Blogs from San Antonio, Texas, United States, North America - page 3

Since our Easter break finished on Tues April 3, last week was very brief. Our input focused on Ecumenism and Inter-religious dialogue (Scott Woodward) and we continued our regular Faith Sharing. During the weekend, just when we were getting used to spring, winter suddenly returned and with it low temperatures and chilly winds. Fortunately it was short-lived as, by Sunday afternoon, a warmish sun was trying to shine again and this coming week, Week 11, promises to be kind. I took advantage of the cold day to visit the mall but, instead of walking there, decided to catch the bus - a good decision! I found that the Apple store was no less crowded than those at home and rejoiced that this time, at least, I was not a customer. Today a few of us spent ... read more

Today is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. During the past week our input focused on Mary, (Joe LaBelle OMI) Intercultural Dynamics(Sally Gomez-Jung) and Amoris Laetitia (Roger Keeler OMI). For me the latter was the highlight and what surprised me most of all was that our presenter, a canonist, breathed such life into this exhortation! On Monday we had a community outing to Johnson City, the former home of LBJ, where much US history has been preserved and various parts of LBJ’s life, and that of his wife, Ladybird, can be viewed. The ranch is a magnificent property and has been lovingly preserved. LBJ emerged for me as a far greater man than history officially records and Ladybird, too, appears to have made a fine contribution. On Saturday I had the opportunity to ... read more

March 4 Week 7 Spring is finally coming to Texas! Signs have been appearing gradually and a change is becoming noticeable. Recent rains have turned the brown grass green, and trees and shrubs are showing off their fresh leaves. Buds are appearing and starting to open. Week by week we see more tiny coloured flowers, while, slowly, the days lengthen. Finally, next weekend we adjust our clocks and so spring officially starts. However, this is only in Texas and the south-west. Further north there is still snow, while on the east coast storms rage. In the past week we finished our input on Christology and Ministry and on Friday had a fascinating session on icons and icon writing from Clyde Rausch OMI. He admitted that he had developed this talent over 29 years, while ministering in ... read more

Hello Friends, Just checking in from San Antonio. We have been on the road since February 15. We drove right through the Ohio Valley and there was plenty of flooding there at that time so I cannot imagine how it is now since they are getting more rain. We have been here since Saturday and had the opportunity to go on a tour of the city and to spend time at the Riverwalk. It was wonderful and the weather cooperated. Today we begin the long ride west across Texas and Arizona. We will spend 5 days on the road and arrive in San Diego on Saturday. I can't wait to see Nolan and Nina again! Hope everyone is well and staying warm! Joyce and Marc... read more

Week 5 brought about a happy reunion for me. Our focus during the week was on journaling, with Bernie LoCoco FSC as presenter. Bernie was the director of the Sangre de Cristo program in New Mexico, which I did in 1993. He was also my spiritual director and was very helpful to me, at a time when I needed help. It was a blessing to meet him again twenty-five years later. Most people would have heard about the school shooting in Florida this week. This was the biggest such event and the 17th this year and it is only mid February! A fellow participant sent me the link to a reflection on this shooting, where the commentator remarked that the US should learn from Australia. Our two shootings (Hoddle St and Port Arthur) resulted in tighter ... read more