Dangerous pines

For two weeks now we have been told to stay away from the side road beside the provincial headquarters in the UPS. A number of the tall pines there have shown signs of decay and are in risk of falling. Before the bad weather comes, therefore, the grounds committee here arranged that a number of those pines should be cut down.

Other trees at the entrance of the university itself have been thinned of low-hanging branches, so as not to create more hazards for pedestrians. Some people are concerned that the branches can fall on parked cars. Yes, I'm sure that they can, and the lawsuits would come from the car owners. However, it is more risking for the pedestrians, because when caught in a sudden downpour (as happens during Rome's autumn), people take refuge under trees. Four years ago a couple of teenagers were killed by falling branches in downtown Rome during a sudden storm. The danger is real.

Today is the memorial of Pope John Paul II -- blessed for now, but soon to be canonized. The 22nd of October is the day on which he was installed as Bishop of Rome (1979), after his election on 16 October. Thus, in Rome and in Poland his feast is kept on this day. We remembered him in all the masses on campus today.

As for my own academic load at the UPS, I am teaching three courses this semester. These are all courses in the theology faculty and are entitled Foundations in Don Bosco's Spirituality (3 units); The social, political, cultural and religious context of Don Bosco's environment in Nineteenth Century Italy (2 units); St Francis de Sales: Life and Spirituality (3 units). I've been working on the class notes for my students, such as I can prepare in Italian and English. I have almost completed an Italian version of my book on Francis de Sales, which is now in its second printing at Stella Niagara. That's been exciting.