Ascension

  • Morning at home: Planned tasks, read the morning office for the Feast of the Ascension, took a long hard walk in the rain (my usual four miles in an hour), hatched my homily for Trinity Sunday in Jacksonville, and responded to some emails requiring a fair amount of thought.
  • Departed at 12:30 for Edwardsville for a 2pm appointment with the rector of St Andrew's. We had a nice long and deep conversation, (part of my "How are you doing and how can I help you?" project with the clergy of the diocese) and a tour of their impressive physical plant. Much good work has been done there.
  • Next I headed east for Salem and a 6pm Ascension Day Mass at St Thomas'. There were over 30 in attendance--pretty good for that congregation on a weeknight--including six children. We worshiped the Lord in spirit and in truth, and then enjoyed a wonderful repast in the parish hall. The Bishop returned home bearing gifts from the hometown of both William Jennings Bryan and John Scopes (though their fateful 1925 confrontation took place in Tennessee), and the birthplace of Miracle Whip. Everyone looks forward to my return next Friday night to ordain their pastor, Jeff Kozuszek, to the priesthood.

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