August 2020
We were thrilled to be able to see the West Park local community to celebrate the feast of St. Mary the Virgin. We gathered in our new Mary garden and "crowned" her (well, we wreathed her), we prayed and sang and danced a little. Then we spread out on the lawn and ate our picnic dinners. It was a glorious rare moment.
Last month we announced our newest Candidate for Covenant Companionship. Well, this month changed that. Joy Perkett, who has been in the Covenant Group for two years, decided now is the time to go deeper. So we will have the delight of her presence at weekly meetings. It's good timing, as we begin our "deep dive" into the Covenant and Charism over the next year. We are making room for new Covenant Group members as well, looking to begin that in late fall or early winter.
Elizabeth has learned that she needs a hip replacement. That is scheduled for late October. In the meantime she is practicing patience and letting others help. Prayers please! Shane is beginning sabbatical for two months, and will be away for one of those with her brother and his family. We are both grateful for the many friends who are offering to help Elizabeth, and also grateful for technology that lets us pray together while we are apart.
Shelby's season of change continues. She graduated Union Theological Seminary, moved out of New York, and has now moved to St. Paul Minnesota to begin a year's residency as a hospital chaplain. More prayers!
Dario and Paul took a few wonderful RV trips to the Black Hills and Lake Superior, and the semester is now in full swing for both of them. Dario is teaching online. It's a lot of work but it is also an opportunity to try out new teaching strategies, for which he's grateful. Dario is also actively involved in the Diocese of Nebraska's The "Balancing the Scales of Justice" task force chaired by Kaity. That group is moving forward with more projects and engagement.
Annie has been sharing her home with Josh, a student from Nigeria who had to leave his dorm in March. Josh has now returned to the dorm, and she is exploring life alone again. She has applied for postulancy in the diocese of Washington (more prayers!). She is getting a much-needed retreat this weekend.
The news in the Medina home is the addition to the family of a new puppy! Her name is Sophie (named after Sophia - Wisdom). She was born on May 26th. Then Ernesto went to visit his parents in San Diego. We pray for them, and for him and his brothers. Lauren and Farrah got out of town for a vacation on Cape Cod and relaxed on the beach, with yoga and lots of walks. Lauren is continuing to practice her hand at embroidery.
Prayers for you and those you love, and thanksgivings for all you do in this hurting and beautiful world.