Bishop O'Connell's report from Rome for Jan. 10, 2014
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Bishop O'Connell's report from Rome for Jan. 10, 2014
This morning, most of our group went to the Vatican Office ofthe Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization to hear a talk prepared just for us on the topic of the new evangelization and parish life by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Council. It was excellent and the Archbishop provided a good amount of time for follow-up questions. The priests responded well and said that they learned a great deal they never really thought about. I was very flattered when the Archbishop referred to my own pastoral letter released for the Year of Faith last year. It's nice to know that the Vatican notices our Diocese!
After a great conversation, the group scattered to make final visits around the Eternal City. Earlier, five of our priests opted to go to the Vatican Museum and Sstine Chapel. They had a great tour.
We reconvened at 7 pm for a final Mass followed by a Farewell Dinner. Conversations began to focus on returning to our parishes for Sunday Masses. Each day during the pilgrimage we paused at Mass to remember the intentions of all of those people for whom we promised to pray. It was my daily intention at every Mass to pray for the priests, deacons, religious women and men, seminarians and lay faithful of all our parishes throughout the Diocese. They are always present to me as Bishop.
We head home at 11:55 am. It was a great trip but I am sure we'll all be happy to get home. Thanks for reading this little travelogue. I will write an article soon about my impressions of Pope Francis whom I had the privilege of meeting and talking to several times during these wonderful days. Until then, ciao and arrivederci Roma![[In-content Ad]]
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This morning, most of our group went to the Vatican Office ofthe Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization to hear a talk prepared just for us on the topic of the new evangelization and parish life by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Council. It was excellent and the Archbishop provided a good amount of time for follow-up questions. The priests responded well and said that they learned a great deal they never really thought about. I was very flattered when the Archbishop referred to my own pastoral letter released for the Year of Faith last year. It's nice to know that the Vatican notices our Diocese!
After a great conversation, the group scattered to make final visits around the Eternal City. Earlier, five of our priests opted to go to the Vatican Museum and Sstine Chapel. They had a great tour.
We reconvened at 7 pm for a final Mass followed by a Farewell Dinner. Conversations began to focus on returning to our parishes for Sunday Masses. Each day during the pilgrimage we paused at Mass to remember the intentions of all of those people for whom we promised to pray. It was my daily intention at every Mass to pray for the priests, deacons, religious women and men, seminarians and lay faithful of all our parishes throughout the Diocese. They are always present to me as Bishop.
We head home at 11:55 am. It was a great trip but I am sure we'll all be happy to get home. Thanks for reading this little travelogue. I will write an article soon about my impressions of Pope Francis whom I had the privilege of meeting and talking to several times during these wonderful days. Until then, ciao and arrivederci Roma![[In-content Ad]]
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