Kev's birthday

Kev turned 39 years old on April 19th!

We went out for dinner with some friends the night before. He is such a popular boy...there were 18 of us there. It was lotsa fun.

Kev's birthday dinner

The following day was Kev's birthday. The students made him a chocolate/beer cake. He had been hinting about it for months. They also made a video about/for him. It was so funny. They obviously have a lot of respect for Kev.

I couldn't think of what to get him for his birthday, so I decided to get him something that I want - the dvd box set of Alias. But I did't know how to order it on the internet, Kev had to do it. Also, I don't have my own bank account here, so Kev had to pay for it too. It was a very thoughtful gift!

Chillaxing

After Easter we went to a little island off Naples for a few days. Kev organised everything a few days before with a travel agent. We bought a full package which included transport, accommodation and all meals....to easy. Except that we got the wrong train. Well, kinda. We got on a train at the station in Rome, from the correct platform, to the correct destination, at almost the correct time (it was different by four minutes). We asked the conductor if it was the right train, and as he told us that it was a different company, the train started moving. After a lot of frustration and 110 euros, we made it to Naples. There we had a transfer waiting to take us to the port. Then we got a ferry to Ischia!

There was a driver waiting to take us to our hotel. It was marvellous... such a pretty spot. Luckily there was nothing much to do there except eat, drink, pray, walk, watch dvds, play in the heated indoor pool, or sit by the outdoor pool. So that's what we did.

 Kev in Ischia

 Hele in Ischia

Ischia - view from our room

 Ischia - reading by the pool

We were very relaxed after a few days, and only had to do a little bit of ESM work...so it was great. A driver took us to the ferry for the return to Naples. Again, a driver was waiting to take us back to the station. I think he like practicing his English because he was very chatty. When we told him that we had time to spare, he offered to take us on a driving tour of Naples....for a small fee of course. We agreed, because the best way to see Naples behind the safety of locked doors of a car.

Hele and a fancy building in Naples

Then we got the correct train back to Rome!

We still had a few days left of holidays at our place. The weather is starting to get really nice so we have been out and about.

One day I had a nice little trip around Rome on the back of my friend's motor scooter. Philip knows everything about Rome, so it was very informative.

The following week we went to Castel Gandolfo with the ESM, the local Emmanuel Community and parishioners from a local church where we will have a mission later in the year. Everyone took the bus together, but I went on the back of another friend's motor bike (a real one). Kev reckons I am becoming a biker chick. I agree. (The first friend is a consecrated brother and second is the chaplain of the ESM).  I am fairly wild. Now Kev calls me, 'miss adventure'...or perhaps it is, 'misadventure', I'm not sure.

Papal Gardens at Castel Gandolfo

Good news....Summer is on the way! I went to the beach with Louisa on Sunday. The water was a tad cool, but so refreshing, and the sun was shining all day...beautiful!

Easter

The Easter Triduum was wonderful...as usual.

We went to the Chrism Mass at St Peter's Basilica. I just love this Mass because all the priests con-celebrate with their local bishop. We are very blessed because the bishop of Rome is the Holy Father. Unfortunately this year, we were not seated in the main part of the Basilica, but on the side of the altar, so we didn't see the procession of priests as they entered. Instead, we were sitting behind them during the Mass, which was kinda nifty.

Pope Francis - Chrism Mass

After Mass, we found it hard to get out because the exits near us were closed. We wandered around trying to get out, and found ourselves in the procession with the priests. It was very strange indeed. One of our friends was in the crowd and was laughing heartily, saying that we were VIPs.

This year we could not afford to have a big retreat for the Easter Triduum, so we planned something just for the ESM students at the Centro. It was open for others to join in, but we didn't advertise at all. As it turned out, we had over 100 people. It was really lovely.

The retreat began with the Mass of the Last Supper on Thursday night, followed by prayer at the 'Altar of Repose'....a little Garden of Gethsemane at the back of the church.

Washing of the Feet

On Friday morning, the students re-enacted the Via Crucis in St Peter's Square. It was a bit more difficult this year, because I didn't have as many people to help me set it up properly. For starters, I normally have someone go to the Square early to show the police that we have permission to be there. I didn't do it this year, so the police stopped us until they made a call to get approval. It was a bit annoying, but at least it drew more of a crowd. Anyway, it turned out beautifully in the end.

I did a short interview for Vatican Radio about it. I was deliriously tired, so I am not very coherent. 

 The Crucifixion

On Saturday night, we had the Easter Vigil. I just love this Mass. We start outside with the fire, which is used to light the Pascal Candle. Then we all process into the church which is in darkness, each holding a candle.

 Service of Light

The Mass is a long one, but truly beautiful.  It was really joyful. After spending 40 days meditating on the passion of Christ, it was wonderful to celebrate his resurrection. It was great to be able to sing 'Alleluia' again! After the Mass, we sang some songs of praise together. It was fun. You can watch this video if ya like.

On Sunday morning, we were supposed to go to St Peter's Square for Mass with the Pope. Kev and I were too tired, and slept instead. Then we went to the Centro for Easter lunch. We organised a caterer, but it still wasn't easy to coordinate all those people in such a small space. But it was great.

 Easter lunch at the Centro

When it was all finished, we cleaned up and went back to the Domus. We were exhausted. Luckily, it was "beer o'clock" when we arrived, so we sat in the bar and had a drink.

Then we met up with Verna for dinner. It was so good to be able to spend time with our dear Aussie friend.

Verna, Hele, Kev

After din dins, we went home to sleep. We were sooooooooooo tired.