UPDATE 9 Feb 2023:
You have hit the goal! Thank you from the bottom of my beady black heart.
The additional donations that reach me by snail mail or other will go to defray flights, meals “out” in Rome, and perhaps a day trip or two. I tend to cook for myself while there to save money, for eating out in Rome is spendy to say the least. Food photos seem to be favorites, except for those who hate them.
Hence, additional donations that come now will be applied to additional expenses and perhaps next October.
I am so grateful. Let us pray that many graces come from this trip.
Originally Published on: Feb 1, 2023
It’s time for another appeal. Long-time readers know that I try to get back to Rome in April/May and in October. These are the best times for Italy.
This is my way to keep my brain alive, identity strong and – having been significantly cancelled – my liturgical batteries recharged.
I’m also working on house repairs. Hence, another fundraiser.
My plan is to arrive in Rome on 1 April, not kidding, and be at my adoptive parish Ss. Trinità for Holy Week. Once Easter is accomplished, the next phase will be to travel with friends who will be in Italy and who have invited me along. When they return stateside, I’ll head to Rome for the month of May, back to the apartment I’ve had twice, last June and last October.
My last time in Rome was a graced season for sure: daily Mass in the best possible environment with great priests and lay people, there was the October Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage, I had my chalice regilded and then reconsecrated by the late Card. Pell, I had an excellent meeting with my bishop, and I was restored for another few months of the trenches of cancellation and online work. (I also lost weight!)
This time I want to work on a couple of book ideas, check on degree work, investigate a possible pied–à–terre (I guess that would be piede a terra) with guest room so I can more easily split my time, lower cost of being there over time, help fellow priests who come to Rome, and look to the future.
Maybe I’ll try to find a chess tournament and get some FIDE points if I can eek out a win!
And I like to be there for my anniversary on 26 May.
The last time I had a fundraiser, I did it in terms of “days in Rome”, which will cover my best estimate of rent, food, getting around, US phone use in Italy, etc. The last few times there, I cooked “in” and saved a great deal doing so: to eat “out” in Rome is expensive. Besides, it is a great pleasure to shop the shops I’ve known for years, decades really, and cook for myself.
My best arguments for support for this project are as they were before: Masses celebrated for the donors for the project, enhanced content here, and the knowledge that I often, when walking about, realize that I am smiling.
My fundraising goal is to cover 40 days in Rome.
[UPDATE 5 Feb. Change of plan. I was informed by my friends with whom I was going to be travelling after Easter and to the end of April, that they are NOT going to remain in Italy after Easter. They will return to these USA. Hence, I have to scramble a little to extend my time on my own. I have to extend this to 50 days, rather than 40, to keep the plan intact. This will give me the chance to stay in Rome the whole time or perhaps go someplace else until 1 May.]
If we raise for more than that, I can “nest egg” it for Sept/October.
I’ll record the names of everyone who donates for this, large and small, and remember you at daily Mass, pray for you at the tombs of saints, and say Mass for your intention often.
The usual ways of donating are available. Some of you know them already. Zelle, through your bank works well. For international donations there is a service called WISE which is very good and has the lowest fees and best conversion rate I’ve seen and I can accept any currency with it, convert it, and either move it or withdraw it using an ATM in Rome. Try WISE. HERE
There’s also waaavy flag (PayPal).
Add a note “Days in Rome” and your email if you want me to write back.
However, keeping in mind that some services like PayPal take a service fee percentage, for larger donations checks by snail mail would be better. Contact me HERE about that. There is a faster route than through the old P.O. Box. This is the best way for any significant amount, and there were a few of you, last time, who were quite generous. It isn’t as fast, of course.
I suspect that as this project progresses, the Enemy will start to screw around with my life in annoying ways… which always happens. ROFL! Yeah, it’s annoying, but what a loser.
UPDATE 26 Feb:
Thanks in advance to those who are sending checks by snail mail!
DM, JPMcG, LD, HL, LD, KB, NW, DD, AB, MMcM,J-AF, JD, JL, BB, JC, WH, GMW, JH, RM, IG, MdeM, CN, LP, DH, LO’B, MMcC, MH, EL, JM, TO’R, DH, TE, SH, MD, DPY, TC, AR, SAS, LV, JS, AK, AMJLD, AM, AD, TGx2, MO’N, MT, MH, JF, MG, KMcM, JS, DE, JS, JW, MW, AH, RR, DR, MMM, EP, SAS, M&ST, MG, EW, WS, TB, JK, DA, Fr. JF, DC, SK, MEF, KT, T&SB, CH, PMcD, RK, WPH, AD, JF, JZ, RD, SP, MK,
As of ASH WEDNESDAY – 22 February 2023 – the Novus Ordo form of absolution in English is to change slightly in these USA.
From a reader…
Originally Published on: Feb 1, 2023
The last time I had a fundraiser, I did it in terms of “days in Rome”, which will cover my best estimate of rent, food, getting around, US phone use in Italy, etc. The last few times there, I cooked “in” and saved a great deal doing so: to eat “out” in Rome is expensive. Besides, it is a great pleasure to shop the shops I’ve known for years, decades really, and cook for myself.
Just a quick reminder about the nature of the 
Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession 
