Logorrhea

I'm a Refugee (who found a home)

I'm now officially a aspirant in the diocese of Quincy. I had an interview with Bishop Ackerman (a great guy) on Wednesday. When i showed up at the diocesan office it seemed like a scene from the Godfather. A lot of people and priests were lined up waiting to speak to the Bishop. I was greatly impressed at how effective this diocese is; its one of the the smallest dioceses in the US (around 20 churches) but its influence is felt worldwide. They even have a full time Deacon of disaster relief (with whom i spoke about his work down in New Orleans and Mississippi). Its not a rich diocese either, this is farmland. The ride from Nashotah to Peoria was like driving through one big corn and soybean field. But they take seriously the work of the church and God provides. I consider myself blessed to be in this diocese now and have complete trust and respect for the people that are in charge of my formation process.

After meeting with the Bishop and his assistant (another priest), I drove back up to Nashotah (about 4 hours to the north). The next morning I went to morning prayer and Holy Eucharist (rite II) in the "Red Chapel." The service began with the ringing of the angelus on "St. Michael the bell". Then I had a brief interview with the Dean and President of the House. Then a student named Towsend (originally from Florida) showed me around the campus and we even drove around the surrounding towns (Delafield and Oconomowoc).

The next day I was on my own (after mass of course). I went to check out Holy Hill, a church on the highest point in Wisconsin (which isn't very high but you could see Milwaukee from up there.) The rest of the day i spent in the library which is very nice for such a small school and especially since most of it is Theology.

I left Nashotah on Saturday and drove to Chicago to visit my friend Sarah Workneh for the weekend. I went to the Church of the Ascension on Sunday. If you're there go, it has a kick ass music program and they could teach us east-coasters a thing or two about Anglo-Catholic liturgy (it was like watching "Ritual Notes").

I had a great week and I look forward to going back. Baring any disasters i will start seminary this August. Thanks be to God.