Recently at the 4th day encounter, we were asked what recent blessing in our life, we are most thankful for; or at least that’s the question that I heard. It was posed to the 100 plus crowd as a general question intended to be answered in an “open mic.” fashion. This is what I shared.

I’m thankful for how well my mother is doing after the recent passing of my dad. It is clearly her faith that gives her the strength to smile and be positive when I know she is very sad and lonely. It is the grace of God that allows her to see past the grief and realize that there are happy moments that need to be lived. She’s been living them to the best of her ability. I’m proud of her, and thankful to God.

About 13 years ago I came back to active participation in the faith. Having spent the better part of my adult life at the time ignoring God’s call, I was worried that I had missed my opportunity to make a true impact in the life of my older kids. I prayed about that fear and asked for God’s help.

Yesterday, our 24-year-old daughter, who incidentally is a newlywed; texted us asking if we knew where there was an adoration chapel open that she could go to. We asked her, “Why, what’s wrong”? Her answer was, “Nothing, I just want to go to adoration. If you think something needs to be wrong for me to go; I must need to go more often”.

A couple of days prior to that, our 21-year-old daughter asked us if we would like to join her and her boyfriend in the Bible study that’s currently going on here at St. Mikes. Obviously we said yes. Her boyfriend is currently enrolled in RCIA; almost completely due to her evangelizing him. We hear them talking regularly about matters of faith.

Our 17-year-old son, who was confirmed last spring is currently a table leader for the kids that will be confirmed at St. Mike’s in the coming year. He willingly attends Catholic Heart Work camp and the March For Life.

This is what I’m most thankful for: a God that not only answers my prayers, but He answers my prayers so far beyond what I had asked for that it brings me to tears.

Rick Kroyer

St. Michael’s, Prior Lake

I was on a day long retreat at a beautiful retreat center with my Bible study friends recently. During our personal reflection time, I ventured out to the labyrinth. My instinct and desire was to go through the wooded beauty with the peak fall color, but I stopped myself. I needed to do something out of the norm. Yes, the lake and trees were calling and I am there now to write, but the discipline to shake things up was calling just a little louder. I was hoping this new experience would take me away from the familiar and heighten my senses to what God might want to say to me.

What did I see and hear?

I was the only one in that area of the property, an expanse was beyond the labyrinth. The sky was blue with bright sunshine and a sprinkling of small scattered clouds. The wind blew gently but steadily. I felt as if I was alone in the world with God on this journey. I could visualize myself from above as if from an aerial view. I was walking the path of life one step at a time looking down to see the path before me, then looking up to take in my surroundings. A wind chime interrupted my silent journey, but in a good way. The sound was pleasant and welcoming, so much so that I took a selfie with it in the background with the sunlight captured over my shoulder brilliant and bright. The rays, each distinguishable in the photo as a beautiful gift of God’s light shining down on me.

As I followed the path of the labyrinth, I was drawn to notice several metaphors along the way, stopping to capture each in a photo to help me remember. The path was mowed with prairie grasses and other plants lining the way. Being mid—October, the grasses were mostly hay like with a hint of red on some of the stalks and plumes of seeds on others. The stalks with the plumes were a good 4 feet high and I noticed them swaying in the breeze. Some blew across the path to greet me. Others blew away from me. A few were bent low along the path in front of me and a couple were cracked and the plume hanging on by a thread. Young sumac was scattered here and there with its vivid red of autumn.

Then there were the twists and turns of the labyrinth’s path. I found myself thinking, “Oh surely this next turn will have me at the center”, only to find that I was further away than I thought. How could this be? The journey was taking much longer than I had anticipated. The temptation to hop over the high grassy border into the next path over was strong. Should I do it? What would I miss if I did? I stuck to the path for a while longer, but as my time was running short I did succumb and stepped over one row only to find I was much closer to the exit than the center! Hmmm?

What message could God be sharing with me on this journey with so many things catching my eye?

As I reflect on the grasses and their plumes moving with the breeze these thoughts came to mind. The tall stalks that blew toward me and away from me may represent the people I cross paths with in my life. Some I am meant to engage with and others maybe not for reasons unknown to me. Or perhaps those very same stalks could represent the opportunities that are meant for me or not. Am I to pursue the things that are apparent and in viewing distance and readily available? Or am I to venture into the more unknown and elusive that are more hidden? What about the ones that are no longer swaying in the breeze but cracked or strewn across the path? Could they represent lost opportunities, missed opportunities? Or could they represent things that are not worth my time anymore? On the labyrinth’s path I stepped on or around them as if dismissing them. What else do I dismiss in my life knowingly? Unknowingly?

As for my hopping over the grassy border, what did I miss by not fully completing the journey? What do I miss regularly by taking short cuts? So much for me to ponder and perhaps an invitation to finish the journey that God placed before me.

Justine Bojan

We had the opportunity and delight to spend a month in Washington D.C. taking care of our granddaughter. We have long desired to be grandparents and feel the grace of God’s love and enjoy the opportunity to share in His Good News.

Our time there began with our granddaughter’s Baptism. Extended family came from across the country to celebrate. Corrina Marie was baptized in Christ wearing a white gown first worn by one of my ancestors 102 years ago. It has been passed down through generations of faith and worn by at least 14 from my family including me. The witness of those who had established foundations of faith and wore this same garment as an outward sign of the dignity of a life in Christ, shown brightly and Corrina Marie was full of Joy. The candle that our son, as Godfather, received for her and lit as the light of Christ carried with it his responsibility and commitment to carry that light for her throughout his life.

As we reflect on that day in relation to our recent 4th Day Encounter that focused on our Baptismal vows as Cursillistas, we see clearly our responsibility and commitment to be witnesses of faith with our lives. Like our granddaughter and all the witnesses of faith through the generations before her, we seek to live out the roles of Priest (sacrifice for others), Prophet (sharing the Good News), and King (service to those present with us). We pray that the grace filled waters of Baptism will help her and all of us to flow with love in the chaos of life. We pray that in her life, while she may have to die to many things, she will turn to Christ and His Body, present to her, that will help her rise to new life in Him.

As we cared, fed and played with our precious granddaughter all of these things came to life in the unknown possibilities for the future of God’s Kingdom in her. The Family of Faith is made powerful and everlasting through the presence of God with us. In the Spirit of Baptism we pass it on to all in our path, present and future.

There is new life in all the close moments of our lives shared in grace. May you and your families be contagious with them.

God’s grace in abundance to you all,

Ro Weldon

Bob works at the Church of the Epiphany and I work close by so we enjoy many lunch times together. On one of these occasions, we were sitting on a bench in the outdoor shrine at Epiphany when the Kindling Editor came walking along. She realized that Bob was going to be working in the kitchen later that day for #363 and that I would be working the following weekend for #364. This realization caused her to pause and ask if we would be willing to share a paragraph or two about the weekend.

Here are a few phrases that sum up the two weekends; “Service with Joy & Praise”, “Fellowship with God” and “Teamwork”. There are many little tasks to be done as the weekend proceeds and hearing the leaders say, “I knew a task needed to be done but it was completed before I asked” is a sign the “Team” is working together.

We arrive at the weekend like seeds. We are a closed, some tightly while others are ready to split wide open. We fall into our basket of tasks and begin to shuffle around. We begin to sprout and share information. Little by little, the shell is shed and we are exposed. We move within and outside our small groups getting fertilized in God’s word and action. Respect of our faith strengthens the roots. By the end of the weekend we have grown through what we shared and received and our growth is seen by others. We are a garden in full bloom.

Like the stool of piety, study and action, the teams of kitchen, palanca and Rollo work together as a stool to stand on and use. We encourage you to work a weekend if you can and thank you for the prayers that make all weekends success-ful. Until the next time ….

Nancy & Bob Mathewson

I recently had the privilege of serving as proctor for weekend 364. If you are ever invited to “work” this position, say, “Yes, my Lord!” immediately! You will see the weekend from a very different vantage point. Plus, you get your own room : )

By the end of clausura, when excitement peeks, exhaustion began to set in. I averaged 19,000 steps daily, and I even had a cool golf cart to make the trek from church to school most of the time! (perhaps I’m not very efficient)

Everything needed to be packed up for the trailer, or home, so I went to my bedroom to begin the collection process. If you are familiar with St Mike’s setup, you will know that my “bedroom” was up a stairway, down a little hallway, to a room overlooking the gym…not exactly the room people just happen to walk by.

As I collected my personal effects, and began trip one to my car, a cursillista showed up. “Would you like some help?” she asked. In typical MN fashion I began to say “No, I got this.”, but instead said, “Yes, please! How did you even find me?”

I’m not sure she had an answer. We gathered the bags and together made it a one-trip event. What a relief that was.

Next stop, rollo room to put away the 3-legged stool and other effects of the weekend. I was faced with the question of what to do with the extra bibles and Pilgrim’s guides. I voiced this question to no one in particular. There were many liaison team members making quick work of the tear-down of the rollo room. The very same person “just happened” to be one of them. She said, “I’ll take them, and take care of it.” I thought, wow, interesting how she happened to be here, too.

Finally, after visiting with a few new 4th day, hugging many friends, and absorbing the last bits of love from the weekend, it was time to get the car and head to the kitchen for the last of the personal items. I found the box labelled for me in the back room of Archangels Hall. I also found a few items left from Agape that I knew needed to go to the trailer…parked back by the school. By now you may guess who was there to take the items from my hands, smile, and let me know that she would be happy to deliver them to the trailer. The very same person!

When I got home and settled in for a long Epsom soaking, it all came together. God had provided an angel to help me. Three times! I encountered an angel three times! Truly the hands and feet of Jesus helping me along my way. ~

Lois Vold

De Colores! My husband, Ron and I attend St. John Vianney in Fairmont. He has recently taken over the Ultreya Rep position.

As I did my palanca notes for candidates and team, I felt drawn to do a special palanca for Ron. We had arranged that I would do his adoration hours from 8-10 PM on the Friday of the weekend. I have such great friends in Sonya Fujan and Mary Bretey that they felt they could help with the hours and I could just drive to Prior Lake earlier that night. Instead, I stayed and prayed a heart-felt rosary with them and we chatted eagerly about the upcoming weekend. They knew I was going to drive the two hours after adoration to spend the night in my car in St. Michael's parking lot. They were concerned that I would do that by myself. However, I knew God would watch over me and I would be close to Him!

No worries! I arrived at the Church at 12:30 AM and slept great! (LOL!) I was welcomed into the Palanca Chapel by the awesome team along with the Kayser's and Hufstedler's to pray over and for Ron during his talk. The Palanca Mass was wonderful as well! Such love!!! God's love!!! Praise God, who is deserving of all our love!

By Cathie Arens

I met a woman a couple months ago who has a mission. Tabitha is from Uganda, a country where there is much poverty. Ki-Mombasa, a village in Uganda, is home to women and young girls who out of necessity are prostituting them-selves for the equivalent of 30 cents. Tabitha is building a community nearby to get these girls out of poverty and prostitution. Many people are engaged in this project and have already started a poultry, fish and vegetable farm using a technique called aquaponics. She contacted me to discuss the progress they have made and also to discuss a new venture: building a sewing center.

This organization has already acquired 32 sewing machines, with a commitment of another 200. Another donor has promised two containers for shipping this equipment to Uganda. A building has been set aside there for this project, but it needs a lot of work. Tabitha was laying out for me all that she needed to make this project a success: an architect to help restructure and per-haps expand the building, a designer to configure the space inside, and tons of fabric, thread, etc. As we were adjourning the meeting, my head was spinning with all that was needed for the farm and sewing center, as well as expanding the existing clinic and building a new hospital. As we were walking back to our cars, I heard a small whisper, “Invite her to the makeover party.” What? Usually when I hear a small whisper I disregard it or talk myself out of it. For whatever reason, this time I listened and responded. “Mary Kay has a new mud mask that my friend, who is a consultant, would like others to try; would you like to go to a makeover party on Saturday?” Even in my mind I was envisioning all these women conversing around a table with mud on their faces, not a comfortable environment to get to know a person. However, she said yes.

We arrived at the party, were introduced briefly to the others, had snacks, and then settled down to remove all makeup and apply the mud. As we were waiting 20 minutes for the mud to take effect, we went around the room to tell a little more about ourselves and what we did. When Tabitha started talking about her project in Uganda, I saw God at work and realized why He wanted all of us together. I must have looked quite comical with my eyes bugging out, jaw dropped, with mud all over my face. The host is an interior designer for hospitals and clinics, her brother is an architect, and all the women around the table sew and have tons of fabric and supplies they would love to donate. Plus, one woman had just bought a new sewing machine and was wondering what to do with her old one. I watched and listened to the excitement as business cards were being exchanged and plans were being made for our next meeting, still with mud on our faces.

I was amazed at how responding to a simple internal whisper could produce the biggest “God-moment” I’ve ever experienced. I wonder how many others I have missed?

Nancy Gahl

De Colores my Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I am thankful to God that not only has He helped me through this adventure of my life, but also for the gift of life in order to continue to serve Him, and for the overwhelming support from all of you. I thank each and every one of you for your prayers. I have felt them and all the medical decisions made for my treatment have been right on the mark.

The ailment I had was a lymphatic infection under my left toe which was caused by a couple of factors. I am diabetic and I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphedema about 15 years ago. It did not help that the thigh on this side of my body was seriously injured when I was a young boy. The prospects for recovery are very good. The results of infectious biopsy which was performed on a bone shaving showed that there is no bone infection.

I will have returned to work sometime during the week of the May 15. A nurse has been visiting me 3 times a week to change my dressings and filters on the wound vacuum I am using to keep infection out and grow skin at the incision points. It is so good to be home. As many of you know, my job has been keeping me very busy for the last several months. I have been walking around the house every day and I have been able to get out and drive.

I can’t wait to get out again and see all of you around town – all in good time. God’s peace and blessing to each of you. I will pray for all of you. I thank God for placing all of you in my life.

Mike Moren

Would you agree that there are times in life when something just feels RIGHT? That is exactly how I felt when the Rectora for weekend #362 invited me to be proctor. I almost said “Yes” immediately, but decided that I probably should pray about it for a couple of days just to make sure that this is what God wanted of me. Three days later I officially said “Yes”. I was quite sure that God wanted me to be part of weekend #362.

I thought, this is going to be the best weekend ever for me!. At the very first formation meeting, I met the proctor for the Men’s weekend. As the weeks of formation progressed I found him to be such a pleasant man, a joy to work with and so helpful, already making my job easier.

I was being reunited with spirit-filled women I had met on a previous weekend, as well as meeting beautiful women I had never met. Team formation was going great! The food was to be “awesome”; the Palanca team was geared up to be super great warriors of powerful prayer, and the Rollo talks were going to be inspired by the Holy Spirit in a way never seen in the past. Yup, it was going to be a great weekend, for me…

My candidate had been unable to participate the previous year, but had readily said “Yes” this year. I was so excited for her….and me….

Not only I was going to be working the weekend with a current “groupie”, but I was also going to be working the weekend with one of my dearest friends and her deacon husband. This was a soul-mate-sister I had grouped with for a number of years. I was PUMPED!

Formation had been completed with the walk through. We were ready.

The Sunday before weekend #362 the sore throat started. I thought this was just going to be a cold and with rest and plenty of fluids I would be ready for Thursday night and the start of the Women’s weekend.

By Wednesday I was thinking, this is more than a regular cold, my temperature was 103.2. If this is strep throat, there is still time to get on antibiotics and be ready for the weekend, In spite of getting the flu shot I was diagnosed with influenza and told that I should not participate in the weekend.

I was crushed. I felt terrible having to notify the Rectora less than 24 hours before the start of the weekend. I felt such great anxiety at letting the team down. I even felt guilt, thinking that I should have warned her earlier in the week. Although I was very disappointed, I felt the “weight of the world” lift off of my shoulders when she was so gracious and kind despite the late notice. It was evident that there was great trust in God on her part. As we talked, the Holy Spirit was already leading her to a solution.

As I recuperated over the days of the weekend, a number of times I asked, “why?”. Everything in the planning for the weekend had gone so well. I did not understand, but I did let go and I felt at peace as I accepted God’s will. My written Palanca had been delivered, but I was being given the opportunity to add to Palanca for the candidates and the team. This made not being there much easier. I may have not been physically present until the Closura, but I was spiritually present the entire weekend.

At the Closura I was introduced to the candidates and invited to sit with the team. This was a very moving experience for me and I can’t begin to express how humble I felt to officially be a part of the Closura.

An insight that I gleaned from this experience was my reflection on the words, “It is not about you” which is found on the cover of the team manuals. All of the plans had fallen into place for the weekend so beautifully. I came to understand that this was not to be a memorable experience so much for me, but rather for those lovely, beautiful candidates who had said “Yes” to God’s invitation.

Once again we see how God can bring great things out of adversity.

Mary DeWitte

Father Livingston to me seemed like any other priest, funny and very personable. Hearing him explain the mass was soothing, what struck me the most was not to be afraid, what could happen and about our hands being the instruments of healing.

I turned around as two friends were sitting behind me, about 3 rows back. And I ironically thought both were friends I had invited. Funny how they had sat next to each other.

It was my turn to take a spot at the altar and I remember my friend in-structing me to stand very close. And then it started. I remember looking at the young woman to my right and smiling encouragement, as I was just as scared.

I then looked at the altar and then felt the sensation coming towards me. It was as if there was this massive cloud like being enveloped in a fog. But it was very comforting and peaceful and the most amazing blue with white clouds. And it kept coming closer and closer. I was already starting to drift and then Father was right in front of me and then I remember thinking I surrender. I don’t remember Father laying hands on top of my head but I do remember feeling as if I was lifted up. I had surrendered. I wanted to be with him and then I was in another place.

It was like I was among the clouds and the sky was the most beautiful blue. And I was laughing, giggling and so happy. I have never felt such delight. And I felt no pain in my body, nor did I feel any of the hurt from the abuse I had experienced in the past. I heard nothing that was going on near me. I was with him. I wanted to stay and not go back. He was watch-ing me and I could feel this immense love. And it was as if he had given me back my childhood and I was so happy. The Joy is hard to describe other than lots of giggling and happiness to be with him. And I felt like I was skipping and jumping for joy.

And then it was as if I had felt his love and he knew that I truly believed in him. And then I was back, I remember moving my legs, touching my head as I laid on the floor. And sitting up and I was back.

I managed to get back to the pew as I was crying with immeasurable energy and shaking going through my body. That night at home I felt a joy that I wanted to share with everyone. Energized, not tired but feeling such joy. I truly believe I was given a glimpse of heaven.

An Anonymous 4th dayer