I’ve been updating my website the last few days. It’s close to being done, but I have several older pages that I have not formatted for the new design.

Some URL’s have changed, so if you are looking for something, try the search bar to the right.

I will be adding a few more design elements over the next few days, but for now, hope you enjoy the new look and organization!

If you notice something that seems a little off, please let me know and I’ll try to fix it.

It’s a chilly rainy day here in Georgia. Cold rainy days always remind me of Venice. Probably not the image of Venice most people have! I’ve been to Venice many times, most always in the winter when it’s raining (the best winter trip was my honeymoon). This has more to do with being cheap, than having bad luck. Venice in the winter is not at all crowded and incredibly cheap compared to the summer. I’ve become an excellent navigator during the Acqua Alta, by the way! But, that’s not my point here.

As I look out at the cold rain and think of Venezia, I must to listen to Vivaldi (most famous for Le quattro stagioni – aka The Four Seasons). Born in Venice, he entered the seminary at 15 and was ordained a priest at 25. He was nicknamed The Red Priest, not because he was Cardinal material, but because of his red hair. Due to his poor health, he was not in active ministry for long.

He’s one of my top three composers and a must have addition to anyone’s playlist when traveling to Venice.

Since Epiphany is coming up (and we already celebrated it here in the US! Those Wise Men are getting so fast!) I thought I’d post an Epiphany song by my father.

This song actually earned him a trip to perform at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany.

Worship Him by Mick Butorac

My friends at Florentia (the best guides in Florence, by the way) posted this picture taken the other day in Florence. Wish I was there!

I am thrilled that today we are announcing a pilgrimage to Italy with the crew from The Catholic Guy show!

It’s been in the works for a while and we finally worked out all the details.

The trip is going to be amazing with Lino, Maureen, Lou and Father Jim and Father Rob!

We picked the dates very specifically to keep the price low and give more people the opportunity to join us. July means lots of heat, but also fewer crowds and lower prices.

Click here to read about the trip, and please contact me with any questions!

I am very excited with the news that Benedict XVI is expected to sign a decree approving John Paul II as venerable as early as today, December 19.

As part of the JPII generation, he played a big role in my faith. When he died, a friend and I dropped everything we were doing and traveled to Rome just to say thank you.

I cannot wait to attend the beatification!

For those wanting to travel with me to the beatification ceremony, whenever that takes place, I have 15 rooms reserved at my favorite hotel, just steps away from the Vatican. The deal was made several years ago, with my usual discounted rates already locked in. Obviously space is limited, email me if you are interested.

Want to read about something creepy and holy?

Check out my article:
Hanging with the Dead: Relics and Incorruptibles

One of the more fascinating and dare I say haunting encounters one has while traveling is the relics and incorruptible bodies found in churches throughout the world. Some are hard to find, such as the incorruptible body of St. Antoninus of Florence. He’s in the far back corner of the Church of San Marco, which is not found in many guidebooks. Others are prominently displayed, like St. John Vianney. With his head tilted slightly as if waiting to hear a confession, he’s above the main altar in the Sanctuaire d’Ars, in Ars, France.

Read the full article →