My birthday was wonderful.... THANK YOU.

can you find the monk in the picture?   

      This was taken in the back of a church un Lviv Ukaine this summer.  I sat here and prayed a rosary for a special friend I had met along the way, and this wonderful holy man of God hobbled his way across the scene......  every step more graceful than the last.  Amazing. 

      Today was my birthday.  Many things happened.  I fixed many internet ports, I heard from people in Germany that I hadn't heard from yet, I had dinner with 7 GREAT friends here in the seminary, I had a great conversation with my friend Nathan, I listened to some great tropical music, I learned some great Theology by Aquinas on the Moral Theology, I learned a bit about the beginnings of Reformation History, I had a couple of tasty gin-drinks, and I had a nice foreign cigarette..... 

      This weekend is our CAM retreat - (CAM is like "floor" at Mundelein..... i think it's because people from chicago would pronounce "Comraderie" like "CAMraderie"..... i don't know).   We leave at 8 in the morning.  It is 2:30.  wish me luck.  i am in charge of food, by the way.............

       So....... like this lovely monk in the picture, so are our lives..... hobbling towards what they are headed for.  don't rush.  take your time.  enjoy the scenery.  life is worth living.  God is good.  smell the fresh air.  pray.  be holy.  do what you are supposed to be doing.  Love God, and do what you will..........  I hope it fits into God's plan.  do what you can. 

               happy birthday.
                        Matty

p.s.  THANK YOU so much for responding to my last blog.  I seriously appreciate it.  I didn't mean for a guilt trip....  you are all so wonderful.  I am blessed to have great friends.....