JUNE 26.  AN HISTORIC DAY. St. Peter s Basilica was orginally built over 1600 years ago. The latest building was constructed over 400 years ago. Today, for the first time in the entire history of this building, something happened that has never happened in that building before. 1,200 deaf people joined with 44 priests and two bishops to celebrate Mass at the Altar of St. Peter s Throne, under the magnificent stained glass window of the Holy Spirit. The entire Mass was in voice and sign_language celebrated by Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool, England. There were deaf priests from the USA (Fr. Mike Depcik, Fr. Joe Bruce) along with other deaf priests (Fr. Peter McDonough form England and Fr. Park from Korea). Deacon Ralph Hinch was assisted the bishop. Virginia Hinch and Mary Jo Scanlan led a choir of deaf people from the USA. Never / NEVER/ has there been such a Mass at St. Peter s Basilica. The joy people felt was overwhelming as many people were literally crying for joy as they signed the prayers in 18 different sign languages!
   That afternoon, everyone 1,000 of us had lunch together at the Divino Amore Conference Center on the outskirts of Rome. I sat down with deaf people from Wales and Hong Kong, along with Fr. Charley Dittemeier who works with the deaf in Cambodia. We ended the Conference at 4pm with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  As we left, a number of people came up to me and asked,   so, when will you do this again??????     I was too amazed to give them any answer.  A lot of people thanked me for what we had accomplished this week. I say this with all my heart. It was not me, it was the Lord. Whatever credit goes to the success of what happened belongs to the Lord in whom we placed our trust at the beginning of this project.
   Tonight, I ahd my last dinner in Rome with a number of people from Chicago. We all just sat there in awe at everything we had experienced during the ten days here.We leave tmw, FRI, for Chicago. I look forward to seeing you soon.   This Sunday is the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. I was able to visit the tombs of both of them this week, I am very blessed. Thanks for all your support and prayers for the trip. --