Pompeii

Hi,
God's blessings to all of you back home as you enter the season of Autumn. I miss the colors of this season, but I am not complaining. I also miss the parish dinners and other events.
I am still seeing much of Italy and attending class at the North American College.
Last weekend, I toured Pompeii, the Roman city of 20,000 people that was buried under 25 feet of ash from the Mt. Vesuvius volcanic eruption in 79 AD. One forth of the city still has not been excavated. I have attached some pictures of the ruins of the city, some paintings on streets. So far, 3000 bodies have been found in the ruins of Pompeii, a number that had to effect all of the Roman empire. I cannot imagine the devastation for the area where nine cites were destroyed. It reminds me of the fragility of life.
This week in class we are studying the lessons of Paul in the Bible. It gives me more understanding of his person and message.
Peace to all at home. Enjoy the season.
Fr. Pete

Catacombs of Priscilla

Hi,
I went to the Roman Catacombs today. In this catacomb named after Priscilla, there we Christians paintings from the second and third centuries. One painting in the oldest image we have of Mary. She is holding the infant Jesus. This image below is from the 2nd century. Many people were buried in the catacombs. During times of persecution, they sometimes prayed and offered mass in chapels in the catacombs.
Some of the early martyrs were buried here. It makes me consider what my faith means to me. Would I die for Jesus?
Have a great day,
Fr. Pete

The New Roman Missal

Hi,
I hope you are all well. These days I find myself missing you and I thinking about you often. I cannot believe that my sabbatical is almost half over. It has been very enriching and challenging.
This week, Msgr. Jim Moroney, a consultant to the Pope and the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome, is presenting to us the changes in the New Roman Missal that take effect in December, 2011. This has been very helpful for me. I can now understand the reason for the changes and I have a better idea of how to implement them in our parishes. I also see how this can be beneficial for us. Most of the changes are in the words we use. There are no dramatic changes. I will have much to share when I return to MN.
I am so glad to hear positive reports about Fr. Ernster. I am sure that you are good for him also.
I loaded some pictures from Venice. I spent last weekend there. It is such a lovely city and more interesting than I expected. What a gift it is to me to have my weekends free.
Blessings to all of you,
Fr Pete

Joy

Hi,
I have been in class at the program for priests at the North American College. This weeks topic was the "kingdom of God". One of the marks of the kingdom is joy. Joy is mentioned 352 times in the Bible. It cannot be forced but is a result of allowing Jesus in our lives. This made me wonder about how much joy I show and about how much joy is expressed in our parishes.
A painting that expresses joy to me is the Michelangelo's creation of man in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. I am reminded of the gift of life as well as the gift of God's life given to us. This challenges me to continue to ponder the joy given in acccepting these gifts.
Have a wonderful day,
Fr. Pete

Temples of God

Hello to all,
I hope you are healthy and well. I still think of you every day. I said mass at St. Peter's last Sunday for all of you.
I have been kept busy seeing Rome and studying. Last Saturday I went to Monte Cassino, the monastery of St. Benedict. It was destroyed in WW II by allied bombing and rebuilt after the war.
Today I visited St. John Lateran Basilica. This is the popes church since he is the bishop of Rome. It is a huge church built on the foundations of the original church built by Constantine in the fourth century. In such a church I could be aware of God's presence and the mystery of God who is far beyond us and yet with us.
I was more aware of how God is present in each human being. We uphold life as so precious because we are the temple of God - the Church of God. Even when these grand church buildings are gone, we are still the temple of God. I can see this in myself and others. We celebrate life and faith today.
Fr Pete

Pray

Hi,
I hope you are all well. I still think of you and pray for you, especially as I visit the churches of Rome. The churches tell of the history of the Church, especially of the saints and martyrs. They are all such magnificent buildings. I am moved by these churches, yet the site that move me the most was a statue of St. Anthony in the Church of Santa Maria in Trastrevere. Around the statue were the written petitions of people. Notice in the picture the piles of notes all around. It spoke to me about how we all have something to pray about - so many concerns and needs in the world. God hears all our concerns, of which only God can do. We need a way to communicate with God - even in notes of petition. So I pray for all our concerns today - and ask you to do the same.
Peace,
Fr Pete

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