Getting More Ready

Well, I've got as much done before packing as I can. Euro are purchased. Europe converter is at the ready. In between now and the flight to France is a 3 day meeting in DC. I will then head to Dulles Airport, chauffeured by Seth Silva. It will be good to see him.

France is the first and more extensive part of the renewal because it is where the Society of Mary -- Marists were founded. As you follow this journey, hopefully, you'll come to know more about the congregation that I was called to and have lived in these past 28 years (longer if you include college and high school). We are a small group, but my ancestors have done great things.

Some background:

• Historically, our foundings are 'mired' in the end of the French Revolution (late 1700's and early 1800's), and the turmoil of a society rapidly changing.
  

• Jean Claude Colin and his companions were formed by the political upheaval of seeing a somewhat triumphal and politically connected church -- tamped down.

• As the Church emerged from this period, the need to catechize was great but of the course this had to be done in a new quieter way.

• This new way was what Colin and others felt drawn to by the Blessed Mother. They felt strongly that she called them to begin the Society -- and they often spoke of the work of Mary, which was to be the support of the Church.

Hopefully, you guys at the Newman Center / SLO have felt a bit of that quite unassuming spirit in Fr. John and I. I know that we're not always quiet in terms of volume (especially Fr. John)! But we've tried to live the Gospel and to reflect Mary's spirit in what we do.

You can be the judge of how successful we've reflected Mary's gentle and quiet spirit in living and preaching Christ.