On Thursday I went to a Retreat sponsored by the Cathedral of the Intercessor in NY. This is the Church I served for 18 years before moving to Rhode Island. It was pretty cool seeing a whole lotta guys I know real well. The fellowship was sweet! 135 men were there, most of whom I knew but it was also nice seeing a bunch of new men I didn't know. Many of them were from the "Bridges" homes that have been set up around the diocese for guys dealing with substance abuse. It is great to see the vision moving forward.

Mt. St. Alphonsus Retreat House is gigantic. It was a seminary for the Catholic Redemptorists. The property is 400 pristine acres on the Hudson River. The facilities are stupendous and they have a chapel that is more like a cathedral. Getting quiet is real easy there. Along with going to the teachings (Bp. Craig Bates is always good) and spending time in fellowship, I got quiet. Long walks, prayer in the chapels, reading and meditation in my room...it was refreshing.

I've been going there a lotta years and I will go again next year as well (Lord willing).