Associates Day February 26, 2005
"Go With God, Father Dennis,"

Father shared the path he plans to follow on his pilgrimage as he seeks the heart of God.  It will begin in mountains of Colorado with a time of contemplative prayer.  From there, he plans to travel to Sicily and  spend Holy Week walking in the land of his ancestors, and hopefully meet a few of his relatives living there.  Then, he plans to visit the Italy of St. Francis of Assisi, be in Rome on the 33rd anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and finally, go on to Mexico for a time of immersion into the culture and language of the Hispanic people.

Father also shared with us the direction and leadership that will serve in his place during the six months he is away from us.  Everyone felt at peace to know that the day-to-day business of Sanctuary of Hope continues and arrangements are in place to assure that all facets of the mission function securely in his absence.

We will miss his presence, his smile, and how his face lights up every time he hears the good news of the movement of God in someone's life.  We will miss his "Amen.  Hallelujah!" at the end of a prayer.  We will miss his gentle guidance, his spirit-filled laughter.  However, we send him on his way with good wishes and a prayer for his good health, his happiness, and that he may find the desires of his heart.  We know that he is not alone on his journey because God walks with him.

Most of all, we pray he finds many moments on his journey where he is moved to use his favorite word to express the evidence of God's presence: "WOW!"