I’m standing in front of the spot where a statue will be placed in memory of Cindy Wayne, who died one year ago on July 17, 2021. Cindy was the parish secretary for Holy Spirit and my administrative assistant. She died because of complications of Covid. The statue will be blessed after the 7:30 a.m. Mass on this Sunday, July 17. All are welcome to attend; the approximate time will be 8:45 a.m. Thanks to our Knights of Columbus who purchased the statue; Cindy was an “angel” to our local Knights Council. May Cindy Rest In Peace. Amen.
   Summer time is a time for slowing down, relaxing and maybe traveling for a vacation.   Well, that’s exactly what most of our staff are doing in the month of July and early August. However, all parish services are being covered —thanks to some very kind volunteers, including clergy.
   As mentioned in an earlier column, I will be traveling to Italy for nine days — beginning Monday, July 18. I have been asked to preside at a wedding in Cagliari on the island of Sardinia — off the west coast of Italy. The groom grew up here in Las Vegas; and the bride is from Italy. Since tradition dictates that the wedding takes place in the church of the bride, we are all going to Italy. The wedding will be on Sunday, July 24, in the Cathedral Church of Cagliari: Catedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e Santa Cecilia (Cathedral of Mary Assumed [into Heaven] and Saint Cecilia). I will be concelebrating with the Rector of the Cathedral — Don Alberto Pala. Having studied in Italy for a year and having visited Italy many times, I’m able to speak and understand Italian fairly well. Like so many things, once I get there — after a few days — it will all come back to me. The highest compliment I got was one time when I was in Italy that an Italian man asked me “ Dove sei nato in Italia?” (“Where were you born in Italy?”) When I answered “Toledo, Ohio”, we both had a good laugh!
    There will be two days —July 25 & 26 — when both Fr. Jojo and I will be gone.   Fr. Jojo leaves late Sunday, July 24, for a vacation and class reunion in the Philippines. I return from Italy on the afternoon of July 26. Not to worry: Fr. Tom Gross will say the two Morning Masses and be “on duty” for emergency calls. Also, Robert Martinez, our seminarian, will be here and at our house. So, all will be well taken care of.
   I’m going to try to do next week’s column from Italy. Until then, “Arrivederci!”

Have a good week. God bless you.
 
   Fr. Bill