Summer in Rome

Last weekend our friend Marc Homsey was ordained a deacon! Although we didn't go, we were at his first Mass where he 'deaconed' (I am told that 'deacon' can be used as a verb, but I'm not convinced). Marc read the Gospel and then preached. He was really really good.

 Deacon Marc reading the Gospel

Afterwards we went out for dinner to celebrate.

 Marc's celebration dinner

Later in the week we had dinner with some friends from Paray. Actually, they happened to be sitting in front of us on our flight back from Lyon last weekend, and have been staying at the Domus. We don't know them very well, but it was really nice to spend time with them. We had dinner at Maged's - next door to our place.

Hele, Kev, Bruno, Alexandra

Yesterday I went to Vatican Radio. Our friend Ann works there and asked if we would be willing to an interview about WYDs. I am a big fan of WYDs and also of Ann, so I thought I should say yes. On my way to the studio it started pelting down with rain. By the time I got there I looked like a drowned rat. I was thankful that Ann works for Watican Radio and not Vatican TV. I have a good head for radio!

 Hele at Vatican Radio

Later that night we went out for dinner for Maria's birthday. We went to an Arabic restaurant on the Tiber. The food was great, the service was terrible. But we had a lot of fun - especially when we decided to share a water smoking pipe....

 Maria and Hele smoking the hookah

Manuela, Aneta, Francesco, Kev, Maria, Hele and Pietro

We went out for a gelato afterwards and got home very late. This is what happens when you are friends with young people!  It was lots of fun.

Frogland

Kev and I went to France for Caroline's wedding (one of our ESM kid's from the first year). We needed to get to Lyon a day early because the flights are in the afternoon. Charlie Chaplain has friends who live near the airport, so luckily we were able to stay with them. They were so generous. They also have a really nice house!

Their youngest son Timothée is one of the sweetest kids I have ever met. He has down syndrome, and was so affectionate and happy. What a blessing he is!

Timothée

We had a relaxing afternoon by the pool, then went inside for Mass. It was in Latin, with readings in French. Our responses were a blend of Latin, confused with a bit of Italian and also English. After Mass we  had a lovely dinner by the pool. Later, Kev was very well-behaved while Fr Charlie tried to organise our transport for the wedding the next day....

Kev is a strange fellow

The next morning I had an early swim, prayed and walked around the grounds. It was so relaxing. When the others got up, we had breakfast together by the pool.  We prayed together then said goodbye to Fr Charlie. We are not sure if/when we will see him again. Twas sad.

 Kev, Charlie Chaplain, Hele

We got a lift to Caroline's wedding. It was beautiful.

 Caro walking up the aisle

After the Mass, we got to catch up with lots of our ESM kids. It was nice to hear the old familiar voices calling out, "mum!!!" It was great!

 Hele, Adela, Lisa

I also saw Olivier, who I did the School with ten years ago.

 Hele and Oli

The reception was nice. At the start of the evening, I almost stalked the waiters who were bringing the finger-food around. Finally they got the hint and always came my way.

 Samuel, Martijn, Kev, Juan, Maria, Cäcilia, Hele, Lucy, Adela, Lisa

The dancing started at about midnight. Kev and I were exhausted so one of the kids drove us to the castle where we were all staying. It belonged to parishioners of Caro's family. They kindly let us stay in the spare bedrooms in the tower of their house. I didn't have any trouble getting to sleep. The others stayed out until about 3am. Oh, to be young!

The next day we all slept in. After a nice outdoor breaky, we had a time of praise. It was lovely to do this with the old gang, out in nature. Then we went to Caro's family for the day. It was so hot. They had a pool but I didn't go in coz there were lots of lively kids around, and I was having a melancholic moment. But it was a nice relaxing day, sitting by the pool and playing hacky sack.

 The gang

We said goodbye to Sam and Maria who left for Paray to do their Marriage Preparation. They will get married in October, but we will miss it.

The next day we went to Mass in the morning, then said goodbye to Cäcilia who returned home. The rest of us went for a drive up to the montaynes (this is how nearly every European pronounces 'mountains'. I have to correct myself now, because I have started doing it too). We had a picnic and did some wondering around. I had forgotten just how much fun this group of kids were!!!

 Somewhere in France

 Juan - his Tshirt says, "Real men pray the Rosary". He is holding two baby bottles of beer. So cute!

 Hele and Kev - completely taken by surprise

 Nice ass!!!

 Kev admiring the view

 Pierre (Caro's hubby) and the gang

We went back to Caroline's place for half an hour.....

 Martijn was always one of our more 'special' ones

 Hele and Adela

We had a quick drink, thanked everyone for their hospitality and then said more goodbyes. It was awful. I am not coping well with saying goodbye to so many people, not knowing if we will ever see them again. I haven't managed to shed a single tear so far, but it is very painful. I hate saying goodbye. I really hate it.

Kev and I went to Lyon with Lisa and Juan. We all stayed at the airport hotel, and Kev and I returned to Rome the next day. It was nice to breathe in the fresh air at Fiumicino after spending a few days in France!!

Meeting Pope Francis

For the last couple of months I have been begging lots of people who we know in 'high places' to get Kev and me to meet the Pope before we leave. Our trusty friend Msgr Sarno came through for us. He wrote a letter to the Vatican requesting that Kev and I attend the Pope's Mass at  Domus Sanctae Marthae. He was actually expecting a negative response because only employees of the Vatican can do this. For some reason, they said yes.

On July 1st, at 7:00am we had Mass with Pope Francis! We had only had three hours sleep because of the party with the students the night before, so we were fairly tired. Just before Mass started, the priest who was organising everything asked Kev if he would give him a hand with the offertory. We assumed that he meant the offertory procession. Actually, he was assisting at the altar. 

Kev helping out with the offertory

He got to hand Pope Francis the hand towel. 

 Kev serving at Mass with Pope Francis

The Mass was so beautiful, reverent and prayerful. As usual, the Pope preached so well - he is truly an inspiration.

After Mass, the Pope came and sat down with the small congregation (about 40 people) and prayed for some time.

Pope Francis praying after Mass 

(Kev and I are third row on the left, the Pope is on the right)

Then he went out of the chapel and greeted each person. We spoke with him for just a couple of minutes. Actually, the pictures might make it look like I was doing all the talking. You can't always trust what you see!

We asked him to pray for us and he gave us his blessing.

Blessing from Pope Francis

Then I managed to get a few more words in....

He asked us to pray for him. Then our time was up!  He is such a warm, friendly, fatherly (not to mention cute)  and joyful man.

Last day of school

The last day of School was different for Kev and me this year. It was not only the last day for the students...it was our last day too (although we will continue to work until the end of August).

During the day, we finished up last minute things and had lots of meetings with students who needed one last moment of guidance before going back out into the big-wide-world.

At night we had a specially yummy dinner. Then students provided entertainment...something they are extremely good at. One student, Christian from Australia, shared his gift of impersonating people. He was assisted by Anna, also from Australia. They would walk into the room while everyone had to guess who they were pretending to be. Kev and I were getting a bit nervous....then our turn came. It was hilarious. The impersonation was so funny because Christian pretended to be me, and Anna was Kev. I need to explain that Kev has been making jokes about my big bum this year. I have joined in and joked about it too. So, Christian wrapped a sheet around him like a skirt, with a huge pillow underneath to look like a massive butt. Anna walked in on her knees to make herself much shorter. Basically, they made Kev look super short, and me super fat. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen.

Kev (Anna) and Hele (Christian)

It was made even funnier by the reaction of the students and team who were in hysterics. I have never seen people laughing to much!

 Reaction to the impersonation of the Wags

At the end of the evening, we went to the chapel for a short prayer. It was lovely but then lots of students started crying because the year was coming to an end. Although it was lovely, Kev and I didn't want it to end on a sad note. We were relieved when we went downstairs to find that the students were preparing to attack Fr Charlie with water bombs - probably to pay him back for teasing them all year.

We told Fr Charlie to come outside for a Team photo. Because he is so special, he suggested that we all stand up while he sits down. It was perfect. During the countdown for the photo, we slowly moved away. Then the students pelted him. It was wonderful.

Water attack on Charlie Chaplain (right)

In true form, he retaliated. I got a bit wet.

Hele and Fr Charlie

....then war broke out....

 Fr Charlie and Kev

We had such a great time. Then we finally took some group photos. Nearly everyone is drenched.

 ESM 2012-2013

 ESM 2012-2013

The party ended at about 2am. It was a long day but great fun.

Kev and I had another wonderful year. The mission continues for another two months, but the students have gone. It is a bit sad for us. What a great experience that we will treasure for ever!