A Familiar Place with Familiar Faces (03/13/2026)

Yesterday, I had an appointment to discuss an upcoming retreat I’d been asked to facilitate. It was at the parish where I’d served for 20 years, and I was excited to visit again because I hadn’t been back in all those years. I arrived early so I could walk around and see everything again with new eyes.

I was amazed at all the changes but also at how moved I was to be in that place again that was full of memories. I stood in the back of church and tried to take it all in and as my eyes moved from a stained glass window to a statue, my mind was filled with the memory of sharing the story of St. Elizabeth of Hungary with students and of the moment I looked up into Mary’s eyes and felt her encouraging me to take Jesus from her arms, “You carry Him.”

I looked at my watch and realized I needed to go downstairs to meet the two who’d asked me to come for the planning session. When I got downstairs, though, I was surprised to see so many familiar faces. There were roughly ten tables of individuals talking. My eyes met another’s across the room and her reaction invoked me to join them. I walked over and chatted for just a few minutes; they were the staff from a parish I’d done a staff retreat for a few years back. I left them to complete their task at hand and took a seat at the back of the room to wait for their activity to finish.

As I sat and watched and listened, I realized that the room was full of familiar faces and voices. I’d known and worked with so many in the room. When the meeting ended a few minutes later, I walked to greet one I’d recognized from my years of directing the lay and diaconate formation. I found myself surrounded suddenly by multiple members of the group and we hugged, and laughed, and tried to catch up on the fly.

Several minutes later, I was able to sit down with a team of individuals from various ministries and different parishes to plan the retreat that I’ve been asked to facilitate in May. And our discussion began with one announcing that a priest I’d worked with years ago at the very parish where we were meeting was going to be with us on retreat to celebrate Mass. I was overwhelmed, truly. How was all this happening? How were so many familiar faces appearing all at once from so many different times and places from my journey?

We came up with a theme for the retreat, “Nothing is Impossible with God.” It fit what they all were hoping the retreat will bring; it fit my experience of that moment. And as I bid farewell to everyone with hugs and hopes for the next time we gathered, I was filled to my top with gratitude for what the LORD had brought me to and the companions who accompanied me along the way.

Last evening and this morning, my mind has replayed the moments of not only yesterday’s reunions but of the moments in the past where we walked together, shared our faith, supported one another in rough times, celebrated with one another at key moments, and where we believed together, belonged together, and became together.

This morning, I am still somewhat overwhelmed by it all. I didn’t expect it. I am still giving thanks to the LORD for the moment and the memories and the very real people with whom I’ve shared this journey. The LORD continues to surprise me in the most delightful ways.

As we all continue our Lenten journeys, may we take the time to recall all the times the LORD has been with us and whom the LORD has sent to companion us along the way. Let us give the LORD thanks and pray for those who journeyed with us then and now. Our journey is all about relationships. Lent powerfully reminds us to get our relationships in order with our LORD and with another and of the importance of those relationships to our journey – they are the not only the reason for the journey – they are the purpose we carry with us and the purpose we pray we may accomplish.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.