Each year I look forward to my annual summer vacation to California.  This year I planned a different type of vacation.  Instead of traveling across the country I decided to take an adventure in faith across the Southeast.

The adventure began on the evening of Monday, July 26.  That evening John Guerriero, Randy Smith, Barbara and Ed Biersmith helped me load my Chevy Cavalier with school supplies for children who live on the Louisiana Gulf Coast.  My car has never been so full.  The next morning I drove to the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge with a carful of supplies which were donated by parishioners of JGS and St. Matthew Church.  With great pleasure I delivered the school supplies to the Governor’s staff.  I thank all parishioners who gave to this worthy cause.  After a brief lunch I began the next leg of my journey which was due east.

My second destination was Bayou La Batre, Alabama.  The town of Bayou La Batre had been badly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  Once the reconstruction of the town had begun the oil spill occurred.  The town’s economy is highly dependent on the fishing and shrimping industries.  The oil spill has devastated the town’s fragile economy.

I drove to the Hemley Road Church of Christ and was hosted by Daphne Germany who administers the outreach ministry of the church.  On Tuesday evening Daphne took me on a ride through Bayou La Batre and Dauphine Island.  She pointed out businesses that had closed, shrimping boats that were sitting idly in the harbor and areas of the bay polluted with oil.  On Wednesday morning over 300 people came to the church to receive food packets that consisted of TV dinners, corn, watermelon, frozen chicken meals and three bottles of water.  Individuals continued to visit the church for food long after we had given out the last meal.  Given the great need that I experienced our parish will work with the Hemley Road Church of Christ in assisting the people in Bayou La Batre.  On Wednesday, August 25 there will be a meeting for all of those who are interested in leaning more about this mission trip.  The meeting will be held in Moore Hall at 7:00 pm.   On Thursday morning, after a delicious breakfast I began my journey to Sandestin, Florida.

In 2008, Dave Dabria, the first pastor of JGS, visited our parish to participate in the celebration of our parishes 50th Anniversary.   He was pastor for the first 10 years of the history of the Church and School.  During the visit he and his wife, Darrell, invited me to their home in Sandestin, Florida.  I stayed with the Dabria’s Thursday night and through lunch on Friday.   I enjoyed talking with Dave about the early years of our parish. Our visit helped me to better understand the history of JGS School as I help plan the celebration of its 50th Anniversary.

The final stop on my journey was at Chatawa Retreat Center in Mississippi.   My good friend, Susan Skidmore, was preparing to enter the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  On Saturday afternoon I celebrated the Mass during which she made her First Profession as a School Sister of Notre Dame.  I was honored to celebrate this Mass with Sister Susan and the many friends and family who had gathered for the occasion.  I ask that you pray for Sister Susan as she begins this new phase in her life. 

After dinner I traveled back to JGS.   The vacation was a great experience.  The journey from Monroe to Sandestin and back was not only an enjoyable vacation but truly an adventure in faith.

Fr. Mark Watson

Archived New Horizons
ADVENTURE IN FAITH
Susan's Listening To God's Call
Our Sacred History
Gratitude
Investing In Our Children
Taking Care of Ourselves
My Pilgrimage Through Italy
Epiphany
Diocesan Stewerdship Appeal
Advent Saints
Charity in Truth
Giving Thanks
Living the Sabbath
Christian in the Holy Land
Healthcare Reform
Anointing Mass 09
The Year for Priests
The Rule of St. Benedict
Catholicism in the United States
Vocations And The Family
A New Beginning
World Synob of Bishops
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
The Sacrament of Baptism
Opportunities for Growth in Faith
Confirmation
The Inauguration of President Obama
Entering the Spirit of Triduum
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Vocations by Matthew Long
Marriage
Faithful Citizenship
The Canon of the Old Testament
Communal and Individual Stewardship
Reconciliation
Security and Transparency
Thanksgiving
Youth Ministry