The Most Beautiful Church in Wroclaw

Hi guys. I wanted to share some of these pictures from the most beautiful church in Wroclaw. It is where I go to Mass when I am there. The church was built by the Germans hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years ago (I want to say like 600 or 700 or something close to that). It was totally bombed out in WWII, and although the holes in the roof were repaired, they are still working on renavating the painting.

Unfortunately the guy I asked to take these for me did not know how to fix the functions on my camera -so most of the pictures did not turn out. But here are a few. I hope you enjoy the beauty. They were taken on the day of my new godson's (Dominik Przybylo) Baptism. Note the vestments father is wearing -in the old churches in Poland they still wear on a daily basis vestments that we would only have in museums. I included the 'family' picture because you can see the background.

And here is Dominik himself, resting in the Spirit after his Baptism:

Congratulations to Brian and Laura Stumpe!

Laura gave birth to Sophia Catherine Stumpe recently. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz and is 20.75 inches long. The Stumpe's were our neighbors on St. Peter Street when we first moved in. Laura taught physics at Holy Cross College. This is a beautiful picture.

BK's Cancer Corner: The chemo is working

Hi Everyone. I can certainly tell that the chemo is doing its job. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say that its kicking in nicely.

I'm home and heading out to work in a few minutes. Its very difficult to post from a hospital bed on a laptop with a dail-up connection. Waiting 30 seconds for every refresh is tedious, even when you're just lying there! I'm happy to be back on my desktop right now with DSL.

Its becoming clear to me that this time through is going to be more of a challenge. For various reasons, it will be more difficult for me to post good updates. I hope my siblings can provide good blog material which will keep things fun, upbeat and positive. Myself? I have found myself being pulled towards more silent prayer. I think God is calling me to be less of a "Martha" and more of a "Mary" (Lk 10:38-42). Because this is where God has put me at this moment in time, I'm going to go with it. When I get the urge, I'm just going to share it. Here is an insight I got in the hospital the other day. St. Paul is instructing a new local Church about how to act appropriately:

Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God. At the same time pray also for us, so that God will give us a good opportunity to preach his message about the secret of Christ. For that is why I am now in prison. Pray, then, that I may speak, as I should, in such a way as to make it clear.

Be wise in the way you act toward those who are not believers, making good use of every opportunity you have. Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone." (Col 4:2-6)

(My thoughts: * Pray more often. * Sometimes your "prison" is a good opportunity to share "the secret of Christ." * Be kind to other people because you could have a big impact on them for better or for worse.)

Summer Fun on Saint Peter Street

On Fathers Day, the Murphy's brought over this water slide. It's huge. It's 18 feet long and taller than I can reach! It requires its own blower to keep it inflated. I think you get the picture. Needless to say, everyone had a blast. Thanks Murphys!

Some answers

Mary is home safely. No word on blood typing sweepstakes. Believe me, we'll let you know when we hear.

Dad

I thought this was a great picture of Mom and Dad with Lexi, Olivia and Luke.

So, the scoop on dad: His surgery is next Thursday, June 28th, and most likely he will be given seven, not four, bypasses. The doctors told him really the risks do not increase depending on the number of bypasses, surgery simply will take longer.

We, the beloved family of Dad at Na Zdrowie, wish to congratulate him on increasing his number of bypasses. This is a great accomplishment -his heart is so full of love that it got clogged. Now, isn't that an example for us to follow?!

Hopefully before next week I'll be able to post some more information about his surgery, recovery, visiting (it will be limited while he is in the ICU), etc... stay tuned.

BK's Cancer Corner: Unorganized thoughts from room #660

Its difficult to sleep well in a hospital. I've been up since 2:30 a.m. when then came in to draw my blood. Every night at about 3:00 a.m., I can count on a nice friendly nurse to wake me up and suck the blood out of a vein!

The Screamer. There is a guy on our floor who periodically screams at the top of his lungs. The first night I was here, he kept doing it all night long. I actually incorporated it into my dream. In my dream there was a patient who needed help and four members of the hospital staff had to jump on him and restrain him so they could treat him. Fortunately in real life, this guy just screams - he doesn't need restraint. But his screaming can come across as a bit eery in the middle of the night.

An encouraging thought: Get hit with an explosive spear at age 13... and live another 100+ years? Yeah - This story of survival makes me more optimistic about my own chances! Click here.

Room with a view. I have an absolutely fantastic view of downtown South Bend from my hospital room. I've got to admit, St. Joseph's Medical Center is far more comfortable - and comforting - than the hospital in Chicago.

Father's Day. It was a great day. Margy and the kids came for Mass in the hospital chapel. We had ice cream cake afterwards. Sister Clare and Sister Angela from the convent in Mishawaka stopped by. They always bring joy wherever they come. But the real joy was being with Margy and the kids.

Visitors. One of the best things about extended hospital stays is the opportunity to have engaging one on one conversations with visitors. I've had many. Thanks to everyone who has come to see me. All the days are running together. I can't remember who was here on Tuesday and who came on Monday. Obviously Super Boof wakes me up with his smiling face every morning as he does rounds. I do know that Chris Lushis, a current student at Holy Cross College rode his bike in rainstorm to visit his ailing professor on Monday. My trusty collaborator at Holy Cross, Amelia Ruggaber, also came by to chat and do some business. Dan Kline, a parishoner from St. Matthew's and a great all around guy, is the pharmacist for the hospital. He delivered two Barnaby's pizzas courtesy of the Antioch Youth Program. Yum yum! Then Scott Swick made an appearance and graciously delivered one of the pizzas to Margy and the kids at home. Thanks Scott! Fred Freddoso, aka "Alfredo", our brilliant philosopher friend from Notre Dame came by and we enjoyed some Barnaby's for dinner. Fred and I are capable of sitting and talking for hours at a time. We had a nice conversation. Later on in the evening, Sr. Marie Morgan, the popular Marian High School teacher who sometimes seems to be cast right out of a Hollywood movie came by for a great visit. We really had a nice "heart to heart". Laurette Micaletti, a former student of mine who now attends law school, happened to be in South Bend and followed the good sister by a few minutes. Laurette was one of a crew of three students who put in dozens of hours renovating our house on St. Peter Street when I was in treatment before we moved in three and a half years ago. I will forever be grateful.

Today, Tony Marino, Nick's father, was fixing something on my floor. He stopped in for a few words. What a nice man! Later in the morning, Brian Miller, our "good neighbor" on St. Peter Street, who is always looking out for us, came by to visit and give me his Deacon's blessing. Then Fr. Barry England from St. Bavo's came for a nice visit and a blessing. Lisa Marino came next to bring me some stuff from home and some much appreciated Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk. She has been really good to us. As she was leaving, Fr. John Conley, C.S.C., B.J.'s old rector at Siegfried Hall and the guy who recruited me to Moreau Seminary, arrived just as I was heading for Mass. He told me not to choose him over Jesus and he tagged along for his second Mass of the day. Afterwards, we came upstairs to see Mike Griffin, my colleague from Holy Cross College who came with some former and current students. Luke Bruner, an avid Na Zdrowie! reader and witty commentor was here, along with Krystal Sherman and Neuman Jones, two very prayerful students. Griff regaled us with the story of his near arrest for too persistently protesting the impounding of his car yesterday. His charming wife, Catherine, is a nurse on another floor in the hospital and she came upstairs and joined in the festivities. Together, this whole gang prayed a special novena prayer of healing for me to Pope John Paul using a rosary which the late great pontiff had handed to Fr. John after a Mass concelebrated together in Rome. Later, Dad and I had a great visit. We got to commiserate like old men about our health woes. Okay, actually we're too tough for that. We just talked about macho stuff. Craig "Sweet Brums" Brummell brought me one of my best meals of the week: a JJBLT from Jimmy John's! We had a great talk about family and parents. It was great to catch up. Our neighbor, Beth Sanford, stopped in while visiting her sister and then Theresa and David Thomas came by with a bagload of gifts for me and the kids. Thanks guys!

And to top it off, the Tigers won their game 15-1 over the Washington Nationals! What a day.

Luke's Baptism is Saturday

This is just a reminder to all you immediate Kloska family members. BJ and Ali will be arriving at the Kloska headquarters tonight (Tuesday evening -BJ will be playing in a golf tournament with Mike this week). Luke's Baptism is Saturday (June 23rd) at 6:15pm at the Holy Cross Chapel. There will be a Mass at 5:00pm by another priest and then Fr. Larry will be baptizing his namesake afterwards. BJ and Ali realize that this time might be difficult for some people, so they understand if not everyone can make it. They had to work around Fr. Larry's schedule for the Youth Conference that weekend.

So, all you older Kloska's who remember BJ when he was a baby, do you think Luke looks like him?

Happy Birthday Aunt Pat!!

We love you!

The Vatican in Rome Chemo Kick-off

Pope Benedict XVI hoists one for Bobby.

Another Toast from Arizona

Another Arizona toast from our friends Bob and Chris McNally. The photo was taken by their nine year old son Logan. Quite a good little photographer!

A Toast in Vermont

This is Chef Dan's girlfriend Colin who was in Vermont Friday night and unable to attend the Chemo Kick-off here in South Bend. Thanks for the toast Colin!

Home-Schooling Moms toasting in Lansing, Michigan

Clockwise from top is Autry Cataldo, Erin Cataldo with Gianna, Kristen Rushenberg and Charlie and Jenny Dibley toasting to Bobby while attending a Home-Schooling Conference in Lansing.

Arizona Chemo Toast

This is our friend Lisa Voita and her beautiful daughter Blaise whose favorite beer apparently is Corona! Love the black and white photo.

Kentucky Chemo Kick-Off

The "Kentucky Kloskas" (BJ and Ali) with Joey and Jen toasting like the Kentuckians do.........with Bourbon!! Hey, what ever works!

St. John's, Michigan gets serious with this chemo kickoff thing

Whooooaaaa cousin Patti! No need to get carried away. I mean, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but all we were looking for was one ceremonial beer!