Good Company

This weekend I had the pleasant surprise of visitors. One of my greatest students of all times was down visiting Johns Hopkins University for a tour. After a long day's drive from NH to Baltimore we met up for dinner in Little Italy. After a wonderful meal we headed to a Baltimore legand, Vacarro's. Vacarro's is home to the world's most amazing desserts. It was pleasant aside from a weekend of work.


Tomorrow at noon I hope to post up some fun pictures from a huge milestone this past week. Stay tuned, sorry for the recent drop on postings. We are back in business!

Some Fun

Below are links to a fun video the guys in the house made for orientation this year. It is filled with a lot of inside jokes but I still think you will get a charge. Because of the size it is in four parts. Enjoy!

A New Adventure

This weekend I was sent to my first parish assignment at Immaculate Conception Parish in Towson. Immaculate Conception or I.C. is a huge parish with an incredibly active community. Each weekend it has 7 masses, each of which is relatively full. The parish also has a 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration chapel, a 571 student elementary school and extensive grounds.

Five of my brother seminarians and myself made our first appearance at the parish this weekend and introduced ourselves at each Mass. The people were incredibly nice and welcoming, although they were not so excited that I was from New England (the Baltimore Ravens played the Pats on Sunday). In fact one of my favorite parts was when a fourth grader folded his arms and gave me a mean death stare because I was a patriots fan. After each Mass we chatted up the parishoners and began to become part of the community. I even had time to help out with the blessing of the animals which brought back many great memories from Trinity. For some reason the blessing of the animals was always one of my favorite nights as a teacher. I think it was because I was able to see what made my students really happy, their pets. There was always such joy at such a night. At Immaculate Conception the mood was much the same. The crowd was mostly dogs and cats, but there were also some fat guinea pigs and hamsters and a scared snake. However, the pet that needed it most, the neighborhood squirrel with a broken tale, did not attend.


Tonight I was at the parish again, but this time it was to help with the R.C.I.A. program (for people coming into the Catholic faith as adults). It was a great night except for when the priest presenting turned to be and asked me a question related to Theology. I ducked. Actually when the entire class turned around to see my answer I ducked down and hoped for the best.

It is crazy to think not long ago I was teaching in front of a classroom and now I am helping out at a parish. (although I should curb my excitement as I still have a long way to go!)

Well off to bed.

Another Fun Video as Requested (also Paper due today ahhhhhhhh)

Give Up Yer Aul Sins

Below is a cartoon video made popular in recent years in Ireland. The audio for the cartoon is from actual recording made by a teacher in the 1950's who decided to record her students telling stories. The kids loved it and gave her many beautiful moments. Enjoy this adorable look and listen into lives from the past, and the heart warming rendition of the story of St. John the Baptist.

It reminds me of the time I was teaching in Ireland and the Inner City Dublin accent that many of my students had. In particular it reminds me of one of my favorite students, a little girl named Carla who loved the spot light, telling stories and explaining how she would be a movie star or princess one day. Hope you enjoy.

Class President Photo Shoot

The Listing below is taken from the Seminary website (http://www.stmarys.edu/) .

Photo of Class Presidents

Student Government at St. Mary’s

As part of the Sulpician characteristic of communauté éducatrice, i.e. the community as an agent of formation, St. Mary’s encourages seminarians to take an active part in leadership and community building as training for future priestly ministry.

Last Spring the seminarian community elected Rev. Mr. Christopher Ballard of the Diocese of Syracuse as Student Body President. In that role he acts as student representative to the Rector, serving as the seminarian representative at appropriate public ceremonies, liturgical celebrations, and all meetings of the Board of Trustees.

The House Council has three standing committees. The Liturgy Committee is responsible, under the direction of the Faculty Council and the House Council, for planning and coordinating the liturgical life of the seminary. Last Spring the seminarian community elected Alan Tremblay of the Diocese of Manchester as Chair of the Liturgy Community. Joining him are recently elected representatives from each class.

The Peace and Justice Committee budgets, coordinates, and plans activities which promote peace and justice. Last Spring the seminarian community elected Rev. Mr. Jonathan Goertz of the Diocese of Richmond as its chair.

The Community Life Committee budgets, coordinates, and plans activities to help build morale among members of the seminary community. Last Spring the seminarian community elected Rev. Mr. Michael Hall of the Diocese of Trenton as its chair.

Bocce Ball Tournament

Last night the seminary held its annual Bocce Ball Tournament. The night consisted of 24 teams battling for the title of Bocce Ball Champion. Believe it or not, I got the time wrong and arrived 15 minutes late. Because I was late I did not have a chance to get the team uniforms I had assembled for the evening's event. My teammate, Charlie Pawlowski was relieved. Although our team, the Bocce Bandits, lacked a uniform, we more than made up with it in skill. We crushed our opponents from Virginia, 11-6 in the first game. They barely beat us in the second game 11-6 and then snuck by us with a 11-7 win in third and final game. Disappointed and robbed of our rightful title, we remained at the tournament to support our brother seminarians. As the night went on the battle continued and the tension grew.

Manchester Seminarian Mike Zgonc, in the light colored dress shirt, planning his next shot.

Mike tells me this photo is a blur because he is "fast like a cheetah." I think it is poor photography.

He also assures me this is good Bocce Ball technique. .........

Manchester Seminarian Alan Tremblay, two time returning champion, watches from the sidelines after getting soundly eliminated in the semi-finals.

Despite Alan's stunning lost, the winner's cup was kept within the diocese. Jeff Paveglio from Chichester won the final round. All in all in was a great night and a wonderful opportunity to hang out with the guys.