Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Virtually Anything Is Possible

Once again, I am a generation too late.  I came across an article from Catholic News Service about interns from the United States gaining valuable experience in positions at the Vatican.  The Vatican is also gaining from the interns.  Some of the interns have worked to upgrade and update the official Vatican website to include virtual views of many famous Vatican-related sights.  I did some snooping around and found the page that includes a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel.  After seeing some of the fruits of the work of the interns, I have to admit that I probably wouldn't be qualified for a Vatican internship and, even if I were, I would spend to much time trying to stick my nose into curial affairs.

Perhaps the most prolific fruit from the internships will be the "people-to-people" experiences.  Hopefully, Vatican officials that come into contact with some of the U.S. interns will develop an understanding that U.S. citizens do not all fit into the perceived mold that many Europeans have of us.  Some of us do recognize that our existence is not just about us/U.S. - there are other people out there that we can support and that can support us.

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