Thanks for the memories!

It's my last night in Boston. And it is hard to believe I have spent the last two years of my life in New England. I leave this fine city feeling accomplished and ready to tackle the next task: campus ministry at Northwestern University. I recently accepted a position as the Catholic Chaplain for the the law and medical school students on the downtown campus of Northwestern.

I came to complete an M.A. program in pastoral ministry and learn more about integrating my faith, journalism background and ministry skills. My thesis was about social networking and ministry. I learned as much as I could in my two years. That tug to re-enter journalism is no longer present and what now exists is a way to integrate journalism into ministry more fully.

Outside of my studies I embarked on my personal tour of the East Coast which included the historic places on the Freedom Trail, a few jaunts down to New York City, a live taping of 'Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me,' and the final destination was a beach on Cape Cod. The last one is featured in a photo of Provincetown that I pasted into this post.

The friends and community are what I will miss most as I move back to the Midwest. Many whom I shared lunch, theological reflections or academic frustrations with are folks I consider to be my family. They opened their hearts and minds into accepting a path in theology and ministry. And I could just hug them all at the same time.

As I move onto my first ministry job, I am leaving this blog behind. The intent of this space was to share my journalistic and ministerial insights with the world or whoever would find me readable at 2a.m. It kept me company as I wrote my thesis. It helped me find a sounding board for material that was floating around in my head but not necessarily fodder for my theological reflections. It helped friends and family gain insight into my studies. And even my future employers sneaked a few peaks at entries.

I will be starting another blog or Facebook group as a connection to my thesis project which was using Facebook as a ministerial tool. And I will be using media and technology quite a bit in my new position of campus minister.

To all who have read this - thanks for reading. And to those just stopping by, I appreciate the interest.

Back in action

Image of walking trails near Campion Center

Summer vacation as an adult is 10 times more fun than as a kid. Days at the pool seem more fun. Lazy days filled with trips to the baseball field and naps on freshly mowed grass are more sweet. Long rides on the bike seem to be full of much promise. 

This second official week of summer is off to an amazing start. Getting up early with no real plan in hand and then managing to pack in bike trips, errands and playtime has been a joy these past weeks. 

This official vacation was kicked off with a silent retreat at Campion Center in Weston, Mass. that allowed much needed rest and rejuvenation. This is my second visit to the Center and it was more joyful than the first.  And as I wrote in my journal on my last night, I was able to bookend my graduate school experience with retreats. The first was a weekend retreat at San Damiano two weeks before grad school which was titled, 'Awaken to the Sacred.' And this silent retreat really helped me reflect on my own journey in lay ministry, the transition into a new calling and my time at Boston College. 

It is hard to believe I'm moving on with many fond memories and rich experiences. But most of all to borrow a line from Friday Night Lights - 'Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.' That sums about how I am feeling this weekend.