At the top is a video of four members of the Servants of the Lord & the Virgin of Matará.  The woman playing the guitar grew up locally.  I've known her since she was a little girl and her family since 1997.

     Yesterday, Dave, our choir, and guest musicians presented a wonderful cantata, What Wondrous Hope.  The second video above is a recording of the livestream.

     There's too much information about the conclave to digest it all.  But I have a few items you might find helpful and/or interesting.

by Philip Kosloski

by Theresa Civantos Barber

     Black smoke indicates no new pope has has been elected.  White smoke and bells ringing communicates that we have a new pope.

     On Wednesday, the cardinals will enter conclave around 4:30 PM Roman time.  We can expect the first smoke signal between 7-8 PM Roman time which corresponds to 1-2 PM Eastern time.

     On Thursday and Friday, four ballots will be cast each day until a pope is chosen and accepts.  We could look for smoke around 10:30 AM, 12 noon, 5:30 PM, and 7 PM Roman time.  That corresponds to 4:30 AM, 6 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1 PM Eastern time.

     Back in 2013, Focus established PopeAlarm.com which would send a text message once a new pope was elected.  They haven't renewed it this time.  I haven't found any other similar service.  The best I could find is the Vatican's live feed of St. Peter's Square below.  You could watch for black (no pope) or white (new pope) smoke yourself.

     If I find a better way to be alerted, I'll let you know.  I may use Flocknote to send a text message and an e-mail when we have a new pope.  It could takes minutes, an hour, or a little longer before the new pope appears on the balcony after the white smoke is seen and the bells are rung.

     Please continue to pray for the cardinals.

God love you,

Fr. Jim