Winter doesn’t officially start until next Saturday, but in my neck of the woods, it came in with gusto last weekend. The snow started Sunday morning, and within a few hours, everything was covered, including the roads. What a mess, albeit a pretty one.
I for one continue to be impressed with Pope Francis. Just the other day, he was photographed hugging and kissing a man who clearly had a very debilitating skin condition. Without a doubt, the man would be treated as an outcast by most by many, and maybe some of us would avoid contact with him at all costs. But not the new pope.
I have two beautiful dogwoods in my backyard (no, this isn’t them), and this fall the leaves turned a wonderful butterscotch color. Just gorgeous.
Well, as each day rolled into the next, I kept saying to myself that I had to go out and take some photos to share with you.
At the beginning of my Ignatian Retreat last weekend, I received a folder which included an outline of the retreat and a tip sheet on how to get the most out of our silent time together.
I know from personal experience that silence during meals, when everyone is sitting together, can be a big challenge. It’s hard not to ask the person sitting across from you how they are doing, or to pass the salt.
I had the chance to get away for a retreat this weekend, and ended up at
Loyola on the Potomac, a retreat house I had heard about for years but never visited.
The theme of the retreat was Rivers of Living Water, which was perfectly suited for the location of this center, which is in Southern Maryland and sits above the Potomac River. What a peaceful place!
I’ve been lucky to have travelled a bit this summer, more than usual.
I had the chance to make it out to my home state twice, and both times I visited some new places, including Old Mission Santa Barbara, founded on December 4, 1786 and the tenth of twenty-one missions founded throughout California by the Franciscans.
Years before 9/11, I had the chance to visit the Statue of Liberty, climbing all the way to the top and taking in the view from the windows of her crown. It was amazing, and I’m grateful to have had that opportunity, since, due to fears of terrorism, such climbs are no longer allowed. Today, the Statue is open again, having been closed for months because of another attack, this one coming from mother nature: Hurricane Sandy.
Each July, Loyola Press offers a daily post on some aspect of Ignatian Spirituality, which as you may know, is near and dear to my heart. Last year, I was a bit delayed in getting the word out, but not this year…
I hope you’ll check out their site, not only today, but every day leading to Ignatius’ Feast day, which is July 31st. I think you’ll be glad you did!
🙂 Happy July 🙂
Last Sunday night, I was glued to my t.v. screen, a rare occurrence for me.
Nik Wallenda was walking a tightrope across the Little Colorado River Gorge. Maybe you saw it too.
Boy, time flies. I’m sorry for the long delay between posts. The past month has been, how shall I say it… trying.
My classes were great this year, and after staying down at Catholic University for three weeks, I came home to a lot of catch up, both for my job and for my yard.