Arroyo Celebrate Labor Day Weekend

We had the Arroyo’s en mass to the house Sunday afternoon. Linda and I hosted Michael and Andrew, back from USAO and St. Gregory’s for the weekend and their grandparents, my father, Jose’ or “Joe” and his wife, Frances Arroyo. We had a fantastic afternoon and it was a great opportunity for Dad and Frances to see my two youngest, whom they have not seen since they were very small. I don’t think they have had the pleasure since before Michael was in 3rd Grade!

Frances and Joe Arroyo

Frances, J. and Linda Arroyo

Joe, Frances and J. enjoy the weather

Andrew (going to St. Gregory’s), Michael (going to USAO), and Frances Arroyo

J, Joe, and Michael Arroyo

Arroyo Boys Start College

Linda and I were able to accompany Andrew to St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee this past Friday. I am attaching some pics of the visit. Unfortunately, time did not permit me to go to Chickasaw for Michael’s move to USAO. We do wish him the best and hope that he will do well as they both begin a new life away from home!

The drive to St. Gregory’s University.

Andrew getting his new room ready.

Another angle of the Ad building.

Busy Weekend

Here are some images of our installation of officers. My Council of the Knights of Columbus Installed our officers on Sat. night. Michael is the new Warden and I am Deputy Grand Knight.

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Later on in the night, I attended a reunion of my class from St. Gregory’s College (1981). We had a wonderful time and hope to do that again!

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Visit to Greg's

Well, this past weekend was a weekend of remembering and sharing. I had the opportunity to go to St. Gregory's Abbey, which is the heart of St. Gregory's University. St. Gregory's is where I spent my first two years of 'adulthood'. I graduated from there with my Associates degree and headed forth into the world.

St. Gregory's Abbey is the Monastery, the Benedictine monks that run St. Gregory's and have for over 100 years. One of the newer addition to the Fathers of St. Gregory's was my roommate when I attended St. Greg's, Fr. Boniface Copelin, O.S.B.. At that time, he was "Tim" and we both had aspirations to the priesthood. Quite a bit of time has passed but Boniface is a Priest and is continuing his studies in Rome.

For me, St. Gregory's is the home of my Faith. My first real Confession was walking up and down the entrance drive with Fr. Ian Riding, OSB, when Fr. Ian was not there, Fr. Louis would take the reins and walk with me. Priests of St. Gregory's showed me the incredible wisdom, love and peace of the Church. Fr. Joe, whom I adored, imparted a love of History. I eventually received a degree in History and never have stopped loving it since. Fr. Denis showed me the authority of the Church, the logic and wisdom wrapped up in a gruff demeanor. Fr. Theodore, even with his goofy 60's Theology, was the example of a pastoral Priest to his last days.

Br. Maurus, now Fr. Maurus, put Boniface and I together because we were both pipe smokers. We still enjoy a good pipe to this day and we enjoyed several bowls together during the course of the weekend. Accident or Insight, I am not sure but Fr. Maurus gave me something which I will treasure to my last breath. Being a part of that place is something I treasure and brings me back to sanity when everything seems off and lost. It is never lost when there.

The rythym of St. Gregory's, Vigils at 6:00, breakfast at 6:30, Lauds at 7:15, work, MidDay Prayers at 12:15, Mass at 5, Vespers, and Compline at 7:15 is a rythym which is orderly and prayerful. It is easy to see God at St. Gregory's and a part of the Heaven which the Monks 'advertise'.

I was blessed to be the server for Boniface's Masses for three days. Receiving Eucharist, the Body of Christ, from my friend is a very special experience. These past Three Days have been very special and I look forward to doing them again soon.

Fr. Boniface T. Copeliin, O.S.B. Celebrates his first Mass

From the procession, to the Homily to Consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ, Fr. Boniface seemed like he was Born to be a priest. I had the priviledge and supreme Honor of receiving the Eucharist from my old friend, ordained to the Priesthood last Thursday. As these pictures may not show, Boniface is a man of extreme humility and Grace of God. It was so nice to laugh with my friend again, see him in his moment of pride. I am so glad that God has called him to His Priesthood.

Blessings Abound!

I just want to make a couple of little "Praise Reports" for this week!

My friend from college, Brother Boniface T. Copelin, O.S.B. is now FATHER Boniface! Thursday he was ordained to the priesthood and I am proud to be at his Thanksgiving Mass this upcoming Sunday morning. It has been a long, humble journey for Fr. Boniface and he is finally a Young Priest! (Okay, 47 may not be young to some of you but Boniface and I are YOUNG!) God has such a wonderful new addition to the Priesthood and I am looking forward to receiving Holy Eucharist from his hands and a blessing.

On another note, there were two birthdays this week, my cousin Terrie Perry. Happy Birthday. She is younger than I but catching up!

Another notable birthday is Paul Bartlett. Paul has been my best friend since High School in Claremore and has been through the ringer with me, a few times! We have made the premiers of Every Star Trek Movie since 1979! We are Still going strong! God bless you too, Paul. Thanks for being there for me all these years!

Brother Boniface T. Copelin, OSB soon to be FATHER Boniface!

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, arrives in the sacristy at Sant'Anselmo on Ash Wednesday. Br. Boniface is the second person from the right.

Br. Boniface will be ordained as Deacon of the Church on Sunday, April 20. With God's grace, he will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Gregory's Abbey on the afternoon of Thursday, August 21, the feast of Pope St. Pius X. Please keep Br. Boniface in your prayers.



Boniface was my room-mate when we went to St. Gregory's College and we graduated together in 1981 with our Associates degrees. Boniface went on to join the Abbey and entered the Religious Life as a Benedictine monk. God has blessed Boniface and he is currently studying Theology in Rome.

During this past Lent, he was honored to serve His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI and I have included pictures and a link to the story on the St. Gregory's Abbey website.