RBWords

     The beginning of a new volume of RBWORDS is always for me a time to think about the years gone by as well as the possibilities still ahead.  Next month, (Feb. 25) I will celebrate my 72nd birthday.  Many people my age are retired.  I'm not so sure what that would mean in my case.  What I have tried to do is to "cut back" on the amount of events that I commit myself to.  Earlier today, when going through a pile of papers on my desk, I came across my schedule for the year 2011.  I counted 13 parish missions and 4 retreats as well as miscellaneous other events on my schedule for that year that required me to travel.  This calendar year (2015), I have only 6 parish missions scheduled plus 5 retreats (so far).  There have been some family baptisms which allow me to visit with family along the way, as well.  But I think I did manage to cut back.  Provincial assembly and personal retreats get added into the mix as well as substituting for the chaplain for the Dominican nuns up in Lufkin once in awhile.  

     I have just returned from my annual retreat/visit to Tucson (there's a similar one in Oregon each year as well).  There a discussion with a brother Dominican took place in which I was advised not to worry so much about the future and to concentrate on living more "day by day."  This is not easy for me (I have parish missions booked for Lent of 2016 and one in 2017 already).  But I will try.  There is also a possible change of address for me in the making.  You will have to wait until it is official before I can say it will happen. My term as "Prior" of the Dominican community here at Holy Rosary  Priory in Houston is coming to an end early next month and we will have to elect someone else.  Pray for us!  In the meantime, as long as my general health is very good, I will continue itinerant preaching here or in the new location (if that happens).  I guess "retirement" will be more a process than a state of being for me.  IT'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.