God's Rosebud

A parishioner from one of my earlier parish put this on facebook. I feel like the young minister trying to open the flower of the Italian language.

GOD'S ROSEBUD

A new minister was walking with an older,
more seasoned minister in the garden one day.

Feeling a bit insecure about what God wanted him to do,
he asked the older preacher for some advice.

The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed
the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it
without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older
preacher and was trying to figure out what a
rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting
to know the will of God for his life and ministry.

But because of his great respect for the older preacher,
he proceeded to try to unfold the rose,
while keeping every petal intact.

It wasn't long before he realized
how impossible this was to do.

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold
the rosebud without tearing it,
the older preacher began to recite the following poem...


"It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine."

"The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so easily,
But in my hands they die."

"If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?"

"So I'll trust in God to lead me
Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step along the way."

"For the path that lies before us,
Only our Lord and Savior knows.
So trust Him to unfold your life,
Just as He would this precious rose."
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Warning my brain may explode!

The Italians have a great way of connecting words especially in the imperative.

Give me the book.
is
Dai a me il libro!
That becomes
Dammi il libro!
Or
Dallo a me!
Or wait for it...
Dammelo!

Oddio!
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Yes I can!

When you learn a new language you first have to learn your own and then forget it. Flash cards are the only way for me so far.
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Siena evening walk

Prova 3

The third trail for the August 16th Palio and Lupa's horse looks good. The contrada has the nickname nonna so let hope they win on Friday. It would be great to live in the winning neighbourhood.

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Mia parrocchia

It is like being in grade school.  Everyday I have to write something small.  Here is an early composition, I think it says it all.

Mia parrocchia

 

La mia parrocchia ha due chiese.  Sacred Heart e St. Michael sono a Sarnia accanto al lago Huron.   Huron è un lago grande e bellissimo.  Il popolo della parrocchia è numeroso e bellissimo.  La mia parrocchia è composta da 2300 famiglie. Sono circa 8000 persone ma non le vedo tutte ogni fine settimana.   Comunque prego per tutti ogni giorno.

 

I parrocchiani vengono da molti paesi diversi ma tutti lavorano insieme.  Ci sono anche molti italiani che sono di solito i più simpatici e allegri.

Mi mancano mia parrocchia.

My favourite destination of a walk

Fr. Peter Keller
St. Peter Seminary
1040 Waterloo St.
London, ON N6A 3Y1

Ubi amor, ibi oculus - Where there is love, there is insightMi piace la basilica del osservatore. Ce faccio una passeggiata quasi tutti i giorni.

Half way to Roma

Fr. Peter Keller
St. Peter Seminary
1040 Waterloo St.
London, ON N6A 3Y1

Ubi amor, ibi oculus - Where there is love, there is insightI am coming up to the half way mark of my language studies. It still seems like a long way of to get proficient enough to strive but it is still wonderful to live in a beautiful place like Siena.

This is the view from the Duomo's unfinished main entrance. The people of Siena decided to expand their cathedral in the twelfth century but stop building because of the minor set back of the plague! It would have been huge!

Palio!!!!

The next Palio horse race is just two weeks away and the local contrada, Lupa (the she-wolf) is already ramping up for the celebration. It is great the city has given them their own no parking signs. The seventeen contrada are so important, they run the city.

Popular Culture meets history!!

I biked to Monteriggioni last week. Trying to climb the walls like in Assassin's Creed. Strange to think most people know this place from the video games… next week Voltera!! My nieces will be impressed!