This past month at the Ascension I have been in a bit of a quandary. We have had changes in the weather, changes in the season, changes in the staffing, and even the colour of my office has changed!

Amid all of this I have found it difficult to keep up with blogs, provide for the parish, and keep body and soul together.

Thank you God for spiritual retreats and time for rest and refocusing.

I realiz

For the last ten years my life in some way or another has been entwined in the faith journey of a dear friend and neighbour. She is a joy to me, in her simplicity of practice, in her deep profound love, and the holiness which is her very self.

This past little while I have rekindled my weekly visits to her, as she comes closer to death, and she slowly loses parts of her life that has meant so much.

She no longer reads her Bible each night, for she cannot see; She no longer provides th

I seem to be in a confessional mood over this retreat and writing time, and so now I delve into an admission.

I don't believe that actions, thoughts or words can evoke a curse, bad luck, or a 'black cloud.'

I don't believe in ghosts.

I do absolutely believe in the presence of supernatural beings, including God, angels, archangels, and the presence of evil.

So am I superstitious? I say not. . . But wait. Let's get a definition:

Superstition:
1. Excessively credulous

I don't like to eat food that is particularly hot. In fact, I usually stay quite clear of most things that are labelled 'blackened', 'Thai', 'Indian', or 'Curried'.

Yet this past weekend, as a treat for my family, I cooked chicken flavoured with chili powder and curry powder. I made sure I added things that I enjoyed as well, green pepper, salt, and lots and lots of basmatic rice.

Looking back, it seems as if I were doing a lot to make sure I hid the truth

Last week, late at night, I walked my dog, reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the newness and anticipation of the future. As we rounded the corner on our regular route, I was struck by the beauty of light reflecting off the half frozen pond, of the lights twinkling from far off Port de Grave.

 

It was a new year, and yet things