The end of the Blog...

It’s hard to believe that the month has ended. As I noted earlier, it will take some time for me to process the entire experience. I am persuaded that I am bringing back to La Salle a greater appreciation for what makes it special. I can also see better how La Salle can continue to broaden and deepen its existing strengths both academically and spiritually. In the meantime, here’s a (somewhat) lighthearted take on what I’ve learned while staying in the Eternal City: Richard Gray’s top 10 lessons learned... 10. The cobblestone streets of Rome are hell on your feet. Bring a well-broken in pair of sneakers. Docksiders won’t cut it! 9. If you live in Rome, there is no such thing as a priest shortage 8. If Angelenos in cars rule the freeways, Italian pedestrians rule the sidewalks, so be prepared to get out of their way 7. The nice thing about attending a conference in which the participants speak different languages is that no session lasts longer than 45 minutes – otherwise the translators’ heads will explode 6. Europeans know how to produce attractive paper money – our bills looks like somebody spilled tea on them 5. Brother Domingos from Mozambique at 33 years of age speaks 4 languages – I have GOT to get serious about learning Spanish! 4. Cultural differences become real – and demand respect – when you share living quarters with people from 18 different countries, speaking three different languages and taking for granted a wide variety of customs that you’ve never heard of... 3. Like most Catholic Americans I take for granted the virtues of freedom of speech in our society and in our schools…until I listen to the challenge of Christian Brothers in places like Malaysia where they operate government-schools in which instruction in the Muslim religion is required 2. Being exposed to the different works of the Institute reminds me that there are many ways to educate young people And, the number one lesson learned while I’ve been in Rome is… If graduates of Lasallian schools like La Salle, Pasadena, don’t leave us with a healthy respect for spiritual values and the necessity of sharing with others the gifts God has given them, then we haven’t done our job so, as they say in Roma… Ciao, bella – baby (okay, the “baby” part is more Hollywood than Roma) Oh, and BTW…(if you don’t know this acronym, ask any teenager who texts!) it IS possible to eat too much pasta! Thanks for tuning in! * I LOVE this picture! It is taken through a Keyhole (YES...a keyhole!) of the main gate to the Sovereign Military Order of the Knights of Malta (they're the ones who support the work at Lourdes, France) located at the top of the Avetine Hill, framing the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica.