… to solicit your prayers. My plans have been significantly impeded due to the volcanic activity in Iceland. My layover in Munich will probably not happen and my travel companion just informed his trip may be cancelled all together because he can’t make it into Berlin or Slovenia for work. I am really trying to keep my chin up and we are furiously looking into alternatives… but what we both need now is nothing short of miraculous. Please pray for... Read more

… I have a list of names and on it is every one who has made a donation to my travel fund*. I plan to take this list with me and pray for you while I am abroad. I have received several requests for prayers at the tomb of St. Peter. Some have requested specific locations in honor of various patron saints. I am flattered you would ask a miserable sinner like me to pray for you and I will... Read more

… about never being afraid to tell the people that mean the most to you what is on your heart. Yeah, I was wrong. Screw it; hold it all in and save every one the trouble. Read more

… it may seem contradictory that working with dying patients is life affirming but it is. Euthanasia not only robs the dying of their last remaining days, it robs the health care professionals of their ability to be empathetic. I know too many medical professionals who become robotic and devoid of emotion while providing care; duty usurps compassion. The dying have so much to offer society and even more to teach us about love & life. We should never be... Read more

… Malta Monday. Read more

… never never never book hotels in foreign countries under the influence of alcohol. In my case, a lot of alcohol. After 4 vodka & tonics your criteria for accommodations changes and takes a turn for the worst. Case in point… We thought it would be funny as hell to book a night in an uber trendy hotel in Zurich that has a trance club downstairs and where the decor looks like an Ikea bomb exploded in it. “Welkome to... Read more

… thinking I could actually get everything I plan to take to Europe in one back pack. I even pack eye liner when I go camping. Sigh. Read more

… the fact that I will be Ljubljana for their annual American Days, a celebration of American heritage. Festivities include pioneer covered wagons, live country and Cajun music, real cowboys and a hot dog eating contest. Nothing like traveling across the North Atlantic to experience your own culture… or some humorous bastardization of it anyway. Read more

… so why do they still ask where you’re headed to in such a hurry? Oh, you should have heard Mr. Highway Patrol laugh when I told him I was late for mass on a Saturday night. I really was though. Anyway, I have traffic court tomorrow morning for that ticket… 82 mph in a 65 zone. Whose intercession should I seek for this? Is there a patron saint for terrible drivers and merciful judges? Read more

Alexander Ivanov, 1835 Read more