AXIOS!

To Fr. David Thatcher of St. Mary Magdalene parish in Merced, the priest who brought me into The Church (and an occasional commenter on this blog). On Sunday October 7th he is to be raised to the dignity of Archpriest by Archbishop Benjamen of the Diocese of the West. At the same liturgy Mark Doiel a friend and former co-laborer on the parish council is to be tonsured as a Reader.

It had been my intention to attend but to my intense disappointment I have been thwarted by logistical difficulties.

Axios and many years!

Many Years

To the family Fr. Milovan (Katanic) on the birth of Milica, his 6th(!) child. May God grant him joy and a dozen more!

Many Years!

To the little boy pictured with his great granduncle who tomorrow celebrates his 97th birthday...

Archduke Franz Joseph Otto Robert Maria Anton Karl Max Heinrich Sixtus Xavier Felix Renatus Ludwig Gaetan Pius Ignatius of Austria; better known to the world as Prince Otto von Hapsburg.

H.I.H is the last living member of any of the royal houses of Europe who was alive at the time of the First World War. Prince Otto has lived a truly remarkable life. Born into the Imperial House of Hapsburg and heir to the thrones of both Austria and Hungry after the repose of his sainted father Emperor Karl, he was an active player in the history of most of the last century including being a hunted fugitive from the Nazis and serving for many years in the European Parliament. In 2007 he relinquished his position as head of the Imperial House of Hapsburg in favor of his son Archduke Karl. Today he lives in quiet retirement with his wife in his native Austria.

May God grant Prince Otto many (more) years!