Vocation

Hi,
I am in Rome for the next three months at the Institute for Continuing Theological Education. This is a program developed for priests to be renewed and to update their theology. There are a total of 34 priests attending from the US, Canada, Australia and the Solomon Islands. My room has a balcony which overlooks a quiet street and St. Peter's Church at the Vatican. I have attached a picture of the view. In between sessions and classes, I can sit here and ponder life.
My thoughts today have to do with vocation. I sometimes think that this vocation to the priesthood is my vocation. Really it is God's vocation. I am just called to follow him and to do his will. God is the one in charge, not me. Over the years as a priest I have become more aware of God's work and his call. I often feel like I am called to follow him more deeply.
Peace and health to all of you,
Fr. Pete

Churches in Europe

Hi,
I hope all is well at home. I think of you and I keep you in my prayers.
I have taken a few days traveling to places like Carthage, Palermo and Naples (Mount Vesuvius). I am showing a picture of a the Montserrat Monastery in the mountains by Barcelona. I also have attached a video of the Cathedral at Monreale in Sicily that was built in the 12th century by the Normans.
I am amazed at all the marvelous churches in Europe. Almost every city seems to have magnificent churches, each with it's own history. It tells of the importance of faith in peoples lives through the centuries. I am reminded of the need for faith in the present age. We also need to know God and express our our own faith.
Fr Pete

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.