Jesus 'Saves'.....I failed to do so.....

Greetings to all....

Sorry for not corresponding this past week. Right after I sent my message last Sunday, my computer made this noise, similar to a 'bad telephone connection.' Immediately, all 'systems shut down' and "Houston" had a problem!!! My hard drive died. Throughout this journey I downloaded pictures from my camera to the computer. I brought with me 'disks' to copy these pictures again...but, I kept putting it off, thinking I would do it while in Rome or at this Retreat Center. It did not happen, and possibly all my pictures are missing in action! My computer is now in the hands of IT experts. We will 'see' if the data can be retrieved. Such is life....no one to blame except myself. I can't help but thinking that this happen because God is 'saving' many of you from boredom in having to endure looking through 4,000+ pictures!

The week in Rome was wonderful...a tad rainy....my first real rain since I left the US in August, so I cannot complain. At the Holy Father's audience, I got a pretty good close-up picture of him passing by where I was stanidng. [I can't download it on this computer.] I went to Assisi on Friday. That is always an inspiring place!

All is well here in Florida. The retreat center is nice, quiet and peaceful. Hurricane "Ida" has brought winds, but the skies are more sunny than cloudy. I am currently reading the Hidden Face of St. Theresa....she talks alot about Jesus falling asleep on her, but she hangs in and doesn't give up, because she knows He can't sleep forever! I like that thought!

Peace to all....in my prayers.
Fr. Steve

Greetings from Rome

An 'All Saints' Greeting to you....

It is another glorious day here in Rome! The place I am staying is within eyesight of St. John Lateran Church, which is the official parish church of the Pope. I am also within minutes of a walk to Santa Croce Church which was the original palace of St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, who brought many precious relics from the Holy Land to Rome. Among these are a piece of the "True Cross, a nail that was used on Jesus, a finger from St. Thomas and a staircase that Jesus walked."

I have visited the Church of St. Paul which contains the tomb in which he is buried, plus the chains that held him.

Yesterday, I took made a day-trip to Padre Pio's tomb, about a 4-hour trip from Rome.

Everything continues to be inspiring.

Know that on this All Saints' and All Souls' Days I am remembering all those who have gone before us, especially in this last year.

Peace and prayers.

Fr. Steve

Happy St. Jude Day--A Day Later

Greetings to all....

I am finally able to connect.... I am leaving Istanbul this morning for Rome. It is difficult to put into a summary all that I have seen. After Ephesus, we traveled up the coast of Turkey to the ancient city of Troy and then to Gallipoli [a place similar to the Normany coast for the British/Australians in WW I]. From there we returned to Istanbul and visited Hagia Sophia, which is a church built first in the 5th century. It then was turned into a Mosque and now is a museum. There are still some mosaics of Jesus, Our Lady and St. John the Baptist. Amazing.....

I hope that all at St. Jude celebrated their 'feast day' yesterday. Know that I was thinking of you throughout the day!

Peace....as the journey continues to the final steps of St. Paul.

Fr. Steve

St. Philip & Mary's House

Greetings again from Turkey....

Today we visited Pamukkale, which is a place of glistening pools and casades. The name of the place means 'Cotton Castle' which is a great description of its fantastic white limestone terraces. It also borders the Roman Hierpolis, where St. Philip, the Apostle, was martryed.

From there we drove to Ephesus to visit the place we believe that Mary lived in the last years of her life, being taken there by the Apostle, John.

Tomorrow, we will visit the ancient city of Ephesus....a city that was the 'place to be' in the times of Jesus. It had over 250,000 citizens and all the luxuries of the day.

Peace and prayers,

Fr. Steve

P.S. I will send pictures later. The hotel's internet here is not letting me download images. Sorry....

666

Greetings to all....

Life is full of surprises.... We are in Antalya, near the ancient city of Perga, which is mentioned in the Scriptures in the New Testament as a place St. Paul visited. When we got to our hotel, my room number was '666'....the number in the Book of Revelation for the 'evil one!!!' The people on the tour with me thought this was 'too funny.'

Here is one of the pictures from Perga. The museum in this city has worlds of statues and other artifacts from the city. Another amazing site!

Peace,

Fr. Steve

Another Awesome Day

Greetings from Cappadocia....

Yesterday, the day was spent visiting ancient caves where early Christians lived. Their 'homes' were carved out of volcanic rock going back to something like 5 million years ago. It compares in a way to Meteora in Greece. We also visited an underground 'city' ....going down nearly 150 feet where Christians hid during the Roman persecution times. Hopefully, the pictures will tell the story....

Peace and prayers,

Fr. Steve

Turkey

Greetings from Turkey!

I arrived in Turkey last Thursday. On Friday, I began a tour that left Istanbul and continued into the eastern area of the country. I knew from the map that that is a BIG country and it is! In this area you drive for hours with little in between except for mostly wheat farm land. One of our first stops was at Nicea where two Church councils took place...one in 325 and the other in 387. The results are the Creed that we say each weekend. I am sending a picture of a fresco that goes back to that time. I hope you will be able to see the face of Christ in it. It is amazing!

I also visited the site of the tomb of Midas....the one with the 'golden touch.' I am sending a picture of the tomb and his head...if I can download it.

I visited Ankara on Saturday and Sunday morning, meeting up with a family that I know that works in the American Embassy. It was great meeing up with familiar faces in this part of the world.

Today, we are in Cappadocia, where some of the first Christians lived. It is an amazing place. I will send pictures.....

Know that you are not forgotten!

Peace and prayers.

Fr. Steve

Greece

Greetings to all...

This is my last day in Greece. Since I last checked in, I have visited the Island of Patmos, where St. John received the vision for the Book of Revelation. I then touched base in Ephesus where St. Paul lived for a while and spoke to the people there. We had Mass in the area that is believed to be the place where St. John and the Mary, the Mother of Jesus lived. The time there was too short, but a great experience. Thanks are given to a Francisan Priest that made it possible to have Mass.

The for the last 2 1/2 days, I have been on the Island of Santorini. It is a beautiful place...I need to come back here for 'retreat!'

Tomorrow, I am off to Istanbul to begin my Turkey excursion.

God is good...life is wonderful.

Take care and know that you are remembered!

Fr. Steve

Meteora--Athens--Corinth

Greetings from Greece....

It has been a full week....tomorrow, we begin a 3-day cruise going to Ephesus and Patmos, among other places. Ephesus is where St. Paul wrote many of his letters. Patmos is the Greek Island where St. John probably wrote the Book of Revelation.

This week we have travel the land of Greece....going to ancient monasteries, coming to Athens where St. Paul spoke and then on to Corinth, where Paul lived for 1 1/2 years. The pictures here are of one of the monasteries we visited, plus Athens and Corinth.

The weather continues to be quite warm....and very beautiful. God is good!!!

Peace,

Fr. Steve

Phillipi

Greetings from Greece,

Today, we travel to the ancient city of Phillipi...one of the first cities that St. Paul preached to in Greece. It was here that he baptized Lydia, the first European Christian. In the picture you see, we had Mass. The small round table to the right is where the altar was. A great experience.

The other two pictures concern Paul & Silas. The one with the steps is where Paul & Silas were flogged in front of the community/town square of Phillipi. The other one is the prison in which they were held.

Tomorrow, after Mass, we are off to Kalambaka and the Meteora Monasteries [monasteries, litterly perched on the top of a moutain]....can't wait!

Hope everyone has had a good Sunday...and that the Colts will win!

Peace,

Fr. Steve

Greetings from Thessaloniki

Hi to all....on this October Festival Day!

First off....thanks to the Men's & Women's Clubs for all their efforts on this evening's event. Know that I am thinking of you and am grateful for all the work that you are doing to serve our families and celebrate our parish life!

I arrived in Greece yesterday evening. Tomorrow, the tour I am on officially begins. Today, I walked a good deal of the center of the city. St. Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians is the shortest of St. Paul's letters. For whatever reason [without any research], I always 'assumed' that since this letter was so short, the city must be 'small.' Once again, I proved to myself that I was not an 'A' student!!! Thessaloniki is the 2nd largest city in Greece, next to Athens. I imagine that back in St. Paul's day, it was also pretty major. I certainly have a lot to learn!

Tomorrow, I am off to Phillippi and Kavala, two places where St. Paul also preached and visited. It was in Phillippi that Paul baptized the first Christian convert in Europe...who was a woman named, Lydia. Kavala was the area or 'motor-way' in those days which Paul traveled.

The group I am traveling with arrived tonight. There are only 11 of them...all from different parts of the US.

Again, know that you are remembered in my daily prayers and Mass. I keep your intentions in my thoughts.

Peace,

Fr. Steve

Greetings from Italy

Hi to everyone.....

I have been away from internet access since last Sunday. All is well. I arrive in the Cinque Terre area of the Italian coast on Saturday afternoon. I was there until Wednesday morning. This area is a collection of five small towns built literally on the moutainside coast of Northern Italy. On Sunday, I did a boat trip of all the cities...on Monday, I hiked the distance from city to city. It took me five hours. The views are awesome, the trail is not too easy...at least at times! Once again, I kept saying to myself....others have done this, I can do it! It was a great experience. Afterwards, I threw away my hiking shorts and sent my hiking shoes back to Indiana [the postage cost nearly as much as the shoes]!

On Wednesday, I drove to Parma, Italy. It is the famous place for their cheese and ham. I visited and stayed with a family that lived close to the old city. Because of driving laws, only those who live in the 'old city' can drive in the 'old city.' So, to see the city we had to either walk....or bike. The bike I used is the one I am posting. Nice model, don't you say?! I have a great bike back at St. Jude....which I have not ridden except around the property...and here I am riding this through the busy streets of Parma! For those who remember the Laugh In days, I was a picture to behold! Watching out for buses, taxis, cars, other bikes and not trying to run over people walking before me, I made it out alive! It was a good time. The Churches are awesome...the artwork beyond imagination. And the food.....!

Today, Thursday, I drove to a town close to the Milan Airport. Tomorrow, I will fly to Greece to begin my tour of the footsteps of St. Paul...to all the places he visited. I cannot wait....

As always, you are in my prayers and remembered in a special way at my daily Mass.

Peace,

Fr. Steve

Cooking....A Learning Experience

Greetings from Toscana Saporita Cooking School....

I have a lot to learn....which I knew before I began this adventure, but now I am proving it to myself. The one picture I am sending you is where 'it all began.' The KNIFE!!! I was ready to 'go under the knife' by the end of yesterday morning's exercise. I kept telling myself that if I knew everything before I came, there would have been no need in my coming to this class. The only thing, I kept the other 8 people behind...as they watched me finish last. One thing, I kept all my fingers and there was no visible blood on any of the vegetables when I finished!

Today, I began with new hopes and the 'old mantra,' "I can do it...I can do it....!"

We began by making the preparation sauce for gnocchi [a potato pasta]. My sauce was perfect, until I poured the last bit of milk in it that somehow contained a fly in the milk carton. The fly went into the sauce and immediately, the chef removed the pan from the stove and into the disposal went my perfect sauce!!! [I think my milk was sabotaged by the staff!!!] Such is life....I am going to a French school next time!!!

Given all these mishaps, all is well. The group is another wonderful collection of people. Tomorrow, after class of making ravioli, we are off to Pisa for a visit.

Peace and prayers to all....keep praying for me!

Fr. Steve

Cooking--First Week Completed

Greetings to all....
It is Saturday morning and I have now completed my first week exercise. I hope I can remember all the 'simple' details in preparing some foods! It has been a delightful week. Chef Claudio was an outstanding teacher...patient...good humor....excellent cook. The 12 people I was with were also very welling to be involved, supportive of each other and conversations at the table never was lacking. Yesterday, we went to Siena and San Gimignano. It also was a wonderful day. I am now leaving for an evening at Viareggio, before beginning tomorrow afternoon for my comparison week of cooking near the Italian coast.
Know that I continue to keep you in thought and prayer.
Fr. Steve

Cooking in Tuscany

Greetings to all....

I have now been involved in three days of cooking from Chef Claudio. There are a total of 11 people in the class. He is a great teacher....everything we end up doing he says, "Perfecto!!!" Surprising it does taste pretty good and we have done some very unusal things. Yesterday, we cook octypus, anchovies with sage [my dish], fried sardines, two types of pasta and sauce, porcini mushroom soup and fresh cantiloupe ice cream. Today, I did tripe [spelling]...this is cow's stomach [I am not sure which of the cow's stomach it was], but everyone liked it and I must say while it did not 'taste like chicken,' it was very good!!!

This afternoon we are off to a class in Chianti study, which I imagine will involve a 'taste' of the juice!

Know that I am working hard, but trying to keep up with the lessons!

Peace & Prayers.

Fr. Steve

Lagazuoi--

Greetings....

Today, I made it to the Great War Museum in the Tre Sassi Fort at the Valparola Pass. This site was on the border between Austria & Italy in the First World War. The soldiers dug tunnels in the mountain that went nearly half way down. I took the cable car up and walked down. More than once I thought I was totally crazy and wanted to climb back up but in the tunnels there was no way of knowing which way was shorter after I had begun. I prayed like there is no tomorrow and promised God I would never SIN again, if I got down without falling off the side of the mountain. [God has heard this prayer before....I am sure He is hoping I will keep my promise this time!] Luckily, I had a small flashlight, because the tunnels are in total darkness. Safety codes in the US would have field day!!! You can probably go on-line and see this. It is amazing and an awesome sight. Tomorrow is my last day in this regent. Hopefully, I will make it back some day.....

Know that you are remembered.

Fr. Steve

Ortisei

Greetings to all.....

All is well. I arrived in Ortisei, Italy on Monday. This is an outstanding and beatiful area of the Italian Alps. Very few English-speaking or Americans come here...at least at this time. I met one couple on my first day. This was the first time in five days for them hearing someone speak English. I have not heard anyone, except for the daughter of the couple who own the hotel I am staying at.

Everthing is beyond words. I have hiked miles yesterday and today, I visited the museum of the "Ice Man." I saw him....going back to 3300 BC.....and his clothes that he was wearing when they found him in 1991. Amazing!

When I returned to Ortisei this afternoon, I took a 45 minute walk....totally uphill without any stop to a small church. No car can get there from the place I walked. The picture you see, is from a statue inside the Church.....It symbolized how I felt after walking this distance....!!!

The hotel provides breakfast and dinner. The food cannot be matched...I just wish each of you could experience this place.

If I find out how I can send addtional pictures I will attempt to do so. Teh landscape is heaven on earth!

Peace & Prayers.

Fr. Steve

Greetings from Italy

Greetings to all....

I ended the cruise on the Baltic Sea on Saturday morning. Our last day at sea was pretty rough, waves nearly 20 feet high. Even though many refrained from eating, those 'little' waves did not deter me!!

Yesterday, Sunday, I flew from London to Milan. I rented a car and drove nearly 3 1/2 hours to the town of Bolzano, Italy. I drove through the southern part of the Dolomites or Italian Alps. It was a beautiful drive. This city is also very nice, mostly walking streets.

It is a beautiful day and I will be leaving soon to drive 1/2 hour to Ortisei, where I will hope to do a little hiking and enjoy the wonder of God's creation.

Peace and Prayers,

Fr. Steve

On the Baltic Sea

Greetings to all.....

The cruise has been wonderful, along with the weather. I am presently in Tallinn, Estonia and had a great excursion on visiting this city that goes back something like 5,000 years. Saturday and Sunday, I was in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Churches are mostly museums. In all this area of the Baltic, from Stockhom, to Helsinki, Russia & now Estonia, very few people actively practice any religion. The Russian guide on Saturday admitted she would probably like to 'try praying,' but no one has ever shown her how.

Tomorrow is a sailing day, with no port stops. Wednesday and Thursday I will be in Copenhaven, finishing the cruise at 4:00 AM on Saturday.

I am checking the prayer line nearly every day and keeping all in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace,

Fr. Steve

A Tour of the Big House

Greetings.....

Beginning a few years ago, the Queen has opened her house to the public from the end of July until mid-September. Yesterday, I did a 'walk-through' the public rooms. I once got to join a White House tour. I must say this is way bigger!!!

Tomorrow, I head the English coast to begin the cruise on the Baltic Sea. I am not sure how often I will be able to connect to the internet and my blog, but I will keep taking pictures and share them later.

Peace,

Fr. Steve

Greetings

I have arrived in London. The weather is beautiful today. Getting out of JFK was not so easy. The flight was delayed in boarding because the breaks on the plane were not working properly. Next, it was the air-conditioning not working. We got on the plane an hour late, only to then sit on the runway for another 2 hours before taking off. It was a long night, but I arrived safely and all is well.
Peace and prayers,
Fr. Steve

As I journey forth.....see how this body will become larger than what God created to be.....

Pray and peace....