Rome Travel Guide

From Lumbourg Brother's Calendar, April       Colosseo

Prelude, sometime in Dec 1989...

Midtown Educational Center, Awards by Mayor Daily of Chicago

Me, Electrical Engineering Junior also studying concert pipe-organ, piano

Once a week volunteer as Youth Counsellor of the Midtown Educational Center in Chicago. This was a group of college students and young professionals reaching out to inner-city youth, helping them do homework, sports, deal with family and peer pressures, etc. Father Jaime Socias, co-author of world bestselling 'Handbook of Prayers', strongly encouraged us to go to Rome Pilgrimmage for upcoming, big Easter event with the Pope. It was not a question of whether or not we wanted to go. Many of us could not afford to go. We simply had to go, and on short notice. Otherwise, we'd likely go out into the relentless career and/or marriage world and never get a chance to do this again.

If we couln't raise the money, the center would somehow try to find sponsors. Amidst our Friday afternoon counselling duties, and Friday evening get togethers, playing the piano or having a guest speaker, there was an air of, "How will I ever raise the money by April, no, February?" Reservations had to be made early, and the money was due much sooner than for our comfort.

Ever cheerful, Fr. Jim reminded us, "Don't forget to pray, you never know what might happen!"

'Hands', Alberecht Durer

- Broke, no money

- Took out $2000 Perkins student loan to go on trip, adding to growing debts

- Crushingly busy:

Vice Pres of University of IL, Chicago Student Government, taking Graduate Optics, Electromagnetism (Dr. Wolfgang Boerner), Digital Signals, and Graduate Complex Variables

- Vice Pres of University Computerization initiative, served on board that started a newspaper

- Everex, Atari, Inc., Compuadd, etc sent me $50,000 of PC's to evaluate for my proposal to University Chancellor. Greed everywhere and jealousies. Competition. Cut-throat people with amoral agenda. One of my computer techs was caught loading nudie pictures from Europe. I had to fire him. Assemblymember John Z. wanting to pass out free condoms for campuswide "safe sex"; I said no. John moved to discontinue my campus-computer-improvement initiative, something which later helped our Dean (praise) push through two million dollars worth of improvements for the students. John and I had some powerful shouting matches, wanted to rip each other apart. University workers heard us down the hall, looking in astonishment as I left fuming for my Electro-Optics class with Dr. Naylor.

Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity picture:

Youth counsellors from Midtown also served occasionally in these soup kitchens in the middle of Chicago high-rise housing projects. These were bad neighborhoods, but Grace flowed in unexpected places. These women were very tough, teaching the homeless and single parents & their kids to pray before each meal. They also took vows of poverty, and owned very little.

Credits, Thanks:

For the histories and understanding of the Catholic faith I write about in this book, I thank a few friends. First, there's my mentor of sorts, Carlo Arcilla, who always cautioned me not to get too involved in so many projects. I've managed to pare it down to only a few. Carlo is now Associate Professor at the prestigious, U of Philippines, back then working on his PhD in Geology. He was a former geologist for Pacific Rim Oil companies. I think I was naturally inclined to go after big, visionary things; but always, I remember Carlo cautioning the hazards and temptations that over-attachment to this world and to things may bring. "For you can gain the whole world, but if you lose your soul, then all is for naught."

I thank Pat Glatz, my friend from Air Force ROTC, who introduced me to Carlo and the great humorous souls at Midtown Educational center, and to Father Jim.

I also thank Frank Bucaro, Ersnst Stark, religion teachers (one now the Principal) at Benet Academy. Immeasurable influence and rigor. Mr. Bucaro was a seminary graduate and now lay author. His essay tests were like University-level Graduate Thesis' inflicted on High School Freshmen and Sophmores. His film clips of reality were pretty shocking too--gals running out crying, guys wincing. How could I forget that unusual painting of Jesus Christ hysterically laughing? (Wedding at Cana?) That was one rare treat among thousands given us--we're so used to seeing Him so solemn all the time. Remind me to get a photo of it and put it here on the web!

Thanks to all my film-school teachers, Dr. Paul Bender, pipe-organ instuctor, Navy mentors, who taught me about battle-planning being like orchestrating symphonies. To instructors at Top Gun, allowing me a civilian aviator to take photos and learn their war tactics. Their footage of how to make enemies blow up were interesting, but even more so were the cheers in the room, "Aw, man! Got him! Look at that fur ball!". These tactics will be used alongside of Papal encyclicals on our war against Communism. If only we'd been there...

For how these photos were processed, allowed legal usage, and digital graphics effects techniques, click: 'The Ignorant Amateur Photographer'

I highly recommend Michelin's Guide to Rome for more details and history. I add my own insight not found in Michelin's, like commentaries, additional Church history as it relates to these buildings, letters and Papal encyclicals. These are woven in such a way that highlights some religious differences, yet also seeks to unify. When going to Rome, you are going to the quintessential religious capitol of the world, the place East and West owes much of their civilization to, so we may as well talk about religion. I also employ my own music and other effects. Hence, I hope this guide makes a unique companion to all the others.

On to Rome Flight.