So here we are, day 1 in downtown New Orleans as we prepare for the official beginning of this Deacon Congress, celebrating 50 years since the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate in this country. For us this was day 1 as we decided to also make this a personal get-a-way for the two of us; God knows we need it, especially Wendy with all the recent events surrounding her mom's illness.
Once we cleared the driveway today we stopped to visit Wendy's mom now enduring day 50 of her current hospitalization and rehabilitation. She looked good, has made remarkable progress but has a long way to go. After a nice visit she asked me to give her a blessing before we left and I was touched at how the lady in the other bed joined in prayer. We drove to our diaconate center in Harvey to help with chores for the afternoon but to our surprise the work was done. Wendy and I used the opportunity to visit old memories, the place where she worked for 25 years, old neighborhoods, her high school, no longer an all girls Catholic School, then we drove by our old house on Heritage Ave in Terrytown. Yes, plenty has changed. We stopped and had lunch at an old neighborhood favorite then headed off for the hotel.
Dreading the check-in process we were both relieved at how quickly and smoothly it all went down. Pretty surprised. We arrived at our room way up on floor 29 and were given a beautiful view of the Mississippi River, Canal St. with the Harrah's Casino and the view of the Carnival cruise ship nestled along the bridge that connects east and west banks of the river. I love this room/view because it looks down on beautiful old Algiers, the westbank neighborhood of my youth. In fact I can see vividly beautiful Holy Name of Mary School, of happy memory. Wendy and I spent literally hours soaking this view in as we watched the Canal St. to Algiers ferry go back and forth just like those days of my youth and the paddle wheeler Natchez. As Wendy napped, I first watched the Carnival ship take off for the next cruise down the Mississippi and into the Gulf. I took my first walk of the day and literally ran into Deacon Greg Kandra of Deacon's Bench; one of my goals checked off already. I look forward to his Monday talk. I've met Deacons from Georgia, Iowa, Alabama, Mississippi and Lafayette LA so far on my adventures. Wendy and I opted for a delicious meal in the hotel eatery; very nice before we venture a little further out in the days to come. Tonight I am treated to a most spectacular nighttime view of New Orleans and Old Muddy.
Tomorrow will be a very laid back day as the only things we have to do is show up for Congress registration at noon and the opening Mass at 5 pm celebrated by the Pope's nuncio for America with our own Archbishop, Gregory Aymond, delivering the homily.
Wendy is enjoying this slower pace today and tomorrow and I'm glad she is getting some much needed rest.
Tonight, relaxing in my very comfortable room it's time for night prayers, a little more blogging, and a good night's rest.
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