I can't believe ...

... I didn't blog during my two weeks in the parish.

I meant to, but kept putting off. That worked out ...

Anyway, it was a busy, educational, enjoyable, beneficial time.

I headed down there two fridays ago and helped chaperone a youth group event where the kids raised money for a homeless shelter by staying out in a K-Mart parking lot for 24 hours. I also preached during the first weekend. On Monday, I traveled back to St. Vincent with my pastor and a couple parishioners for the 4th Year Recognition Dinner. Every year, the seminary has a dinner honoring the deacon class as well as their assignment pastors. Though I can't believe I've arrived at my own 4th year, it was a good time.

The rest of that week kept me busy with teaching RCIA (giving a tour of the church and explaining Holy Week), leading a mini-retreat and preaching at our penance service (I also helped cook for the 7 priests who came to hear confessions).

On Friday, I went back to school to get my brother and to take a bunch of my stuff out of my room. That night we went to a play at the local Catholic high school. The next day, Matthew and I played a little concert at the parish's retreat house. We played some originals as well as songs by Sufjan and The Civil Wars.

Palm Sunday came with all of the processions and palms. On Sunday night I led adoration and benediction for the youth group.

Our diocese, because of its strange shape, has two Chrism Masses. We headed to Steubenville on Monday for the first one. This year is the only time I'll deacon at a Chrism Mass. It was exhausting, but I love good liturgies. We stayed at home that night and then headed to Marietta for the second one on Tuesday. The nice thing about those events is getting to see lots of the priests of the diocese.

Wednesday was really the only day with nothing going on; nothing but setting up for the Triduum.

I preached on Thursday (about the Eucharist and the priesthood). We had the Blessed Sacrament reposed in the parish hall (we built a kind of altar area) and people stayed to pray until midnight.

On Friday, there was lots of things to do in the church, but the liturgy was much simpler.

Finally, Saturday came. This was the busiest day. I sang the Exsultet, preached and baptized someone. It all went smoothly and Mass was beautiful. I really enjoyed being a part of all of it.

After two Masses on Easter Sunday, I headed home to visit with my family. We sat around and relaxed a lot.

Today, after Mass at FUS and running some errands, I am back at St. Vincent for my last week of classes. Wow.