Spring is creeping in as a winter with plenty of muscle is moving out. We were blessed to serve St. Mark's parish in Clarkesville Ga with a Lenten Mission that had been requested after we provided a day of reflection for the parish council and staff during Advent. It was a wonderful time in the mountains of North Ga with great themes. Jerry played a responsorial and reflection song at the weekend masses, and Cricket spoke of each night's focus.
Sunday night began with a wonderful Lenten supper at the home of our hosts, Bill and Ann Cassano. What a joy they were to get to know. The stories and humor were even more 'over the top' when the Pastor, Fr. Jose Luis, came to spend Monday afternoon! One of the ministers told me that evening driving in the cold and rainy March weather was not preferred by many parishioners, but the turnout was twice what he expected. Cricket spoke on the application of God's Lenten and Easter graces in our daily lives on Sunday night. She followed on Monday evening with her wonderful "making the Mass more meaningful" talk that is often requested. Jerry brought music and did an interactive part during the talk on 'boundaries in the land of overwhelm'.
Tuesday night concluded the Mission with a parish Penance service after a short presentation on carrying our crosses with Christ.
