(Pictured here with Fr. James and my daughter, Mary-Catherine)
The people in Corpus Christi are among the most hospitable people I have ever met. They welcomed my daughter, Mary-Catherine and me with open arms. We had a lovely and grace-filled time there. I was very cognizant of the fact that Our dear Lord had me there in Corpus Christi on the feast of Corpus Christi, which I thought was pretty cool.
It was also wonderful to meet some of the women that I had been corresponding with for some time and to see my friend, Fr. James again. We were able to participate in two of his Masses, including a high Mass on the feast day. God is so good!
I gave two talks - one on a mother's call to holiness and the other on carving out time for prayer amid the busyness of a Mom's life. We had a Q & A, an activity, and meals together. My daughter and I fit right in with this lovely bunch of Catholics - "serious Catholics" as Fr. James calls them. It was very tough to leave when the time came. But, I'll be back, I'm sure. :) We are already discussing future plans.
By God's grace, amazing things always happen at these events. Catholic womanly camaraderie is powerful! God is so good to us and His love is MIRACULOUS!
Here's a photo of me with some of the women who call themselves the "Graceful Gals" who did a study of my book, The Domestic Church: Room by Room. I found out that three studies were done by three separate groups in Corpus Christi. I'll have to see if I can get other photos of the other groups.
Right after the retreat day, my daughter and I were escorted off to the beach for a quick walk on the sand and to feel the breeze and smell the salt air. Here I am with Ada on the left and Nury on the right. We all became fast friends from the moment we met at the airport.
(Wow, I look exhausted in this photo - that's what lack of sleep and traveling will do to you. :) Oh yeah, it was about 100 degrees too!)
We were blessed the following day after a extraordinarily beautiful Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi to go to Padre beach (I think it's called) to have a bit of time to walk the beach and take in it's beauty. I'm sorry that I don't have photos of that beautiful day.
We should look into having you come here to Sacramento. It looks like a great time was had by all.
ReplyDeleteMonica,
ReplyDeleteWith God's grace we always have such a wonderful grace-filled time. I give retreat days and retreat week ends, as well as other events, always with a book signing thrown in too. :)
God is so good and coming together like this affords some amazing Catholic and womanly camaraderie and spiritual insights!
I'd love to visit you out in Sacramento. You can email me if you'd like to talk about it sometime.
God bless!
It sounds like such a blessed time! And what a beautiful church!
ReplyDeleteElena Maria,
ReplyDeleteIt truly was such a blessed time! The church was beautiful and the people are the salt of the earth!
God bless!