus ride I am in the midst of the Camino. Having just put money in to use the hostal computer, I am told I only have five minutes of time. After hiking for three days I am sore, tired and stiff. However, it has been a wonderful journey so far. Yesterday we hiked to the top of a large mountain and enjoyed a splendid night in a mountainside village. The village Ciercibo (sp?) was the home of a Eucharistic miracle many years ago and the village in which Queen Isbella stayed when she made her Camino.

Having entered the Spanish region of Galicia I am amazed at the similarities to Ireland. It is filled with rolling green hills, cows in the fields and the streets and lazy dogs seemingly every ten feet. One suprising thing is that there are literally hundreds of people from around the world hiking at the same time, on pilgrimage. I am told the closer we get to Santiago the crazier it gets, with some hostals housing 800 people. One minute left. bye!!!!!!!

El Camino

This time tomorrow I will be sleeping, hopefully, on an Iberia Airlines flight to Spain to take part in the trip of the lifetime. Accompanied by two good friends, Alan Tremblay from the diocese of Manchester and Jason Hage from the diocese of Syracuse, I am off to take part in one of the oldest Christian Pilgrimages in the world. The Camino is a pilgrimage route across Northern Spain and much of Europe, which has been popular since the Middle Ages. Pilgrim's continue to hike hundreds of miles to the end destination of Santiago de Compostella, home of the remains of Saint James. Tomorrow we are off to Hike 150+ miles in a journey of faith.

God willing I will be trying to update on our progress, but carrying just a change of clothes on my back and prayers in my heart, who knows what I will encounter. Until then....

Insanity!

The end of the semester has come in like a Lion! I am not exactly sure where all the time has gone, but this semester has been very busy. Between school work, projects and life in general it has been non-stop. The result of which is I have not been able to post on the blog as much as I have wished to. The good news is the end is in sight and the summer will soon be here.

One week from Friday I will be headed to Spain for two weeks to participate in the "Camino." The Camino is one of the oldest pilgrimages in Christianity and involves hiking hundreds of miles. I am excited and can't wait to go. I will be posting more on that tomorrow and in the coming days. I am hoping I will be able to blog from the trail, which should be exciting.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy this photo from Lunch today with many of the guys in my class!