Fr Bernie, Olathe KS, Tuesday, Oct 5…

This trip is like crossing a stream, where you step on certain rocks to get across safely without getting too wet.  Our first reunion with old friendships was with Fr Bernie Lickteig in Olathe KS.  Fr Bernie was our parish priest back in Glendale AZ.  He and Fr Jack Larkin were wonderful Carmelite priests sent to St Rapheal’s to save the parish from some unfortunate leadership mis-steps.  Fr Bernie and Fr Jack became good friends with Elaine and I, as we settled into our first house, added Matt to our family, and became active in the parish. 

Fr Jack passed years ago.  Fr Bernie sends us a Christmas card every Christmas.  We could not go through Kansas without paying him a visit.  We found him in a nursing home in Olathe Kansas where he has his own room, and is as sharp as ever.  We had a brief but heartful visit.

We travel a few miles west to Lawrence KS and camped at Clinton State Park.  Saw a mommy dear and her doe eating apples and thought of Francesca and Luke.

Visiting Fr Bernie at Villa St Francis

Baby and Mommy dear eating apples