Lenten Mission at the Church of Saint Paul, Ham Lake, MN:

Just a quick word to let you know I'm home safe and sound from the U.S. and to thank you yet again for your prayerful support to us while I was away on an outreach mission trip.

Saturday involved a tiring schedule. We were up at 3:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. Minnesota time zone). Departed at 6:00 a.m. from Saint John and arrived in Minneapolis at 10:30 (12:30 our time). The travel was relatively uneventful (thank God) and I did get through customs without incident or delay (though my luggage, including guitar almost didn't make it with me!).

A quick lunch was followed by a practice with three chaps from the parish who agreed to help me out with the  music/worship. At the 5:30 p.m. Mass, I joined the music ministry for the second communion song (quiet meditation) then I spoke briefly following communion.

Sunday I did the same for the two morning Masses. The mission began Sunday evening, through to Tuesday evening.

The response was very encouraging. Attendance on average was approximately 400 each evening. There was quite a mix from the parish community including entire families (mom and dad with four or five kids). Fr. Jon the pastor, as well as those I spoke to from the parish were very excited and pleased with both the message (essentially the call to holiness and prayer issued by our Holy Father in Novo Millenio) and the people's response to it. This was also confirmed by the generosity manifested by the free-will offering for the mission.

* I've attached a photo (from left to right) of Brad, Shawn and Enrique who joined me for the entire mission. They are not only devoted Catholics but also true professionals in the full sense of the word. Enrique has been playing bass for over 40 years (professionally for many of those decades). Shawn not only has a degree in percussion but teaches and directs the music program at a local high school as well as teaching privately. Brad was a professional guitarist for several years after university touring the nation with a band (before settling down to raise a family) and has recently opened a store (www.guitarzoneonline.com) with a partner from the parish.  It was a tremendous grace and privilege for me to minister with them. What a blessing, after almost four years, to lead worship (including Eucharistic adoration) for a community that is so alive in the grace of the Spirit, and to do so with such proficient and prayerful musicians. It was a true 'oasis' in the midst of the desert wilderness we've lived in for almost six years.

Sale of  King's Grant:

No offer as of yet! We continue to receive phone inquiries and will be showing the house to another couple today (Monday Feb. 21st). Please keep us in prayer. We'll let you know as soon as anything firm develops.

My mom's recovery:

The surgery on her crushed ankle went well but the injury was very serious. She'll be in hospital at least another two months, possibly three or four depending on if and when she can ever put any weight on her foot again.

She's in excellent spirit's however, without a care on the world (she's certainly not afraid of death) and lot's of time to pray, rest and pray...she's been doing a lot of that for years already. She's now in section E5 at the Civic, room # 540, phone # (email me for the number at james117@virtualministry.com)

Thanks again! Your prayerful support and encouragement are invaluable to us.

"Duc in altum..."

Marcel & Linda