Over the Rocky Mountains

A weekend in San Francisco was quite an experience (21-23 August 2010). It was a round trip worth the making beginning from Indianapolis IN to Denver CO – San Francisco CA – San Diego CA – Kansas City MO and back to Indianapolis. Imagine taking off from Denver for San Francisco and you are right over the Rocky Mountains and you think of those undying classics by John Denver, like Rocky Mountains, Country Road or whichever you pick, you feel you are right there. I feel more than ever at home flying over these mountains. The blue sky was just perfectly matched by the colourful landscape juxtaposed and I hardly took my eyes off the blue sky up and the natural art below.

St. Catherine of Siena Church, Burlingame-San Francisco in California was my destination for the weekend. Fr. Edward the Associate pastor was prompt to pick me from the Airport and was very kind to take me around as well to see places. San Francisco is a lovely place, a sort of a hilly city but surrounded by the Bayswater. Passing by the pacific, or a view by the golden gate overlooking the Rock Island and the downtown just lets you appreciate the city’s anatomy.

The mission sharing ministry at St. Catherine Church was also well accepted and people were very appreciative and listened to our mission stories intensely. It was a lovely experience from all counts.

Listening to John Denver such as this, brings you even closer to the places you are actually seeing it.

So Far So Good

The village boy running around the United States is doing fine so far. He appears to be enjoying and having good time. He must be hitting hard on himself on many irrelevant questions. He is never got the answer as to why some people are always fortunate or so it appears to be. He keeps wondering why he himself should be there in the first place. Has he merited? None!

He wonders at every stop and admires every gadget. He wonders why the trees are greener, the squirrels, the deer or the birds scot-free. Is he questioning some basic fundamentals? For the moment, he is flying around the country enjoying every aspect of life here. He will definitely learn much from these experiences.

A recap in splinters.

From Pennsylvania to Indiana

A week in Pittsburgh PA and now a week in Indianapolis IN have almost got me into a rhythm of a normal system. You get up in the morning and have your morning spiritual exercises and celebrate the mass and if you are a regular priest here then attend the office or sick calls or whatever and the day is done. But even as I get into the rhythm it’s time to move to the next weekend ministry.

From Indianapolis to St. Thomas More, Mooresville IN is less than an hour drive. I reached here at St. Thomas More Church on 7th August. I was almost sad that for the second time I was to manage the weekend without the pastor (also here without a cross anywhere on the external of the Church- that was a surprise discovery though). But it turned out to be a wonderful experience. First, the liturgical celebrations were so well organized from down order - the celebrant (me), to the top order-coordinator of the celebration. I particularly appreciate and admire Maureen Shea who saw to the entire liturgical celebrations in the absence of Fr. Mark Gottemoller, the pastor. The community participation was excellent, be it singing in the mass or the warm interactions outside the mass. Maureen also saw to my stay and food arrangements. It was at the Mexican restaurant with Maureen, Rose and Anita for the dinner, at an Irish pup with Steve & Eileen Egenolf for luncheon and Fr. Mark himself to an American Catfish for the dinner before he drove me back to St. Michael’s Indianapolis. I was happy I met him.

I feel sorry I couldn’t get a picture/video clip of St. Thomas More parish.