1975

Greetings from Florence, Italy, where we are celebrating Lizzie’s 23rd birthday for the week. The tempo of Florence and its history provides a welcoming context to our own world back home. Though the city is not immune by any stretch to the world economic crisis, centuries of history, complete with their own battles and struggles, somehow rounds the edges of this current crisis. The pace here remains as it was on prior visits, which is a comforting thought as we head home, all things considered.

Given our current location it seems only appropriate that the piece of mail that has arrived this past month is from our own Padre Fernando Felices, who, like most of us, just turned 55. This year he is celebrating 26 years as a priest and four and a half as pastor of the Gruta de Lourdes Parish in suburban San Juan, Puerto Rico. Padre Fernando’s life is full of good work and he certainly is having an impact on his community. He writes that 2008 was a year of discovery as he traveled extensively. We wish him well. You can learn more about his work at www.lagrutadelourdes.org.

And believe it or not work has begun on our 35th reunion in June of 2010. Hard to imagine our 35th is just around the corner.

Ciao for now. Keep those cards and letters coming. Nancy sends her best, as do I.

5 Boardman Ave., Manchester, MA 01944; 617-737-1100; jbildner@tpi.org