We left Venice this morning on a beautiful, sunny day. Our drive of over 3 hours brought us to the city of Pisa and its famous leaning tower. We walked to the center of the old city and came to the magnificent cathedral, Baptistry, and, of course, the tower.  The weather was very hot by early afternoon.  We celebrated Mass in the very historic cathedral that has so many gorgeous works of art, a person could spend an entire day(or days) doing nothing but looking at the art. The Mass was interesting because it was at the old altar, not facing the people, so with a deaf group we certainly had to adapt. Fr. Tony Schuerger from Cleveland has been celebrating Mass with us.  Deacons Ralph Hinch(Chgo)  and David Sommers(Milwaukee) have been assisting.  It s funny to see the international tourists stopping to look at deaf people signing the readings and offering the prayers at the deaf Mass in these magnificent churches. This has been an education for many of the people on the trip, and many of the people throughout these cities in Italy who have encountered our group.
  We ended up tonight in a smaller city near Florence (Terme) known for its hot springs. our hotel is very nice, a bit old fashioned but comfortable. Tomorrow is all day in Florence, then on to Assisi on Sunday,a nd finally Rome. I remember you all everyday in my Masses and prayers.