Bellarmine House - Cohasset, MA

November 6, 2008

Last week-end I had the opportunity to ‘get away’ with over twenty friends. We all belong to a small faith community called the People of the Promise. We started our journey at the Paulist Center in Boston and have been celebrating Mass together for over thirty-six years.

Every Autumn we try to go on a retreat at this amazing Jesuit property with spectacular views on the Atlantic Ocean. It is always a time of renewal. The quiet reflection, the animated conversations, the meaningful sharing all contribute to a joyful, peaceful experience. I cannot forget the fun-filled ‘happy hours’ or the delicious meals we enjoy together with everyone contributing their specialties.

This year we were guided by the words of St. Paul and his instructions in the form of letters written to the early Christians. Emphasis was on the power of God’s love, the gifts of the Spirit, and the hope of reconciliation. A new understanding of reconciliation as reconnecting with the broken parts of ourselves and others emerged.

Our priest shared this thought about God:
You loved us into being like a mother. You walk with us as a friend. You are able to accomplish in us far more than we can ask, imagine, or dream possible…

The luxury of being able to get away, to appreciate the stillness, to be thankful for the friendships and to know that nothing can separate us from the love of God was not lost on me.

A Friend

March 4, 2008

There is no friend like an old friend – trite maybe, true definitely! Today I was reunited with a long time dear friend. A friend I had not seen for some time, who did not answer my many telephone calls and about whom I was very concerned. You see in a period of less than three years she had lost her soul-mate, her husband of 36 years and the love of her life. In addition she had battled breast cancer and had buried her mother. How much can one little heart endure? So when life’s burdens weight you down, sometimes you just don’t have the energy or the desire to connect with others.

But, the human spirit is nothing if not resilient and in time one begins to reach out again. I was the happy recipient of a phone call yesterday and that led to a get together today. We shared some sadness, many laughs and an all around good time. I am thankful for a friendship renewed.