I visited Franciscan University's Austrian campus in Gaming with Fr. Remus and Iulia at the end of August for a long weekend. It was a wonderful time - it's so beautiful there and no where has ever felt as much like home as the Kartause. While there, I spoke with the students about the mission trip that always comes to Romania for the 10-day break. After talking to about 80 students, 52 signed up!! So, 20 will be coming here to Turt on Saturday and 16 will be going to Cluj-Napoca to another priest that we know. Please pray for these mission teams.
I was also very blessed to have a visit from my friends who live in Dubai. Ann and her husband Keith came out for a few days and helped me keep sane while trying to design an orphanage. Their support of me and what I do has been amazing and I'm so happy to know them!
The best way to describe things here in chaotic. We are so busy all the time! We've been running running running all the time. I've been to Satu Mare the last 5 of 6 days (Not going today. Thank God. Haha). We've made some progress on the project. We have the property and the final paperwork will be done next week. It's a 30 meter by 100 meter property right at the entrance of our town. It's a beautiful property and the perfect spot.
We have had some issues, but whatever is worth doing doesn't come easy, right? The architect is not really working on the project as quickly as we had agreed. I was hoping to have at least the foundation in before I left, but it's too cold here now, so the concrete would crack. So, it's looking like everything will be happening starting in March. So, hopefully by the end of the summer, we'll have some major progress!!
Speaking of summer, I am so insanely excited to be able to say that the wonderful Anna Buckley will be serving here next summer! She's a student at Franciscan who came here on the mission trip last year. She is amazing and I cannot wait to have her here for the whole summer!! Anna, prepare yourself for the best and awesome-est summer ever!! Help her out if you can by going to www.bringhope.org/catherine and choosing her designation to donate to.
After the group from Gaming is here next week, I will be taking some MUCH needed retreat time. I was invited by the Missionaries of Charity in Rome to visit and take some time away. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to take them up on it, but God has definitely made it possible. And as it just so happens, one of my best friends is getting married and will be on her honeymoon in Rome the same week. It's amazing because if it had been a week earlier or a week later, I would not have been able to go. Praise the Lord for some time becoming a better missionary with the MCs and seeing one of my favorite people in the world.
Just 3 days after I get back from Rome, another group from Gaming will be coming for 4 days to help us out. And just a short month after that, I will be back home in the States for Christmas with my family and to continue fundraising for the project. Can you help make my time in the States shorter and help me get back here faster? Donate to the orphanage fund or my living expenses (remember, I don't get paid a single cent for what I do and I have living expenses on top of the fundraising for the orphanage).
Please continue to keep me in your prayers. This is very tough sometimes - God is definitely doing some painful purgation in my life right now, but I know He is doing it so that I can be a better missionary.
Also, in July, I started blogging for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's blog "Being Catholic." My most recent post, titled "Broken People Help Broken People" has been the most popular post lately. If you haven't seen it, you can read it here. I hope it inspires you. It's also a bit of explanation as to why I need prayers. To those of you who sent me texts, Facebook messages, and emails about it, thank you. Your words of encouragement and support have been amazing. I couldn't do what I do without the support of my prayer warriors.
If there is any was I can pray for you, please let me know by emailing me at cathering@bringhope.org.
"The Lord Himself will fight for you; you need only to be still." -Exodus 14:14
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