Rimini, Italy International Conference

I spent this week at an International Conference at Rimini, Italy which is on the Adriatic Sea. It was sponsored by the Communion and Liberation movement, a Catholic movement which has members in our Diocese.
Close to a million people attended from seventy nations. The topic was "That nature which pushes us to desire great things is the heart" which put the focus on our desire to do great things. I was edified by this conference. Most of the attendees were young: teens, 20's and 30's and the majority were from Italy. I was given such hope in the young. Those at the conference had such a desire to know God. They were most helpful and the creation of the exhibitions was done by college students.
I hope you are well. I am in Rome for a few days and will update you from there. I was blessed to be able to say mass this weekend at St. Peter's (at a side altar).
Fr. Pete

Edingurgh and Scotland

Hi,
I spent the past few days in Scotland with my friends Fr. John Kunz and Fr. Jim Zimmer. Edinburgh is an interesting city with its castle and history. Also Scotland has such an interesting history with so many past battles and struggles. We do not have that sense of centuries of history. There are many castles and huge churches. There is a mix of Catholics and Protestants as in America. The people are very friendly and hospitable. They love sharing their heritage. What I most enjoyed in this part of my trip was visiting with the people. The pictures are 1. Men playing a traditional song at a music festival. 2. Panorama from the Edinburgh Castle. 3. I really am having a good time. 4. Loch Ness. Sorry, no monster in picture. 5. The Highlands.
I am still thinking about you and praying for you.
Fr Pete
Now in Rimini Italy attending an international conference.

Retreat at Nunraw

Hi,
I had a few days of retreat at Nunraw, a Trappist monastery close to Edingurgh. I received what I needed even though I wondered what I was getting into when I arrived a this isolated spot. There were also a number of young people there on retreat from Scotland and other countries. I was inspired by their faith.
The website for this abbey is nunraw.com and there is a an interesting You Tube video at youtube.com/watch?v=7yBFzUx2DEY&feature=related
Now onto Edinburgh and Scotland with a couple of friends.
Peace,
Fr Pete

England

Hi,
I spent three days in England touring castles and Cathedrals. The largest cathedrals were in Liverpool, Rippen and York. The video is of the York Chester Cathedral. This is the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe. The building which began in 1220 AD took many decades.
Blessings to you back home. Tomorrow I take a train to Edinburgh, Scotland. I will be on retreat for a few days at a Trappist Monastery.
Fr Pete 8-12-10

Iceland and Reykjavik

Hi,
I had two days in Iceland. It is a country of about 300,000 people. Two thirds live in the capital city of Reykjavik, a lovely city with friendly people. They speak their own language comparable to the Viking language. They also know English.
The national religion of Iceland is Lutheran. This picture is their national church. There are some Catholics in Iceland - about 2% of the population. That's about 6000 people. There are six diocesan priests in the whole country. It encompasses one diocese. Don't worry. I am not going to join them.


I did get around some of Iceland. It is a rugged land of volcanic rock with earthquakes, volcanoes glaciers and waterfalls.



It also has geysers and hot springs. The county of heated from the heat in the earth and it is converted into electricity.



I hear that it is hot in Minnesota. I think that I left at the right time.
Just know that I am thinking of you and praying for you.
Fr. Pete
On to England and Scotland.