2009

Somewhere near the start of 2009 I met Dominic, a young teacher who had recently returned from a year's missionary work in Micronesia. He was struggling much as I was, and as we talked about the benefits of exercise and sunshine we decided to start jogging together. From there we found our shared interest in rock climbing and started with that too. Dominic's friendship and the activities we did together, having regular afternoons to run and climb was instrumental in getting me back to full health. 

Many years ago Bishop David challenged us priests that sometimes priests live "double lives". Not that the other life was necessarily anything immoral, but he said it might be golf, or travel, or some other hobby. This now applied to me. I was feeling good again, but my energy was now in physical activity and fitness more than in my ministry, and I knew that this was wrong. 

I went on my annual retreat which for once was in New Norcia WA to pray with this. My question was never whether or not to leave priesthood; this was a promise I had made at my ordination. The question was rather how fully I would give  myself to my priesthood. Would I do the basics in the ministry in these next few years, but find my life in other things? Time in prayer allowed the desire to be as completely committed as I had been before to arise. Running and climbing with Dominic would continue (for the next dozen years) but were my side hobby, not my life. 

Back at home Bishop Bede wisely counselled that if I was finding some parts of parish life difficult that I should choose some area which gave me joy and to focus on that. So I chose youth ministry. 

The parish had an average kind of youth group for Years 7-12. I suspected that this was too broad an age range and proposed that we split to Year 7-9 and Year 10-12 in order to offer something more age specific and attractive to each age group. With some school holiday activities like laser tag and yes, another boys beach pilgrimage the two groups flourished. At one point we had to split Year 7-9 into Year 7 and Year  8-9 because we had 70+ kids turn up one night and go bezerk. 

So this turned out to be the area I could pour myself into. With St Leo's College on site we had plenty of avenues for crossover which further enhanced the youth ministry. 

As my energy for the parish grew I proposed again the Community Dinners. These launched again with  dedicated group of volunteers. This time the guests were more those who were rough sleeping or on the verge of it, and who used several of the local food services on different nights of the week. This cohort displaced the widows and others who might have otherwise come, but that was OK, as this was the group who were in need in this area. Each Community Dinner has developed its own character, and this dinner continued for many years beyond my time there. 

As the Cathedral Parish Bishop David would celebrate a Sunday Mass most weeks, as well as special events. I had the opportunity to concelebrate with him and to absorb his teaching. I noticed that while many priests preach morality "do this, don't do that", Bishop David preached spirituality, with his constant refrain that through Jesus and the Spirit were were being drawn to share in the Divine Life of God. 

These were the things I was happy reflect on as I walked this morning. It was a beautiful sunrise, and the angle of the sun through the rows of sunflowers was like Manhattanhenge. 

The walking was easy, risingup through a pine forest today and bringing us to the high plains known as The Meseta. These days ahead once we get past the city of Burgos tomorrow will be across broad plains with little shade, and will likely mean even earlier starts than the 6-6.30am starts we have now. 

But the early starts mean we get to the towns early, around 1pm, and today's albergue has a small swimming pool (all for 8 euro per night!). We joyfully jumped in then spent hours just sitting by the pool.

Mykey asked me a few days ago as we both limped along together (only one week ago, though it feels like so much longer) whether I would continue to walk at the level of pain we were each feeling. We both agreed yes, because it's worth it for everything else we get to experience. 

As my tendon heals alas I have some awful blisters, likely in part from walking awkwardly due to the shin. But today's long sunny afternoon has allowed me to cut away some dead skin and to dry them out which bodes well for walking the coming days. 

As we move toward the mid point of the Camino we are all starting to do the math as to how many days we have left. I have to fly out on Oct 1st, others have other dates or side trips planned which begin to define the date we need to arrive in Santiago. The group is beginning to change. We've already farewelled a remarkable Swedish mother and son Ulreca and Andreas who peeled off yesterday, and it's likely the Swedish & Norwegian group (the a capella choir) whom I've walked and eaten with the past few days will stop in the city of Burgos tomorrow so we might move past them. Although, never say never, as yesterday I re-met a group I met on day 2. I'll likely continue along with Mykey for at least a few days more. 

As I write this it is a bright sunny 5pm with sunset still hours away due to Spain's odd position within the time zone. A centuries old church sits behind me and the beautiful valley below our albergue stretches out below.