What Does The Prayer Really Say?
W D T P R S

Today is the last day of Acton University sponsored by the Acton Institute here in Grand Rapids, MI.  This is an annual meeting.   Some 392 people are here for the conference from, I am told, 51 countries.   It is sponsored by Acton Institute.

We are still going strong, but it is starting to wind down.  

Today, the final day, took me to the following sessions:

Liberation Theology presented by Fr. Robert Sirico
Pope Benedict XVI and His Vision for Europe by Samuel Gregg

Then, after lunch, where I sat with another Catholic blogger, Fr. Rob Johansen of Thrown Back, I attended:

This afternoon I will be interviewed on the Catholic radio with Al Kresta, who has been live at the site this week.

I some first impressions.

• The support staff for the University has been incredible!   Not only are busy and competent, they are cheerful and helpful!  If you have a question, they hop to and try to help.
• The sessions were restrained in respect to time.  They started on time and ended on time.  The presenters followed their syllabus very closely and did not stray from their topics.
• Presenters acknowledged what they did not know and were very respectful of people asking questions.
• Socially, this is a very mixed group, many different religions are represented.  
• The young people here are quite inspiring.  And there are a lot of them!  They are bright, interested, ambitious, and, most of them, good looking!  If conservative faith-filled young people out there want to meet people their own age, could come to this event!  (Lot’s of smart good-looking young Catholics!)
  
• I haven’t regreted any of the sessions I choose.  It would be good to do this again and get into some more advanced things.  I learned alot. 

I got word that Tim Russert, one of the major figures in American broadcast journalism, most lately host of NBC’s Meet The Press, died today of a heart attack. 

Please say a prayer for the repose of his soul and grieving family.

Here are a few very recent posts of interest:

Bp. Trautman doesn’t think you are smart enough to understand the proposed new translation of Mass

President Bush meets with Pope Benedict

Excommunicated SSPX Bp. Williamson speaks

Acton University: Day 1

Normally when the Pope meets a head of state, there is a special protocol to be followed.   The same goes for when the President meets with a head of state. 

When Pope Benedict came to the USA, he received very special treatment at the White House.  Yes, it was his 80th birthday, but it was indeed special. 

Now, Pres. Bush has received very special treatment for his visit to Pope Benedict.

The President and Pope Benedict spent some time walking in the Vatican Gardens. 

Of course Pope Benedict spends some time walking everyday, for his health.  But this time I don’t think he was simply multitasking.

I usually am not subject to the usual rumor rumbling of the Italian press, but it strikes me that something is up.