Father's Next Week

Friends

    Peace be with you

    This weekend, we once again welcome Fr. Wayne Droessler as our holy Mass celebrant. I am on my last weekend away from the parish this year (God willing) at spiritual direction training just outside of Dubuque at New Melleray Abbey. It sounds like much of our time together will be spent in quiet prayer with some time praying together, eating together, and listening to talks. To prepare for it, I read two books, an article, and part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The books were very helpful. One in particular called Time for God by Fr. Jacques Phillippe is one I would recommend for all to read if you have trouble knowing what to do in adoration. One thing that Deacon Dan Hoeger commented was that, by far, the most popular small group break out session at our local Eucharistic event this Spring was “How to make a Holy Hour.” This book may help you if that is a struggle for you. 

    I will finish with the training on Sunday and then drive to Rapid City, South Dakota to be a part of the ordination of Fr. Scott Bullock to becoming a bishop.. Bishop-elect Bullock (as he is now more correctly called) was the director of seminarians during my four years of major seminary and has provided great practical and spiritual advice for me during my twenty two years of priesthood. I look forward to being a part of ordination, though the last time I tried to attend an ordination of a bishop, I woke up with what I thought were covid symptoms and had to stay home. Let’s pray nothing like that happens this time!

    On my way back home, I’m going to stop off at a Benedictine Monastery in Nebraska for a couple of days of recollection. I’ll be there for the rest of the week but I’ll be back next weekend ready to let you know how it all went. In the meantime, please be kind to Fr. Droessler. If someone is kind enough to offer to take him out to supper Saturday night and lunch after the noon Mass on Sunday, I would greatly appreciate it. It’s a very personal way of saying thank you for all the hard work he does for us and I know he appreciates getting to know people. And please keep me in your prayers too for safe travel, good health, and good experiences all along the way.