Grazie!
Dear Parishioners,
Karen and I are deeply grateful to Father Sam and all parishioners who assisted with worship services and administrative duties during the past three weeks.
During our time away, we had the incredible opportunity to travel to Italy. With the invaluable help of Jonathan Balog—a licensed Roman tour guide and the son of parishioners George and Barbara Balog—we explored a Roman catacomb, the Vatican, and other religious sites.
In Rome, we did plenty of walking, logging over 18,000 steps on some days! One highlight was touring the Roman Colosseum, the Forum, and Palatine Hill. Another was visiting the Galleria Borghese, where we marveled at Caravaggio’s paintings and Bernini’s sculptures.
After a week in Rome, we traveled to Florence, staying at the Carriage House (guesthouse) of St. James Episcopal Church (church pictured). Father Sam, our Rector Emeritus, served as Rector there from 1983 to 1990. It was a joy not only to worship at beautiful St. James but also to explore Florence. Memorable moments included seeing Michelangelo’s David, visiting the Uffizi Gallery, admiring the Duomo, and exploring the Basilica of San Lorenzo.
The beauty of our Christian faith shone brightly in the breathtaking paintings, sculptures, and mosaics we encountered. It was inspiring to see tourists of many cultures and faith traditions drawn to these faith-affirming masterpieces.
Beyond Florence, we traveled to Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Venice. St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice left us especially awestruck. Each destination offered unique architecture, fascinating history, and breathtaking works of art.
This journey was truly a memorable and faith-affirming experience. We are sincerely thankful to Father Sam and Judi Hartman, as well as George and Barbara Balog, for their invaluable guidance in planning this special trip. We also greatly appreciate the support provided through SMA clergy continuing education money, which helped fund a portion of our travels.
Lastly, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who ensured the parish ran smoothly during our absence. We are profoundly grateful for the time away, which offered us education, renewal, and exploration. Grazie!
Father John and Karen
