New Ventures Goes West 7,646 Miles

“What other Jesuit University would be partnering with a university in the Philippines, or in Puerto Rico, or in Ireland?” Bill Husson, Margie Hartman, Fr. Michael Sheeran, and Fr. Ben Nebres. Only at Regis In contrast to sister Jesuit institutions like Georgetown, Loyola, Santa Clara, and Boston College, Regis College/University between 1980 and 2013 was an … Continue reading New Ventures Goes West 7,646 Miles →

Ireland with Sullie, Son John, and John Boles: We had No Choice

"Tá dul go hÉirinn cosúil le dul abhaile." (Going to Ireland is like going home.) And so it happened that just a few times in Ireland proved to be insufficient for the likes of John Kennedy, Tom Kennedy, and Patrick Sullivan. After all, Pat had been to the island before but left before he had … Continue reading Ireland with Sullie, Son John, and John Boles: We had No Choice →

John and I Find Irish Relatives

“Curiosity is what separates us from the cabbages. It's accelerative. The more we know, the more we want to know.” David McCullough (Taken from my journal notes) My first trip to Ireland in 1994 merely whetted my appetite in the search for relatives, any relatives, from Europe. The trip had been a terrific success and a … Continue reading John and I Find Irish Relatives →

Into Ireland the First Time

Tom, Carole, and Kenny From the time that Elmo O. Barnes, itinerant writer for the Wilmington Advocate, asked me about certain of my relatives in that city and I had no idea how they were part of my personal history, I was moved to learn more about tracing my ancestors. About 1972, I spent considerable … Continue reading Into Ireland the First Time →

Irish Troubles? Not with Pat Sullivan

“I feel more and more the time wasted that is not spent in Ireland.” Lady Gregory Tom & Pat Since my first trip to Ireland in 1994 with my sister, brother, and our spouses, I have returned many times for a variety of reasons and accompanied by friends and some family members. That first trip was … Continue reading Irish Troubles? Not with Pat Sullivan →

My Alaska Trip with Tony Delgado on a Dollar a Day

“Where is the boy to whom the call of the wild and the open road not appeal?” Baden Powell de Aquino Alaska! We talked about it for years, but it was all talk. Tony Delgado and I were teammates at Lewis College in 1962. Four years later in 1965-66, we were once again together teaching and … Continue reading My Alaska Trip with Tony Delgado on a Dollar a Day →

Journey into the Past

“People say you're born innocent, but it's not true. You inherit all kinds of things that you can do nothing about. You inherit your identity, your history, like a birthmark that you can't wash off…” Erik Pevernagie We all hope to learn more about who we are and how did we get this way. For me, I have … Continue reading Journey into the Past →

Travel Lust Started Here

“A rule of the blue road: Be careful going in search of adventure—it’s ridiculously easy to find.” William Least Heat-Moon, Blue Highways: A Journey into America As you know, I have great respect and love for my hometown, Braidwood. I owe so much to the people who surrounded me during those critical growing years. In many ways, I … Continue reading Travel Lust Started Here →