St. Benedict's was the first parish I worked full-time after ordination. It is difficult to believe that 15 years have passed since my time in Florence as the Director of Religious Education for the parish. It was great to see so many parishioners that I had not seen since then. It was also good to spend some time with my brother and his wife during my brief visit to the area.
Today marks the second anniversary of my mom's death. As I looked back through the photos of the trip mom and I took in October of 2014, just one year before she died, I am truly grateful for the memories. As I prepare to preach at an All Souls Day Remembrance Service at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne on Thursday evening, I am well in tune with the grieving process. I pray that my words will touch the hearts of those who are immersed in missing loved ones who have died during this past year. May we all find strength and comfort in God's amazing grace!