Today, our school has been blessed to have recieved a letter from the Vatican. Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI appreciates our gift and sends his apostolic blessings on the school community. Double click on the letter to see it up close.

It’s been a month since the Beatification of Bl. John Paul II

It’s hard to believe that it has already been over a month since the Beatification in Rome. After a long flight back I was reminiscing the thoughts and emotions that went through my mind seeing Pope John Paul II beatified after just 6 years after his death. I can still recall the many Wednesday audiences that I was blessed to attend during my time in Rome in 2000 and the World Youth Day that year. I was blessed to have been able to study most of his writings, particularly his many encyclicals. I was even able to bring my wife, then fiancé, to see John Paul II during a New Year’s Eve ‘Te Deum’ prayer service in 2004, just months before he would pass away. I still have vivid memories of the time I was able to meet him after a private mass in his chapel in the apostolic palace. He will always be the model teacher that I will look up to and strive to imitate.

Coming home wasn’t easy. I love Rome! But coming home to my wife and back to the classroom excited me. While I was in Rome, I purchased over 1400 Bl. John Paul II medals, which I got blessed by Pope Benedict XVI at the Beatification Mass, to give out to friends, family, and the entire school community at Kennedy Catholic High School. I even purchased Kinder chocolates for my students, it was the chocolate that I enjoyed growing up, and seeing their reaction made my day. It’s awesome to hear how many people followed my blog entries and posted videos, some shared that they felt like they were there and experienced it first-hand.

My students loved the Kinder chocolate and appreciated the medals brought back for them. This past week I have been slowly distributing them especially since the seniors are drawing close to their graduation. I hope all of them realize that as they received their tickets for graduation that they will find their Bl. John Paul II medals brought back from Rome for them. I am sure they will be able to use Bl. John Paul’s intercessions as they prepare for college and beyond. Now that John Paul II is beatified, we can definitely ask him to intercede on our behalf, especially with all of our prayer requests. He was a man of great holiness who showed us how to be human and be holy!

I want to end with a challenge to all of you:


‘Do not be afraid; do not be satisfied with mediocrity! Cast out into the deep, and let your nets down for a catch’ –Bl. JPII

Cast out into the deep! Every desire of our human heart can be satisfied resting in the presence of Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the altar, now let’s meet there my dear friends, for it is in the Mass that we truly experience authentic love and are immersed in grace. Let us always remember that we are blessed with the communion of saints as models to the life of holiness, Bl. John Paul II now one of them. I look forward to celebrating his feast of October 16th of this year. All of the intentions and prayer requests that I brought with me to Rome haven’t gone unheard. I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. May God bless you and may you be inspired to be a witness to the Gospel of life in the vineyard of the Lord. As the summer draws near, make a new plan, open your heart to Eucharistic heart of our Lord and may he guide you in all of your adventure! Do not be afraid! - O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

The new location of Bl. JPII's tomb

Check out this article and video!

First images of John Paul II’s new tomb CatholicHerald.co.uk

Vatican Visit - Relics of Bl. John Paul II

Monday, May 2, 2011

Today, after the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Beatification of John Paul II, I was blessed to have an opportunity to visit Bl. John Paul II's relics! Over 1 million people have come from around the world to celebrate his awesome life and now as blessed, we can defenetly count on his prayers for all of us from the Father's house!

Kennedy Catholic @ The Vatican

The Banner that was made for this occasion has been given to the Prefect of the Papal Household. Since he doesn't like to be in photos, he did allowed me to take some his office and assured me that it will be delivered to the Holy Father's office.On my way out of the Prefect's office, I ran into one of the Swiss guards who I asked if I could get a picture of... GO LANCERS!!!The rest are of just random shots of St. Peter's Square, I even got a random person to help me, enjoy!

Day 4 - Sunday, May 1, 2011

‘Open the doors, rather open wide your doors for Christ!’ These were the first words spoken in his homily as Pope on October 22, 1978. Now, Pope John Paul II has been beatified and the world will be able to celebrate his feast day on October 22nd of every year! May 1st, Divine Mercy Sunday, a day that was filled with lots of emotions and joy seeing the image of Blessed John Paul II being unveiled and hearing millions cheer! Just hour prior to the Mass, I joined the many that had already lined up waiting to enter the square. I never imagined that I would get in a line to go to a mass 12 hours early but being one of the many in St. Peter's square was priceless. I brought the banner which represented the Kennedy Lancer family with me through the mess of the crowds..At the start of the Mass, crowded with mainly Polish pilgrim, the emotions of many, including myself, was running in our minds. John Paul II, the Pope whom majority of us have grown to know, has now become ‘Blessed’. Not too many people know how much John Paul II radiated holiness. As Pope Benedict XVI said 'I felt his holiness when he was in my midst, he truly indeed was a rock, as Jesus wanted him to be... Holy Father continue to bless us from above'. Bl. John Paul II was indeed a rock of faith that not only moved thousands but also the youth! I was moved with joy and tears when the veil covering the image of Bl. John Paul II was removed. As I looked around where I was standing, people were cheering and some even crying with tears of joy. John Paul II taught us many things but the most important thing, I think, was how to be holy in a world of darkness.

On a day that was supposed to be filled rain and thunderstorms, the sun was out and we truly felt God pouring out his Divine Mercy to all those who came from all the parts of the world! Bl. John Paul II was indeed the People's Pope. As the mass proceeded, all that was on my mind was my wife, whom I left in Seattle, and all of the Kennedy Lancer Family which I had the privilege to bring all of their intentions with me to this occasion. I truly feel blessed to have represented my family, my school community, and the Archdiocese of Seattle. I hope that the pictures and videos have helped you experience this Beatification weekend celebrating John Paul II. I look forward in sharing with all of you more when I return on Wednesday. God Bless...

John Paul II officially Beatified!

This video was taken from where I was standing at the Beatification Mass. Our Holy Father officially declares the Venerable Servant of God, John Paul II, Blessed! What a beautiful day it was! Blessed John Paul II, Pray for us!

At the Beatification

In St. Peter's Square in the midts of the crowds (Italian Media - 1.7 Million in attendance)

At the Beatification

After an awesome start of the weekend, I find myself in St. Peter's square awaiting the start of the Beatification of John Paul II. The square is getting packed and the feelings and excitements of the many who have travelled hours to be here is increasing. There is a tapestry on the front of the Basilica that is veiled, soon that will reviel a picture of John Paul II as he will be declared Blessed by our Holy Father Pope Benedict...

Just hours away from the Beatification

Just hours away from the Beatification, I find myself in the midst of the thousands that will enter St. Peter's square for the Beatification of John Paul II. I have the Kennedy Catholic banner with me! Can't wait to unveil it for all to see! I promise lots of pictures once I get settled. Thank God for WIFI or else I could never be able to show you all of this until I go back home Sunday night... God Bless... Mr. Mobini

Video from the Vatican

This video was taken a day before the millions of people gather to see John Paul II beatified. Preperations are being finalized and news just came out this morning that the body of the late pope is being moved to the front of the main altar in the Church for pilgrims to venerate after the Beatification Mass. I will try to take some pictures and a video of this as well. His body will then be moved from the papal crypt to the main church to a side chapel next to the chapel that has Michelangelo's Pieta. If you are planning on visiting Rome in the near future, you will be able to see. The sound might be a problem...

Day 1 - Thursday, April, 28, 2011

I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany this morning around 9:00 AM. The flight was under 10 hours and Lufthansa was an awesome airline to fly with. Talk about good customer service. The only downer about the flight was the air conditioning and the fact that we never saw night. Since this flight goes up to the North Pole, daylight practically dominated the 10 hours. To make things interesting, the cabin was really warm. I guess that helps some people sleep... Upon arriving I was blessed to get on an earlier flight that got into Rome at 12:30 PM instead of my original schedule that had me arrive at 5:30 PM.I arrived to a really warm and sunny Rome. My aunt and uncle picked me up from the airport and brought me home to freshen up. I ended up catching a ride with them into the city eventually leading me to St. Peter's Square. As I crossed the Tiber River, I saw many scafeltines set up for the big screens that will be set for those who will not be able to be in front of the Church. Many people were walking the streets and many groups from all over the world are coming to Rome either tomorrow or Saturday anticipating the start of the weekend ceremonies that will conclude with the Beatification of John Paul II.As I walked the Via della Conciliazione, the main road that leads to the front of the Vatican, I ran into the President and CEO of Life Teen international, Randy Raus. What a small world to run into people you know. I quickly walked through the crowd infested streets to St. Peter's square and got in line to enter the Basilica of St. Peter before the chaos of the next couple of days. After passing through a metal detector and having your bags screened I made my way to the front of the facade. I noticed lots of workers in the main square setting up the chairs that VIP's will be seated in and the many plants and flowers that will decorate the front of the main altar. Lots of hard work goes into these ceremonies that people often times miss. To my shock and surprise, the tombs of the Popes were closed today to prepare for the Beatification ceremonies that will come. I was a bit disappointed because I really wanted to go and spend some quiet moments there offering up all of intentions people have given me, nonetheless I was able to go in the main church and see what will be the plan for the post-Beatification.After a nice tour, I visited my favorite place to pick up religious articles for a really good price to pick up 1200 Beatus JPII medals for all of the Kennedy Catholic families. The banner I have brought to Rome with me will be at the Beatification ceremony. I will definitely have pictures to post of that soon. Today has been an eventful day, and it’s just the beginning. My thoughts and prayers go out to my wife, whom I miss dearly, and all of the Kennedy Catholic Family. May God bless all of you! PAX!

Just landed in Rome

The plane from Frankfurth to Rome was full but luckily the flight was short and now getting cleaned up and off to the Vatican before the chaos of Sunday's Beatification. I will try to take lots of pictures of what St. Peter's Square looks like and have a full report of the day.

Leaving for Rome

I tried to stay awake as much as possible last night in preparation for the time zone difference. My bags are packed and I am ready to go. I spent this morning with my students wrapping up their group projects and now I am off to the Seattle Airport to board my flight to Frankfurt and then to Rome. I will try to post some stories and pictures soon of the environment and activities happening in Rome. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless us this week as we draw near to celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday and the Beatification of JPII...

One Week Away...

He has Risen,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Happy Easter!!!

My bags are almost packed and the Beatification of John Paul II draws near. I have been getting many requests for religious articles and prayer intentions from friends and family. If you have a special prayer intention you would like for me to bring, feel free to leave them in the comments section of this post. I will make sure to bring your intentions to the tomb of John Paul II after the Beatification Mass this coming Sunday.

John Paul II: A radiant example of faith, Pope says

Vatican City, Apr 21, 2011 / 10:38 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During the celebration of the Chrismal Mass at the Vatican this morning, Pope Benedict said that despite many scandals in the Church, there are still "radiant examples of faith" such as John Paul II, who will be beatified on May 1.

Below is a part of Pope Benedict XVI's homily -

"For all the shame we feel over our failings, we must not forget that today too there are radiant examples of faith, people who give hope to the world through their faith and love. When Pope John Paul II is beatified on 1 May, we shall think of him, with hearts full of thankfulness, as a great witness to God and to Jesus Christ in our day, as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. Alongside him, we think of the many people he beatified and canonized, who give us the certainty that even today God’s promise and commission do not fall on deaf ears.

I turn finally to you, dear brothers in the priestly ministry. Holy Thursday is in a special way our day. At the hour of the last Supper, the Lord instituted the new Testament priesthood. "Sanctify them in the truth" (Jn 17:17), he prayed to the Father, for the Apostles and for priests of all times. With great gratitude for the vocation and with humility for all our shortcomings, we renew at this hour our "yes" to the Lord’s call: yes, I want to be intimately united to the Lord Jesus, in self-denial, driven on by the love of Christ. Amen."

October 22 will be the official feast day of Bl. John Paul II, the date that marked his first public mass after becoming Pope in 1978.

What is Kennedy Catholic doing?

This coming Thursday, there will be an assembly to give our student body information on what is happening in Rome the following week. The Kennedy Girls Club, led by Alexa Diaz and Kayla Titailii, graciously designed a banner with the following words: Blessed John Paul II, Pray for us!

All students, faculty, staff, and school families are going to be invited to sign the banner. This banner will then be brought to Rome by our Theology teacher, Mr. Mobini and placed at the tomb of Pope John Paul II prior to his beatification, if possible. This way all of us are united as we prepare for Pope Benedict XVI to beatify Pope John Paul II. As the beatification draws near, we pray that Bl. John Paul II will intercede on behaf of all of our intentions.

If you would like to sign the banner, make sure to visit the school office on Monday and Tuesday, April 25 & 26 before and after school. Contact the school office for more details.

Beatification Itinerary

OFFICIAL EVENTS

April 30th: Circus Maximus. Prayer vigil of thanksgiving to God for the life and ministry of John Paul II, officiated by His Eminence Cardinal Agostino Vallini and organized by the Diocese of Rome. The vigil will begin at 8:00pm and go until 10:30pm. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will participate via live video feed.

May 1st: St. Peter’s Square. His Holiness Benedict XVI will officiate the Beatification Mass at 10:00am.

May 1st: St. Peter’s Basilica, in front of the Altar of the Confession. Veneration of the mortal remains of the Blessed John Paul II, starting at the end of the ceremony until the crowd of followers dissipates.

May 2nd: St. Peter’s Square. The Cardinal Secretary of State, His Eminence Tarcisio Bertone, will preside at the Holy Thanksgiving Mass for the Beatification of God’s Servant

For a more detailed list of events happening in Rome for the Beatification of John Paul II, visit http://www.jpiibeatus.org