Honouring Those Who Serve and Doing What We Must

Rebecca and I just returned from Diocesan Convention in Dayton. It was like most other Diocesan Conventions, which means that I would have preferred to be somewhere else, but it is a part of my job, and as I keep reminding myself- the worst day at Convention is better than the best day finishing moulds in the foundary! There were some notable things that happened. The Convention was held at the Hope hotel at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, named for Bob Hope, the great entertainer who entertained American troops around the world for over fifty years. May God bless his memory. The meetings were held in the Holbrook Conference Center, named for US Secretary of State Richard Holbrook, who brokered the Dayton Peace Accords in the same facility where we met. There is something very satisfying about meeting in a place where so much good occurred and so many lives were saved in some of the worst of times. It gives one pause to consider the hard work involved in peacemaking. Bishop Breidenthal went out of his way to honour US veterans on this November 11th, Veteran's Day here and Remembrance Day for so many of our allies. Kudos to our bishop for remembering our troops and all they do to maintain peace and stability throughout the world. Thank you Bishop.

On Friday night, the St. John's delegation slipped away into Dayton's Oregon district and found a great little art deco bar and eatery specializing in mediteranean cuisine. The food was beautiful as well as delicious, and the conversation flowed as freely as the wine. For lunch on Saturday, we drove into Fairborne to follow up a tip about a great little Italian place. It was everything we had been led to believe. The Calizone was to die for and the price was right.

Apart from the food and the fellowship, it was good to see some friends and make a few new acquaintances. Yes, it was better than working at the foundary, or the auto plant for that matter. But we are very glad to be home, surrounded by dogs and the things we love. It is quiet here, and soon I will walk up to the barn to put the horses and the chickens to bed. While conventioneering is far from my favorite thing about being a priest, I am home now and contented with my lot. For that I give thanks.