As the semester begins, I will not be making posts in the near future so that I can devote more time to prayer and study.  Thank you for praying for all of the seminarians!

New Semester

Please pray for all of our seminarians as we return to Saint Charles Borromeo for the new academic year.  This year, Raleigh is sending 8 new seminarians, which makes 21 in total.  The entering classes have been so big recently that the seminary had to renovate dorms that have not been used in decades.

Here is Raleigh's contribution:

Medical Update

My MRI on August 17 revealed that portions my tumor continues to grow at a steady rate.  There are two growing portions - one on the top and one on the bottom of the tumor - and the Carboplatin chemotherapy doesn't seem to be having any effect.

The wonderful doctors at the National Institutes of Health caught this early, and have discontinued chemotherapy.  I am now deeper into the trial - taking a trial drug called "Vandetanib."  Vandetanib attempts to stop a growth gene in the tumor while also restricting blood flow to replenish the tumor cells.

Cardinal Rigali, St. Charles Seminary, and Bishop Burbidge all remain supportive, and after consulting with my doctors, they are allowing me to return to the seminary next week.  Please continue to pray for me, as I do for all of my benefactors and those who pray for me.

An Umpire, a Pitcher and an Example

"An Umpire, a Pitcher and an Example"

by Bishop Michael Burbidge

One of my summer jobs throughout my time in the seminary and prior to my ordination as a Deacon was that of a baseball umpire. Some individuals humorously state that the job prepared me to be a Bishop----lots of “close calls” with not everyone agreeing with you!

We have learned more about the world of the umpire in the widely broadcast story of a mistaken call that recently cost a pitcher the thrill of hurling a “perfect game.” On June 2, with one out to go in the bottom of the ninth inning, a ground ball was hit. The Detroit Tigers’ pitcher, Armando Galarraga, covered first base. The runner was clearly out. However, the umpire, Jim Joyce, ruled the runner safe. Due to the error, Armando Galarraga will not be listed in the record books as one of the elite number of pitchers who ever threw a perfect game.

While this was an unfortunate development in sports, the responses of the umpire and pitcher have provided valuable lessons regarding the manner in which to handle adversity. After the call was made and knowing its consequences, the pitcher simply smiled and continued the game without any display of anger. After the game and upon seeing the videotape, the umpire humbly acknowledged the mistake. In fact, he asked to meet with the pitcher in the clubhouse to convey his heartfelt apology. The pitcher reminded the umpire that no one is “perfect.” The next game day, the umpire and pitcher met on the field and displayed sportsmanship, class, respect and professionalism. Their examples speak loudly - to every baseball player, coach, umpire and fan - of the necessary perspective we must maintain.

We can also apply the examples of the pitcher and the umpire to our spiritual lives. While it is sometimes difficult to admit, we must realize that none of us is “perfect.” We make mistakes and bad judgments. We sin and we fail. In order to grow in our spiritual lives, we must not waste time or energy making “excuses.” To be truly reconciled, we must acknowledge our sins, express our sorrow and seek forgiveness. The Good News is that Our Lord Jesus embraces us in His infinite mercy and love. How blessed we are to experience these gifts most especially in the Sacraments of Eucharist and Penance.

Likewise, we may also have to admit that we have failed others. We discover true freedom simply by stating our mistake and offering a sincere apology to anyone we have offended by our words or deeds. In turn, we must not expect anyone to be “perfect.” We should always be willing and ready to accept the apology others may have to offer us so that together we can begin anew.

The umpire stated that he had been in the profession for twenty-plus years and all that time no one knew him. Now because of that one mistake, he is the most recognizable umpire in the sport. Since that time, coaches and managers have taken the time to offer praise and encouragement for his good work throughout the years. In our own lives, we can easily focus on what we have done wrong and on our limitations or that one bad decision. However, growth in our spiritual lives demands that we daily give thanks for the many ways God uses us as His instruments and works in and through us. Celebrate what you have accomplished with God’s grace and never forget the miraculous ways the Lord has used you and continues to use you as His instrument each and every day. In the same way, lift up and encourage those who may be unable to see God’s blessings in their midst, especially those who may be overwhelmed with recent failure or hardship.

The call that deprived a pitcher of a perfect game reminds us that the world of sports can often teach some valuable lessons in life and in our spiritual journey. We should pray daily for the grace to keep our priorities in order to demonstrate sportsmanship on and off the field, to reflect class and respect in our dealings with others, to acknowledge our failures, to apologize when necessary, to forgive those who have injured us, to celebrate our accomplishments and to support those in our midst who are in most need of encouragement.

By the way, I remember some significant mistakes I made as an umpire and I acknowledge that I am still far from perfect. Thus, how can I not help but take this opportunity to ask you to continue to support your Bishop, especially in those “close calls” that have to be made!

Taken from NC Catholics, July 2010

Last days in Lourdes

The sick are constantly pulled around the town:

One of the many plaques in the basilica thanking Our Lady for her intercession:

The beautiful mosaics in the basilica depict the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary:

Our Lady of the Waters.  Bernadette was not happy with the image/statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, and she said that more than any other image of Our Lady, Our Lady of the Waters reminds her of the woman she saw in the grotto:

The knocker from the rectory.  This is how Bernadette knocked on the door to inform Msgr. Peyramale of Our Lady's wishes:

The veil in which St Bernadette was buried:

A view of the town from the Lourdes castle:

The nearby town of Bartres, where Bernadette lived with her aunt for a few months:

Bernadette used to walk up this path daily...

... to tend to the sheep.  The stable still stands:

My apologies for the lack of posts recently, and for the recent problems in accessing the site.  Over the next few days I will be uploading the last photos of my trip to France, and then will be taking a pause in posting during the seminary semester.  

My next MRI is on August 17 - please pray for me!

Where to Visit in Lourdes

In addition to the sanctuary sites, there are a few other places not to miss when visiting Lourdes.  As you leave the sanctuary through the St. Joseph's gate, walk over the Pont Vieux bridge for a great view of the Gave river:

Keep walking, and stop at the Jeanne D'Arc cafe for lunch, or at night for a pint with the Irish and Scottish pilgrims:

If someone else is paying for dinner, the restaurant in the Hotel de la Grotte is excellent:

Don't eat here:

Caffe Leffe near the Centre Ville is also great:

Monoprix is the "Wal-Mart" of France, and is in the Centre Ville:

In the basement of the Lourdes parish church, pray at the tomb of Msgr. Peyramale, Saint Bernadette's parish priest:

Visit the Cemetery "d'Egalite" off of Rue de la Grotte to pray at the Soubirous family tomb:

Bernadette's parents, brothers, sisters, and cousins are all buried under this tomb in the cemetery - as recent as her relatives who died in 2006:

Our favorite French family from the "Foyer" left today.  They run the gathering place for the volunteers after the Rosary procession each evening:

Candles continue to burn as a reminder of our petitions to Our Lady of Lourdes:

Visit to the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes

Bishop Jacques Perrier, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, invited the seminarians to his Lourdes home for dinner:

The bishop's receiving room:

Fr. Palmeiro welcoming us to the dining room:

Later in the evening, the procession of the sick: