Tues, 6/21: we drove from Prague(PRAHA) and headed southwest to the city of Pilsen(PLZEN), about an hour away.  Prague is tough to drive through. Like many cities in Europe that were built hundreds of years ago, the streets are narrow and twisting. Prague also has summer construction..just like Chicago!!!   The countryside of the Czech Republic is beautiful.   Pilsen is famous because of two things: BEER and, more importantly, AMERICA!  During WW II, the American army freed the people from the Nazis.   The people of this city never forgot that. There is an AMERIKA street, American flags fly there, every year is a special memorial to the American soldiers who died freeing the people.  Also, the Cathedral has the highest church tower in all of the Czech Republic.   After that, more driving(the roads in the Czech Republic are excellent!!!!!) till we found the little town of KRUPA.  My sister in law' Karen's maiden name is Krupa.   She was so excited. She had her picture taken with the town sign and sent back to her family.   We finally made back just in time for rush hour in Prague; just as bad as Chicago.    By the way, the parking on city streets in the Czech Rep. is the same as Chgo; you pay at a machine, get a ticket to stick in your car!

   The weather here has been terrific: 65-75 with bright sunshine, and some rain.   Back in Prague, we did some more walking. In the City Square of Old  Prague, there was large military ceremony at 6pm.  This commemorated the death of many Bohemian leaders in June 21, 1611(400 years ago).

  FOOD: breakfast here is similar to the USA. However, like other places in Europe, breakfast also includes meats, cheeses, cold vegetables.  COFFEE: lots of cappuccino, expresso,etc.  However, hard to get a good, strong cup of black coffee.(My niece found the one Starbucks in Prague!)   Meals here for lunch and dinner are very good, but heavy: Cooked pork knee(like our ham hock), goulash, duck(excellent), all served with dumplings and cabbage.The desserts are strudel(usually served with ice cream or fresh cream...or both!!!!!.) or other baked goods using fruit.  Also, lots of gelato booths everywhere(but Italy is still #1 for gelato).

  COMMUNISM: after  World War II, Russia took control of many of the countries in this part of the world in cluding Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia).  Communism tried to destroy the culture, the history, the faith of these people as it also tried in Poland, Lithuania, Hungary.  The people of Czech. resisted as best they could   People here have shown that Communism was a failed, corrupt idea of government.  Thousands of people suffered and died for the freedom to speak freely, read and study what they want, and practice their religious faith without fear.  Sometimes, living in America, we do NOT appreciate how blessed we are to enjoy the freedoms we have.  Sometimes we get lazy about our faith, because we do not understand what it means NOT to be able to go to church, to go to jail for reading the Bible or praying a Rosary,to be punished for believing in Jesus Christ.  These countries have a lot to teach US about being grateful for all we have.

  CHURCHES: the churches here are beautiful, magnificent, very historical.  During the summer, there are musical concerts in many of them and the synagogues, too. Summer here brings famous musicians - classical, popular(B.B. King, JOHN MAYALL), rock to this city.  There are also  street musicians everywhere. Prague in the summer is filled with tourists and many, many young people!  One thing frustrating for me has been that the churches are all visited by tourists, but there is no place in them to just sit and pray quietly.  Often, the areas of the church are roped off so tourists will not crawl all over.  I ended up sitting in a quiet park to pray, because there was no church open for someone like me who wants to spend some quiet time with God!

   I have been praying for all of you. I feel very blessed that your prayers have kept us safe on our trip.FR. ANDREW WYPYCH, the pastor of St. Francis Borgia Parish, was named an Auxiliary Bishop in Chicago by Pope Benedict.  Fr. Andrew has been very supportive of the deaf ministry at St. Francis Borgia.  Please pray for him as he assumes his new responsibilities(a lot of responsibilities!!!!) as a bishop.