A Whole New Place

Greetings from the West Coast!

I have officially begun my Postulancy Year with the Franciscan Friars!

Here are the stats to bring you up to speed:

1. Left home 1 week ago (give or take).

2. Spent 5 day son retreat with the Franciscan Brothers - good retreat, good food, good company.

3. During that week - 3 of us were welcomed officially into the Franciscan Community as Postulants. We were presented with the Word of God and a Tau Cross (Franciscan Cross)and welcomed by each member of the community.

4. Week ended with 2 Brothers making their Solemn Vows during a beautiful Mass, followed by a great reception.

5. Our director and the 3 of us Postulants headed West. We had the chance to visit with the Poor Clares and spend a night in a Monastery, (both very interesting).

6. We have arrived at our large home, which includes a chapel, meeting room, sitting room, kitchen and 3 bathrooms (maybe 4 - have to do some more exploring). It has 3 floors and plenty of space.

7. There are 9 of us sharing the house, the duties and the bathrooms! We range in age from 28 - 98.

8. We each have our own good-sized room, which includes a bed, desk, closet, book shelf, and sink.

9. There have been many laughs and adventures already and we live in a beauitful area of the city.

10. Morning Prayer at 7 am and Mass at 7:30 am, Evening Prayer at 5:15 pm.

That gives you a taste of what the last week has looked liked. Lots more to come, as we beginning planing the year out and will be given assignments to work on, not to mention classes begin next week.

Let the adventure continue. God is so good!

Most powerful, holy, lofty, supreme God: You are good, most good, the supreme good! You alone we give praise, glory, thanks honor, and all good! Amen. Amen! So be it. So be it!