Hugs & Exhales

In the last seven days, I've given/received eight hugs outside my immediate family. Can you imagine a time when any of us would be cognizant enough to quantify the number of hugs in a week? And with each embrace, I felt a lump in my throat and relief in my shoulders as the gradual process of reconnection begins.

As parents of St. Monica Elementary, we also received an email notifying us that the school day returns to normal on Monday (rather than early dismissal at Noon, supplemented by afternoon remote learning). Let me tell you–my 'hallelujahs' have been greater than on Easter! Of course, I love Leland—at the same time: for fourteen months, most school days, I have been sharing my office and desk with him and twenty-four of his peers. Msgr. Torgerson Zoom bombs the second grade once in a while, my mastery of solfege has been re-kindled thanks to the fabulous new music teacher, Grace Doyle, and my love for cursive has enjoyed a renaissance. That said—Monday will be the most 'normal' we've been in more than a year.

We have many people to hug: parishioners who throughout this pandemic have sustained this parish and allowed all of our ministries not only to survive but to thrive. This summer will be one of nothing but gratitude: thanksgiving for those you lifted in prayer, Eucharist, and connection; honoring volunteers and leaders who kept us #StillStMonica through two Easters, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and everything in-between; and our clergy and pastoral staff—with little time to pivot—who tirelessly continued to serve, support, and sustain not only St. Monica parishioners, but the broader community and even a diaspora of nearly a thousand—which will continue and forever be a part of our parish fabric and identity.

All are welcome. And all are welcome back.