www.awildcanary.com
August/September
2008

Hosted by
Father Patrick A. Martin
     As every Pilgrim who attends Father Pat's Summer Days of Prayer knows, each year is totally different from all the previous years. 2008 was no exception. Everyone left our beloved Brothers at Notre Dame Spiritual Center in Alfred, Maine as in a good 'Sweet 'n Sour Sauce.' Sweet memories of new friends and old friends, special and spontaneous moments of prayer, deeply moving masses, a continuous sharing of past, present and future, and wonderful music; too much of the very best cuisine as always, and lastly the sadness of departure.

  
     
   
   
 

     This years' Summer Days of Prayer took place at the Notre Dame Spiritual Center in Alfred ME. Each of the Summer Days I have attended have had a special and unique character to them. This year was our 10th year. The most unique part of our 'novenas' has been the people who have attended them and the gifts they have brought to make them special. This year was special for me because it was the most peaceful. I had a very hectic summer and needed some time to relax and regroup. Even though we only had about 20 people, we still had laughs, good food, prayerfulness and Shain’s of Maine ice cream! We went as a group twice this year. Some of us even went BEFORE the Summer Days started.
      The fact that this years' Summer Olympics didn't start until August 8th, didn't stop us from making records of our own. We had five legally blind retreatants this year. All “five blind mice” participated at Mass. One of us read and four of the five participated at Mass and were on the altar in the Brothers’ chapel at the same time. We had one priest, two acolytes and one lector. This might be a first for the Catholic Church - I don't know. Two of our retreatants came all the way from our 50th state, one of whom had never been to the mainland before. Our resident square dance caller even gave us some lessons! It was a 'novena' I will long remember.

  
  
 

We Gather in Your Name

Jesus, we gather now in Your name
Jesus, Your presence here we proclaim
For wherever two or more are gathered in Your name
There You will be in our midst, Al-le-lu-ia

Jesus, we ask You now for Your grace
Jesus, may Your spirit fill this place
We turn our hearts to You, that we may hear Your word
Give us boldness to speak in Your name, Al-le-lu-ia

Jesus, we praise and worship You
Jesus, may our voices glorify You
With words of praise and thanksgiving
For the fullness of Your spirit
And the coming of Your kingdom.
Al-le-lu-ia

Song and music written by Donna Vanasse, used with permission.

  

   
    
    
 

Powerful -Spontaneous - Loving - Bittersweet      These feelings and emotions are what came to my mind the most! I came away from retreat number 6 with a wonderful high! One that has lasted and hopefully will last the whole year through!

Enthusiasm -Music-Sharing
     We welcomed two 'new kids on the block' into our retreat family this year! These were their gifts to us all!

Healing -Peace - Love
     These were the gifts of the Holy Spirit during the many spontaneous moments that occurred during morning prayer, Rosary and the daily Masses.

Joy - Laughter - Camaraderie
      These were the gifts that retreatants received from each other! Seven states were represented, all walks of life, beautiful stories told and shared!

Hugs - Sincerity - Christ's Example
     These were the gifts that Father Pat gave us all! How lucky are we to have his friendahip and support? Most of all his enveloping love as always!

     Finally a feeling of sadness and a sense of loss as our Summer Days of Prayer came to an end. We will let God guide us to the where, when, and how of meeting again in the future! Until then we will continue to remain connected to each other comforted with memories that will always be with us and will never be taken away!

  

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Brothers of Christian Instruction
who were such very warm hosts for our 2008 Summer Days. Our thanks also go out to
Donna for sharing her wonderful photos with us and her prayerful song (above)
and with her husband, Paul, for filling the roll of host couple. We give our prayers
and sincere love to our dear Father Pat for the gift of this most treasured week.
If any 2008 pilgrims would like to share their comments on our Summer Days,
please email to: gramma3@comcast.net.

F A N T A S T I C !
Music: Dream a Little Dream of Me
Sequencer Unknown
This page last updated August 23, 2008