London Calling

Well, since we can't go home for Christmas, we figured we could get the next best thing: a land of dreary winter skies, Starbucks Eggnog Lattes, properly formed lines, and the glorious English language.  Today, three of my NAC brothers and I arrived at London Gatwick airport to begin a two-week long adventure in the heart of the British Empire!  We are staying with an incredibly kind priest who is the pastor of a parish in Loughton, roughly 40 minutes northeast of London, in the Catholic Diocese of Brentwood.  He has generously hosted NAC seminarians in his rectory for many years now, so we will be the next in a long line of men who have benefited from his hospitality!

Myself, Anthony Stewart, and Vince Fernandez.  Thanks to our other traveler Michael Holmquist for taking the picture!

The picture above is taken in front of Westminster Cathedral, the mother church of Catholicism in England and Wales.  Construction of the church began in 1903, and has slowly and steadily continued in the years since.  It is in the beautiful Neo-Byzantine architectural style, featuring three large domes, a beautiful baldechino over the altar, an Eastern-style crucifix, and some spectacular mosaics.  The church is not yet finished, which is why the marble decoration only reaches about halfway up; but even so, it's a beautiful place!  We celebrated the fourth Sunday of Advent there today, and were blessed to listen to a beautiful men and boys' choir sing the Mass parts.  The parish community is joyful and vibrant, and the huge church was nearly full of both parishioners and pilgrims alike!

After Mass, we satisfied one of our two American culinary cravings by paying a visit to a Starbucks right across the street.  (Stay tuned to find out what the other craving is!)  Vince was pretty excited when he found the Eggnog Latte.  And he had every right to be excited, because it was amazing.

Let's go!!!

Next, we headed to Victoria Station, the main transportation hub in downtown London, where we loaded up our Oyster cards (reloadable transit passes) and got on the tube (London's epic underground metro system).  We made it to our stop in Loughton, and got to St. Edmund's parish without a problem!  A cup of tea later, I can say with great joy that it is good to be here.  More to come, I hope!  I am, after all, the world's worst blogger.  But I will do my best to keep you all posted.  Thanks for the prayers, and, as always, know of mine!

Michael makes sure we got off at the right stop.  Anthony is just happy to be here.