FR. TONY IN LOS ANGELES 10...

This one wouldn't embed properly... Here's the link~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSqqk9tY2Ec

FR. TONY RICARD IN LOS ANGELES 1 - 9... ENJOY!!!

PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

Our Father

3 Hail Mary

Glory Be

V. Let us pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI

R. May the Lord preserve him, give him long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.

V. You are Peter.

R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.

Let us pray,

God our Father, Shepherd and Guide, lookk with love on your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, the pastor of your Church. Grant that his word and example may inspire and guide the Church, and that he, and all those entrusted to his care, may come to the joy of everlasting life. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Mother of the Church, pray for us.

Saint Peter, pray for us.

TWISTED SISTER?

It was a great five days!! Sara arrived at midnight Wednesday. While Linda and I were at work on Thursday, Sara and Brenda went to the Quarter for café au lait and beignets, and also went to the Aquarium. In the evening, it was off to Aunt Leni's for char-grilled oysters, with Sara, Brenda, Linda, and KenEllie, after which we all returned home for some delicious Chantilly Berry cake from Whole Foods, and a viewing of The Proposal.

Friday both Linda and I stayed home to spend time with Sara. Lunch was pizza at Mo's. Dinner at FujiHana to celebrate Kenny's Birthday with DJ, Brenda, Kenny and Gisselle, Sara and Linda.

Saturday Linda and I, DJ/Brenda, and Sara took a motorcycle ride along the River Road (West Bank side) to the 310 bridge. Crossing over, we went out Airline Highway to Sorrento where we turned on to Hwy 22 for a leisurely meandering route back to Pontchatoula. From there we hopped on I-55 and hitailed it back to NOLA, going straight to FujiHana (yet again), this time for BB's birthday party! Taking up two hibachi tables, we had a great time, enjoyed the good food, and Bridget and friends seemed to enjoy themselves, too!

Sunday started off with me preaching at both 8 AM and 11 AM masses. Then Linda, Sara and I took another ride. This time we went around different parts of NOLA that Sara hadn't been to yet. Rode by City Park, the new Holy Cross HS campus, and down through the French Quarter, before returning to the West Bank. From there we went to P&J's for a shrimp "burl". Major Dad cooked up about 40 pounds of shrimp, so we feasted on shrimp, potatoes, shrimp, corn, shrimp, mushrooms, sausage, artichokes, and did I mention... shrimp?!?!

Monday I called the boss and got the day off. Linda, Sara and I rode (again!!). This time we met Skip from Mandeville and his wife. He had "rescued" Sara during her epic motorcycle journey to Colorado when she found herself out of gas in front of a (closed) gas station in Colorado. We joined Skip and his wife at the 'Teau and had a great time meeting, greeting and catching up. Then it was back home again, once more going through the French Quarter, just because it's so much fun when your on a motorcyle. Resting up we watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall, then off to P&Js for some shrimp bisque cooked up by Major Dad from the leftovers of the day before. It was truly "kick ASS" bisque!!

Today it was back to work. Sara will be flying out in about an hour and a half. All in all it was a terrific visit and we can hardly wait to see Sara, and everyone else, in July for the wedding.

So, there you have it, Sara's visit, in a nutshell.

Take care, and God bless!!

SMILING FACES, SOMETIMES...

I have no good excuse for not posting the last couple of weeks, other than that I've had nothing to say.  It's been a pretty quiet time.  I've moved my desk at work (for about the 10th time!).  Same job, different view.

The RCIA class that I'm leading is going well.  I've tried to avoid being involved in RCIA ever since ordination.  It just didn't feel like what I was being called todo.  Having been "stuck" with it this year, it is proving to be a real learning experience for me.  I'll stop short of saying that I'm glad I got roped into it, but I am learning a lot more about the fundamentals of my faith, which is a good thing.

Moving on slowly toward the July wedding.  It's coming faster than it seems.  So much to do... still trying to plan the rehearsal dinner, although as it stands now it's looking like a good ol' Louisiana shrimp boil is in the offing!  Should be a lot of fun.

It's going to be really great getting everyone together.  Family and friends that we only see occasionally, all gathered together in one place at the same time!!  Del Rio will not know what hit it!!  Hurricane Herrick and Co. is blowing through!!!

Speaking of... S2 is flying in from PA Wednesday night, so our first day will be Thursday, her birthday.  Happy Birthday (early), Sis!!!  We can hardly wait.  It's going to be a fast and furious visit.  Thursday birthday, Friday birthday (Kenny), Saturday birthday party (BB and friends), Sunday preaching (Fr. Deo was gracious enough to handle the Saturday evening Mass for me)... and hopefully a nice motorcycle ride in there somewhere!  Whew!  I'm tired just thinking about it!!

We're starting to warm up, a few degrees at a time, with cold fronts passing through every several days, bringing rain.  We still have at least one good cold snap in the wind, since the Navy hasn't shifted to their summer uniform yet.  Every year the Navy finally shifts into the summer uniform and shortly thereafter we get the last cold snap of the season.  Without fail!

With the huge disasters in Haiti and Chile and the flooding in France, the the mudslides in the Archdiocese of Tororo, Uganda have gone largely unnoticed.  From what I've learned, three villages were completely destroyed by this disaster.  We are praying for the people whose lives have been affected.  Also, we are working with Fr. Deogratius Ekisa to learn how we can most effectively help the people of that area.  More on that to follow.

And speaking of Uganda, it's time to start planning our next trip.  Perhaps in 2012.  When we went in 2005 we were accompanied by DLG, and also our very close friends (and brother deacon) "Uncle" Mick and "Aunt" Bev.  DLG had a great time and wants to bring the grandkids next time!  Perhaps some of my siblings would like to take a journey to the "dark" continent?  After all, you'll have your passports... why not?!?!

Sad to report, the "dismantling" of the New Orleans Saints has already begun.  It seems that one of the fans favorite players, Scott Fujita, has signed with the Cleveland Browns. Just goes to show, it's not about the game, it's about the $$$. So who's going to be next?!?!

Lent is moving right along, and Easter is just around the corner.  Time to start rehearsing the Exultet!!  Probably the longest 6 - 7 minutes of my life! (Although it probably seems MUCH longer for the congregation!!)

I have several special intentions for which I am asking for prayers. Thank you, in advance, and God bless you!

ST. MICHAEL'S RIDERS, A CATHOLIC MOTORCYCLE GROUP