tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146352012024-03-18T23:07:18.741-05:00Duc in Altum - Into the DeepOP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-84336811902223257542012-09-05T08:02:00.000-05:002012-09-05T08:08:46.087-05:00Israel Day 3: Duty & Rest<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTCNr_akoFEvZESCQQH5bezckDBS1T51jmOilu6hxov-cAML9TCo8bhj2TVSUAZfUCHzCQJpXorGnhEtBDgkCTFFdOnQbnje7cux9q7MxZs1YRpN0lDjtNwl6bmbE0pyuQXaQmw/s1600/IMG_1634-726087.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTCNr_akoFEvZESCQQH5bezckDBS1T51jmOilu6hxov-cAML9TCo8bhj2TVSUAZfUCHzCQJpXorGnhEtBDgkCTFFdOnQbnje7cux9q7MxZs1YRpN0lDjtNwl6bmbE0pyuQXaQmw/s320/IMG_1634-726087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784678964809677266" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Day three in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> was my assigned duty day, so I stayed on the ship and enjoyed a bit of rest as I kept things in order onboard. We were “nested” outboard of another <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> warship that was also moored there, which is always fun. </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> I spent most of the day watching the Olympics on our military satellite TV, gearing up for the next day of exploring!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-88190443136621830102012-09-04T11:20:00.000-05:002012-09-04T11:30:27.552-05:00Israel Day 2: Jerusalem<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL9D3jM9-hLwArHK0hBikXfQZnXfmJih1j5IB92OyRx8TRGvP0pXoOq3nmLc9Kl-U3rwzd3-mZfdHZcJf2QSw5IRTTDnbbJ5He3R9tN1AyPa8CRkD8ebtTLXTH0rss87NtEN4ww/s1600/IMG_1679-727552.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL9D3jM9-hLwArHK0hBikXfQZnXfmJih1j5IB92OyRx8TRGvP0pXoOq3nmLc9Kl-U3rwzd3-mZfdHZcJf2QSw5IRTTDnbbJ5He3R9tN1AyPa8CRkD8ebtTLXTH0rss87NtEN4ww/s320/IMG_1679-727552.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784359854423716530" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>On day two, we embarked on a fantastic tour set up by MWR (our Morale, Welfare, and Recreation folks) that brought three coach buses full of sailors (between two ships that were in port) to Jerusalem. My same awesome liberty group all embarked one of the buses, and were blessed with the back row! </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> The drive was over an hour and a half to the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Old</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType>, as we traveled from <st1:City w:st="on">Haifa</st1:City> in the north down to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:City> in the south. Our tour guide, Monette, was quite the lady, full of great facts and hilarious stories as we made our way there. We made a brief stop along the way, where I charged up with a café, as many of us were falling asleep during calmness of the bus ride. But I didn’t want to miss anything—I was in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">ISRAEL</st1:country-region></st1:place>, after all!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Monette told us all the stories of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s wars and conflicts, particularly as of late, and all the disputes about borders, religion, and peace. We as Americans seem to have always heard about these disputes, but it’s quite different to actually be there and see the lands in question. We skirted along the West Bank making our way south, and soon approached that great city in the history of this world: <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The bus first brought us up to the <st1:place w:st="on">Mount of Olives</st1:place> for a brief stop to catch a vista of the city. Wow. All I could think was, <i><span style='font-style:italic'>I can’t believe I’m actually here</span></i>. I’d seen photos and videos of the <st1:place w:st="on">Holy Land</st1:place>, particularly after watching Fr. Robert Barron’s “Catholicism,” but to be here is so different. I saw the great stone gate surrounding the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Old</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType>, the famed gold roof of the Dome of the Rock, and looked down to see the olive trees that lined the <st1:place w:st="on">Mount of Olives</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Next, we proceeded to the <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">All Nations</st1:PlaceName> (because many nations donated to make this church possible), also known as the Church of the Agony, built over the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">garden</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Gethsemane</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>. Entering into its gates from the side, you walk through a garden—THE garden, and then around to the front of the church. A pilgrim group had Mass going on, but many tourists were still walking around inside. I realized quickly that Mass was going on, and that it was during the Eucharistic prayer (I know enough Spanish to realize that!) and so I quickly headed to a pew and knelt in our Lord’s presence before I played tourist. I caught my first glimpse of a Franciscan priest, of the order who has been entrusted by the Church to maintain these sites in the Holy Land, and are known for their <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:City> cross. Just before the altar is a large rock, said to be the rock on which our Lord prayed and cried and sweat drops of blood in His agony leading up to the crucifixion. A beautiful mosaic depicts this above the altar. Once the pilgrim group finished Mass, we were able to walk up to that rock for veneration. I waited my turn, and then knelt down before it, placing first my hands then leaning down to press my face onto it. There, I placed myself in the garden with our Lord, and tears quickly welled up in my eyes. This was the very spot where, our God-made-man, Jesus Christ, who knew no sin yet became sin on our behalf, realized what He faced before Him, and begged the Father that this cup might pass—yet, thank God, He uttered those key words: <i><span style='font-style:italic'>Not my will, but Yours be done</span></i>. Totally overwhelming. And it was all here. Like REALLY here. As we walked back to the bus, we passed by the Church of the Assumption (aka the “Dormition” or, the “falling asleep” of Mary) which was the site where Our Lady was assumed into heaven at her death, surrounded by her Son’s disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Next, it was time for lunch. We traveled to the Ramat Rachel Hotel, just outside of Jerusalem and overlooking Bethlehem (quite a nice view!) and enjoyed a great middle eastern lunch and lots of water. (have I mentioned it was really hot??) Unfortunately, the view of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bethlehem</st1:place></st1:City> was the closest we got to exploring it. It’s not a safe area for tourists. On the way back to the city, we stopped at another great vista/park area for photos. Then, it was time for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Old</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>We disembarked the bus just outside of the Dung Gate, which is the closest gate of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Old</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall). Just as you pass inside the gate, on the right was the site of the temple where Jesus drove out the salesmen and money-changers. Now, a mosque stands in its place. We continued walking and came up to a security checkpoint, with armed Israeli soldiers/police roaming the area. Past the checkpoint opened up to a big square and the famous Western Wall, which still stands from the temple that once stood there. One of the holiest sites on the earth for Jews, it was full of people, even in the midday heat. All ages; mothers, fathers, children, students, tourists. As is customary in Judaism, there is a partition for where the men pray and the women pray along this sacred wall. It is a common practice for a devotee to write down a prayer or intention on a piece of paper and place it in one of the cracks of the wall as they approached it and offered their prayer to the Lord. I had prepared a short prayer on the bus, and approached the wall and offered it to God as I rested my hands and my head on the stone. It was a powerful moment. I will say—the women’s side of the wall was smaller, and much more packed! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Then began our trek in the streets and alleys of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Old</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. As we walked along the stone roads, I just kept thinking about how Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, walked these very streets. All of his life. As a child, as a young man, and in His public ministry…these were His “stomping grounds.” This wasn’t just some obscure old place from the Bible—it was a real city! Bustling with people! We visited during Ramadan, so there were probably less locals out than usual, but you could still tell it was and is a thriving city, where ancient and modern worlds live side by side. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Our wandering through the streets finally brought us to the holiest site in the city for Christians—the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Within this church are the sites of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a little square outside the main entry to the church. As you walk in, directly in front of you is a beautiful mosaic of our Lord’s last moments, and before you is a large stone said to be the stone where Jesus’ body lay as it was prepared for burial. To the right and up some steep steps is the chapel of the site of the crucifixion, <st1:place w:st="on">Golgotha</st1:place>, guarded by a monk of the eastern church, lined with mosaics, icons, and candles. I should add—the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is maintained by representatives from the major Christian denominations—very cool. I was able to make my way through a big crowd and touch the place under the altar where the cross stood. Underneath this site is a crypt chapel, called the Chapel of Adam; it is said that this is the site where Adam was buried, and that the blood Christ spilled on the cross that day made its way through the ground to the skull of Adam, accentuating the way that Christ’s fidelity reversed Adam’s sin. There is also evidence inside this space of the bedrock being split, as from an earthquake, as it is written in the Scriptures at the moment our Lord died. Then, on the other side of the church is the site where Jesus was buried and then rose from the dead. It’s amazing how all those places are to be so close together—sometimes in films or when reading Scripture, we might picture those sites as being far from each other. But, it makes sense that our Lord was buried very near to where He died. And what the city of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:City> was then is not exactly as it is today—after all the conquests and changes of hand it has faced these millennia! I spent most of my time walking around in silence, alone, taking in the sacredness of this place. I venerated the anointing stone and the burial site, and just missed the start of Vespers led by the Franciscans in the Catholic chapel. I wanted to stay, but I’d already surpassed the time allotted to us by our tour guide, and caught back up with the group! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>We exited the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Old</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> through the Jaffa Gate and got back on the bus to head home. As we made our way to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Haifa</st1:place></st1:City>, most everyone fell asleep. I was wide awake. I kept thinking about all I’d seen that day, and attempted to process it all, realizing it wasn’t just a dream. Watching the sunset along the Israeli coast, I listened to some great praise and worship songs on my iPod and gave thanks to God for such an amazing opportunity. We made it back to <st1:City w:st="on">Haifa</st1:City> by about 7:45pm and ventured up to <st1:place w:st="on">Mount Carmel</st1:place> for a great dinner, then back to ship to rest after a fantastic day.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-73301159297934426672012-08-18T09:49:00.000-05:002012-08-18T09:57:07.729-05:00Israel Day 1: THE Mount Carmel<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_u9QNl1nY2cyI1sso-UWClHRT1Q3jq5jQYUc1jYu-sZTWeM9Xc7OlxjyvNDpearnWMZ_8dfWqFxOMzpgVFa5UigScq2EgxZhGJQIQhXOVvkeHZ4Y_LRmwlhqyefO6UhVULlXKNA/s1600/IMG_1639-727729.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_u9QNl1nY2cyI1sso-UWClHRT1Q3jq5jQYUc1jYu-sZTWeM9Xc7OlxjyvNDpearnWMZ_8dfWqFxOMzpgVFa5UigScq2EgxZhGJQIQhXOVvkeHZ4Y_LRmwlhqyefO6UhVULlXKNA/s320/IMG_1639-727729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5778027355806571266" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>As if it wasn’t amazing enough to have our first port visit in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>, just the week after, we pulled into <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Haifa</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>! That’s right, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>! The <st1:place w:st="on">Holy Land</st1:place>! <st1:City w:st="on">Haifa</st1:City> is a port city in the north of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>, and is home to Mount <st1:City w:st="on">Carmel</st1:City>…yes, THE <st1:place w:st="on">Mount Carmel</st1:place>. Originally “famous” for being the place the prophet Elijah chose to live, it is also the founding place of the Carmelite Order. Hermits began dwelling in the cave of the prophet Elijah, and they eventually organized themselves into a religious order—the Carmelites—founded on <st1:place w:st="on">Mount Carmel</st1:place>. Their founding monastery is at the top of the mountain, at the north point, overlooking the water, and is called Stella Maris, Star of the Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>That being said, can you guess where I went first? After mooring the ship and getting things squared away, we were given liberty around midday. My same group from Rome and I headed out to see the city, stopped for some great pictures overlooking the Mediterranean from atop Mount Carmel, and headed first to Stella Maris Monastery, home of the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. It’s a beautiful site, including mosaics, paintings, and marble inlays, depicting the great moments and saints of the Carmelite Order. It was quite funny to see things written in English, Hebrew, Arabic, and Latin, all around the basilica! The altar is built over the site of the cave of the prophet Elijah, with a big statue of Our Lady holding the scapular behind the altar. It was perfect for them to choose Our Lady, Star of the Sea as their patroness—the view of the sea is stunning from the front of the basilica! Prayed for all you little Carmelites out there, (especially you, Maria!) and got myself a new scapular—from the source! </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Next, we took a cable car down the mountain, for more great views of <st1:City w:st="on">Haifa</st1:City> and the <st1:place w:st="on">Mediterranean</st1:place>. We headed to the next site, thought to be another one of Elijah’s caves, which seemed to be the Jewish center of devotion for this city. It was a busy place with many Jewish pilgrims! Feeling a little out of place, we came and went a bit quickly. Hot and hungry, we headed to an area known as the German Colony, which was settled by German immigrants in the 19<sup>th</sup>/20<sup>th</sup> centuries. Found a great place to eat and had as much Middle Eastern food and WiFi as we could want! It was a great day…with the best yet to come!</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-86432678625230577842012-08-13T13:57:00.000-05:002012-08-13T13:59:17.061-05:00Italy Day 4: To the Monastery!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIduI8ATfZUCqVKNOX9yl3saUkJIND9Zw6TJ40ydYBVe_2LxeTIPDCacpcVB3h-JrV_i8dqG6qNErHpb3yAXTuvBvxZkcq2A4N3_qgrvImu1E4iJwM2DftkwRI3WfJR6qcsMUdQ/s1600/IMG_1587-757062.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIduI8ATfZUCqVKNOX9yl3saUkJIND9Zw6TJ40ydYBVe_2LxeTIPDCacpcVB3h-JrV_i8dqG6qNErHpb3yAXTuvBvxZkcq2A4N3_qgrvImu1E4iJwM2DftkwRI3WfJR6qcsMUdQ/s320/IMG_1587-757062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776234332928123186" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I arose on day 4 just a few hours after getting back to the ship (at 2:13am, remember?!) and though still tired, my spirits were high. Today was the day for our community relations project (aka COMREL); ships often set up a COMREL project during a port visit to foster goodwill with the local community and allow sailors an opportunity to give back (and an alternative to going out and drinking). Our command Chaplain set up a great opportunity to visit the <a href="http://www.sanvincenzoabbey.org/">Abbey of San Vincenzo</a>, a Benedictine Monastery in central <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>We left at 8am with about 20 sailors and had a nice drive through the country and into the hills of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Mainarde</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Mountains</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. As we left, Chaps explained some history of the monastery and I explained a little bit about the Benedictines and the monastic life. </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> As we arrived at the monastery, we were met by two American families stationed in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City> who often visit to help the nuns there, and were then welcomed in by Mother Miriam and Mother Agnes and the two other nuns of the monastery. Much to our surprise, Mother Miriam spoke excellent English, because she is American! We quickly learned the story.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The Abbey was founded in 703 A.D. by three Beneventan monks, who built the monastery on the ruins of a 5<sup>th</sup> century Roman oratory dedicated to the Spanish martyr <st1:place w:st="on">St. Vincent</st1:place>. Within a century, it became one of the largest in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>. In 881, the Saracens attacked the monastery, burning it to the ground and leaving 900 monks dead—the survivors fled to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Capua</st1:place></st1:City>. In 914, the community returned to the site and restored the monastery, and in the 12<sup>th</sup> century, it was moved brick by brick across the nearby river. Napoleonic suppression in the 17<sup>th</sup>-18<sup>th</sup> centuries ceased any further restorations, and in 1942 it was ceded to the Abbey of Montecassino. In 1990, Mother Miriam and Mother Agnes were invited from the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place> to found a community at this site to restore monastic life to this incredibly historic place.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>After the warm introduction and history lesson, we got to work! A few sailors manned the weed-eaters and cleared out a brush area. Another group assisted with hay bailing; another with the herb garden; a few to help sand down and re-stain the siding to a part of the house. The weather was incredible; much cooler up in the mountains compared to the coast! A few of the monastery’s dogs wandered around and served as immediate friends to our sailors. I ended up sitting down with Mother Miriam and having a wonderful talk with her. I shared a bit of my story and she shared hers. She entered the Benedictines at the age of 18 (in the 1950s!), after breaking off an engagement with a fine young man. Religious life had been in her mind and heart, and she finally had to just make a choice. She did, and said she has never looked back, and feels freer than she could have ever dreamed. God is so good to me, to put these events and people in my life! He certainly knows what He is doing. And, it is great to have a new friend in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The day was sadly over too quickly. Our sailors had a great time and loved the opportunity to serve and experience the nuns and the monastery. Mother kept thanking us, assuring us that we were now a part of their history. Beautiful!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>If any of you are interested in the Benedictine way of life, this is a place you want to check out! They also have opportunities for guests to spend a week of retreat, accommodating up to a small family in their guest house. They will also host longer stays for young women who are discerning their next step in life, by entering into the Benedictine life of prayer and work as a means to aid in discernment.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>After getting back to the ship, I was assigned to the shore patrol for the evening. Having my first chance to explore <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City>, I had my last bit of real pizza and enjoyed walking along the waterfront. After all of the crew was accounted for, we headed back to the ship and got some sleep before getting underway and heading back out to sea the next day! Ciao, Italia! Hope to see you again soon.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-35398822476848960892012-08-13T10:46:00.000-05:002012-08-13T10:47:59.434-05:00Italy Day 3: Running through Rome<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Duoisic9TiAaH4WyY7U9USumiKnMyqlliJiENQ7aXdCsb8GbR5qJG6fIAdE29dJwojZtIl_g_z9hYVu4vWXlZTOYCWozW-xi7G2NQOxEHzwceQmB6q_S-PD0VeHwrwMuek0uRQ/s1600/IMG_1562-779435.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Duoisic9TiAaH4WyY7U9USumiKnMyqlliJiENQ7aXdCsb8GbR5qJG6fIAdE29dJwojZtIl_g_z9hYVu4vWXlZTOYCWozW-xi7G2NQOxEHzwceQmB6q_S-PD0VeHwrwMuek0uRQ/s320/IMG_1562-779435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776185039461317410" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Day two in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City> began as my alarm went off at about 7am…after only going to sleep at 3am! My body felt like it got hit by a bus, my feet were still sore as can be, and my blisters were quite red, but I began to stir my friends with phone calls to each of their rooms. We’d intended on getting up early (even knowing it would be tough to do so!) so that we could try to beat the lines to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Vatican</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. After a valiant attempt to get my buddies up, I opened the window to let in some of the light of the day. I heard a mighty “Bongiorno!” of my friend screaming out the window of his room…only in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>? </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>We enjoyed a simple Italian breakfast at the hotel and headed out to The Vatican. Good morning, St. Peter’s Square! By the time we crossed the square, the line was already formed for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Vatican</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, but it moved pretty well. We did our best to be charitable to the nagging tour salesman, who are certainly resilient! I kept looking at the clock, nervous about how long we’d actually have in the museum, because I had two tickets to the Scavi tour (excavations underneath St. Peter’s Basilica). By the time we made it into the museum, I only had about an hour. Sadly, I spent most of that time running (sometimes literally!) to be able to at least catch a glimpse of the Sistine Chapel. Wow, what a sight. I imagined it would be brighter inside, but maybe it just depends on the time of day. As I stood there, looking up and all around, all I could think about was the history of that place, the Cardinals who’d been in this room during so many conclaves, the dwelling of the Holy Spirit here as the Vicar of Christ was chosen. Praise God.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>One of my friends and I scurried along, though, making our way out of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum to get to our Scavi tour, which started at 11:30am. We got to access what seemed like an “exclusive” section of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Vatican City</st1:State></st1:place> (since we had to pass through some of the Swiss Guards!) to wait for the tour to start. Our tour guide was a young American woman from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Alaska</st1:State></st1:place>, and she led us on an incredible tour of the excavations underneath St. Peter’s, which included the ancient necropolis that once stood there, including the burial site of St. Peter. Really stunning, century after century built on top of it, and it is still there. Highly recommend you go on this tour if you go to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Rome</st1:City></st1:place>, but you have to get tickets at least a few days in advance!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>We met back up with the rest of the group and hopped on the Metro to the Coliseum. A few headed inside to take the tour—I was content with taking photos from the outside, as I was determined to make it to Mass at some point during my Rome visit! So a friend and I wandered towards St. John Lateran. Along the way, we unexpectedly stumbled across the Basilica of San Clemente, run by Irish Dominican Friars. I quickly realized that I’d seen the beautiful mosaic above the altar there before—it had been featured in Fr. Robert Barron’s “Catholicism,” in the episode about the Mystical Body of Christ. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Apsis_mosaic_San_Clemente.jpg">mosaic</a> shows an elaborate series of vines and roots expanding out from the base of a crucifix, with different saints pictured at the various ends of the vines. A very cool and random discovery! Anyway, we made it to St. John Lateran, home of the seat of the Bishop of Rome, and made it to the evening daily Mass—in Italiano! Have I mentioned lately that I love being Catholic? I can go anywhere in the world and hear the same Mass readings and experience the same Mass; language is no barrier for the unity of the Mystical Body of Christ! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Hungry to enjoy our last meal in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>, we headed to Piazza Navona (where we originally wanted to go the night before), passing the Pantheon along the way, though it was already closed. The Piazza was packed, and is home to a beautiful fountain, as well as the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">St. Agnes</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>! Sadly, the church was already closed for the day, so I wasn’t able to go inside. Instead, I said a brief prayer outside its gates and explained her story to my friends. Our meal was delicious, of course! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>As we sat there at the restaurant, I kept looking at my watch, and started to get a little nervous about how fast time was going by. We still needed to go back to our hotel near St. Peter’s to get our bags, get to Roma Termini, get on a train back to Naples, and make in on the ship, all by 2am. It was already 8pm and we hadn’t nearly finished our meal. My friends all comforted me, as we sort of recalled seeing the train schedule and believed there to be a train from <st1:City w:st="on">Rome</st1:City> to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City> that left in the 11pm hour. I was frantically searching for the timetables online to confirm that so I could eat the rest of my meal in peace, but couldn’t get anything to load properly, and as time went on, the others began to get nervous too. We finished up the meal and “double timed” it back to the hotel for our bags. After a couple of blocks, we actually started running. Yes, literally running through the streets of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Rome</st1:City></st1:place>. I’d say we ran at least a mile or more. After grabbing our bags, we flagged down two taxis and asked them to rush us to the train station. I felt like I was in a movie of a police chase the way we drove through <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Arriving at Roma Termini around 10:50pm, we ran to the ticket machine only to find out that the next train to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City> wouldn’t be till 5am. Wow. We kept searching, thinking it was just a mistake—it wasn’t. We’d missed the last train. And now we were destined to get into big trouble for not making it back to the ship. Desperate for a new plan, we tried to think of all our options. Bus? Taxi? Could we even make it back in time that way? One of my friends ended up talking to a guy who spoke English and asked about where we were going. We told him we needed to get six people back to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City> by 2am. Well, he gave us his price and we took it. No, these were not taxis or a bus—just two random dudes with cars! Yeah—in hindsight, a little sketchy. We got on the road, split up three in each car. Our drivers didn’t speak English too well. I sat up in the front of my car, praying the rosary the whole time and trying to stay awake, to ensure we really were headed to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City> and not to some random place where who knows what could happen to us! I kept watching time tick by. It looked like we just could maybe make it back by 2am. We’d already called the ship to tell them we had some issues getting back but were doing everything we could to get home on time. We made several stops along the way, as the drivers kept arguing with each other about the best way to get to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City>, which ended up eating a lot of time. Though we arrived safely, we stepped onboard the ship at 2:13am. Late. By thirteen minutes. And yes, we did get in trouble, but not too bad. What was a tense few hours is now a fantastic story!!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Rome</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> adventure complete, but Italian adventure still not over! Stay tuned for Day 4.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-52532128853896734252012-08-10T14:01:00.000-05:002012-08-10T14:02:55.700-05:00Italy Day 2: Rome Sweet Home<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN8HKEyRfJKdA-NH-rksUS7lVB43z753j4ShUoF207grOJfnIWy0K0RbXosHvk5g2ikkAYv6B_QWSsjORjdDctYuK1TAuPuaRsHKIKE0lE4xnrgtV4moWl2iPf2dYlTgjon43SA/s1600/IMG_1509-775701.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN8HKEyRfJKdA-NH-rksUS7lVB43z753j4ShUoF207grOJfnIWy0K0RbXosHvk5g2ikkAYv6B_QWSsjORjdDctYuK1TAuPuaRsHKIKE0lE4xnrgtV4moWl2iPf2dYlTgjon43SA/s320/IMG_1509-775701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5775122018351018082" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>After turning over the duty responsibilities early in the morning, a few of my closest friends on the ship and I headed off to Napoli Centrale train station to start our Roman pilgrimage. We were a bit confused on how to get out tickets and maneuver ourselves at the station, but we finally figured it out and hopped aboard the Frecciarossa Italian fast train, traveling at 300 km/h and getting us to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City> in only 70 min. The beauty of the Italian countryside as we passed by continued to fuel my excitement for finally being in this part of the country. Though I’d been to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region> before, I had been in <st1:City w:st="on">Taranto</st1:City>, far to the south, and never close enough to make this sought-after pilgrimage to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Eternal</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Arriving at Roma Termini, we stopped for a café (a much-needed jolt of caffeine!) and got on the Metro to St. Peter’s Square to get to our hotel. We began walking south, seeing souvenir stores full of religious articles, getting approached by tour salesman left and right, and as we passed through the colonnades, I took in my first real experience of St. Peter’s Square. My heart skipped a beat—I couldn’t believe I was here. I’d spent my life seeing pictures and video of this place, so it felt familiar—but in no way did that prepare me for the reality of actually being there, standing in the Square on a very hot Roman day, taking in a deep breath of awe as I was finally “home.” I looked around and couldn’t even say a word. And this was only the beginning!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Continuing south, we checked into our hotel, a religious guest house run by the Trinitarian Fathers called Casa per Ferie at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Santa Maria</st1:place></st1:City> alle Fornaci. Simple and affordable accommodations for our little group—everything you need and nothing you don’t! We stopped for lunch at a nearby pizza bar and took advantage of the wifi hotspot to announce the beginning of our pilgrimage to dear ones back home. After recharging there (particularly in the air conditioning!) we made our way back to St. Peter’s. Though the line seemed long to get into the Basilica, it moved quickly, and before I knew it, we were stepping into that beautiful place and I was once again in awe. I knew what to expect there, but actually being there is totally different. We moved along the right side—the Pieta. Then was the altar of Blessed John Paul II, where I had my first moment to stop and kneel and pray. <i><span style='font-style:italic'>Blessed John Paul, pray for us, and may the generation you have raised do our part to propose Jesus Christ to the world.</span></i> We continued moving forward and I made a visit to the Adoration Chapel. I entered that sacred space, present there before our Lord here in the heart of The Vatican, and was immediately moved to tears. As they poured from my eyes, they mixed with the sweat covering my face as I held my head in my hands and gave our Lord thanks and praise for the gift of bringing me here. Overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>My particularly memorable visits were before the statue of St. Philip Neri (for you, Fr. Baker!), Blessed John XXIII, <st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place> Peter (yes I rubbed his foot!), St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Helena, a mosaic of St. Thomas Aquinas, the altar of St. Pius X, among so many others. Everybody there is looking up. Vertical worship—the way it is supposed to be! As I made my way through all the niches and nooks of the Basilica, I was moved with the sense of unity and belonging in this One, Holy, Catholic, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Apostolic</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. I was reminded immediately of St. Joan of Arc’s words, when questioned about her faith at her trial: “About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know this: they are one thing, and we shouldn’t complicate the matter.” THIS is what it’s all about—<i><span style='font-style:italic'>tu es Petrus</span></i>—and upon this rock, I will build My Church. Maneuvering to the little gift shop, you pass by the list of the popes dating back to Peter himself—how can you not be moved, even <i><span style='font-style:italic'>convinced</span></i> by that? There’s a great story about Francis Cardinal George, who was pictured with a rather pensive look standing on the loggia of St. Peter’s following the election of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. When asked about this, he responded: <i><span style='font-style:italic'>“I was gazing over toward the Circus Maximus, toward the Palatine Hill where the Roman emperors once resided and reigned and looked down upon the persecutions of Christians, and I thought, ‘Where are their successors? Where is the successor of Caesar Augustus? Where is the successor of Marcus Aurelius? And finally, who cares? But if you want to see the successor of Peter, he is right next to me, smiling and waving at the crowds.’” </span></i>That was the reality of being there in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>, particularly at St. Peter’s Basilica. We went down to the Grotto and then made the pilgrim climb up to the cupola of the Basilica for the breathtaking view of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>. I’ll say, I think going down was scarier than coming up! It was well worth the steps and the sweat. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Exhausted and seeking a treat, we deemed it time for a water and gelato break, which was well-enjoyed by all. Flavor? Tiramisu, of course. The gang was not sure what to do next, now that we’d met our first priority of St. Peter’s, so I mentioned my next priority of going to St. Cecilia at Trastevere. We went by way of the Tiber, first walking down the Via della Conciliazione to Castel San Angelo (great memorial to St. Catherine of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Siena</st1:City></st1:place> near there, by the way!) and then turned right to walk along the river. It was quite a good walk down to the Trastevere neighborhood, but with a pilgrim’s heart, you can do anything. And luckily, my confreres were still fat and happy from our gelato stop. We finally made it to St. Cecilia’s, a beautiful church built on top of the home of that great early virgin martyr Cecilia. Once again, it was another place I’d seen many pictures of, but it was such a different feeling to actually be there. We thankfully made it in right before they were going to close; got to see the main church as well as excavations and the crypt chapel below. I spent some time in prayer before the main altar, which encases that beautiful statue of Cecilia’s martyrdom. I will share with you some of the fruits of my prayer. I’d been bringing some very specific intentions to all the places of this pilgrimage, but particularly here to St. Cecilia. After offering my thanks to the Lord for bringing me here, I asked Cecilia for her prayers, and asked some specific questions to her about my future and what she thought about it all. Her response, resonating deep within my heart, was this: <i><span style='font-style:italic'>I chose martyrdom. What about you? </span></i>I wasn’t planning on sharing that in this medium, but I figure I’m not the only one who needs to hear that great advice. May our hearts be immaculate, and we shall not be confounded. Sancta Caecilia, ora pro nobis!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>The trek back to our hotel was a bit daunting, because I got us lost—okay, maybe just “turned around.” What I thought would be a “more direct route” back towards The Vatican proved to be a bit confusing, as we made our way through neighborhoods and up and back down a huge hill. (I don’t even know what it was called!) Though my temperament was causing me to stress about getting us turned around, my friends were totally at peace and enjoying the journey. It’s not a pilgrimage without things like this! And, as I discovered upon getting back to the hotel, it’s not a pilgrimage without a massive amount of blisters--I think it’s time to retire my old Chacos! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Starving and ready for a nice meal and good wine, one of my friends intended on leading us to Piazza Navona for a dinner spot. We didn’t make it there before our hunger took control, and we stopped at a restaurant called Sangallo in an off-the-beaten-path area, certainly somewhere near Piazza Navona. We went with the 8-course meal, chef’s choice, with wine pairings. Three hours and lots of laughs later, we had full bellies and made our way home. Walking back, we stopped by St. Peter’s Square for the nighttime view—once again, stunning. Blame it on the experiences of the day or blame it on the wine (probably both!), but a protestant among our group began asking some of those questions that you can only start to ask yourself after seeing a place like The Vatican for the first time, as we sat there in the early hours of the new day at St. Peter’s Square. Praise God! We made it back to our hotel and after an amazing shower, fell asleep easily after a day well-lived.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-87779594929967355942012-08-10T07:45:00.000-05:002012-08-10T07:47:08.975-05:00Italy Day 1: On Duty<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu2rFvX4u1HySh6chfr9hojysIrS823Q3wVMs7P3-7jpagJBIFgWEYGf2k39MO-NT3dRcIKfpdWewnGk3N0MtduhlZb0GYmJePB2urV1XltkCJSUU87-qSb_AO30ZGYbc8r2quQ/s1600/IMG_0804-728976.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu2rFvX4u1HySh6chfr9hojysIrS823Q3wVMs7P3-7jpagJBIFgWEYGf2k39MO-NT3dRcIKfpdWewnGk3N0MtduhlZb0GYmJePB2urV1XltkCJSUU87-qSb_AO30ZGYbc8r2quQ/s320/IMG_0804-728976.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5775025177174093362" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I pulled the ship into <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:City> as the Conning Officer, the officer who gives the commands for steering and shiphanding. Normally a position for a very junior new officer, the “deck was stacked” for this particular evolution due to the challenging way we’d be mooring in the Port of Napoli: a <a href="http://www.cruisingworld.com/how-to/seamanship/med-mooring-made-easy">Mediterranean Moor</a>. Normally, we moor the ship alongside a pier, longways, with either the port or starboard side of the ship along the quay wall or pier. In a Mediterranean Moor (you guessed it—common in the <st1:place w:st="on">Mediterranean</st1:place>), the ship’s stern moors to the quay wall or pier and two anchors at the bow keep the bow from swinging. I’d never done it before, but after a good briefing on our plan of action and a little help from two tugs, we moored safely in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>That first day in port I was on duty, preventing me from exploring the little Italian town, so I had to look longingly at the hillside of <st1:City w:st="on">Naples</st1:City>, with Mount Vesuvius in the hazy background, and stayed on the ship making my final preparations for my pilgrimage up to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>. As if my excitement wasn’t consolation enough, some of our fellow officers headed out into town and picked up a few authentic <st1:place w:st="on">Napoli</st1:place> pizzas for our enjoyment. My favorite was the “white pizza” covered in arugula and prosciutto. Delicious--and a taste of what was to come!</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-8338295383239961362012-08-06T07:35:00.000-05:002012-08-06T07:36:15.110-05:00My time in Italy...coming soon!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Though I’m almost still in disbelief that it wasn’t all a dream, I have quite a bit to post about our recent port visit to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>, which included an incredible 48-hour pilgrimage to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City>. Once I can collect my photos and gather my thoughts, I’ll share a taste of some of the graces of my time in the Eternal City!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>And a quote for the day: “I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the Cross than in serving the world and its pleasures.” ~<st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place> John Vianney</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-24747815046307078022012-07-29T08:27:00.000-05:002012-07-29T23:05:52.618-05:00Mass in Spain...sort of!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Our first port stop has come and gone! We made a BSF (brief stop for fuel) in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Rota</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region></st1:place> yesterday. Thanks to the efforts of our awesome command chaplain, he was able to arrange for the local base Catholic chaplain to pay us a visit during the day while we refueled. It was such a joy, and actually unexpected—we’d been having some issues with email and his visit wasn’t confirmed until he showed up on the ship! When the word was passed of his arrival and of when Mass would be, I dropped everything I was doing (quite willingly, mind you) and even got out of a painful weekly meeting that was about to occur. Priorities, people!!! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Fr. Jerome Dillon, CDR, USN, was our visiting priest—he is a diocesan priest from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Omaha</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Nebraska</st1:State></st1:place>, and had been serving as a Navy chaplain for 27 years, getting ready to retire from the Navy. We had a great chat, and I was able to go to confession and then we had Mass. I wish I had brought my camera so you could see what Mass is like on a warship! Father had his “battle chaplain” kit, filled with only the necessary sacristy items to properly say <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mass.</st1:place></st1:State> Simplicity. Needless to say, it was beautiful. To know that our Lord made Himself present, sacramentally, here on this ship, has brought a refreshed attitude to how I can best conquer my moments of feeling down when the environment around here gets the best of me. This place is sanctified, it is holy, just because He came here. Cue David Crowder Band’s The Glory of it All <http://www.lyricsmania.com/the_glory_of_it_all_lyrics_david_crowder_band.html> !<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Other great point of <st1:place w:st="on">Rota</st1:place>—though we didn’t have time for liberty there, we were visited by a Baskin Robbins truck and pizza delivery on the pier. Oh, the little comforts of home! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Finally, in light of being in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I want to share with you a quote that is at the heart of my meditation right now. Tough words, as usual, from my heavenly spiritual director and native Spaniard, Saint Josemaria Escriva: “Here, we don’t bargain with the Lord. The Law of God, the invitation of the Lord, is something you either take or leave, just as it is. You need to make up your mind: go forward, fully decided and without holding back; otherwise, go away.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-74411731746589308552012-07-28T11:31:00.000-05:002012-07-29T21:14:06.193-05:00Mass in Spain...sort of!<div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Our first port stop has come and gone! We made a BSF (brief stop for fuel) in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Rota</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region></st1:place> yesterday. Thanks to the efforts of our awesome command chaplain, he was able to arrange for the local base Catholic chaplain to pay us a visit during the day while we refueled. It was such a joy, and actually unexpected—we’d been having some issues with email and his visit wasn’t confirmed until he showed up on the ship! When the word was passed of his arrival and of when Mass would be, I dropped everything I was doing (quite willingly, mind you) and even got out of a painful weekly meeting that was about to occur. Priorities, people!!! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Fr. Jerome Dillon, CDR, USN, was our visiting priest—he is a diocesan priest from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Omaha</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Nebraska</st1:State></st1:place>, and had been serving as a Navy chaplain for 27 years, getting ready to retire from the Navy. We had a great chat, and I was able to go to confession and then we had Mass. I wish I had brought my camera so you could see what Mass is like on a warship! Father had his “battle chaplain” kit, filled with only the necessary sacristy items to properly say <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mass.</st1:place></st1:State> Simplicity. Needless to say, it was beautiful. To know that our Lord made Himself present, sacramentally, here on this ship, has brought a refreshed attitude to how I can best conquer my moments of feeling down when the environment around here gets the best of me. This place is sanctified, it is holy, just because He came here. Cue David Crowder Band’s <a href="http://www.lyricsmania.com/the_glory_of_it_all_lyrics_david_crowder_band.html">The Glory of it All</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Other great point of <st1:place w:st="on">Rota</st1:place>—though we didn’t have time for liberty there, we were visited by a Baskin Robbins truck and pizza delivery on the pier. Oh, the little comforts of home! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Finally, in light of being in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region></st1:place>, I want to share with you a quote that is at the heart of my meditation right now. Tough words, as usual, from my heavenly spiritual director and native Spaniard, Saint Josemaria Escriva: “Here, we don’t bargain with the Lord. The Law of God, the invitation of the Lord, is something you either take or leave, just as it is. You need to make up your mind: go forward, fully decided and without holding back; otherwise, go away.”</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-84352611110650261482012-07-24T04:40:00.000-05:002012-07-24T17:17:45.463-05:00Live Jesus!<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>“O world! O abominable troop! No, never shall you see me beneath your banner! I have forever abandoned your mad, fruitless ways. King of pride, accursed king, infernal spirit, I renounce you and all your empty pomps! I detest you and all your works. I turn to you, my own Jesus, king of happiness and eternal glory, and I embrace you with all the strength of my soul. I adore you with my whole heart. I choose you to be my King now and forever. By this inviolable act of fidelity I pay you irrevocable homage. I submit myself to your holy laws and ordinances. O holy Virgin, my beloved Lady, I choose you for my guide. I put myself under your direction and offer you particular respect and special reverence. My guardian angel, present me to this assembly. Do not forsake me until I have been enrolled in this blessed company. With them I say and I will say forever in testimony to my choice: Live, Jesus! Live, Jesus!”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>A great prayer and challenge for me as we complete our first week at sea. <st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place> Francis de Sales, pray for us!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-65001248649709448872012-07-22T15:11:00.000-05:002012-07-22T15:12:43.585-05:00Come Away and Rest<div class=Section1> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Today’s gospel gives us some advice that I am in a great position to follow through with. Our Lord tells his apostles, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest for a while.” Then, coincidentally, they all “went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.” Sounds pretty familiar to me!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>There is a great need, particularly in the go-go-go nature of our society, for people to rest. And I mean REALLY rest. I had the great opportunity to take about 16 days of leave before my deployment—the most consecutive leave days I’d ever taken in the Navy, by the way—and I challenged myself to really rest. Usually when I’d make a visit home, I’d sure be resting, but I’d still have the TV on all the time, computer on and music playing throughout the day, etc. Still seemingly busy, still distracted. This time around, I tried not to fall into that trap. Instead, I planned and cooked a meal for my family nearly every night, spent some quality time with my mom and dad, both together and respectively, was able to make it to daily Mass (a rare treat for me!), and spent most afternoons sitting out by the pool in silence (in beautiful 70 degree weather, nonetheless!). Safe to say, it was real rest. Rest for my soul. Not just rest because I was sleeping a full night, not just rest because I was off the ship and away from work, but genuine rest.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I can’t say that what I am doing out here on the high seas is completely restful all the time, because it certainly isn’t. In light of today being a Sunday, I can share that one tradition we try our best to adhere to is to have “holiday routine” on Sundays. If there aren’t any major events or operations going on, we really get to rest: no meetings, no drills, etc, and besides your time to stand watch, you get to have what society would call your “me time,” which I prefer to call “God’s time.” </span></font><font size=2 face=Wingdings><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Today, our first Sunday of deployment, was indeed holiday routine, and has indeed been restful. These restful Sundays will become more and more important and more and more cherished as deployment goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Today’s psalm (from Psalm 23) said, “Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” The seas out here are currently rolling and gentle, not tumultuous at all. And my soul is refreshed today. My prayer is that our seas remain restful, and that our Lord continue to refresh my soul as I answer His call to set out into the deep.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-4208870862549378212012-07-18T16:14:00.001-05:002012-07-18T16:15:00.070-05:00Haze Grey and Underway<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4_PcDi4L5lhK_TOnMojsNd-gfbsLfpMzTUmrYl6yZp6L9Db-Hb1bbTp52UUpEqTOKax243oppM04Z_no6vCInE1PyPLStoeVHQFysuHWbVYsmhovos52GPO2AxX_tvtr7xUlaA/s1600/Mal+Mom+Sailaway-700071.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4_PcDi4L5lhK_TOnMojsNd-gfbsLfpMzTUmrYl6yZp6L9Db-Hb1bbTp52UUpEqTOKax243oppM04Z_no6vCInE1PyPLStoeVHQFysuHWbVYsmhovos52GPO2AxX_tvtr7xUlaA/s320/Mal+Mom+Sailaway-700071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766621092067199058" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Haze grey and underway! Deployment 2012 has begun. The past 48 hours have been ones of great emotion as the crew enjoyed those last moments with their families and those little things we all love about home. It wasn’t until I woke up this morning that it finally hit me that today was the day. A bit of uneasiness as I packed my final things from my house quickly melted away as I stepped onboard and felt the energy of my shipmates and the pulse of a ship ready to do what we’ve been trained to do.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>This morning, the ship was crawling with families. Many former crewmembers that are still in the local area came to the pier to offer their good wishes. It is quite a sight to watch the goodbyes, waves, and tears from the families left on the pier as the last mooring line came on deck and the Boatswain’s Mate announces, “Underway! Shift Colors!” We did our best to keep focus and get the ship safely to sea.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>I’m reflecting this evening on what those words really mean from the Gospel, to set out “into the deep”…duc in altum. What kind of sailor only wants to stay close to their home shores? We’d not consider them a true sailor at all! In the same regard, what kind of Christian only wants to stay in “shallow waters” and live merely “comfortably” in their spiritual lives? God needs Christians who are willing to set out into the deep, just as he directed the apostles at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">lake</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Gennesaret</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>. We may give excuses (like Peter), “We have worked all night and caught nothing!” But beyond our human tendency to doubt, to worry, to fear--we have to, in faith, respond as Peter did, by putting out into the deep and lowering our nets at our Master’s command. What else are we to do? Say “no” to our Lord’s advice?? Just as I desire to be a true sailor by proving my seamanship and setting out into deep waters, I desire even more to be a true Christian by proving my faith in His word, trusting despite my hesitations. Discomfort? Difficulties? Unclear future? Bring it. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Our generation is being asked to set out into deep waters, deeper than ever before. The waters are uncharted and are most certainly in harm’s way, with persecutions essentially promised to us. Luckily, our ship is the fastest and best on the seas. With the Church as our ship, the Body of Christ as her crew, led by the Bishops as our officers, commanded by the Holy Father, our Captain, we can carry out the mission of God’s kingdom to propose Jesus Christ to a world greatly in need of hope. Time to get underway. Don’t be the one left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>“I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go into harm’s way.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>~John Paul Jones, 1778<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-70727145042542393172012-07-17T16:42:00.001-05:002012-07-17T16:42:30.801-05:00Test Blog via EmailJust testing this great feature of posting a blog via email. This will work wonders when I face the bandwidth battle at sea!OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-20151183660822954392012-07-01T23:26:00.002-05:002012-07-01T23:32:14.098-05:00Lament<i>I'm Mary and I'm Martha all at the same tim</i><i style="background-color: white;">e</i><br />
<i>I'm sitting at His feet and I'm dying to be recognized</i><br />
<i>I am the picture of contentment and I am dissatisfied</i><br />
<i>Why is it easy to work but hard to rest sometimes</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>I'm restless and I rustle like a thousand tall trees</i><br />
<i>I'm twisted and I'm turning in an endless daydream</i><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>You wrestle me at night and I wake in search of You</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Try as I might, but I just can't catch You, but I want to</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Cause I need You, yeah I need You, I can't catch You, but I want to</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Oh how long, how long until I'm home</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Cause I'm so tired, so tired of running</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Oh how long, until You come for me</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Cause I'm so tired, so tired of running</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzeAQE1I3L8&feature=related">Audrey Assad - Lament</a><br />
<br />
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-25235619221127624692011-11-16T20:09:00.000-06:002011-11-16T20:10:13.325-06:00In Awe of the Father<a href="http://mysteriumonline.com/2011/11/16/ave-maris-stella/">My latest post</a> over at Mysterium. Enjoy!OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-26909533517411238372011-10-15T12:53:00.004-05:002011-10-16T20:26:57.464-05:00Desiring ExcellenceIt seems as though the focus of my life on the ship, particularly as an officer, is correcting deficiencies. Our days are spent preparing for the next inspection, the next assessment, or the next certification. Since we are to always be inspection-ready and combat-ready, we are taught to maintain a critical eye, especially of our own ship/spaces/sailors. These self-assessments come in the smallest of ways, like in passing a sailor in the passageway and giving their uniform a once-over for sharpness; or in the big ways, like in preparing a ship for its deployment readiness certification.<br /><br />We are taught that there is a standard, and that the standard must be enforced. So, each time you pass by a sailor who needs a haircut, a firehose stowed improperly, a passageway that has not been swept for days, etc, and do not do something to correct the deficiency, you are failing to enforce the standard. So what should you do? You stop the sailor and remind him to get a haircut. You report to the division responsible that their firehose needs to be restowed or their passageway needs to be swept. Then, the most important part. You go back and verify that the deficiency was actually corrected. It's not enough to just report it and "pass the buck." Some of the best words of advice for a young officer are those of the great President Ronald Reagan: "trust but verify."<br /><br />I feel like I spend way too much of my time correcting deficiencies. Don't get me wrong--I know there will always be deficiencies to correct, but how do you move from the place of constantly pinging on people get their work done and be mindful of the details to getting them to actually take ownership of their equipment, their spaces, their responsibilities, so that I have less "deficiency correcting" to do? How do I inspire a sailor to do what they are supposed to do, not because they fear my watchful eye, but because they want to be excellent? And should I find a deficiency, that they be upset for not catching it themselves and desire to quickly correct it? How do we get to that point?<br /><br />I will certainly spend my career, and beyond, figuring that one out. Until then, I try to instill in my sailors a desire to be excellent and to do the right thing simply by trying to be excellent and do the right thing myself. It's a challenge. But I don't quite know of any other way to do it than lead by example and hope that they will follow. Why settle for being great when you could be excellent?OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-32797521982300733412011-10-12T08:42:00.002-05:002011-10-12T09:02:44.620-05:00Where Truth and Beauty MeetI'm happy to have just had my first blog post published on Mysterium's blog, "Where Truth and Beauty Meet to Transform Culture." <a href="http://mysteriumonline.com/2011/10/12/truth-is-a-person/">Check it out!</a> <br /><br />Mysterium is home to such projects as the band Marian Grace, the prayer book Oratio, and a movement in the Church to transform the culture from within. Our faith does not have to be seperate from our existence in the culture that we find ourselves in--in fact, our practice of deeply living our Catholic faith from while experiencing the culture is what will ultimately transform it. There is nothing more attractive than someone truly trying to live out their faith, right among the ordinary things of life; in fact, I'd consider that to be the starting point of evangelization.OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-25098457873090274192011-08-16T18:50:00.004-05:002011-08-16T19:40:55.011-05:00His eye is on the sparrowThis has definitely been "the summer of Audrey Assad," at least when it comes to what has been most frequently enjoyed on my iPod! (haha, no rhyme intended) Her latest album, "The House You're Building," has been a staple in my life these past couple months. I started listening to it in its fullness around March and kept it on throughout the summer. Its songs have expressed the realities of my heart through what has been the most unexpectedly formative period in my life.
<br />
<br />A song she has yet to release, but can be heard in her concerts and captured in some recordings online, is called "Sparrow." You can listen to it <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/component/content/article/215-performances/24701-audrey-assad-sparrow">here</a>. The lyrics follow.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Why should I be lonely, long for heaven and home
<br />When Jesus is my portion and a constant Friend I know
<br />
<br />I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free
<br />For His eye is on the sparrow, His eye is on the sparrow
<br />And I know He's watching me
<br />
<br />Why should I be troubled when His tender word I hear
<br />I rest on His goodness in my doubt and in my fear</span>
<br />
<br />It's hard to imagine life as a little sparrow. These tiny birds eat seeds, fly around, and live a seemingly meaningless existence. But their voice, their song, is beautiful and precious to God, their Creator. If God could so esteem a sparrow as to keep His eye on him, how much more does He esteem and keep guard over us? Why should we be lonely or troubled?
<br />
<br />Rest on the goodness of the Lord.OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-76458053638054504432011-07-26T18:54:00.005-05:002011-07-27T19:37:53.192-05:00For All My Life...Pale Ale<div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>This past Monday was the Final Profession for the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia in Nashville, and one of my dear friends professed her final vows! Amazing! I've known her for over four years now, and I'd gotten to spend many moments with her during the past six months in particular, leading up to this beautiful day. It has been a grace to get to witness those final months before she professed her vows to the Lord "for all my life." I sadly was not able to be there in Nashville to witness it in person, but very dearly held to my heart the words of Saint John Vianney, that "Miles melt before the tabernacle!"</div>
<br /><div>I don't think I've blogged about it before, but upon returning home from my deployment, I got into homebrewing. That's right, brewing my own beer! It's a perfect combination of my love for cooking, for science, and for delicious craft beer! :-) I thought there would be no way more appropriate to celebrate and commemorate my dear friend making her final vows than to brew a commemorative beer in honor of her and her Sisters on this special occasion. The recipe I used is a clone of my favorite craft beer, Magic Hat #9, a pale ale with a hint of apricot. If I could only drink one beer for the rest of my life, it would be that one. So in light of that fact, and in honor of those words that my friend and her Sisters professed on Monday, I've named the brew "For-All-My-Life Pale Ale." It will be ready in four weeks--I'll let you know how it turns out!</div></div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFbWRwPWFLmi90d-q2G8o9LB8dzHdg7X-2B3HW3EpCKOvbl1KreVUH26HdQXuH2iLX7KFIvS9rPDs4hauZ6Dwx-p1sqjOYOByjqduvwQHO29DNZPodZtNdGgFxw5wIBiahid6og/s1600/IMG_1264.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFbWRwPWFLmi90d-q2G8o9LB8dzHdg7X-2B3HW3EpCKOvbl1KreVUH26HdQXuH2iLX7KFIvS9rPDs4hauZ6Dwx-p1sqjOYOByjqduvwQHO29DNZPodZtNdGgFxw5wIBiahid6og/s320/IMG_1264.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634194415331689682" /></a>I enjoyed a Magic Hat #9 while brewing...so hopefully it will end up tasting like this! I used a frosty pint glass from Southend Brewery in Charleston, SC--hometown of my dear friend who made her final vows!<div>
<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7ae-MHpUMqXunYAKz2dAWeRjY85dATufRdwLxwP4WPRKmmUFLhXVcHXfQ1sp9ygTV_ZDr_g5cHe8RsyScSdJHWWzQ0JFUKWZmGNue0nbi9kV1fZOmZKyLDZUjcI5WXoWy4hJhA/s1600/IMG_1265.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7ae-MHpUMqXunYAKz2dAWeRjY85dATufRdwLxwP4WPRKmmUFLhXVcHXfQ1sp9ygTV_ZDr_g5cHe8RsyScSdJHWWzQ0JFUKWZmGNue0nbi9kV1fZOmZKyLDZUjcI5WXoWy4hJhA/s320/IMG_1265.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634194411177851010" /></a></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>Fermentation in progress, with previous homebrews in the background!!</div></div></div>OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-38946854149907389692011-07-16T09:54:00.002-05:002011-07-16T10:08:52.109-05:00The Next Step<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Woe to me if I should prove myself</i></div><span style="font-style:italic;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but a halfhearted soldier</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in the service of </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>my thorn-crowned Captain.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Saint Fidelis of Sigmarigen</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Yesterday, I completed my temporary duty assignment and returned back to my ship to start my second tour, my next two years onboard. It was a big step, with much more significance than simply checking back in and getting my orders stamped! </div><div><br /></div><div>The opportunity God has given me to return to the same ship for my second tour is truly a blessing. It was an offer that I first rejected--and it took a second opportunity and a blatantly clear manifestation of God's will for me to accept; but all in God's planning, I suppose! I am so renewed and refreshed thanks to the time I was able to spend away from the ship, and am ready to return and continue the good work that God has already begun onboard, particularly in the hearts of my shipmates.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know my excitement and positive attitude is at the risk of being quickly subdued as I report back and am reminded of the rigors of sea duty and shipboard life. But my confidence rests in God alone, and not in myself--for surely nothing would be accomplished if it was only up to me and my weak heart! </div><div><br /></div><div>I was blessed to receive a text of the quote above this morning from a dear one. It couldn't have come at a better time. This will be the motto I take with me as I embark upon the next two years--may I never be halfhearted! Please pray for me and for my ship, that God may be glorified here.</div>OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-91281714051789996742011-06-26T20:20:00.002-05:002011-06-26T20:31:34.256-05:00Never Far From Home"O precious and wonderful banquet, that brings us salvation and contains all sweetness! Could anything be of more intrinsic value? What could be more wonderful than this? No other sacrament has greater healing power; through it sins are purged away, virtues are increased, and the soul is enriched with an abundance of every spiritual gift. Yet, in the end, no one can fully express the sweetness of this sacrament, in which spiritual delight is tasted at its very source, and in which we renew the memory of that surpassing love for which Christ revealed in His passion."<br /><br />~Saint Thomas Aquinas, O.P.<br /><br /><br />Happy solemnity of Corpus Christi! I have particular affection for this feast day, because discovering our Lord's true presence in the Eucharist was the instrument of my "reversion" to the Catholic faith.<br /><br />Growing up Catholic, and always going through sacramental formation in my various parishes, I always knew the Eucharist was special--that there was some great significance to our Communion, and that it wasn't just like other churches and their partaking of the Lord's Supper. But I didn't really know what that meant. I didn't really know much more than that it was special and significant.<br /><br />I first truly recognized our Lord, in His Eucharistic presence, during my confirmation retreat in 10th grade, and He then reinforced the reality of His presence the following summer at the Steubenville South Youth Conference in Alexandria, LA. Unfortunately, my lack of spiritual maturity, and lack of involvement in a youth group community led me to quickly forget the reality I had so beautifully experienced during those times. But major seeds were planted.<br /><br />It took getting to a really low and lost point in my life to realize that what I was searching for the whole time was Him--I was off trying to fill that void in my life, that desire for Jesus, with anything but Him. It took a random retreat I hastily attended at the last minute, a few months before my graduation from high school, for God to allow me another opportunity to meet Him, face to face, in the Most Blessed Sacrament. And there He came. So simply, so humbly, so beautifully. For me. Right in front of me. Despite my failings. Despite running away from Him. He was still there. And always has been! <br /><br />My entire life changed after that point. I mean, if you REALLY believe in the Real Presence, it should change everything about your life! As Saint Augustine commented--normally, our bodies receive food, in order for us to take that food and turn it into ourselves. But in receiving the Eucharist, we receive the Bread of Angels in order to become what we consume--Jesus, in His fullness. <br /><br />As I sometimes tell my Protestant friends--when Jesus told His disciples that He would be with them even until the end of time, or when He took bread wine at the Last Supper and said "this is My Body, this is My Blood, do this in remembrance of Me"...do you think He was only kidding?! He wasn't! <br /><br />The universality of the Eucharist has been particularly beautiful for me during my various travels in the Navy. Anywhere we went in the world, any port we visited, in any country, I knew I could find a Catholic church. And no matter the language, no matter the local customs, no matter what--Jesus would be there, fully, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in His Eucharistic presence. With that reality, I was never far from home. I was at home in every place I visited, all around the world, whenever I was sitting before the tabernacle. <br /><br />Thank you Lord, for remaining with us. May we become what we eat, and through that reality, transform our world.<br /><br />OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-58404669969751619042011-06-20T06:34:00.001-05:002011-06-20T06:34:14.359-05:00My first deer.Had an unbelievable weekend in Charleston--that will have to be a whole post in itself sometime soon! Got back safely to Virginia yesterday, but not without incident--I hit a deer, at night on a country road! Yikes! It was a little traumatizing, but I am ok. My car is banged up. All I know is that it could have been much worse. So I'm saying some prayers of thanksgiving for my guardian angel today! You should do the same for yours!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/20/726.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/20/s_726.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Watch out for deer!<br />OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-90941306487009829112011-06-15T21:08:00.002-05:002011-06-15T21:14:49.865-05:00Mid-Week PilgrimageI am currently on a temporary assignment at a base a couple hours north of Norfolk. We got out of our class very early today after an exam, so I decided to go on a little pilgrimage! <br /><br />First stop, St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Chapel Point, Maryland, founded in 1641 by the Jesuits. It is the oldest continuously active parish in the United States. <br /><br />The property overlooks the Potomac River. It was a beautiful, clear, mild day today!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/15/4257.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/15/s_4257.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Can you believe it? Since 1641!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/15/4258.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/15/s_4258.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Inside the church, with a beautiful painting of Saint Ignatius of Loyola behind the altar.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/15/4259.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/15/s_4259.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Next stop was the Carmelite Monastery of Port Tobacco, Maryland. Founded in 1790, this was the first Carmelite Monastery in the United States, and is still a thriving monastery today! It was very peaceful and quiet, nestled in the woods and rolling hills.<br /><br />From inside their old monastery, which is now a little museum, commemorating the way things were for the four original foundresses.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/15/4261.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/15/s_4261.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Inside the chapel. Very simple, and very Carmelite!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/15/4263.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/15/s_4263.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />There are quite a few new parts to the monastery, including a lovely gift shop, a garden, a vast "front door," and this beautiful statue of Our Lady holding the Child Jesus.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/15/4265.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/15/s_4265.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Last stop was the "First Landing," the site where the first English Catholics came ashore to the colonies, seeking religious freedom. They sailed on two ships, the ARK and the DOVE, and encountered many troubles along the journey, but made it to the shores of the colonies on a little island they named Saint Clement's Island, standing in the Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland. They landed here on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1634. On that day, and at this place, the very first Mass was celebrated in the colonies. Awesome!<br /><br />The island in the background is St. Clement's Island. The settlers were not sure how the Native Americans would react to their arrival, so they first landed on the island instead of the mainland. One of the priests in the group, Father Andrew White, S.J., wasted no time for evangelization and rowed over to the mainland the very next day, bringing Christ to the Natives. Talk about a priest who was living in the spirit of his founder!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/15/4267.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/15/s_4267.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />It was a great day. I loved the opportunity to go on pilgrimage to see my American Catholic roots! It's easy to forget that we don't have to go very far to make a pilgrimage. We have so much history right in our backyards!<br /><br />OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14635201.post-31042569159670797042011-06-03T18:42:00.003-05:002011-06-03T19:14:10.068-05:00Gray HairAs most of you know, I spent most of last year on deployment--seven months at sea. Halfway around the world and back, and many places in between. Life at sea is very simple. It is very ordered. As a holy priest friend always would remind me, "If you take care of order, order will take care of you." Upon returning from deployment, I realized just how much I loved the order of my life at sea! It was definitely "sensory overload" when it got home, and it took a few weeks to adjust. I think it has taken me till now (5 months since returning home, mind you) to figure out how to restore order to my life amidst a culture that is very anti-order. <br /><br />One of the other things I discovered upon returning home is that I have gray hair. Not just a single gray hair, or a few gray hairs scattered about, but legitimate "clumps" of gray hair! In several places! Now, before you accuse me of vanity and offer me a verse from Ecclesiastes to comfort me, allow me a few moments to offer a rant. Gray hair?!? Sure, I'm in my mid-twenties, and getting older, but gray hair?! Really?? Of course this has been the most delightful opportunity for my mom to suggest that now I finally need to go get my hair highlighted (haha, doubtful). <br /><br />So now, I am trying to figure out: what caused my gray hair? Seven months of stressful yet ordered life at sea, or five months of struggling to adjust back to the world and achieve order once again? I don't know. I only discovered it in early March of this year, so who knows. I don't even know how you get gray hair. Don't worry, I'm not so worried or obsessed that I've been WebMD-ing gray hair growth or anything, but it is a curious thing as to how it came about.<br /><br />At the very least, I will look with a little sense of affection to those gray hairs. Even if it is just an old wives tale, I'll take it if it means I have grown somewhat in wisdom. As we look towards the Solemnity of Pentecost (novena starts today!) may we never cease to be open to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially wisdom! Even if it brings with it a few gray hairs. :-)OP Wannabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828895647910068918noreply@blogger.com2