It's been a great couple of weeks, all pretty good news since Wendy had her health scare at the end of February. Our North Carolina trip was special as is anytime I can be with #1 grandson Calvin and his mom & dad! Even the ice and snow storm did not diminish the joy experienced on that trip! When we returned, I was blessed to have a couple of local days off. I visited with so many people, good friends, that I hardly see anymore since my ministry left Abita Springs over 3 years ago and my career sent me east from Mandeville/Covington to Pearl River/Slidell. It was so good just to spend time with each of them and to share our faith.
In the past week, I was able to preach twice on the 2nd Sunday of Lent, experience a little St. Patrick's Day celebration then quickly moved into the St. Joseph celebrations. I began on Tuesday night with an evening mass and blessing of the altar at St. Jane de Chantal, again, my old church stomping grounds. The altar at St. Jane's was incredible and the Mass was so special. Then on St. Joseph Day, I spent my entire lunch hour with the good people at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Pearl River, partaking in their meal while sitting in front of the altar. Thursday moved to the wedding rehearsal I had for the upcoming Saturday nuptials of a young couple I have been preparing since last September. I had time after the rehearsal to drive across the river to hear a couple of practice homilies by our diaconate candidates. I remember being where they are some 7 or 8 years ago.
I got a very unexpected surprise on Friday evening as I arrived to purchase some fried catfish dinners from the Knights of Columbus in Abita Springs. I knew the parish was having a special Mass with nationally known healers Fr. Kevin Scanlon and Sister Briege McKenna. The pastor came and found me and said he needed a deacon. So I obliged and experienced an amazing evening of both Mass and Eucharistic healing as Fr. Kevin carried the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament to each person in the Church, especially those indicating they need healing. Amazing night! Saturday, a gorgeous day, brought a nice lunch with my #1 daughter, Elizabeth, just me and her and a chance to talk and catch up! Then the evening brought the long awaited wedding for Jamie & Brandon. And it went off flawlessly, and a beautiful sacrament was celebrated in an amazingly beautiful church:
Sunday was my normal morning mass responsibilities assisting at holy Mass and then you know what I did? It's that time of the year; I cut grass, lots of grass. I guess I was able to get about 7 acres of the 10 total cut. Even though I will indeed complain about grass cutting once summer is here in full bloom, I did sought of enjoy the opportunity Sunday afternoon.
So Thanks for letting me look back and join me in looking forward! Soon we will experience spring in all it's fullness, followed of course by whatever summer brings. I will indeed be doing a lot more grass cutting. But in the week ahead, I have prison ministry, a Lenten Mission, Stations of the Cross, a much anticipated Baptism, Masses and more. Wendy and I will also be participating in a slice of life in this community known as the All Town Abita Springs Garage Sale. Yes, we have a few things to sell.
Every now and then it is so good to look back and look forward. May I always remember, and you should too, that no matter what, even our busy lives, even the dead of winter or the heat of summer, praise God always and thank Him for the many gifts he bestows on us. For us, we must consecrate the days, weeks, good times and not so good, all that we do and all that we are, to His greater glory!
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