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!

Winding things up...

The end of the year is approaching, and we are experiencing the last of many things here at the ESM...

Firstly we had a 'thank you' dinner for our teachers. This has become an annual event where we have a special meal together, followed by some entertainment by the students. It usually takes the form of mocking our teachers (in a very respectful manner, of course).  It was absolutely hilarious.

Fr Kimes, students, Msgr Sarno

Another night, Cardinal Rylko came for dinner. He is in charge of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which is responsible for the ESM being in Rome. So, each year he likes to meet the students and to hear about what they have experienced during the year.

 Cardinal Rylko with the ESM

The following night Cardinal Pell came for dinner with the business manager for the Archdiocese of Sydney, Danny Casey. It was a lively dinner, followed by the traditional Q&A with the Cardinal. He was in fine form, as were the students. So it was a great night - lots of laughs!!!

Cardinal Pell with the ESM

 Q&A with Cardinal Pell 

 Louisa, Fr Charlie, Cardinal Pell

Our good friend Slaven was in Rome for a quick visit. We met up with him at the pub to watch a game of rugby. I think it was rugby. There was a ball and a field and people running and bashing into each other. We also got to spend some time with one of our students from last year, Benedicte.

 Hele, Slaven, Louisa, Benedicte, Kev

Kev and I went to a concert at the Vatican. We got tickets from our friend Msgr Sarno - he takes good care of us. The concert was in the Paul VI Auditorium. The Pope was expected to attend, but he didn't show up. It was a beaut concert.

 Beethoven Symphony 9

We had our last household (weekly prayer group) on Tuesday. Instead of the usual format, we had a nice dinner together. We always meet at Ivana and Mauro's house because they have two kids. Ivana cooked Thai food which was fantastic. One of the things that I miss most about Australia is the Thai food! We had a ripper time together. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone though.

 Grazia, Iganizio, Ivana, Mauro, Fr Eric, Gisele, Antonella, Hele, Kev

On Wednesday we went to the Papal Audience. We had hoped to get special tickets but we lucked out. Most of the seats were taken so we decided that, rather than spreading out we would go out into the open area...as long as we were all together...awwww. It was obvious that we were not tourists as we were not as keen as everyone to get a place near the barrier.

 Waiting for the Pope

When the Pope arrived, we were just as excited as everyone. Pope Francis darted around the Square in his Popemobile for about half and hour. He stopped many times to greet people. He is such a jolly fellow.

 Pope Francis in front of St Peters

 Pope Francis

We only have two days of School left. It is getting very sad to think of saying goodbye to everyone again. this happens every year, but obviously this time it is much harder.

On Thursday night we went to Mass at the Centro San Lorenzo to farewell Fr Eric. He is finishing his job as 'the responsible' for the Youth Section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. After Mass there was a nice dinner in the courtyard. It was a good opportunity to catch up with lots of people who we know, and to say goodbye to them as we will be leaving in two months. I was so happy to see Wanda Gawronksa. She is the niece of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. I met her when I was in Rome ten years ago. We have kept in touch with email and phone all this time, but never managed to meet face-to-face again. She is such a great lady!! She promised to ask her uncle to pray for us. She said that she won't ask him, she will tell him!

Kev, Wanda (Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati's niece), Hele

Yesterday we went to Mass with the Pope for the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Although we had tickets, there were so many people that we had to stand up the whole time. It was still nice though.

In the afternoon we did the traditional visit to Tre Fontane, which is the place where St Paul was martyred. I really love it there. I was sad though because it is the last time that I will be there on this particular feast day. But life goes on, ey...?!

Out and About

We were very happy to have another visit from Mary and Keiron who visited Rome for the third time since we got here. We went to a lovely restaurant near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The table clothes were in the Hawthorn colours, but the food was still good. After lunch we popped in to the convent where they were staying - very quiet and peaceful...jealous!!!!

 Keiron, Mary, Hele, Kev

A couple of days later our friend Father Charlie offered to celebrate Mass for us in St Peters. I won't go into details about how we almost got into a fight with a Harley Davidson gang as we were lining up to get inside.....

There are heaps of chapels in St Peters and it's kind of 'pot luck' which one you get. The one that became available for us was the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. This is particularly significant because the Emmanuel Community looks after the Shrine to the Sacred Heart in France. Fr Charlie offered the Mass for Kev and me, that we would be blessed with kids.

After Mass, we went out for breakfast together. On the way to the cafe, we passed some of the Harleys that were in Rome for some international gathering. Rome was infested with motor bikes!!!

 Fr Charlie and some Harley Davidsons

That night we went out for dinner with some friends. It was in anticipation of some of us leaving soon, and needing to make the most of each other's company.

 Fr Eric, Marc, Maria, Anne, Kev, Hele, Joan, Louisa and Fr Luke

The following day we went on a day trip to Terracina with Marc and Maria. It took about 2 hours to drive there, but it was worth it. We spent 6 hours on the beach and it was just beautiful. There was real sand, not too many people, and the water was perfect.

In the evening, the others checked out Jupitor's Temple. I was tired so I sat on top of the hill and read my book. This is the view....

 Terracina

Then we drove to Speralonga for dinner. We drove around the upper part of the town for ages looking for a place to park, but to no avail. So we looked in the lower part and finally found a place. By the time we got to a restaurant it was 9:30pm. We eagerly ordered our dinner and then waited and waited and waited. After about one hour, we questioned the waiter. He was a bit rude. We were about to get up and leave, but finally the food came. Another waiter apologised and gave each of us a free limoncello after our meal. That made up for it!!!

We drove home very late - we got home after 1:30am.  It was a fantastic day!!

A visit from Paul

My brother Paul came to visit us again!!! It was so nice to have him stay with us. We were pretty busy with the mission so we couldn't go away with him this time, but he managed to gallivant around Europe during his three weeks here. Now he can 'tick' some countries that none of us can 'tick'.

In between his little side trips, we got to do a few nice things..like dinner in Campo dei Fiori.

Campo dei Fiori

For the most part, the weather wasn't great but there were some nice days. At least Rome hadn't started to get hot and stinky yet (it is now).

Hele - from the roof of the ESM

Paul - from the roof of the ESM

One day Paul and I wandered around near the Forum and the Colosseum. It was great because the weather was beaut and we had all the time in the day. 

Paul in front of the Colosseum

Hele in front of the Colosseum

Hele and Paul

Another day we went to our local park for a picnic. It was just lovely. Italy is a strange place, so there was much entertainment is seeing what the locals do when they go to the park. Some think they are in the privacy of their own back yard and strip down to their underwear.....I won't even continue with what others do.... We just ate our lunch and read our books.

 Paul, Kev and Hele at the park

The students were sad to say goodbye to 'uncle' Paul. They really loved having him visit the School.

 ESM gang

On Paul's last night, we planned to go out for dinner in Trastevere. But we were all really tired so we decided to have a little drinky at the Domus.......

 Before...

......after

Then we went home and had a pizza and watched yet another James Bond movie.

The following morning we had breaky at the bar next door to our place. They are the best neighbours ever! As usual, we had fantastic coffees and doughnuts for only 1.80 euros each.

Hele, Maged, Paul, Kev

Paulie left for the airport later that morning. We all enjoyed his Roman holiday!

This and That

I am getting a bit behind on my blog posts....it's time to catch up.

After the mission in Lithuania, Kev and I needed a little break. We went back to Santa Marinella for a few days with Fr Eric. As we don't have our own house there anymore, we stayed in a convent overlooking the water.

Santa Marinella

We had a lovely time of eating, sleeping, praying, reading, watching movies, and lolling in the water.

On the day before Pentecost there was a gathering in St Peter's Square with the Pope and heaps of Ecclesial communities and movements. Earlier in the day, about 250 members of the Emmanuel Community (from around the world) got together for Mass and lunch.

Lauretta and Primo

Then we all headed down to St Peter's Square to 'get in line' for the Vigil. We had to wait ages before the gates opened...it was quite frustrating because there is nothing remotely like order in Italy. It rained for a bit, but most of the time it was stinking hot. But it was absolutely fantastic. The Pope spoke about the need to go out of the churches to proclaim the Good News. This was especially good for us as it was the day before our parish mission in one of the city churches.

 Some of the Irish Emmanuel Community

As usual, Pope Francis went through the Square greeting people. It was so much fun!

 Pope Francis

 Pope Francis

The next day there was Mass with the Pope in St Peter's Square. I have had this event in my calendar for over one year. Unfortunately my alarm didn't go off and I slept through it.

The mission went well...or so I hear. I spent hours every day in the church praying. I was too sick to go out on mission - I got bronchitis...aint nobody got time for that (watch this video for a laugh). I am better now!

Mission in Vilnius

We spent a wonderful two weeks on mission in Lithuania. We were kept very very busy the whole time, but it was well worth it. It was probably the best mission that we have been on. Woo  hooooooooo. Our students were fantastic, and it was great working with Kristina who did the School two years ago.

We went in to lots of schools which was great. We also spent a day in one of the universities  We helped serve food to some homeless at the Missionaries of Charity house. We went on a pilgrimage through the city one day. We did lots of stuff.

 Rob, Monika, Hele and Kev - looking pretty happy and sober

One evening we went to meet Fr Thierry at the airport. Then we waited a bit longer for Ursa (one of our students) who was arriving. While waiting at the arrivals hall, Kristina told Fr Thierry how Vilnius is the City of Mercy. He was obviously moved by this and asked us to join him in singing a hymn about God's Mercy...which we did quite reluctantly. While we were wanting the earth to swallow us up, he was getting louder and louder and louder. Everyone was staring at us. Then he started proclaiming God's Mercy at the top of his voice, while Kristina had to translate. Then he invited everyone to join us in singing, and he started up again. By this time, we were over our embarrassment and we got right into it. People were joining in and clapping along. It was so much fun. Everyone was loving it. Everyone was happy and smiling. Then we spoke to people individually about the mission and gave them miraculous medals. Then Ursa walked through the gate and we left!

 Papal Nunzio and Fr Thierry celebrating Mass at the Gate of Dawn

(Image of Our Lady of Mercy)

 The Gate of Dawn (from the street)

One day we walked up a hill that overlooks the city of Vilnius.

 The Hill of Three Crosses (me - second from right on the bottom)

On the last weekend, we were on mission outside the Cathedral each day. We had a tent where we offered people tea and coffee. There was live music all day, and talks and dancing. It was like a festival. We got to speak to so many people. It was amazing.

Hele and Kev and some of our students

On the Saturday night Kristina's Gospel choir sang. They were great. There was a good crowd and a fantastic atmosphere.

 Kristina and her choir

The stage and the Cathedral (St Helen) 

We needed to relax after our last day of mission, so we went to a Greek restaurant for a beer. Instead I had some metaxa (Greek brandy) and some saganaki (fried cheese). It was soooooooo yum yum.

Anne (student) and Kev

It took us a few days to recover when we got back to Rome. Everyone was pretty tired, but we had such a great time.