Help me baptize my dream trip to Alaska.

Ever since I turned 18, I've been riding motorcycles. At first they were borrowed friend's bikes and then they were inexpensive used bikes, all of which I loved riding. About two years ago, my friend Dan Hosford who will also be ordained in a couple weeks, turned me on to BMW bikes. I'd always dreamed of one day owning and riding one and I stumbled into a great deal on one. Dan and I did the major 50K service in my garage in the winter of 2005 and ever since that Spring, I've been hooked.

For years, I've always yearned to see the entire United States of America. I have been to all 49 contiguous states at this point and Alaska is the last one I've never been to. This June, I plan to ride my BMW to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. I hope to kill three birds with one stone.

Imbedded in my aim and goal to ride to Alaska is a need to somehow process the miracle of holy orders in the form of my ordination into the Permanent Diaconate. I need some time alone to really ponder the change that's taken place within me over the last five years, and to think about Bishop Kurtz's imposition of hands on my head. I plan to self direct a retreat on two wheels which will include much solitude, a lot of prayer, and thanksgiving for my family, my relationship with Jesus Christ, and celebrate the work of my life which is photography. In trying to live out my call as both a baptized Christian and an ordained Deacon, I hope to image the servant Jesus by raising money for a high school in Haiti that I've been involved with through the Sacred Heart Hope for Haiti Mission.

I plan to chronicle my journey of faith by blogging my way through 12,000 miles in about 5 weeks or so. To follow my progess, please check out http://rideforhaiti.blogspot.com/ to track my ride for Haiti. Also, please consider e-mailing a link to the blog to anyone that might be generous to donate money to that cause. Otherwise, I'll be praying for all of you this week that you'll study the right notes, cram with accuracy and gusto, and that you'll all do well on your respective exams.

Please have a safe, productive, and enjoyable summer and we'll see you next semester! God Bless!!!! patrick :)

Congrats to our 07" Graduates!!!!

Congrats to our 07' Graduates!!!
Wow! Today was my very first commencement at KCHS. The gym was hardly recognizable and it was beautifully decorated in our school colors. It was easily the most people I've ever seen packed in there.

The whole thing was high energy, with all of us living our our own high school graduations vicariously through the 125 that made it today. The speeches were honest, funny, compelling, and thought provoking. We appreciate so much The Bishop, Dr. Morgan, and Coach "Cut" being able to make the time to come and speak. After the speeches, the high point for me was watching Mr. Bartlett receive the prestigious award, and then lose it in front of everyone. His tears shed today was like a sacramental in that they conveyed the collective sacrifice, pride, and joy of our awesome faculty and staff. While we sometimes complain about KCHS, we love it more than we let on. Truly today we bore Christ in true celebration of a special unity that is Knoxville Catholic High School. Please click the link to see some photos in a short slideshow:
http://pmrphoto.com/grad/

Our hearts go out to the Gibbons Family...

No one knows what to say to someone that loses a loved one, especially one so young as Kathleen's Dad Sean. Please sign the card in the Commons "Thunderdome," so that Kathleen will know we are thinking about her and praying for her family. After offering the mass for the repose of the Soul of her Dad, Fr. Orr pointed out in the Chapel yesterday that now is the time to be Kathleen's friend. We can do this without worry by simply praying for her constantly. Please consider attending the funeral mass next Thursday, especially if you know Kathleen or are a Junior. Saying the rosary is a great way to send spiritual flowers that will never die so please consider this seriously and invite friends to join you.

A mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 26, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church with Father John Dowling celebrant. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: the St John Neumann Catholic Church Building Fund, 225 Jamestowne Blvd, Farragut, TN 37934.

Catholic Day on the Hill...

Eight students attended this last Wednesday and we all had fun in the rain in Nashville. Will Brewer dominated one of the sessions where students got to argue and then vote on issues on the floor of the house. We also toured the Senate chambers and visited the Tennessee State Museum as well. We really appreciated the lift we got from Sacred Heart's motor coach too...

It's a little known fact that attending this particular trip is good for a few indirect service hours, which came to some on the trip as a surprise...

Last, I've been absent from school some lately as it seems that Dolly needed my help to open the new roller coaster, the "Mystery Mine." it's been ridden over and over by a couple of our freshman, so if you want a real person review, ask Amanda.

It's a great ride and much recommended by all who have been on it...

Remember, it's still Easter guys!!!! Live like it... pat :)

Jesus is coming... and the bunny too.

We are all on the very edge of the most important part of the liturgical year. There are signs all around us that Spring is here. Even the flowers, grass, and trees are pointing us towards new life in Christ. Holy week seems to sacramentalize what's happening all around us in nature.

Ask yourself if you are feeling like the new buds on the end of the branches. We should be preparing to burst into the life of Christ on Easter morning. We should be preparing to shed the darkness of winter and take on new life as we bask in the bright warmth of the Son.

Please pray for our Senior Class retreat this Thursday and Friday. These guys have come a long way in four years and they will be heading off in very different directions soon. Pray that they will make good decisions this summer and beyond.

Haiti Warehouse Packing Day March 10th 9-noon

here is the map again: http://pmrphoto.com/map1

get 3 indirect service hours and free donuts!

Youth 2000 - dateline: Hendersonville, TN

Tonight we arrived safely in Middle Tennessee at our hotel and were greeting by smiling and laughing Franciscans with their ropes (cinctures), sandals, and sunny dispositions. We had a full evening with music, an awesome mass, a beautiful version of the scriptural rosary, a short break, and then a cool meditation on the road to Amaaus presented through the lens of the exposition of the most blessed sacrament. Wow! Way cool... and we still have all day tomorrow and then mass on Sunday too. I thought I was seeing double until I learned that we have twins with us. Freaked me out as I'm driving the longest Chevy van ever made. Our trusty GPS unit "Shirley" has been faithful so we are not as lost as we might seem. I expect good things to come from our next few days and we pray that those participating at Sleepless are gaining much and having fun as we are. Unlike those at Sleepless, however, it's time for this old man to head to bed... so God Bless! pat :)