September 7, Lavon and I went to KC for our pre-departure meeting with the rest of the travel group and the travel agents who gave us our real marching orders. We leave on October 7 at 1230 hrs on Delta to Atlanta the an overnighter to Paris then a connecting flight to Lisbon. We start the adventure the next day with our first trip to Fatima, Portugal. I will blog as we go, from KC to Atlanta to Paree'. Internet service will be few and far between when we get to Fatima and Lourdes. I plan to do all of my blogging with my iPad as most of my photography and movies. I probably will not be able to download my movies until I get back, so don't expect too much during this trip. If I get some good WiFi on the trip, probably in Rome, then I'll upload as much as I can. I will also be carrying my phone and it has Skype as well as my iPad. My Skype name is Mojoron. If you want me to add you as a contact, then send a request through your Skype. The time difference will be +6 to +8 hours. Our most tiring day will be the day we leave Lourdes for Paris. Our plane leaves at 7:30 AM and the airport is 1 hour away.... That means a 3:00AM wake up! Thank the Lord that our first day in Rome will be a sleeper!

We have over 85 folks going with us, on two flights and two busses once we get to Europe. Now THAT is a pilgrimage! On the flight will be the Archbishop and his Chancellor and a Blessed Virgin Mary specialist, our tour guide from New York and several other diocesan officials.

Above, Archbishop Nauman speaks to the group about what type of spiritual support will be available during the pilgrimage. The bald headed guy in front is Mike (no, it isn't a self portrait), he is our Liturgical guru who is charge of the singing, Holy Mass liturgies and anything else that needs to be done.

As you can see, there is a nun in the picture. She was with two of her sisters who are from France and belong to the order Little Sisters of the Lamb. They entertained us before we got started by signing an acapella tune. I asked them when we were leaving if I could steal them to come to our parish to add to our music. I asked one of them if they could sing with a banjo. She kinda looked at me with a puzzled look, shaking her head. I told her, "neither can we!" She just laughed!

The next trial will be to pack all we need each in a 62" combined dimensioned suitcase and under 40 pounds (we have to plan for stuff coming back, of course!) . Our suitcases fully loaded are 67" in combined dimensions fully loaded. Oh, Oh! I'll have to leave my pillow home! Lavon, NO CHEMICALS!

See you later.