I am with the confirmation group from St. Charles. It is my daughter’s retreat and I am a chaperone. We are at Conception Abbey. I have so many great memories in this place!

I brought my very first confirmation group here for the first retreat I ever planned and lead as a staff member of the church. I remember I played Audio Adrenaline’s MORNING song and our theme was “Go Make A Difference”. (I still remember the teens who attended the retreat and talk with 3 of the twelve on a regular basis…one just had a baby!)

I was here again for another confirmation retreat with another group. I am still in contact with one of the girls from this group. We had a really great one on one discussion outside of the bathroom in the Basilica. I saw her here again last year when we both participated in a 5K sponsored by the Abbey.

I came up for a Silent Retreat and ran into a woman who worked at the school where my girls attended. She is one of those special people who are always kind and gentle. She has been a model of peace (she actually taught a series on peace for the kids in all the grades at the school). I’m still in touch with her and actually sent an email last week saying hello and that I’ve been praying for her while she goes through treatments for breast cancer. Even though I know she has a very strong and very deep faith, I know she is having a rough time and needs encouragement.

Of course I also always think of Joshua when I come to the Abbey. I miss him so much and can’t wait to see him. He is going to be ordained a Deacon this year in May and then after a year he will be ordained a priest. I cannot wait to see him preside over his first Mass. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it now!

Then today as another special Conception surprise, at lunch I see Joshua’s parents! It was a beautiful reminder of how much they both mean to me (as well as their family) and how much life we share. I really miss these people so much!

I am embarrassed to say I don’t spend more time working on keeping these connections or making plans with the people I love and love to spend time with! I need to make the effort to spend time with the people whom I share this deep faith and who share Jesus with me and allow me to share Jesus with them. These people help me be a better person. When I am with them, I can be just who I am and don’t need to be anything more or less.

One of the best, most precious memories here isn’t my memory. It’s the memory given to me through the story of my husband’s call to become Catholic. He came to that first confirmation retreat with me and while praying in the Basilica, he made the decision to talk to a friend, who became his Sponsor/Mentor. He also holds this place in special regard and feels God’s presence not only in this place but even in the mention of the name. Thank you for the memories!