Eight years of bliss

Kev and I celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary on 15th January. Kev took great delight in quoting our good friend John Canavan by telling everyone that, "You get more for murder in some countries!"...ha ha ha

It was such a lovely day. We had breakfast at the cafe next door (3.60 euro for 2 capuccini and 2 doughnuts!!!). Then we went to school and had morning prayer of praise and adoration with the students. I noticed that there were red hearts all over the place and I wasn't sure if it was for our benefit or not. After our prayer time, we went downstairs and realised that the kids had decorated most of the school.

The day continued to be very joyful. We all went to the Vatican for a tour of the Scavi. I have done this three times and I absolutely love it. It is a tour that goes through the excavations under St Peter's Basilica. The digging was only completed 70 years ago, and the findings analysed 20 years later....so it is extremely new....and it is fascinating. After this, we had planned to go out to lunch together. We both agreed that it would be nice to be with the kids. This ended up being a good idea, because they had made us some cakes (the first one was too small so they tried again).

Anniversary cakes (the pink icing was made by using blood oranges)

It was so nice to have so many people celebrate our anniversary with us. We have never had people show us how much they appreciate our marriage before. It was very touching. Such good kids!

Another year over

After Christmas, we usually go to Paray le Monial for a Fraternity Retreat. This year, because there was a huge international gathering there in August, the Fraternity retreats were local. Kev and I went to Vicenza (near Verona) with the Italians. It was great. We really loved it. It was so good to be on a retreat, without being in charge of anything - usually we have the students with us and need to take care of them. This was a beautiful time to be on retreat together and listen to talks and to pray. And to catch up with our Italian friends - some of them, for the last time before we go back to Australia.

Carmella and Hele

The Fraternity of Jesus - Italy

After the retreat, we went back to Rome. We went out for dinner on New Year's Eve and then went back to our apartment. At twelve o'clock, there was so much noise outside. People were hanging out of their windows and throwing fire crackers. Others were on the street setting crackers off. They weren't just little things...they were huge. It was absolute madness. I don't think the idea of health and safety has hit town yet.

So, this brings us to the end of another year. We have been away for almost three years now and it has been a wonderful experience. The mission is very rewarding, but takes its toll. I feel like we are getting old very quickly.

Kev and Hele...getting old 

We have six months left of mission here in Italy. We look forward to a wonderful 2013!